DU Directory UAE: The 199 Number, du Yellow Pages and How to Find a Contact Fast
The DU directory number is 199. Dial it from a do-not-dial line to reach directory assistance. If you have an Etisalat by e-number, dial 181 instead, according to the UAE Government portal.
Which number do you need?
Most people searching for the du directory want one thing: the right contact, quickly. Use this table to skip straight to the right route.
| What you need | Best route | Who it suits |
| A business or service number on a du line | Call 199 | du mobile and home line users |
| A business or service number on an e-line | Call 181 | Etisalat by e&users |
| Help with your du bill, SIM, or plan | Call 155, or 800 155, from any UAE phone. | du customers |
| UAE government services and information | Call 171 or visit 171.ae. | Residents and visitors |
| Police, ambulance, or fire | Call 999, 998 or 997 | Anyone in an emergency |
| A Dubai business with reviews | Search: HiDubai | People comparing local options |
The directory numbers and emergency lines come from the UAE Government portal. The 155 and 800 155 lines appear in The National’s complaints guide.
What is the du directory?
The du directory usually means one of two services from du, the UAE telecom operator also known as Emirates Integrated Telecommunications Company. The first is the 199 directory assistance line. The second is the Yellow Pages, a business directory.
du directory enquiry (199)
This is a phone service. You call 199 from a du number and ask for a contact. It helps when you are driving, have no data, or only know a business name.
du Yellow Pages
This is a business listing service. du and its partner Zoser relaunched it online in October 2016 with over 100,000 local businesses.
What the du directory is not
These three mix-ups waste the most time:
- It is not for customer care. Call 155 for bills, SIM problems, and plan changes. The directory line finds contacts, not account help.
- It is not a list of telecom plans. Some guides describe it that way, but plans sit in the du app and on du.ae.
- It is not Yellow Pages. ae. Trade coverage ties that site to Etisalat Directory Services, not du.
How to use the du directory phone number
The du directory phone number takes under a minute to use if you prepare first. Follow these steps:
- Check your line. Use 199 from a du number. On an e-number, use 181.
- Check your credit. On prepaid, run a quick du balance check by dialling *135#.
- Prepare the details. Note the exact business name, the emirate, and the area.
- Dial 199. It is a short code, so you do not need a country code or area code.
- Ask for one listing at a time. Name the branch if the business has several.
- Write the number down and read it back. One wrong digit means a second paid call.
- Verify before you pay or share data. Compare the number with the company’s official website.
What to say on the call
Clear requests get faster answers. For example: “I need the phone number for [business name], the Al Barsha branch in Dubai. “If you do not know the name, give the category and area instead, such as ‘pharmacy in Al Nahda, Sharjah.'”
How much does 199 cost?
Expect a charge, and confirm the rate before you rely on the line for repeat lookups. An older third-party copy of du’s home services tariffs listed directory assistance at 199 at AED 1.05, including VAT. Rates can change, so check your current tariff in the du app or call 155.
du Yellow Pages: what you can rely on
du Yellow Pages relaunched as a free business listing service with paid upgrades, but check its current status before you depend on it. The public record is strongest for the 2016 launch.
The October 2016 announcement sets out these details:
- Coverage: over 100,000 local businesses at launch.
- Method: geo-location technology plus agents working on the ground.
- Cost to businesses: free basic use, with optional premium upgrades.
- Business tools: profile self-management, analytics, and lead generation.
- Access: the website duyellowpages.ae, plus a printed edition.
- Registration: through the website or by phone on 04-348-4504.
A decade is a long time for a directory, so treat these details as history until you confirm them. Open the website first, then confirm any listing details with the business itself. If the du Yellow Pages site or phone line does not respond, use the alternatives below.
du directory vs online directories: which should you use?
Use 199 when you need one number now and cannot browse. Use an online directory when you want to compare businesses, read reviews or check a location.
| Option | Best for | Main limit |
| du 199 | One number, hands-free or without data | du lines only, and you may pay per lookup |
| e& 181 | The same task on an e-line | e& lines only |
| HiDubai | Dubai businesses with reviews and ratings | Focused on Dubai |
| Yello | Browsing UAE companies by category and city | Details depend on each listing being current. |
| Google Maps | Opening hours, directions, and recent photos | Listings can be outdated or edited by others. |
| The company’s own website | Confirming the final number | You need to know the company first. |
The official Dubai portal describes HiDubai as a project of Dubai Economy & Tourism and Dubai SME. It covers more than 180,000 Dubai businesses.
A simple method that works: find the business through any directory, then confirm the number on its official website. This takes one extra minute and helps you avoid copycat listings.
Common du directory problems and how to fix them
Most directory problems come down to the wrong line, an out-of-date listing or an unknown caller. Start with the matching fix below.
199 does not connect
First, confirm that you are calling from a du line. Prepaid users should also check their credit. If the call still fails, call 155 and report the problem.
You are outside the UAE.
Do not count on 199 from abroad, because the UAE portal lists it for du numbers without covering overseas use. Search the company’s website instead. For du account help from overseas, call the National list at +971 555 678 155.
The number you received is wrong
Businesses move and change numbers, and no directory catches every change. Check the company’s website, its Google listing, and its social media pages. Use the number that appears on its official site.
You want to identify an unknown caller
A directory is built for finding a business you can name, so it is a poor tool for tracing an unknown number. Do not call back if the caller pressed you for money, codes, or card details. The TDRA has warned residents about official-looking scam calls and advises them to hang up and block the number.
You keep getting sales calls
Join the Do Not Call Registry. The National reported in August 2026 that you can text DNCR to 2211 to register. To report a violation, send the caller’s number to 2211 in the format 05XXXXXXXX.
For business owners: how to stay easy to find
List your business on several trusted directories and keep every detail identical. A single directory rarely covers every customer, and conflicting details reduce trust.
- Set one master record. Fix your trading name, phone number, address, website, and opening hours.
- Check the Yellow Pages. Search for your business and confirm whether the listing and registration route still work.
- Claim your main profiles. Start with Google Business Profile, then add HiDubai if you trade in Dubai.
- Add general directories. Yello and Ever List can add further places for customers to find you.
- Use a number you answer. A dead line costs you the enquiry and damages trust.
- Review your listings every quarter. Update them the same week you move or change a number.
HiDubai’s own guide to Dubai directories also stresses consistent name, address and phone details for local SEO.
Related du services you may need
Online directories need data, and a found contact may lead to an overseas call. These guides cover the next step:
- Short on data for one busy day? See the options for du unlimited data for 1 day.
- Using maps and searching every day? Compare plans fordu unlimited data for 1 month.
- Calling a contact abroad? Check the latestdu international call offer before you dial.
- Setting up a home or small office? ReviewDU Internet Packages UAE.
Offers change often, so confirm the price, validity, and eligibility in the du app before you buy.
The bottom line
Save 199 in your phone if you use du, and save 155 for account problems. Use an online directory when you need to compare options. Before you pay anyone or share personal details, confirm the number on the company’s official website.
Frequently asked questions
What is the du directory number?
The du directory number is 199. The UAE Government portal lists it for people with a du number.
What is the du directory enquiry number for Etisalat users?
Etisalat by e&users should dial 181. The 199 line is listed for du numbers.
Is the du directory free?
Do not assume it is free. An older third-party copy of du’s tariffs listed 199 at AED 1.05 including VAT, so confirm the current charge with du.
Is 199 the same as du customer care?
No. 199 is for directory assistance, while 155 handles DU accounts, billing, and service help.
What is du Yellow Pages?
du Yellow Pages is a business directory that du relaunched online with Zoser in October 2016. It listed over 100,000 local businesses at launch.
How do I add my business to du Yellow Pages?
The 2016 announcement offered two routes: the website or 04-348-4504. Check that both still work, and ask du on 155 if they do not.
Can I find a person’s private number through the du directory?
Do not expect to. Available details can depend on privacy settings and the listing itself, so use a shared contact or the person’s workplace instead.
What should I use instead of the du directory?
Use HiDubai for Dubai businesses, Yello for UAE-wide browsing and the company’s website to confirm the final number.
