Singapore Travel Apps to Install Before You Fly: MyICA, Grab, SimplyGo and More, by Purpose
The apps people actually use in Singapore, from the arrival card and ride-hailing to MRT and bus routes and weather, with a note on which ones need a phone number for a one-time password so you set them up at home.
Kurz erklärt
- The most important app is MyICA Mobile, or the ICA website, for the SG Arrival Card within 3 days before arrival, followed by Grab for rides and Google Maps for MRT and bus routes.
- Many ride-hailing and payment apps send a one-time password by SMS, so register at home while the Thai SIM still receives SMS, then use an eSIM for data once in Singapore.
- Most apps need an internet connection while you use them, so download offline maps, screenshot your tickets as a backup, and check each app's terms on its official source.
Why install the apps before you fly
Many apps in Singapore verify your phone number with a one-time password (OTP) sent by SMS. If you wait until you land, you depend on a signal and a SIM that can still receive SMS, which is harder than registering at home on stable Wi-Fi. A data-only eSIM also has no Singapore number, so it cannot receive OTPs from local apps. Keep the Thai SIM for SMS and use the eSIM for data.
The general preparation and SIM-versus-eSIM choice are covered in “Singapore Trip Prep and Internet: eSIM or SIM, Plus a Checklist”. This guide focuses on the apps only.
Apps by purpose
| Zweck | App | Needs data in use | Registration with phone number (OTP) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Einreisekarte | MyICA Mobile or the ICA website | Yes, while submitting | No phone OTP; an email address receives the Visit Pass |
| Rides, food and payments | Grab, Gojek | Ja | Yes, usually an OTP |
| Taxis | TADA, CDG Zig | Ja | Yes, check in the app |
| Routes and maps | Google Maps, Citymapper | Yes, though maps can be saved offline | Nein |
| Bus arrival times | SG BusLeh, MyTransport.SG | Ja | Nein |
| Paying fares | SimplyGo with a card or phone wallet | Not at the gate | No, but set up your phone wallet |
| Weather and haze | myENV | Ja | Nein |
| Airport | Changi App | Ja | Depends on the feature; check in the app |
Before arrival: MyICA Mobile and the SG Arrival Card
Every visitor must submit the free SG Arrival Card online through the ICA website or the MyICA Mobile app within 3 days before arrival. The Visit Pass (e-Pass) is emailed to the address you give, with no stamp in the passport. Beware paid look-alike sites and start only from the official source.
- 1Prepare your detailsPassport, accommodation, inbound and outbound flights, and an email address you can actually open.
- 2Submit within 3 days before arrivalUse the official app or site, then screenshot the confirmation.
- 3Check the email for the Visit PassKeep the email on the phone before you arrive, in case signal is slow at immigration.
Rides and taxis: Grab, Gojek, TADA and CDG Zig
Grab is the app visitors use most, for rides, food delivery and payments. Gojek is another option, while TADA and CDG Zig book taxis. Register each one and add a payment method at home, since verifying the number and card takes time and an OTP.
- Set your language and be precise about the pickup point; airports and big malls often have designated pickup spots, so follow the in-app instructions
- Prices and fees vary by time, so check the current price in the app before you confirm
- For how much data ride-hailing and delivery apps use, see “How much data do ride-hailing and delivery apps use?”
MRT and buses: maps, SimplyGo and bus apps
Google Maps and Citymapper show MRT and bus routes with the stations where you change lines, while SG BusLeh or MyTransport.SG show live bus arrival times. Save an offline area in Google Maps as backup.
For fares, SimplyGo lets you tap a contactless Visa or Mastercard, or a phone wallet such as Apple Pay or Google Pay, at MRT gates and bus readers, and you tap in and out on buses too. Foreign cards may carry a small daily admin fee from the card issuer or the system, so check the current terms.
Alternatives are the EZ-Link stored-value card sold at stations and convenience stores, and the Singapore Tourist Pass for unlimited rides over a fixed number of days. Check the terms on the official source.
Weather, haze and the airport
myENV is the NEA app with weather forecasts and the haze PSI reading. Singapore is hot and humid all year, afternoon thunderstorms are common, and transboundary haze can occur around August to October in some years, so check it before outdoor plans.
The Changi App covers flight information, terminals and services, including Jewel Changi Airport. Available features change over time, so check inside the app. The airport also has its own free Wi-Fi.
Attraction apps and tickets
Some attractions, such as Gardens by the Bay, Mandai Wildlife Reserve, Sentosa and Universal Studios Singapore, have their own app or online ticketing. Download only from links on the official website, and check hours and show times there, since they change.
Setup order at home
- Install the eSIM over home Wi-Fi and keep the Thai SIM for SMS
- Register Grab, Gojek, TADA and CDG Zig with your Thai number and add a payment method
- Add a card to your phone wallet for SimplyGo
- Download an offline map of Singapore
- Submit the SG Arrival Card within 3 days before arrival
- Open every app once so permission prompts are done before departure
Häufige Fragen
Which app is the most important?+
MyICA Mobile or the ICA website for the SG Arrival Card, as it is an entry requirement, followed by a ride-hailing app and a map app.
Can a data-only eSIM receive OTPs for local apps?+
No, because it has no number. Register at home with your Thai number, or keep the Thai SIM for SMS.
Do I need a VPN for these apps?+
No. The internet in Singapore is open, and Google and the apps Thai travellers use work normally.
Can I tap a foreign card with SimplyGo?+
Generally yes for contactless Visa and Mastercard, but a small daily admin fee may apply, so check the latest terms and ask your card issuer.
About the author
Porsch Kunnipat Siramanakul
- Co-founder of eSIMonline.asia
- Digital marketer
- Performance marketing and marketing planning
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