Do I need to register my phone IMEI after using an Egyptian SIM card in Hurghada to avoid being blocked?

From messages by 4 participants in 3 sources · Last activity: 42 days ago

TL;DR

If you use an Egyptian SIM card, your phone may need IMEI registration and updated visa details with the mobile operator. Travelers report that an unregistered device can be cut off from Egyptian mobile networks after around three months, while Wi‑Fi still works.

What the community said

After activating a local SIM, check with the operator whether the phone is registered. Without IMEI registration, the device may be blocked on Egyptian mobile networks.

IMEI registration

Travelers report that, after inserting an Egyptian SIM, an IMEI may be disabled after about three months unless the registration process and any required tax payment are completed.

Around 3 months

The process may require a visit to the mobile operator’s office to update visa details and register the handset.

Mobile operator office

If the phone has stopped connecting to local networks, first check whether its IMEI has been blocked. Restoring mobile service may require paying a tax; without a local SIM, the phone can still be used over hotel Wi‑Fi.

Hotel Wi‑Fi