Popular mobile remittance app Taptap Send has temporarily halted money transfers from the UAE due to a system upgrade, leaving thousands of expat users frustrated just days before payday.
For nearly a week, users opening the app have seen a pop-up reading:
“Sending temporarily unavailable… We’ve temporarily paused transfers from the UAE while we upgrade our service.”
Users Complain as Payday Nears
Regular users told Khaleej Times they were caught off guard by the sudden suspension. The timing, they said, is especially “bad” as many expats plan to send part of their salaries home at the end of the month.
Mohammed, an Indian expat and marketing executive in Dubai, said:
“I send multiple times every month because there’s no service charge. I was shocked when it stopped working since October 17.”
Filipino expat Michael Ortega said he uses the app because traditional remittance centres charge Dh15–Dh25 plus VAT, whereas apps like Taptap Send cost nothing.
Why the App Is Popular
Launched in the UAE in June 2023, Taptap Send offers zero transfer fees, fast delivery, and competitive rates. It is also available in the UK, US, Canada, Australia, and parts of Europe.
The UAE is the world’s third-largest remittance sender after the US and Saudi Arabia. In 2023, UAE-based Indians remitted $21.6 billion, while Filipino workers sent $1.52 billion in 2024.
Experts Warn About the Sustainability of “Free Transfers”
UAE-based financial coach Jay Adrian Tolentino said free transfers are often a growth tactic, but not always financially sustainable.
He explained that such apps earn through foreign exchange spreads, not fees. However, meeting UAE compliance rules can increase costs, which may lead to small future charges or adjusted FX rates.
“The remittance industry is very competitive. Free services need either massive volume or investor funding to survive,” he noted.
Tolentino added that remittance apps are ideal for small transfers, while banks usually beat them on large transactions.
Previous Tech Issues Hit Users in July
This is not the first disruption this year. In July, a technical glitch caused remittance delays across the UAE for several days. Affected users were compensated with cashback vouchers worth Dh20 to Dh60.
