How to Recharge STC in Saudi Arabia — Sawa Top Up

Topping up an STC Sawa line in Saudi Arabia has gone almost entirely digital — scratch cards still work, but STC Pay, SADAD, and mada cards now handle most recharges in a couple of taps. Here is every method, starting with the fastest for how the Kingdom actually pays.

Digital-first: STC Pay, the app, and SADAD

• STC Pay — the STC wallet recharges a Sawa line in two taps from a saved balance or card; the quickest option if you already use it.
• MySTC app — recharge with a saved mada/credit card or Apple Pay; credit is instant.
• SADAD — every Saudi bank app carries SADAD bill payment; select STC, enter your number, and pay from your account.
• my.stc.com.sa — website recharge by card, no app needed.

Scratch card & voucher: *155* + PIN

Holding a physical card or e-voucher? Dial *155*, the recharge PIN, then # and press call — the balance updates instantly with a confirmation SMS. You can also call 1500 and enter the code by voice prompt.

Where to buy Sawa credit

Recharge cards and e-vouchers sell at Panda, Danube, Tamimi, petrol stations, neighbourhood groceries (baqalas), and STC outlets, plus online marketplaces. Typical denominations: SAR 10, 20, 50, and 100.

Confirm and automate

After recharging, dial *166# to verify your new balance — see checking your STC balance. To avoid running out, set auto-recharge in the MySTC app against a saved card, which matters if your number carries bank OTPs or Absher government logins you cannot afford to lose access to. Online recharges start from SAR 10, and STC periodically runs bonus-credit and double-data promotions through the app — check the offers banner before you top up.

Then pick the right plan

Spend fresh credit on a bundle rather than pay-as-you-go rates — our guide to STC Sawa prepaid plans compares the current 2026 tiers.

Recharging a Sawa line from abroad

Outside Saudi Arabia and need to top up your own or a family member’s Sawa number? International services such as Ding, Recharge.com, and most remittance apps carry STC. Enter the Saudi number in full international format (+966…), pay in your local currency, and the credit lands within minutes — useful for keeping a number active while you travel, or topping up family back home.

If a recharge does not go through

Card payments usually fail because online or international transactions are disabled on the card, or the 3-D Secure (OTP) step timed out — enable e-commerce in your bank app and retry. For a scratch-card code that errors, re-check every digit and confirm the card was activated at the till; if it is genuinely faulty, the retailer can replace it against your receipt. When in doubt, SADAD through your bank app is the most reliable route.

Methods verified against STC’s official Sawa pages, July 2026.