Unlike Saudi Arabia’s single national registry, the UAE’s DNCR is registered separately per operator — Etisalat and Du each have their own SMS code — so a layered approach combining DNCR with your phone’s built-in filter works better than relying on either alone.
Quick answer
Etisalat: SMS “DNCR” to 1012. Du: SMS “Block” to 1012. Both are free.
How DNCR works
The TDRA (UAE’s telecom regulator) maintains the registry. Once registered, telemarketing companies are legally barred from calling your number — though scam calls from numbers that never registered legitimately can still slip through.
Layering additional protection
- Phone-level filter: iPhone: Settings → Phone → Silence Unknown Callers. Android: Phone app → Settings → Caller ID & Spam
- Report to TDRA: persistent spam numbers can be reported through the TDRA website
- Third-party apps: Truecaller and similar apps catch numbers DNCR doesn’t cover
Changed your mind?
SMS “ALLOW” to 1012 removes you from the DNCR if you want telemarketing calls again.
Verified against Etisalat, du, and TDRA’s official DNCR guidance, August 2026.
Step-by-Step Guide
- 1
Register with DNCR
Etisalat: SMS "DNCR" to 1012. Du: SMS "Block" to 1012. Free and instant.
- 2
Enable phone spam filter
iPhone: Settings > Phone > Silence Unknown Callers. Android: Phone app > Settings > Caller ID & Spam.
- 3
Report spam numbers
Report persistent spam callers to TDRA through their website or app.
Alternative Methods
SMS "DNCR" to 1012 (Etisalat) / "Block" to 1012 (Du)
Phone Settings > Spam Filter
TDRA website
Troubleshooting
Still getting spam after DNCR
DNCR only blocks registered telemarketers. Install Truecaller for broader spam identification and blocking.
Want to unblock telemarketing
SMS "ALLOW" to 1012 to remove yourself from the DNCR.
Look Up More USSD Codes
Frequently Asked Questions
Does DNCR registration cost anything?
No, it's free on both Etisalat and Du.
Does it block all spam calls?
No — only registered telemarketers are legally required to comply. Unregistered scam callers still get through, which is why phone-level filtering matters too.
How long until it activates?
Immediately for the registry itself, though it can take a few days for all telemarketing databases to update.
I have both an Etisalat and a Du line — do I need to register twice?
Yes, DNCR registration is per-operator in the UAE, unlike Saudi Arabia's single national list.