1
Touch 'n Go eWallet
Everyone beginning life in Malaysia
Start herePayment & e-walletRight after arrival
Apps to Install Right After Arriving in Malaysia
Compare 8 apps in total
These are the apps to sort out in your first week after arrival. First get a local SIM and a local number, manage your plan in a carrier app (CelcomDigi, Hotlink, MyUMobile), use Touch 'n Go eWallet for daily QR payments, foodpanda and GrabFood for meals, and Shopee for daily essentials — building the foundation of daily life quickly. Many of these are only in Malaysia's app store, so the norm is to install them once you're on the ground. You can run things via cash top-up even before opening a bank account, so lock down payments and delivery first.
10
GrabFood
People already using Grab, those who want to switch between Malaysia's two leading delivery services
Delivery & e-commerceRight after arrivalIn Japan store too
FAQ
- Q. What should I do first after arriving?
- A. The basic order is SIM → local number → Touch 'n Go eWallet. Buy a local SIM at the airport or a mall, get a local number, manage your plan in the carrier app, and install Touch 'n Go for daily QR payments. Add foodpanda, GrabFood and Shopee on top, and meals and daily essentials start flowing right away.
- Q. Can I use Touch 'n Go before opening a bank account?
- A. Yes. Right after arrival, without a local account, you can run it via cash top-up at convenience stores (e.g. 7-Eleven) or from a Wise MYR balance. That covers QR payments, tolls and parking — plenty as a bridge until you open an account. Once you have an account, switching to DuitNow / FPX top-up reduces the hassle.
- Q. Can I install these apps back home?
- A. Many are only in Malaysia's app store, so the norm is to install them after you arrive. Touch 'n Go, official carrier apps and some delivery apps may not appear in your home store. Once you're on a local SIM/IP they become visible and downloadable, so installing them together after arrival goes smoothly.
