Start here — these cover almost everything people write in about.
The app says “shalwa is off”
That message means one of the things shalwa needs isn't available, so it won't start sessions. Check each of these:
- Location set to “Always” — shalwa has to detect parking while the app is closed. “While Using” isn't enough.
- Motion & Fitness permission enabled.
- CarPlay connected — shalwa runs sessions only while you're connected to CarPlay.
- The Shortcuts automations for CarPlay connect and disconnect are still in place.
- A funded Wallet, at or above the AED 25 minimum.
While shalwa is off it will not pay for your parking. Pay by your usual method until it's back on.
What is pay later parking?
There are two kinds. Pay now parking is a street zone — shalwa starts the session as you park and pays it as it runs.
Pay later parking is a mall or gated car park: the barrier lets you out, the operator bills you afterwards, and it becomes a fine if you miss their deadline. shalwa finds those charges and can pay them for you.
Topping up your Wallet
shalwa runs on a prepaid Wallet in dirhams. Top up in the app under Wallet — a minimum balance of AED 25 keeps the service active.
If a top-up was taken but your balance didn't move, send us the date and amount and we'll trace it.
Refunds and charges that look wrong
If a charge looks wrong, tell us within 14 days of it appearing in Activity. We'll look into it and, where a refund is due, process it within 30 days.
Unused Wallet balance can be refunded on request, less anything already spent on sessions. Refunds go back to the original payment method.
What does pay later parking cost?
The charge the car park operator set, plus a shalwa service fee of 20% of that charge — VAT included where it applies. The full breakdown is on the receipt.
What if my Wallet is short when a charge arrives?
We won't pay it, and we'll tell you — including what the charge becomes if you miss the operator's deadline.
Top up and pay it from the app before then, and it never turns into a fine.
Parking fines
Fines are issued and enforced by the parking authority for that zone, not by shalwa — we can't pay, contest or settle them on your behalf. They have to be dealt with directly with the authority.
Pay later parking charges are different: those are paid before they turn into a fine. Once one has become a fine, the rule above applies.
Licence plates
You can register more than one plate and set a default, which shalwa uses when a single car is parked. All seven emirates' plate formats are supported.
Only register plates you own or are allowed to pay parking for — sessions run against a plate are charged to your account.
Deleting your account
In the app: Settings → Delete account. That removes your account and personal data, apart from transaction records we're required to keep for tax and accounting.
Withdraw any remaining Wallet balance first, or ask us and we'll refund it.
