No, WhatsApp voice and video calls are blocked in Dubai and the UAE on local networks due to regulations and security, but messaging, voice notes, and file sharing work fine; you can bypass the call restriction using a VPN or a travel eSIM that routes traffic outside the country, though using a VPN is legally questionable, so authorized apps like BOTIM or C'ME are recommended alternatives for calls.
If you are in Dubai, you will sadly not be able to make any WhatsApp calls to people using the app, since those functions have been limited by the government of Dubai. You can, however, access Whatsapp's texting feature, and share video messages or audio texts with your contacts.
No, WhatsApp voice and video calls are not officially supported on local networks in Dubai or across the UAE. Travelers can still make WhatsApp calls by using workarounds such as international roaming or travel eSIMs that route data through networks outside the UAE.
The most reliable video calling apps in UAE include BOTIM, Zoom, GoChat, Microsoft Teams, and Google Meet. These apps work without VPN restrictions, offering secure video calls in Dubai and across UAE. To use them, ensure you have an active VoIP package from Etisalat or Du.
Which Apps Work Without VPN as the Best Alternative to WhatsApp in Dubai?
FaceTime isn't available in the United Arab Emirates. The carrier, not Apple, provides technical support for iPhone in this country or region. Might include an additional fee or requirement. Contact the carrier for more information.
Russia started restricting WhatsApp from Wednesday. It had clashed with foreign tech platforms for several years over content and data storage. United Arab Emirates (UAE) has banned most applications using Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services - free internet-to-internet voice and video calls - starting in 2017.
In the UAE, messaging apps such as Telegram, Botim, and ToTok are available without restrictions. WhatsApp and Messenger can be used for text messaging, but their video and voice call features are blocked. Skype is mostly unavailable.
Is WhatsApp Banned in Dubai? Yes, WhatsApp calling in UAE is restricted. This measure has been in place since 2017, enforced by the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA). The primary reasons are regulatory and security concerns.
We don't charge for sending messages and media, or making voice and video calls on WhatsApp.
It's often provided by the UAE government, in partnership with telecom providers like du and Etisalat. In Dubai, free Wi-Fi is available in the airport and on the city's public transport networks, including the Dubai Metro, buses, RTA taxis, as well as ferries and water buses.
Is VPN banned in the UAE? No, using a VPN service is not banned in the UAE. However, using a VPN to engage in illegal activities, commit or conceal a crime, or get access to blocked content can lead to punitive measures being taken against you, including fines and imprisonment.
The UAE government heavily restricts VoIP services (Voice over Internet Protocol) like WhatsApp, Skype and FaceTime with the two telecom operators Etisalat and Du enforcing these restrictions. WhatsApp calling features are banned in the UAE so users cannot make WhatsApp voice or video calls.
English is widely spoken and often serves as a common language for communication between tourists and locals.
WhatsApp is fully usable in Dubai for messaging, while voice and video calls remain restricted under UAE VoIP regulations. Travelers can maintain effective communication by relying on text based features and using approved platforms for calling.
Top Chatting Apps In UAE [2025 Update]
WhatsApp is fully banned in China and North Korea, while several other countries like the UAE, Qatar, Egypt, Syria, Iran, and Russia impose restrictions, often targeting Voice over IP (VoIP) calls for security/financial reasons, leaving text messaging functional but voice/video calls blocked or throttled, with usage dependent on local telecom policies and intermittent government actions.
It is a free internet calling app that also offers a group chat option. Botim is a call app that works on all types of devices like iPhones, Android phones, laptops, PCs, and other devices. Using this app, you can easily call Dubai from India.
Yes, tourists can use WhatsApp for texting and media sharing on airport WiFi networks. However, voice and video calls will still be blocked, even at Dubai International Airport or Abu Dhabi Airport, since the VoIP restriction applies across the country.
Are video calls illegal in Dubai? Yes, video calling is banned in UAE, but government telecom companies like Etisalat & Du provided video call facilities via different apps on a chargeable basis. Why is WhatsApp banned in Dubai? WhatsApp, Skype, IMO, and other VoIP apps are blocked in the UAE.
Many popular apps like WhatsApp and Skype are blocked in the UAE. This guide covers licensed VoIP / cloud telephony apps that are legal, secure, and reliable in Dubai: FreJun, Botim, Zoom Phone, Webex Calling etc. Choose apps with virtual numbers, voice encryption, CRM integration, and clear regulatory compliance.
1. Rove Downtown. "The Rove Hotel in Dubai merges style with convenience, offering modern, cozy rooms and essential amenities like free Wi-Fi, a gym, and pool."
Messaging apps in Dubai - conclusion
Apps like Messenger, WhatsApp, and Viber may not work or may have limited functionalities for voice and video calls. Instead, you can use Botim, C'Me, Zoom, and Microsoft Teams, all of which are licensed and fully functional in the UAE.
The best internet options in Dubai are as follows: 2GB of internet from Etisalat costs 49 AED (12.50 €) and 79 AED (20 €) for 4GB.
Unblocking WhatsApp calling in the UAE is simple with a VPN. Thanks to its ability to conceal your online whereabouts and change your IP, accessing WhatsApp in the United Arab Emirates is a piece of cake. In 2026, these are your best options: NordVPN (the best all-around VPN)