If you are recently landed on any UAE airport and facing the issues related to the Whatsapp calling as the app shows “Call Failed”, “Connecting” but nothing happened after that so you are not required to worry about that as the WhatsApp call banned in UAE, but for a relief there is also many option that you can use the WhatsApp call Dubai.
Yes, it is absolutely correct that the UAE doesn't allow whatsapp calling, but you are not cut off from every side as if you want to contact whatsapp then you can use the facilities like whatsapp chats, voice notes and sharing the media files. It is very important to know about the details against WhatsApp calls not working in Dubai that are provided here.
Does WhatsApp Work in Dubai?
Yes, the whatsapp works in Dubai but under some WhatsApp Dubai restrictions or rules that needs to be followed for the smoother upcoming trip for the travellers. You can use some facilities or features of whatsapp such as you can use whatsapp for chatting, send voice notes along with sharing the media files.
But WhatsApp video call UAE and WhatsApp voice call UAE are banned by the UAE Internet providers on the local networks. In such a case you are required to use the international roaming option of your home-country network as the whatsapp will work on that network.
And if you don’t want to use your home network then you are required to use the approved VoIP apps such as BOTIM or GoCHAT as these apps run safely and smoothly under the current situation.
Why Are WhatsApp Calls Restricted in the UAE?
If any traveller or resident faces such an issue like the WhatsApp call blocked in Dubai then for the very first they thought or want to know about the reasons for such restrictions, so the WhatsApp call blocked in Dubai under the UAE Telecom Law. Now it is also a big question for people that what is the reason behind that, to clarify and understanding the reasons behind such steps are:
- There are two emirates in Dubai that are named as Etisalat and DU which are two licensed telecom giants there. If they allow the worldwide whatsapp to offer the free voice calls to the customers then their income from international calling would be reduced which the government doesn’t allow.
- Whatsapp calling is end-to-end encrypted that is definitely best for privacy but this privacy doesn’t allow you to put a sharp eye on the fraud or criminal users. The UAE Telecom basically allows the government to see or check the records or conversations not for involvement in the chats but to check the data when there is an enquiry on that person.
Since When Has WhatsApp Calling Been Restricted?
The WhatsApp call blocked in Dubai was initially banned in 2015 but at that time some licensed telecom providers were providing the facilities but later around 2016, the WhatsApp calling Dubai basically banned under several restrictions. In 2017, the prohibition spread widely or boosting from one to another.
Does the Restriction Apply to Tourists?
Yes, the restrictions are applied to everyone such as the tourist, residents or the business who are willing to go to the UAE. Your WhatsApp video call UAE & WhatsApp voice call UAE will be banned if you are connected with the local UAE network, the voice & video calls through whatsapp will be unavailable but you can use the other features such as chatting, or sending voice notes and files to continue the work.
Can You Receive WhatsApp Calls in UAE?
No, basically you can't make or receive calls through Whatsapp voice & video in UAE as the WhatsApp call blocked in Dubai. But you can use message sharing, sending voice notes and media files sharing as these features work smoothly like before.
What WhatsApp Features Still Work in UAE?
Most of the residents and tourists thinking that the whatsapp is completely blocked according to the WhatsApp Dubai restrictions, but it is only a myth as many of the other features are still working which are given:
| Feature |
Status in UAE |
| Texting |
Works |
| Sharing photos and videos |
Works |
| Files and Documents |
Works |
| Voice notes |
Works |
| Voice Calls |
Blocked |
| Video Calls |
Blocked |
| Group Calls |
Blocked |
Is FaceTime Also Restricted in the UAE?
Yes, the facetime is also restricted in the USA under the UAE VoIP restrictions, under the telecom regulations of the company. The voice over Internet Protocol that are not having the valid licence are blocked at the network level.
Best Alternatives to WhatsApp Calls in UAE
It is true that the UAE blocked WhatsApp calling Dubai but in the absence of that the country also provides some alternatives so that you can call or continue your contacts by calling. These new apps licensed from Dubai are now providing better connectivity from last past years.
| App |
Cost |
Type |
| BOTIM |
~AED 50/month |
Voice and Video |
| C’Me |
Paid |
Voice and Video |
| Zoom |
Free + Paid |
Video Conferencing |
| Voico |
Free with Esilate |
Voice |
| Microsoft Teams |
Free + Paid |
Business Calls |
Can You Use WhatsApp Web Calling in UAE?
No, as per the UAE VoIP restrictions you are not allowed to make whatsapp web calling as the WhatsApp call blocked in Dubai and the resident or the tourists from different countries are not eligible to make whatsapp web calls by using the local network. As they both required the local licensed connection or the approved apps to make such calls from UAE.
Communication Tips for Tourists Visiting Dubai
If you are planning to visit the UAE or exploring the beauty or having business along with the family togetherness then it is also to make the trip smooth by selecting the perfect platform like Dubai Visa Online so that it will be easy for you to make the calls to your loved ones as this platform provides you the correct information related to the communication as WhatsApp call blocked in Dubai and you are required many alternatives that has mentioned.
Common Myths About WhatsApp in UAE
There many myths virals through social media or the news about the whatsapp about the blocking step that you can’t use it throughout in UAE but these are completely fake as the tourists or residents can use the whatsapp for texting, sharing media files or sending voice notes and only the whatsapp voice and video calling is blocked not the entire whatsapp.
Future of WhatsApp Calling in UAE
Whatsapp calling in UAE is blocked in UAE and will remain the same through the country for future upcoming years as the Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (TDRA) will support the UAE VoIP restrictions, so the users have to use the alternatives to use the calling facilities.