Yes, for messaging. Texts, photos, voice notes, documents and group chats all work normally on UAE mobile data and Wi-Fi. What doesn't work is WhatsApp voice and video calling, which has been blocked for years and was still blocked as of October 2026.
What works and what doesn't
- Works: one-to-one and group chats, voice notes, photo and file sharing, status updates, WhatsApp Web.
- Blocked: voice calls and video calls, including group calls. A call usually rings out or connects with no audio.
The reason is regulatory, not technical. The UAE regulator has long said that internet calling is reserved for licensed providers, and when rumours of an unblock spread in 2017 it told Khaleej Times its VoIP policy had not changed. Officials have floated lifting the ban more than once since then, including a 2019 comment to CNBC reported by The National, but no official change has followed.
How to call home instead
For voice or video, use an app on the UAE's approved list. Gulf News keeps a rundown of licensed calling apps that includes BOTIM, GoChat, Zoom and Microsoft Teams. BOTIM calling generally needs a paid add-on from du or e&. Regular cellular calls on your US plan also work, though roaming rates add up fast.
Skip the idea of routing WhatsApp calls through a VPN. A VPN isn't illegal in the UAE on its own, but using one to get around blocked services can expose you to fines under the country's cybercrime law. Plan your calls around the approved apps and use WhatsApp for what it does well there: messaging.