Twice vs WhatsApp in the UAE: messaging and calls
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Short answer: As of 2026, WhatsApp messaging works in the UAE, but WhatsApp voice and video calls are restricted without a VPN. Twice offers messaging plus voice and video calls designed to work in the UAE without a VPN, and lets you see the people around you.
Twice and WhatsApp in the UAE at a glance
| Criterion | Twice | |
|---|---|---|
| Text messaging in the UAE | Yes | Yes |
| Voice and video calls in the UAE without a VPN | Yes, designed to work on UAE networks without a VPN | Restricted in the UAE as of 2026, according to UAE media reports |
| See people around you | Yes, in real time, with an interactive map (exact location never shown) | No |
| Find people you crossed paths with | Yes, with the place and date | No |
| Digital business card | Yes | No |
| Invisible mode | Yes, hides your profile from all discovery features | Not applicable (no discovery of nearby people) |
| Call someone who does not have the app | Yes, with a call link opened in a web browser | Both people need WhatsApp |
| Platforms | iOS and Android | iOS, Android, desktop and web |
| Price | Free, optional Premium subscription | Free |
Information about other apps comes from their official websites and public sources listed below. Features and regulations can change: check the official sources for the latest status.
Do WhatsApp calls work in the UAE?
As of 2026, WhatsApp voice and video calls are restricted in the UAE without a VPN, while WhatsApp text messages, photos and voice notes work normally. In the UAE, internet calling is regulated by the TDRA and is only allowed through licensed operators and approved services.
Using a VPN to get around these rules is not something we recommend. The simplest option is to use an app whose calls work in the UAE without one.
How is Twice different from WhatsApp?
WhatsApp is a global messaging app built around your existing phone contacts. Twice is built to help you meet new people: it shows the people around you, remembers the people you crossed paths with, and lets you call them with voice and video calls designed to work in the UAE without a VPN.
Should you replace WhatsApp with Twice?
Not necessarily. WhatsApp is used by a very large number of people around the world and remains great for messaging your existing contacts. Many people in the UAE keep WhatsApp for messages and use another app for calls. Twice can be that app, with the added ability to meet the people around you.
What about privacy and encryption?
WhatsApp states that personal messages and calls are protected by end-to-end encryption. On Twice, nobody sees your exact location, you choose whether to appear on the map, and invisible mode hides your profile from discovery. If encryption is your top priority, read each app's privacy documentation.
Sources
- TDRA, UAE Telecommunications and Digital Government Regulatory Authority (official website)
- Gulf News: WhatsApp Web gets voice and video calls, will they work in the UAE?
- Khaleej Times: internet calls in UAE, VoIP apps that are legally allowed
- WhatsApp security (official website)