Don’t tell those on the iMessage side of the long, drawn-out debate, but WhatsApp is the ultimate messaging app. Well, at least to the vast majority of users. It’s simple to use, has a wide range of features, and is available on almost every platform. But if you want to use WhatsApp freely in Saudi Arabia, you will run into an inconvenient glitch.
A handful of countries have completely banned WhatsApp’s use. Saudi Arabia isn’t on that list, but it has restricted the app’s voice-over-internet protocol (VoIP) features. That move has frustrated expats and other users, as WhatsApp presents an affordable and convenient communication option, especially for international contacts.
Thankfully, there’s a reliable way out — using a VPN. If you want to get back to making voice and video calls with WhatsApp in Saudi Arabia, give this article a go.
Unblock WhatsApp Calling in Saudi Arabia in 5 Steps
If you’re facing issues with using WhatsApp in Saudi Arabia, you need a VPN. This service enables you to alter your online location and pretend you’re somewhere else. In return, you can access WhatsApp calling in Saudi Arabia and enjoy it limitlessly.
Below are the steps to use WhatsApp or any other VoIP service in this country:
- Get a VPN. We prefer NordVPN and its two-year plan with a 60+% discount that usually comes with some free months. Better yet, it has a 30-day money-back guarantee.
- Download and install NordVPN onto your device.
- Open NordVPN and sign up with your email/password or activation code.
- Connect to a server outside of Saudi Arabia and ensure it’s in a country that permits all WhatsApp functions.
- Download WhatsApp on your device, sign in/sign up, and use it normally.
Why You Can’t Use WhatsApp in Saudi Arabia for Calls
WhatsApp helps users send and receive text, images, videos, and voice messages. In addition, they can make voice and video calls. However, the latter features are unavailable if you’re in Saudi Arabia.
That’s because the country’s government has enforced restrictions on WhatsApp’s VoIP functionality, joining countries like Qatar and the United Arab Emirates.
Authorities cited national security concerns. That said, many experts suggest the primary motive behind the move is the government’s aim to maintain control over communication channels and ensure adherence to relevant local laws.
WhatsApp and other VoIP services offer a cost-effective way of making domestic and international calls. Consequently, they may affect the revenue of regular telecom providers like the formerly state-run Saudi Telecom Company (STC).
Whatever the case, the impact of this restriction has been significant, as many users rely heavily on WhatsApp for personal and professional communication. That’s especially the case for expatriates or people visiting Saudi Arabia with family and friends back home who use WhatsApp. Luckily, there’s a way around this issue.
How to Use WhatsApp Fully in Saudi Arabia (Step-by-Step Tutorial)
A virtual private network, or VPN, provides secure and private internet access by creating an encrypted tunnel between your device and a remote server. It’s your key to bypassing WhatsApp restrictions in Saudi Arabia and regaining access to voice and video call features.
Here’s a simple four-step guide to using WhatsApp in Saudi Arabia and making calls:
Step 1: Choose a Reliable VPN
Choose a VPN that works in Saudi Arabia and has servers in any country without WhatsApp restrictions.
For performance reasons, you want one with server locations in nearby countries. Look for a provider known for its speed, security, and ability to circumvent online restrictions. We recommend NordVPN.
Step 2: Subscribe and Install the VPN
Visit the provider’s website and choose a subscription plan that suits your needs. Create an account and complete the payment process. Once done, download and install the app on your device by following the provided links and on-screen instructions.
Step 3: Connect to a Server
Launch the VPN app and connect to a server outside Saudi Arabia. This will mask your real IP address and make it appear like you’re browsing from a different location. Make sure the VPN connection is active before proceeding.
Step 4: Make WhatsApp Calls Without Restrictions
With the VPN active, launch your WhatsApp application. You’ll now have access to all its features, including voice and video calls. Enjoy seamless communication with your friends, family, and colleagues.
The Best VPNs to Use WhatsApp in Saudi Arabia — Our 3 Top Picks
If you’ve never used one, picking the right VPN to use WhatsApp in Saudi Arabia isn’t the easiest task.
So, we simplified things for you by narrowing it down to the three best options in 2024.
1. NordVPN
NordVPN is a full package and our #1 VPN service for using WhatsApp in Saudi Arabia. Perhaps the most famous VPN in the world, the Panama-based provider offers a reliable solution for WhatsApp calls with utmost privacy and security.
It has a massive collection of servers comprising more than 6,300 in 110+ countries. That country spread is one of many impressive things about this provider. Even better, nearby locations in Israel and Turkey offer plenty of server options for fast, reliable connections.
NordVPN’s performance is hard to beat. In fact, it’s easily the fastest VPN service. You can make WhatsApp calls, stream, and download large files, buffer and lag-free.
Your data’s privacy and security are NordVPN’s priority. It employs top-tier encryption to scramble your online activities, ensuring that hackers and other malicious actors will find it illegible. There’s an app-level kill switch and DNS protection to keep leaks at bay. NordVPN also uses RAM-only servers, so you’re not leaving breadcrumbs that can lead back to you.
On top of that, it offers an array of advanced and extra features, including Double VPN, obfuscated servers, and malware blocking.
A single NordVPN subscription covers up to 10 devices simultaneously, which is more than the next two picks. You can try the VPN out risk-free, backed by a 30-day refund policy.
2. ExpressVPN
ExpressVPN is one of our top picks for beating WhatsApp call restrictions in The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. It comes with 3,000+ servers spanning 105 countries, including nearby locations like Egypt, Israel, and Lebanon. Connecting to any of these will result in stable calls.
In any case, the provider offers blazing-fast speeds, even on more distant servers. That’s thanks to industry-leading infrastructure and its custom Lightway protocol. Whether you’re making WhatsApp calls or streaming videos on Netflix, Prime Video, or Hulu, you’re more likely than not to enjoy smooth experiences.
Saudi Arabia scores very low in terms of internet freedom, but there’s nothing to worry about with ExpressVPN. All its servers come with obfuscation built in, hiding your VPN use. The provider beats censorship on websites and online services hassle-free, providing unrestricted access.
Plus, it offers features like military-grade encryption, a kill switch, and leak protection to keep snoopers away from your data. ExpressVPN’s TrustedServer technology wipes every trace of your online sessions after each reboot, and the VPN has a strict no-logs policy.
You can protect up to 8 devices on one ExpressVPN account. After your purchase, you get up to 30 days to commit or request a refund.
3. CyberGhost
CyberGhost offers an all-encompassing answer to the challenge of unrestricted WhatsApp access in Saudi Arabia. And for pocket-friendly pricing, too.
Server locations in neighboring WhatsApp-friendly nations such as Egypt and Israel ensure consistent and dependable call performance. CyberGhost enhances this reliability with its 10 Gbps servers and protocols like WireGuard, resulting in pristine voice and video calls. That is, provided your initial internet connection is sufficiently fast.
CyberGhost excels at breezing past geo-restrictions on streaming platforms like Netflix, BBC iPlayer, and Hulu. In addition, it circumvents the government restrictions on adult sites and other websites and services.
Beyond its unblocking capabilities, CyberGhost places a premium on your privacy and security. AES 256-bit encryption safeguards your online activities, while its strict adherence to a no-logs policy ensures your data stays confidential. There’s also a kill switch and IP/DNS leak protection to guard against potentially disastrous exposure.
You can hop on the provider’s NoSpy servers if you’re even more privacy-conscious. CyberGhost owns and manages them, and they are hosted in its data centers for added security.
The VPN lets you simultaneously protect up to 7 devices, one less than ExpressVPN and 3 less than NordVPN. However, it trumps our other two providers by offering a 45-day money-back guarantee.
How We Picked the Best VPNs for WhatsApp in Saudi Arabia
We considered these metrics while evaluating dozens of providers to make this list.
Censorship Bypassing Capabilities
We preferred VPNs renowned for their exceptional ability to bypass geographical restrictions and censorship, like those imposed on WhatsApp calls in Saudi Arabia.
The providers on this list consistently demonstrate they can overcome these restrictions, so you get unhindered access to WhatsApp’s calling features.
Server Network
Our recommended VPNs boast an extensive server network strategically positioned outside Saudi Arabia.
Narrowing it down further, we picked VPNs with servers in Middle Eastern countries. That’s due to their proximity to The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia. This coverage guarantees fast and reliable connections, ensuring uninterrupted access to WhatsApp.
Security and Privacy
User privacy is a non-negotiable aspect of our VPN selection process, especially in a country like Saudi Arabia. The VPNs we recommended employ robust encryption protocols, maintain strict no-logs policies, and offer essential security features like kill switches.
More than 73% of Saudis are worried about hacking threats, so we prioritized providers that go even further. Each VPN on this list offers advanced features like Double VPN, obfuscation, and Onion over VPN.
Speed and Performance
Nobody enjoys stuttering voice and video calls due to sluggish internet connections. That’s why we thoroughly evaluated the VPNs for their ability to deliver consistently impressive performance while unblocking WhatsApp calls in Saudi Arabia.
That can come in handy for other data-intensive activities like streaming, heavy downloads, and online gaming.
User-Friendly Interface
Ease of use was another consideration. The services on our list come with intuitive interfaces that serve both novice and experienced users. They have straightforward setup processes and uncomplicated navigation. Plus, users can effortlessly connect to a VPN server.
Customer Support
Quality customer support is another factor we looked at. The VPNs we picked provide responsive and helpful support channels, including live chat, email, and robust knowledge bases. That way, they resolve any issues you may encounter while you use WhatsApp in Saudi Arabia.
Can You Use a Free VPN to Unblock WhatsApp Calls in Saudi Arabia?
A free VPN may seem appealing for obvious reasons. However, it’s important to consider the implications and limitations of such services. A handful of VPN services will unblock WhatsApp call restrictions in Saudi Arabia, but can you keep up with the quality of service (or lack of it) they offer? We think not.
For instance, they tend to have fewer server options, both in terms of sheer size and country spread. Very few free VPNs offer locations in Middle Eastern countries, which means you would be stuck with servers that are far from where you are. Inevitably, you’ll experience slower and less reliable connections.
Sluggish speeds could also result from their sub-par server infrastructure and lack of fast protocols like WireGuard.
Even worse, many free VPNs monetize their services through ads or logging user data, potentially compromising your privacy. This contradicts the purpose of using a virtual private network in the first place.
So, to enjoy voice and video calls on WhatsApp, look at cheap VPN providers instead. They are significantly more reliable, and your data is less vulnerable.
Conclusion
WhatsApp’s VoIP features offer a cost-effective means of calling and video-chatting friends and family. That is, as long as you’re not in Saudi Arabia or a handful of other countries, thanks to government restrictions. Thankfully, a quality VPN can help you unblock WhatsApp calls in Saudi Arabia.
The best VPN for using WhatsApp freely in Saudi Arabia is NordVPN. You can take advantage of a whopping 65+ percent discount on its two-year plans and save quite a bit of money on this top-tier VPN service.
FAQs
Is WhatsApp working in Saudi Arabia?
Yes, WhatsApp works in Saudi Arabia, but only partially. While a handful of countries have placed complete bans on WhatsApp, The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has a partial block in place. That restriction prevents WhatsApp users from using the app’s voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) services.
As a result, you cannot make voice or video calls while you’re in Saudi Arabia.
Are VPNs legal in Saudi Arabia?
Using a VPN in Saudi Arabia is not illegal. Up to 37% of The Kingdom’s residents and visitors use VPNs daily to access restricted or region-locked content despite the government’s efforts to block access to providers’ websites and servers.
