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How to make WhatsApp calls in Saudi Arabia

More than two billion WhatsApp users still enjoy free messaging and calling from around the world. Unless you live in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, where WhatsApp calling has been unavailable since 2019.

The good news? We have a quick and easy workaround. Read on to find out how to use WhatsApp to make voice and video calls in Saudi Arabia.

Step by Step: How to Make WhatsApp Calls in Saudi Arabia

Can’t call your family and friends using WhatsApp? All you need is a virtual private network (VPN) to make WhatsApp think you’re out of the country.

Here are the steps you need to follow to use all WhatsApp features in Saudi Arabia:

  1. Subscribe to VPN. We used NordVPN to easily and quickly unblock WhatsApp’s calling features. NordVPN’s discounts, often exceeding 60%, made it an obvious choice.
  2. Download and install NordVPN. This VPN has apps for Android, iOS, Windows, macOS, and more.
  3. Log in to your NordVPN account by entering your e-mail address and password or activation code.
  4. Connect to a server outside of Saudi ArabiaBelow is a list of countries that allow voice and video calls using WhatsApp.

    NordVPN Türkiye Server
    © NordVPN

  5. Log in to WhatsApp. You should now be able to call your friends for free.

Which VPN servers should you use for WhatsApp calling?

WhatsApp calling is available in countries all over the world, so technically you can connect to any server.

However, for the best speeds, we recommend connecting to a server nearby. If you are currently located in Saudi Arabia, you can connect to NordVPN servers in Israel and Türkiye.

NordVPN has over 6,400 servers in 111 countries, ensuring that you always have thousands of servers to choose from. Its app can even choose the fastest VPN server for you, so you can make WhatsApp calls in Saudi Arabia without any hassle.

Why you can’t make WhatsApp calls in Saudi Arabia

In 2019, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia banned WhatsApp’s voice and video calling services. So while you can still send and receive messages, you can’t use WhatsApp to make or receive voice and video calls in the Kingdom.

The Saudi Communications and Information Technology Commission (CITC) has found that WhatsApp does not meet regulatory requirements. However, Freedom House notes that regulators in Saudi Arabia have historically been aggressive towards free or cheap Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) services.

The kingdom also places numerous barriers on internet access, scoring just 25 out of 100 on the 2023 Net Freedom Index.

Best VPNs for WhatsApp Calling in Saudi Arabia

Having trouble choosing the best VPN to use WhatsApp in Saudi Arabia? Most countries with strict censorship block the use of VPNs, which severely limits the list of VPNs you can choose from.

We’ve tested over 20 VPNs to find the ones that work in Saudi Arabia. Below, we’ve listed the 3 best VPNs that work in the Middle East so you can start making WhatsApp calls in Saudi Arabia.

1. NordVPN

Nordvpn Home Page Header
© NordVPN

NordVPN is our #1 VPN for WhatsApp in Saudi Arabia because it has everything you need to make connections safely. Not only does it have fast servers in nearby countries, but it also offers top speeds and a strict privacy policy. It is no coincidence that we consider it the most reliable VPN for Saudi Arabia.

This Panama-based provider has over 6,400 servers in 111 countries. These include servers in Israel and Türkiyewhich are close enough to Saudi Arabia so you can be sure that your connections will be stable.

We also like that NordVPN is a no-logs VPN, so it doesn’t collect any data when you use many of its features. And there are plenty of those features. With one subscription, you get obfuscation, an ad and malware blocker, a kill switch, and more.

NordVPN is also fastest vpn on the market, so you can make voice and video calls without worrying about delays. It protects up to 10 devices with a single subscription.

Want that top-notch VPN? NordVPN offers discounts that often exceed 60%, and you can get them right now with its 30-day money-back guarantee.

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2. ExpressVPN

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© ExpressVPN

Looking for a great alternative to NordVPN? ExpressVPN is our next top pick, with over 3,000 servers in 105 countries. You can use it to connect to servers in Morocco and Türkiyewhich are close enough to Saudi Arabia that you won’t feel any major speed limits.

We recommend this VPN service to people from countries with strict governments because ExpressVPN has built-in obfuscation technologyThis means it can easily bypass censorship. Combine this with the VPN’s strict no-logs policy, military-grade encryption, and kill switch, and you have a fast, secure, and feature-packed VPN.

In addition to its long list of features, ExpressVPN is also fast and user-friendly, and can protect up to 8 devices on a single subscription. Get 49% off your purchase, which also comes with a 30-day money-back guarantee:

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3. Private Internet Access (PIA)

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© Private Internet Access

When it comes to value for money, Private Internet Access is hard to beat. For just over $2 a month, you get an ultra-fast VPN that protects an unlimited number of devicesperfect for sharing with family and friends.

PIA has servers in Israel, Georgia and Moroccomaking it a good choice for WhatsApp voice and video calls from Saudi Arabia. Like NordVPN and ExpressVPN, PIA has obfuscation technology that hides your VPN usage, thus helping you bypass censorship in places that regulate VPNs.

Want even more privacy? PIA offers dedicated IP addresseswhich are IP addresses that only you can use. Dedicated IP addresses are another tool that can help fight censorship (and maybe even unblock streaming sites!)

Take advantage of PIA’s 30-day money-back guarantee and get at least 80% off your purchase by clicking the link below:

Visit Private Internet Access

Can you use a free VPN to make WhatsApp calls in Saudi Arabia?

If you want to use WhatsApp to make free calls, why pay for a VPN subscription at all?

While it is true that there are many free VPNs available in the market, it is rare to find one that works well in Saudi Arabia or other countries with strict censorship. Furthermore, free VPNs pose a challenge for fast and stable video connections. Here are the reasons why:

  • Few free VPNs offer maskingIn countries where VPN use is banned or restricted, cloaking technology is needed to hide VPN use.
  • Free VPNs often have speed and data limits. Even the best free VPNs for Android (for example) limit your data, meaning you can’t use video calls for long periods of time. And even if you have enough data, the speed limits can cause stutters and lags during video calls.
  • Free VPNs have limited server options. Many of the free VPNs we tested don’t have servers in the Middle East. If you connect to a server far away from you, you may experience speed drops.
  • Free VPNs log and sell your data. Some free VPNs have been found to collect and sell user data, putting your online privacy at risk.

To avoid the pitfalls of free VPNs, we recommend choosing cheap but high quality VPN Instead, NordVPN offers up to 60% off if you sign up for a 2-year subscription.

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Don’t let government restrictions stop you from connecting with friends and family. A VPN lets you use WhatsApp voice and video calling even when you’re in Saudi Arabia (where these features are usually blocked).

All you need to do is install a VPN on your phone and connect to a server outside the Kingdom. From there, you can use WhatsApp as you normally would – except now you can also make free calls!

Our top VPN for WhatsApp in Saudi Arabia is NordVPN, as it offers the fastest speeds on the market and the most servers in the Middle East.

ExpressVPN is also a good choice, especially if you are concerned about privacy and security. But if you are looking for the cheapest VPN, PIA is your best bet.

Ready to connect? Choose from our top VPNs and start calling WhatsApp in Saudi Arabia.

Try NordVPN Today