Quick answer: Before you install Botim in the UAE, one question matters more than any feature: is it legal here? Yes, it is. Botim is legal in the UAE. It is one of the voice and video calling apps that the UAE telecom regulator, the TDRA, allows, and it works through the licensed UAE networks Etisalat and du. Keep reading to see what the TDRA actually says, what Botim calls cost now, and the one mistake to avoid.
That short answer is good news if you live in the UAE or plan to visit. But the words people search for tell a mixed story. Some ask if Botim is banned. Some ask if it is blocked. Some ask if it is allowed in Dubai. This guide answers each of those questions in plain words, with the source for every claim.
Is Botim Legal in UAE? The Short Answer
Yes, Botim is legal in the UAE. Here are the three facts that settle it:
- The TDRA regulates internet calls in the UAE, and it allows only approved apps.
- Botim is one of the apps offered through the licensed UAE networks Etisalat and du.
- You can download Botim from the App Store or Google Play in the UAE and use it for voice and video calls.
So if you use Botim in the normal way, on a UAE network or Wi-Fi, you are using a legal app. To see how Botim works day to day in the UAE, read our guide on does Botim work in UAE.
Is Botim Banned in UAE?
No, Botim is not banned in the UAE. This is the most common mix-up about Botim, and it is easy to see why it happens. WhatsApp voice and video calls do not work in the UAE, and FaceTime calls do not work either. Many people hear that and think every calling app is banned. That is not true.
Botim is different from WhatsApp and FaceTime because Botim is approved for calls in the UAE. The ban people talk about applies to unlicensed calling apps, not to Botim. If you search for “botim banned in uae”, the answer is the same: no, it is not banned.
Is Botim Allowed in UAE and Dubai?
Yes, Botim is allowed in the UAE, and that includes Dubai. The same federal rules cover all seven emirates, so Dubai has no separate rule for Botim. Whether you live in Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Sharjah, or any other emirate, the answer stays the same: Botim is allowed.
The word “allowed” matters here. Botim is not just tolerated. It is one of the apps the licensed networks offer for internet calls. That is why you will see Botim named on the du and Etisalat websites, while unapproved apps are not named there.
Is Botim Blocked in UAE?
No, Botim is not blocked in the UAE. You can open the app, sign in, and make calls on mobile data or Wi-Fi. If your Botim calls fail, the cause is almost always simple: weak internet, an old app version, or a phone that needs a restart. Try these steps in order:
- Move closer to your Wi-Fi router or switch to mobile data and test again.
- Update Botim to the latest version in your app store.
- Restart your phone and open Botim again.
- Check that Botim can use your microphone and camera in your phone settings.
If the problem stays, contact Botim support. You can find the right number on our Botim customer care number page.
What TDRA Actually Says
The TDRA is the Telecom and Digital Government Regulatory Authority. It is the body that sets the rules for internet calls in the UAE. Its own FAQ page says the following, in plain words:
- Internet calling, known as VoIP, is a regulated telecom service in the UAE.
- Only the licensees, Etisalat and du, may provide VoIP. Other companies may offer it only with a licensee or with TDRA approval.
- TDRA keeps a list of approved VoIP apps, and it tells users to use only approved apps.
- If an app is not provided by a licensee or approved by TDRA, TDRA says it is very likely illegal to use it for calls, and the user is legally liable. TDRA also says the networks will most probably block that traffic.
One honest note: when I checked on 11 November 2026, the link on TDRA’s FAQ page to its approved apps list opened a “page not found” error, so I could not see Botim’s name on TDRA’s own list that day. But both licensed networks confirm Botim. Du lists Botim as a supported app on its internet calling page, and Etisalat offers Botim through its Internet Calling Plan. That is how Botim is allowed here: through the licensed networks.
How Much Do Botim Calls Cost in the UAE Now?
This is where old guides get it wrong, so read this part with care. The old rule was simple: pay about AED 50 a month for an Internet Calling Plan. That is no longer the rule. Here is the current position, checked on 11 November 2026.
- Du: du stopped its Internet Calling Pack. Du’s own page says the pack “will no longer be available as a service after 18 August 2025” and that “the BOTIM app can continue to be freely accessed and used outside of the ICP, although it will require an active data package.” So with du you need a data package, not a calling pack.
- Etisalat: Etisalat still lists an Internet Calling Plan, and its site now offers it free through Connect Pass for a limited time. So do not pay a monthly fee just because an old guide told you to. Check the price in the Etisalat app before you pay anything.
In plain words: with du, Botim calls use your mobile data or Wi-Fi, and there is no calling pack to buy. With Etisalat, check the app first, because the plan is now offered free through Connect Pass for a limited time. Prices can change, so check in the app on the day you sign up.
What Happens If You Use an Unlicensed Calling App?
TDRA is clear on this. If the app is not from a licensee or approved by TDRA, you are legally liable for using it, and the networks may block that traffic. So the safe rule is simple: use only approved apps such as Botim, and do not look for workarounds to run a blocked app.
Using the approved app also keeps your chats safer. Your Botim calls and messages are protected with end-to-end encryption. You can read how that works in our guide is Botim app end-to-end encrypted.
Travelling to the UAE? Read This Before You Land
The same rules apply to tourists. Botim is legal for visitors too. Download Botim before you travel, or after you arrive, from your app store. It works on hotel Wi-Fi and on a UAE SIM card. There is no separate tourist rule and no form to fill in.
One tip: set up Botim with your own phone number before your trip, so you can call family as soon as you land. If you travel often, keep the app updated, because old versions cause most call failures.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Botim legal in UAE?
Yes. Botim is legal in the UAE. It is one of the TDRA-approved VoIP apps, and it works through the licensed networks Etisalat and du.
Is Botim banned in UAE?
No. Botim is not banned in the UAE. The ban people talk about applies to unlicensed calling apps such as WhatsApp calls and FaceTime calls, not to Botim.
Is Botim allowed in UAE?
Yes. Botim is allowed in the UAE for voice and video calls, chats, and money transfers, as long as you use the official app from the App Store or Google Play.
Is Botim blocked in UAE?
No. Botim is not blocked in the UAE. If calls fail, check your internet, update the app, and restart your phone before you assume the app is blocked.
Is Botim allowed in Dubai?
Yes. Botim is allowed in Dubai. Dubai follows the same federal telecom rules as the rest of the UAE, so there is no separate Dubai rule.
Do I need to pay to use Botim in the UAE?
Not for a calling pack with du. Du stopped its Internet Calling Pack after 18 August 2025, and Botim works with an active data package. Etisalat still lists an Internet Calling Plan, and its site now offers it free through Connect Pass for a limited time. Check the price in your operator app before you pay.
Is Botim legal for tourists in the UAE?
Yes. Tourists can use Botim legally in the UAE on Wi-Fi or a UAE SIM card, under the same rules as residents.
Final Thoughts
Botim is legal in the UAE, it is not banned, and it is not blocked. The TDRA allows internet calls only through approved apps, and Botim is one of them, offered by Etisalat and du. The only thing that has changed is the price: du no longer sells a calling pack, so check your operator app before you pay for anything.
Have you used Botim in the UAE? Tell us in the comments: did your calls work well on mobile data or Wi-Fi?
