# What's blocked by country: WhatsApp, FaceTime, VPN, Instagram

Check what will work on holiday. Every fact with its source and date.

Checked 12.11.2026

| All countries |  | WhatsApp calls | FaceTime | Messages (WhatsApp, Telegram, Viber) | Instagram | Google (Search, Gmail, Maps) | VPN |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Albania | The usual apps work | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Armenia | The usual apps work | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Azerbaijan | Some limits | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ❔ |
| Bosnia & Herzegovina | The usual apps work | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Canada | Some limits | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ |
| China | Some apps blocked | ⛔ | ⚠️ | ⛔ | ⛔ | ⛔ | ⚠️ |
| Cuba | Some limits | ⚠️ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ❔ |
| Cyprus | The usual apps work | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Dominican Republic | The usual apps work | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Egypt | Some limits | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ |
| Georgia | The usual apps work | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| India | Some apps blocked | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ |
| Indonesia | Some limits | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❔ |
| Israel | The usual apps work | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Japan | The usual apps work | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Jordan | Some apps blocked | ⚠️ | ❔ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ |
| Kazakhstan | Some limits | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ |
| Kenya | Some limits | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Malaysia | Some limits | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❔ |
| Maldives | Little data | ❔ | ❔ | ❔ | ❔ | ❔ | ❔ |
| Mauritius | The usual apps work | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Mexico | The usual apps work | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Moldova | The usual apps work | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Montenegro | The usual apps work | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Morocco | The usual apps work | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Norway | The usual apps work | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Oman | Some limits | ⚠️ | ❔ | ✅ | ❔ | ❔ | ❔ |
| Philippines | The usual apps work | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❔ |
| Qatar | Some limits | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ❔ | ❔ | ❔ |
| Serbia | The usual apps work | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Singapore | The usual apps work | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❔ |
| South Africa | The usual apps work | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| South Korea | Some limits | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ✅ |
| Sri Lanka | The usual apps work | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Switzerland | The usual apps work | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Tanzania | Some apps blocked | ⚠️ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Thailand | The usual apps work | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ❔ |
| Tunisia | The usual apps work | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Turkey | Some limits | ⚠️ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ⚠️ |
| United Arab Emirates | Some apps blocked | ⛔ | ⛔ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ |
| United Kingdom | The usual apps work | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| United States | The usual apps work | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ | ✅ |
| Vietnam | Some limits | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ | ✅ | ✅ | ⚠️ |

## Questions

### Do WhatsApp calls work in the UAE?

No, on local networks and most Wi-Fi WhatsApp, FaceTime and Viber calls are blocked (Freedom House, 2024–2025). Messages work. Botim, Zoom and Teams are allowed for calls.

### Does WhatsApp work in Egypt?

Messages yes. Internet calls on mobile networks are officially restricted and sometimes fail; the promised lifting of the ban by May 2025 didn't happen (Freedom House 2025).

### What is blocked in Turkey?

The usual apps work. Blocked: Discord (since 10.2024), Wattpad, VPN sites and since 10.07.2025 the sites and apps of foreign eSIM services. During protests (03.2025, 09.2025) social media was throttled for 1–2 days.

### Do Google and WhatsApp work in China?

Not on local networks. Apple Maps, iMessage and WeChat work. A roaming eSIM usually routes traffic outside China (Tutu's via Hong Kong or Singapore), but that's no guarantee.

### Is a VPN legal in the UAE, China, Turkey?

UAE: VPNs are allowed, but using one to break the law can cost AED 500,000–2 million (Law 34/2021). China: unlicensed VPNs are illegal; we found no cases of tourists punished. Turkey: using one isn't banned, VPN sites are blocked.

### Will Privat24, monobank and Diia work abroad?

Yes, mostly. Banks confirm log-ins by SMS or push to the «financial» number, so keep the Ukrainian SIM in the phone. Diia advises turning on a VPN with a Ukrainian server if there's an error (diia.gov.ua, 06.2026).

### Does an eSIM get round blocks?

Sometimes. A roaming eSIM routes traffic through another country, so the local filter may not see it: independently confirmed only for China. In the UAE it isn't confirmed, and getting round the call ban there may break the law. Treat it as a bonus, not a guarantee.

### Can I call from a normal number with Tutu eSIM?

No, Tutu eSIM is data only, without a number. Calls and SMS go through your Ukrainian SIM.

### Does Google Maps work in Korea?

Partly: no walking or driving directions; Naver Map or Kakao Map are better.

### Can the internet be cut during my holiday?

It happens during protests, elections and exams: Kenya (Telegram during exams), Tanzania (elections 10.2025), Azerbaijan (10.2026), India (locally). It's rare in resort countries.