Apple Blocks FaceTime, Continuity & HandOff in UAE iPhones / iPads

[tisab]

http://forums.imore.com/iphone-6-plus/300008-no-handoff-continuity-iphone-6-6-uae.html


FaceTime is banned in the UAE. Hence beginning with iPhone 4.0 when FaceTime was introduced, Apple blocked this feature from these devices sold in the UAE. This has been continued with iPhone 6 with Continuity and HandOff

Google is awash covering this very subject and authenticity.

 

[Fulcrum29]

This are probably due to those harsh laws other there, especially with woman.

 

[shanezn]

Not at all. It's actually blocked by the carriers over there. There are ways around it though. My mates living on that side use Cloak VPN, which seems to be working well for them.

 

[DrJohnZoidberg]

Not at all. It's actually blocked by the carriers over there. There are ways around it though. My mates living on that side use Cloak VPN, which seems to be working well for them.

But why is it blocked by the carriers then? Seems very strange.

 

[Ludjer]

its blocked by the carriers by government law. They arabs like monitoring everyone thats why blackberry had to strike a deal with UAE and Saudi and give them access to all messages sent and received inside the country. I take it apple also encrypts their communication and UAE does not like it thats why they decided to ban it. I know using Putty inside UAE is considered illegal though i have never tried.
Been to the UAE and used whatsapp which is also completly encrypted but yea that worked.

 

[shanezn]

I've used FaceTime on my Mac and iPhone from the UAE without any issues. From what I understand it's only the devices sold in the UAE that have the block implemented.

 

[zippy]

So the OP is making a false statement ?

 

[Fulcrum29]

I've used FaceTime on my Mac and iPhone from the UAE without any issues. From what I understand it's only the devices sold in the UAE that have the block implemented.

Yep, is Skype available to download through standard process? I heard a while back that it was allowed, blocked again, then allowed again...

 

[murraybiscuit]

Yep, is Skype available to download through standard process? I heard a while back that it was allowed, blocked again, then allowed again...

The issue is probably more with skypeout and other VoIP providers. With ~80% of the population comprised of foreigners, many of whom have families back home, as well as significant tourism and business travel, I should imagine there's a threat to pots & roaming revenue from VoIP. There's a significant 'informal' VoIP market in the UAE, with shady providers playing whack-a-mole constantly with authorities. So I've heard.

 

[Spizz]

I'm in Saudi just now and I was wondering if I went from 8 to 8.0.2 would i lose FaceTime in the update? My iTunes is a US account and I upgraded to 8 when I was home in South Africa.

As an aside, Personal Hotspot was removed from the settings by Orange when I was in Senegal. I even called them to see what was going on and they said sorry, it's the carriers choice.

 

[Space_Chief]

I'm in Saudi just now and I was wondering if I went from 8 to 8.0.2 would i lose FaceTime in the update? My iTunes is a US account and I upgraded to 8 when I was home in South Africa.

Apple identifies your location by your iTunes account AFAIK. So, no, it should send you the American update.

 

[Spizz]

Apple identifies your location by your iTunes account AFAIK. So, no, it should send you the American update.

Cheers, good to know. Still haven't taken the plunge yet but probably will when I'm bored

 

[Space_Chief]

This are probably due to those harsh laws other there, especially with woman.

Me Tarzan, you woman.

Which woman might that be?

UAE also used to block Skype several years ago. One had to use alternative FOSS/free software to do VOIP. They blocked both SkypeOut and Skype to Skype, probably to make money on landline and mobile phones. Now Skype works OK from UAE, as does SkypeOut.

 

[shanezn]

Yep, is Skype available to download through standard process? I heard a while back that it was allowed, blocked again, then allowed again...

Yes. I've got a lot of friends on that side who I communicate with via Skype. It's really only FaceTime that's not included on any iDevice sold out there. If you've already got it on your iPhone/Mac/iPad it's a non issue.

 

[Spizz]

I updated to 8.1 here in Saudi last night and I'm pleased to report I still have Face Time