Wireless carrier support and features for iPhone in the Middle East and India
Choose your country or region to learn about the wireless carriers available to you.
The United States and Canada
Latin America and the Caribbean
Middle East and India
Armenia
- FaceTime over Cellular 2
- LTE
- Personal Hotspot 3
- FaceTime over Cellular 2
- LTE
- Personal Hotspot 3
Bahrain
- 5G
- eSIM
- FaceTime over Cellular 2
- LTE
- Personal Hotspot 3
- Unlocking 3
- VoLTE 4
- Wi-Fi Calling
- 5G
- eSIM
- FaceTime over Cellular 2
- LTE
- Personal Hotspot 3
- VoLTE 4
- 5G
- eSIM
- FaceTime over Cellular 2
- LTE
- Personal Hotspot 3
- Unlocking 3
- VoLTE 4
Georgia
- FaceTime over Cellular 2
- LTE
- Personal Hotspot 3
- FaceTime over Cellular 2
- LTE
- Personal Hotspot 3
India
- eSIM
- FaceTime over Cellular 2
- LTE
- Personal Hotspot 3
- VoLTE 4
- Wi-Fi Calling
- eSIM
- FaceTime over Cellular 2
- LTE
- Personal Hotspot 3
- VoLTE 4
- Wi-Fi Calling
- FaceTime over Cellular 2
- LTE
- Personal Hotspot 3
- VoLTE 4
Iraq 1
- FaceTime over Cellular 2
- Personal Hotspot 3
- FaceTime over Cellular 2
- Personal Hotspot 3
Israel
- 5G
- FaceTime over Cellular 2
- LTE
- Personal Hotspot 3
- Unlocking 3
- VoLTE 4
- Wi-Fi Calling
- 5G
- FaceTime over Cellular 2
- LTE
- Personal Hotspot 3
- Unlocking 3
- VoLTE 4
- Wi-Fi Calling
- 5G
- FaceTime over Cellular 2
- LTE
- Personal Hotspot 3
- Unlocking 3
- Visual Voicemail
- VoLTE 4
- Wi-Fi Calling
- 5G
- FaceTime over Cellular 2
- LTE
- Personal Hotspot 3
- Unlocking 3
- VoLTE 4
- Wi-Fi Calling
Jordan
- eSIM
- FaceTime over Cellular 2
- LTE
- Personal Hotspot 3
- eSIM
- FaceTime over Cellular 2
- LTE
- Personal Hotspot 3
- Unlocking 3
- eSIM
- FaceTime over Cellular 2
- LTE
- Personal Hotspot 3
- Unlocking 3
Kuwait
- 5G
- eSIM
- FaceTime over Cellular 2
- LTE
- Personal Hotspot 3
- VoLTE 4
- 5G
- eSIM
- FaceTime over Cellular 2
- LTE
- Personal Hotspot 3
- VoLTE 4
- 5G
- eSIM
- FaceTime over Cellular 2
- LTE
- Personal Hotspot 3
- Visual Voicemail
- VoLTE 4
- Wi-Fi Calling
Lebanon
- eSIM
- FaceTime over Cellular 2
- LTE
- Personal Hotspot 3
- FaceTime over Cellular 2
- LTE
- Personal Hotspot 3
Oman
- 5G
- eSIM
- FaceTime over Cellular 2
- LTE
- Personal Hotspot 3
- FaceTime over Cellular 2
- LTE
- Personal Hotspot 3
Palestine
- eSIM
- FaceTime over Cellular 2
- Personal Hotspot 3
- FaceTime over Cellular 2
- Personal Hotspot 3
Qatar
- 5G
- eSIM
- FaceTime over Cellular 2
- LTE
- Personal Hotspot
- VoLTE 4
- 5G
- eSIM
- FaceTime over Cellular 2
- LTE
- Personal Hotspot 3
- VoLTE
Saudi Arabia
With iOS 11.3 or later, FaceTime is available on iPhone in Saudi Arabia.
United Arab Emirates
FaceTime isn’t available in the United Arab Emirates.
- The carrier, not Apple, provides technical support for iPhone in this country or region.
- Might include an additional fee or requirement. Contact the carrier for more information.
- Carrier doesn’t support MMS.
- VoLTE is available only on iPhone 6 or later.
- Available with iPhone 12 and iPhone 13 models. Data plan required. Speeds vary based on site conditions and network provider. For details on 5G support, contact your network provider.
FaceTime may be unavailable if your device originates from this country or region and becomes unlocked or is used in another country or region.
FaceTime isn’t available in all countries or regions.
Information about products not manufactured by Apple, or independent websites not controlled or tested by Apple, is provided without recommendation or endorsement. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance, or use of third-party websites or products. Apple makes no representations regarding third-party website accuracy or reliability. Contact the vendor for additional information.
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Question: Q: iPhone Middle East vs international versions
i want to buy iphone 12 pro max from saudi with middle east version and my fear is that will it work properly compared to international version or any problm will be there plzz clarify me and can i buy apple care+ in india for Midle est versin?
[Re-Titled by Moderator]
Posted on Nov 6, 2020 10:39 AM
Helpful answers
So, in online platforms where iPhones are sold in Saudi Arabia you might come across three listed variants i.e., Middle East (ME), International & HK dual sim variant. You can see that the models are same for both the Middle East & Intl. variants — A2403. From what I know the difference is that if you have the ME variant and you are in a country in GCC like UAE, where FaceTime and iMessage are blocked then the instant you insert the SIM card from that region the FaceTime app disappears. Which means you cannot use it. But if you have the International variant the FaceTime app will not be disappear when the SIM is inserted and the FaceTime call still blocked technically but can still be bypassed via a VPN. (Disclaimer: Please make sure using VPN software is legal in your country prior to using this method).
So, coming to your question, as of mid 2018 Saudi Arabia had lifted the FaceTime ban and it shouldn’t matter which version you get. as for the Apple Care part I would highly recommend you contact apple support team via the Apple Support app.
Nov 27, 2020 1:28 PM
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We understand you want to know if you can purchase an iPhone in Saudi Arabia and purchase AppleCare+ in India for it. Is that right? You’re in the right place, we’d be glad to assist in seeking a solution.
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Nov 10, 2020 7:13 PM
There is NO International Version of iPhone. iPhones are sold by region. If you purchase an iPhone in Saudi Arabia you cannot add AppleCare+ to the phone in India. You can buy AppleCare+ in Saudi Arabia, but it will NOT be valid in India. In addition, your phone purchased in Saudi Arabia will have NO warranty in India.
So. purchase your phone in India where you live and will use the phone.
Nov 10, 2020 7:17 PM
Please clarify that what is different in between iPhone 12 mini international Vs Middle East Version. Is it related to only Warranty & Apple Care+? Or is there any difference in mobile phone features?
Nov 25, 2020 12:52 AM
There are physical differences in the antenna system on the US vs Middle East Version as the most obvious difference. They also support different 5G bands in the US vs Middle East.
You really should purchase your phone in the country you will live and use the phone. It’s the safest best.
Nov 25, 2020 4:37 AM
So, in online platforms where iPhones are sold in Saudi Arabia you might come across three listed variants i.e., Middle East (ME), International & HK dual sim variant. You can see that the models are same for both the Middle East & Intl. variants — A2403. From what I know the difference is that if you have the ME variant and you are in a country in GCC like UAE, where FaceTime and iMessage are blocked then the instant you insert the SIM card from that region the FaceTime app disappears. Which means you cannot use it. But if you have the International variant the FaceTime app will not be disappear when the SIM is inserted and the FaceTime call still blocked technically but can still be bypassed via a VPN. (Disclaimer: Please make sure using VPN software is legal in your country prior to using this method).
So, coming to your question, as of mid 2018 Saudi Arabia had lifted the FaceTime ban and it shouldn’t matter which version you get. as for the Apple Care part I would highly recommend you contact apple support team via the Apple Support app.
Nov 27, 2020 1:28 PM
iPhone warranty is 1yr global/international and 2yrs in saudi.
So buying iPhone from saudi will still have access to warranty all over the world in the first year, while the second year only in saudi (as per saudi ministry of trade policies).
But the gentleman was asking for the phone versions (ME vs International) rather asking for warranty.
P. S: there is a 3rd version called HK version with 2 real physicals sim cards.
Dec 20, 2020 1:38 AM
Hello, thank you for your clarification. But I need to know one more thing about Middle East vs US versions.
I live in Dubai but I’m usually in Italy for work.
I bought in Italy my last iPhone and it works very good in Dubai. Now if buy the new iPhone in Dubai (middle east version) it works well in Italy? What do you recommend to do? Is there FaceTime in the Middle East version?
Dec 21, 2020 10:54 PM
You are incorrect about iPhone warranty. There is not now, nor has there been an International Warranty on iPhone. A phone purchased in Saudi Arabia, will NOT have warranty all over the world. It simply will NOT.
Dec 22, 2020 4:43 AM
I’m totally correct, my iPhone bought from saudi, went back home to NY, and it worked just fine and warranty active.
Just Google it, it’s not a rocket science.
«Apple One (1) Year Limited Warranty» https://www.apple.com/legal/warranty/products/ios-warranty-document-us.html
Dec 22, 2020 7:45 AM
And that document says quite specifically, iPhone warranty «May be limited to country of purchase.» It has always said so. If you purchased a phone in Saudi Arabia and the warranty was honored in the US, you were just lucky.
Dec 22, 2020 7:49 AM
How can I determined if a phone is intl version or ME? the iPhone 12 pro was purchased in Qatar (but has not been opened).
Dec 25, 2020 10:13 PM
There is no such thing as an international version of any iPhone.
Dec 25, 2020 10:15 PM
I see a lot of people are confused here. It’s simple, in the Middle East variant FaceTime App becomes hidden (When the regional SIM card is inserted) when used in a country like UAE where it’s blocked. But on international variant Facetime app is always visible and iOS does not hide it. HK variant also doesn’t hide the FaceTime app. Only difference is in HK variant both SIMs are physical rather than one physical and one eSIM. The reason there is a Middle East variant is due to the facetime restrictions imposed in some countries, other than that they are pretty much the same.
I’ve had used an international and middle east variant of iPhones in the past and this is the only difference I could see. The unlocked FaceTime variants are a bit more expensive in the middle east. Usually I see people who travel abroad a lot look for those variants.
P.S: US variant is different from International variant due to the extra millimeter wave antenna for iPhone 12 series.
Dec 26, 2020 12:49 AM
There is NO confusion. Because there is NO International variant. There are Regional Variants as you have aptly described, but NO International variant. And the warranty is as has been suggested. There is no such thing as International Warranty on iPhone.
Dec 26, 2020 7:37 AM
Yes there is international version, which in other words is the one that is not attached to a network!! I got mine in UAE i was offered the one with DU , ETISALAT or UNLOCKED aka INTERNATIONAL. clearly i got the unlocked or international version and it works perfectly in uae , in mexico, in the usa and saudi
Dec 28, 2020 1:52 AM
Question: Q: iPhone Middle East vs international versions More Less
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Face time in a middle east version of iPhone in India
I am planning to buy an iPhone 12 pro for my brother who is in Dubai now. But after a few months, he will go back to India.
Middle East version of the iPhone doesn’t have face time installed by default because it is not supported in UAE. But, If he takes his iPhone to India, can he install and use the face time in India? We buy only the unlocked version.
I checked with the iPhone customer care. They say, ”it is completely based on the carrier you are using”. If I ask my service provider they are asking me to check with iPhone support.
2 Answers 2
I would not expect FaceTime to work if you unlock a phone purchased in Middle East.
FaceTime may be unavailable if your device originates from this country or region and becomes unlocked or is used in another country or region.
The footnote is very broadly worded. My presumption is that phones sold in the entire region have legal or contractual restrictions causing FaceTime to be bound to specific carriers and/or the device remain in specific geographical boundaries for FaceTime to operate or be blocked. It’s unlikely even if you export it closed box and do first activation in India that you would bypass UAE intended restrictions. However, Apple did write this as a footnote, so I can’t say you’re out of luck across the board.
If you are uncertain when it’s time to spend your cash, be sure the return policy lets you test in India soon enough to return the device if you can’t be sure the features you need will work with the eventual carrier and eventual location. (Or be OK with whatever profit or loss you take reselling a “brand new phone” locally is acceptable risk)
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