Calling Family During Umrah and Hajj: What Works in Makkah and Madinah

Umrah and Hajj are journeys of a lifetime, and your family at home will want to hear from you. Maybe they want to see the Haram on a video call, check that an elderly parent is safe, or simply hear your voice after a long day. This guide explains what works in Makkah and Madinah, how to stay in touch when the crowds are huge, and how to set everything up before you leave home.

Key facts

• WhatsApp voice and video calls are allowed in Saudi Arabia. The restrictions on internet calling apps were lifted in September 2017.
• On a TripoSIM travel eSIM, WhatsApp calls work normally in Makkah, Madinah, Jeddah and Riyadh, with no VPN.
• WhatsApp messages, voice notes, photos and videos work on every network.
• FaceTime calls generally work in Saudi Arabia as well.
• Networks can slow down near the Haram at peak times, such as Friday prayers, Ramadan nights and the days of Hajj.
• TripoSIM eSIMs are data-only. You keep your own number on your home SIM, and calls go through apps over data.
• The plan starts when the eSIM first connects to a network in Saudi Arabia, so you can install it at home before you travel.

Can I make WhatsApp calls in Makkah and Madinah?

Yes. You may hear older pilgrims say that "WhatsApp calls do not work in Saudi Arabia". That was true before 2017. In September 2017, Saudi Arabia lifted its restrictions on internet calling apps, and WhatsApp voice and video calls have been allowed since then.

On a TripoSIM eSIM, WhatsApp calls work normally across the holy cities, with no VPN and no extra app. FaceTime calls generally work too, which is handy if your family uses iPhones.

The real challenge: crowds, not rules

Makkah and Madinah have strong mobile networks from STC, Mobily and Zain, with 4G and 5G in the main areas. But during the busiest moments, millions of people use their phones in the same small area. At those times, any network can slow down, including local SIMs.

This usually happens:

• inside and right around the Haram in Makkah and the Prophet's Mosque in Madinah at prayer times
• on Fridays and during Ramadan, especially the last ten nights
• during the days of Hajj in Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah

You can see which networks travel eSIMs use in Saudi Arabia, and where 5G is available, on our travel eSIM network map.

Tips for calling family when it is busy

• Send voice notes. A voice note uploads when it can and arrives in full. It often works when a live call struggles.
• Pick quiet times. Calls connect best between prayer times, late at night or early in the morning, and from your hotel.
• Agree on a call time. Tell your family when you will call each day, so nobody worries if you are quiet during busy hours.
• Switch to voice if video freezes. A voice call needs far less data and signal than video.
• Use hotel Wi-Fi for long video calls. Calls are allowed on Saudi Wi-Fi too, so a long evening video call can run over your hotel Wi-Fi.
• Share your location. WhatsApp live location lets your family, or your group, see where you are.
• Respect the sacred places. Many pilgrims keep phones on silent and avoid video calls during prayers and inside the mosques.

Ways to stay connected in Saudi Arabia

How to set up your phone before you leave home

1. Check that your phone supports eSIM and is unlocked on our compatibility page. Check the phones of parents and older relatives too.
2. Buy your Saudi Arabia eSIM and install it at home on Wi-Fi by scanning the QR code from your email.
3. Keep your home SIM in the phone for your number and bank codes, and turn off data roaming on it to avoid charges.
4. When you land in Jeddah, Madinah or Riyadh, turn on the TripoSIM eSIM and set it as your mobile data line. The plan starts when the eSIM first connects to a network in Saudi Arabia.
5. Open WhatsApp and send a "we have arrived" message or call to your family, with no VPN needed.
6. Download the apps you will need, such as Nusuk, maps and your group's chat, while you still have good Wi-Fi.

Travelling as a family or a group

Many pilgrims travel with parents, children or a group from their mosque or travel agency. Some simple ideas help everyone stay in touch:

• Give every phone its own eSIM. If you rely on one person's hotspot, the group is cut off as soon as you get separated in the crowd. The TripoSIM Family Pack gives each person their own eSIM and QR code in one checkout, with 10% off for groups of 4 or more, and one dashboard to manage them all.
• Set up phones for older relatives yourself. Install their eSIM at home, test a WhatsApp call, and write the group's meeting point on a card in their pocket.
• Make a group chat. One WhatsApp group for your family or travel group makes it easy to share updates and locations.
• Carry a power bank. Long days, maps and calls drain batteries quickly in the heat.

For more group planning, see our guide to the best group eSIM for Hajj and Umrah.

How much data do you need for Umrah or Hajj?

TripoSIM eSIMs are data-only, so every call uses data. These are rough estimates:

• WhatsApp voice call: about 0.5–1.5 MB per minute (roughly 30–90 MB per hour).
• WhatsApp or FaceTime video call: about 5–15 MB per minute (roughly 300–900 MB per hour).

As a guide for a typical trip:

• Umrah, 7–10 days, messages and a few calls: 5 GB.
• Umrah, 14 days, with a daily video call home: 10–15 GB.
• Hajj, with daily calls and sharing photos: 15–20 GB or more.

The free Data Calculator can give you a personal estimate. For Hajj itself, read our guide to connectivity in Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah.

Honest limitations

• Data-only. A TripoSIM eSIM gives you mobile data, not a Saudi phone number. Your own number stays on your home SIM for SMS and bank codes, if your carrier allows SMS abroad.
• Busy networks. At peak times near the Haram and during Hajj, every network can slow down. No eSIM or SIM can promise perfect calls in a crowd of millions.
• Video uses more data. Long daily video calls can use a lot of data, so choose a plan with room to spare or top up from your dashboard.

Flying through Dubai or the UAE?

Many pilgrims change planes in Dubai or Abu Dhabi. The rules there are different: WhatsApp and FaceTime calls are blocked on local UAE SIMs and Wi-Fi, including airport Wi-Fi. On a TripoSIM eSIM that covers the UAE, calls work there too, with no VPN, which we tested in Dubai in October 2026. See eSIM for Dubai and the UAE: will WhatsApp and FaceTime calls work? and does FaceTime work in Dubai and the UAE?

Related guides

• Does WhatsApp and FaceTime calling work in Saudi Arabia?
• eSIM for Umrah in Makkah and Madinah
• Do you need a VPN to make WhatsApp calls in Dubai?
• Countries where WhatsApp and FaceTime calls are blocked

Frequently asked questions

Does WhatsApp calling work in Makkah?

Yes. WhatsApp voice and video calls are allowed in Saudi Arabia and work in Makkah on a TripoSIM eSIM, with no VPN. At peak prayer times near the Haram the network can be busy, so a voice note or a call a little later may work better.

Do I need a VPN to call my family from Saudi Arabia?

No. Saudi Arabia lifted its restrictions on internet calling apps in September 2017. WhatsApp calls work without a VPN, on TripoSIM and on local networks.

Can I video call my family from inside the Haram?

The network inside and around the Haram can be very busy at prayer times, and many pilgrims prefer not to make video calls during prayers. For the best quality and out of respect, step outside the busiest areas or call from your hotel between prayers.

Will my eSIM work during Hajj in Mina and Arafat?

Mobile networks cover Mina, Arafat and Muzdalifah, but with millions of pilgrims in one place, speeds can drop a lot. Messages and voice notes usually still go through. Read our Hajj connectivity guide for more tips.

Can I keep my home number for bank codes during Umrah?

Yes. The TripoSIM eSIM only adds data. Keep your normal SIM in the phone with data roaming turned off, and you can usually still receive SMS bank codes if your carrier allows SMS abroad.

How do I set up an eSIM for my elderly parents?

Install it on their phone at home, on Wi-Fi, before you travel. Set the eSIM as the mobile data line, test a WhatsApp call, and keep their home SIM in the phone. With the Family Pack, you can manage everyone's eSIMs from one dashboard.

Is there Arabic support if something goes wrong?

Yes. TripoSIM support is available 24/7 in English and Arabic.