FaceTime blocked by Apple

Question

Level 1

9 points

FaceTime blocked by Apple

Does a person has the right of purchasing apple products from anywhere in the world and use all the services equally with the rest?

If yes, why i am not able to use FaceTime app on an iPhone purchased from UAE while living in a country that FaceTime is not banned/blocked/locked.

Requesting the community to ask apple not to ban or block an apple service by model number, but rather by region or carrier. As if one is shifting to a different region and carrier, he or she should be able to use all the services.

Thanks,

iPhone XR, iOS 13

Posted on Dec 4, 2019 11:06 AM

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Answer 1

ChrisJ4203

Level 10

237,421 points

Dec 4, 2019 11:19 AM in response to Ammisaq

The devices are manufactured differently. There is no way to implement FaceTime on those devices. One needs to know that certain devices manufactured for certain regions are done that way. You will also find that the warranty on that device is only valid in the UAE, the same as all Apple devices. Apple warranties are only valid in the country of purchase. Telephones are very regional devices, and not all phones work anywhere in the world. A fact of life.

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Answer 2

Kurt Lang

Level 9

71,139 points

Dec 4, 2019 11:24 AM in response to Ammisaq

You bought an iPhone where FaceTime, Whatsapp and Viber are banned in that country. In order for Apple to be allowed to sell iPhones there at all, FaceTime could not be included with the device.

FaceTime cannot be added after the fact if you leave the country. That installation of iOS on that iPhone will always live by the UAE rules.

Saudi Arabia lifted its ban on VoIP calling services last September. Apple is still in talks with the UAE to lift the ban on FaceTime.

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Answer 3

Dec 4, 2019 11:09 AM in response to Ammisaq

Apple must play by the rules where they sell the device.

Devices bought in the UAE will not have FaceTime anywhere in the world.

End of story.

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Answer 4

Ammisaq Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 4, 2019 11:26 AM in response to ChrisJ4203

First, I was thinking that apple warranty is worldwide and not regional. Second, actually FaceTime app is present in the memory of the iPhone but it is blocked on software level which means IOS. Based on my research, on previous ios versions, it was possible to use FaceTime by changing the region and sim carrier, but now the ios prevents that and change of region and sim carrier doesn't work.

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Answer 5

ersanc

Level 1

8 points

Dec 6, 2019 12:53 AM in response to Ammisaq

i don't think so, because official web site apple explain on this case

https://support.apple.com/en-us/HT204170

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Answer 6

Ammisaq Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 4, 2019 11:16 AM in response to QuickTimeKirk

That is not a logical answer.

It is right that "apple plays by the rules where they sell the device", but it is not fair to implement UAE rules on someone who by chance or need purchases an iPhone in UAE and moves back to his or her country where there is no ban on FaceTime.

What i am saying is that they can block a specific service based on region and carrier but not model number.

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Answer 7

Dec 5, 2019 6:53 AM in response to ersanc

OK.

You have an opinion but I have the answer.

That device will never have FaceTime.

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Answer 8

Ammisaq Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 4, 2019 11:31 AM in response to Kurt Lang

Actually all other apps and services are working fine after i left Dubai and come back home, but the only favorite app of iPhone users (FaceTime) is not working.

The app is included with the iPhone as it shows among installed apps in iPhone storage but not present in setting bellow imessage.

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Answer 9

ersanc

Level 1

8 points

Dec 5, 2019 6:50 AM in response to QuickTimeKirk

I don't think like you

As previously permitted in Saudi Arabia and Pakistan, UAE and other banned countries may also allow for models

also, our friend ammisaq is very right about what he is talking about

to apply the prohibition from a service provider or global location rather than applying it on a model basis

even apple officials don't speak as precisely as you

I'm sorry but your level doesn't match at all. Sincerely stay with love

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Answer 10

Dec 4, 2019 11:20 AM in response to Ammisaq

You don't have to see the logic.

That's how things work.

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Answer 11

Ammisaq Author

Level 1

9 points

Dec 4, 2019 11:34 AM in response to QuickTimeKirk

You are exactly right.

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Answer 12

ersanc

Level 1

8 points

Dec 5, 2019 6:52 AM in response to ersanc

furthermore, it is even more upsetting that a level-level user defends the exact language rather than giving an opinion on how to correct such a mistake.

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