Face Time
 

I'm due to start a job in UAE after an absence of 10 yrs from the ME. I now see that there are Apple Stores and prices look good compared to UK. Is Face Time still banned in UAE and hardware blocked from products sold there?

Re: Face Time
 

It's not banned but the majority of the phones you buy here don't have it installed. That said my iphone before this my current one I bought here and that had it installed. If you search around some of the smaller stores you can find them with Facetime.

Re: Face Time
 

So if I buy a macbook or iPhone from the Apple Store in Dubai / Abu Dhabi it won't have Face Time but I can easily add it when back in UK (or using a VPN)? I seem to remember a couple of years ago that the phones were hard-wired not to have FT and it couldn't be easily overcome.

Re: Face Time
 

My wife tried to install Facetime when back in the UK a couple of years ago and it didn't work.

But from souq.com and you get the Apple products with Facetime (and generally cheaper than the Apple store.

Re: Face Time
 

As far as I am aware you cannot add it if it isn't there.... I'm sure some geek could but.....

Re: Face Time
 

Thanks for responses so far. Pity UAE Apple products remain partially crippled in this way even from their own stores in country. FT is important for me as Friends & Family use it. Unfortunately I will be based in the field so don't have an UAE address for Souq.com. Was hoping to buy from a retail shop therefore. Are Apple Laptops equally difficult to retro load FaceTime?

Re: Face Time
 

Why wait, buy it in UK, get a VAT receipt, claim the 20% VAT back when you leave the country, price is then likely similar.

Or...

Wait until you're in country, take a long weekend, hop over to Bangkok, buy it there, do other stuff, return. Cheaper than UAE and you get a holiday.

Re: Face Time
 

I claimed the VAT back on a laptop years ago when I was resident in Saudi but unfortunately the contract in UAE won’t last long enough for me to gain non residency from the UK and I am on rotation back to the UK so can’t claim back VAT. The wife would probably have some misgivings if I flew the other way to BKK for a few days as well!

Re: Face Time
 

We've bought Apple iPhones SE from Virgin Superstore in Mall of the Emirates in Dubai and have also bought iPad Mini 4 and iPad Pro 10.5" from Virgin Superstore in City Centre Mall in Muscat and they all have Facetime.

Re: Face Time
 

You may have been lucky with those Virgin purchases as there seem to be plenty of disgruntled tourists online who’s Dubai shopping experience is to end up with a hobbled phone. Anybody know a reliable electronics store in AD that does Apple gray imports?

Re: Face Time
 

buy the phone from outside the UAE and you'll get FT with it.

Re: Face Time
 

Not exactly helpful

Re: Face Time
 

Well seriously, what are you looking for exactly? Someone to go into every shop in the UAE, esquire for you and report back? You asked and were advised..... I even told you that some shops do and some don't, you need to shop around.

Asking the same question again and again and expecting a different answer is.....

Re: Face Time
 

Very silly reply. “Esquire for me”? Maybe you should have a nice lie down and sleep it off. Nothing to see here jam & mission ..... now move along please

Re: Face Time
 

Can the mods lock this thread now before it attracts more idiocy? Thanks to all who took the time to usefully contribute.

Re: Face Time
 

Check the Virgin store in Abu Dhabi Mall. Also check out iStyle in the same mall, a premium reseller. Have no idea whether they do grey imports but no harm in asking.

Virgin have looked after us well. One of the SE phones which we bought in DXB froze about a month after we bought it and we were back home in Muscat by then. Took it into the Muscat City Centre Virgin store and when they couldn't fix it they replaced it with a brand new one, no arguing or prevaricating ... with Face Time again.

Re: Face Time
 

I'd still look at souq. They offer click-collect in Dubai, maybe AD. It'll be loads cheaper too.

Re: Face Time
 

Sorry about the typo.... other than that, how was it silly?

You want everyone else to do the running around for you despite everyone offering you good advice. Just get off your arse and do it yourself.

Re: Face Time
 

Jam, are there any places in Dubai that do ham and cheese sandwiches with pickle?

If you could pop along and find out for me that'd be great. :thumbup:

Re: Face Time
 

Would you like white or brown bread?

Re: Face Time
 

You need me to answer that? Maybe you should have a nice lie down and sleep it off.

Re: Face Time
 

Sorry, boss.... I should know this. So I suppose I shouldn't 'esquire' about your butter requirements...?