❓ Frequently Asked Questions

What's the best way to call India in 2025?

The best way depends on your situation:

• At home with WiFi? Use WhatsApp (completely free with excellent quality)
• Traveling to India? Get an eSIM plan (Airalo, Saily, or Yesim) for instant data access
• Living in UAE/China/Saudi Arabia? Use NordVPN to bypass restrictions and access WhatsApp
• iPhone user? FaceTime Audio is crystal clear and free
• Need to call landlines? Google Voice costs just $0.01/minute

How do I dial India from the USA?

To call India from the USA, use this format:

But here's the easier way: With apps like WhatsApp, Skype, or FaceTime, you don't need to dial country codes—just select the contact and call. With an eSIM data plan, you can use these apps anywhere without complicated dialing codes.

What happened to Dial91's calling card service?

We've evolved! Dial91 no longer offers traditional calling cards because modern technology has made them obsolete. Here's why:

• Calling cards cost: $0.05-0.15 per minute with hidden fees
• Modern apps like WhatsApp: Completely FREE over WiFi
• eSIM plans: $4.50 for a week = hundreds of calls vs. 30-90 minutes on calling cards

Instead of selling outdated products, we now help you discover better, cheaper solutions. See our complete guide to calling India.

Do I need a special phone to call India?

No special phone needed for most solutions! Here's what works with your current device:

• WhatsApp, Skype, Viber: Any smartphone (iPhone or Android)
• FaceTime: iPhone, iPad, or Mac only
• Google Voice: Any device with internet access
• eSIM plans: Requires eSIM-compatible phone (iPhone XS or newer, most 2020+ Android phones)

To check if your phone supports eSIM: iPhone: Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan. Android: Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Network > Add Carrier.

What's the cheapest way to call India?

The absolute cheapest is WhatsApp over WiFi—it's FREE!

Here's a cost comparison for a 30-minute call:

Are eSIM plans worth the cost?

Absolutely—they save you a fortune compared to roaming! Here's the math:

Plus, with eSIM data you can:

• Make unlimited free WhatsApp calls
• Use Google Maps and navigation
• Share photos and videos
• Browse the web
• Keep your home number active simultaneously

Get Airalo eSIM →

How much data do I need for calling India?

Voice calls use surprisingly little data! Here's what you can do with different data amounts:

• 1GB of data = ~60-90 minutes of WhatsApp voice calls
• 1GB of data = ~6-9 hours of WhatsApp voice calls (yes, really!)
• WhatsApp voice: ~1MB per minute (very efficient)
• WhatsApp video: ~5-8MB per minute (uses more data)
• FaceTime Audio: ~1-1.5MB per minute
• Skype voice: ~1-2MB per minute

Can I get a refund if I don't use all my data/minutes?

It depends on the service:

• eSIM plans (Airalo, Saily, Yesim): Generally no refunds, but unused data doesn't expire if within validity period (7-30 days depending on plan)
• NordVPN: 30-day money-back guarantee on all plans
• WhatsApp, FaceTime: Free, so nothing to refund
• Google Voice, Skype: Pay-as-you-go, only charged for minutes used

Pro tip: Start with smaller eSIM plans and add more data if needed. Most providers let you top up mid-trip.

What is an eSIM and how does it work?

eSIM is a digital SIM card built into your phone—no physical card needed!

Here's how it works:

1. Download the provider's app (Airalo, Saily, or Yesim)
2. Purchase your India data plan
3. Receive a QR code
4. Scan the QR code in your phone's settings
5. eSIM activates in 1-5 minutes
6. You now have cellular data in India!

Key benefit: Your home SIM stays active, so you can receive calls/texts on your regular number while using eSIM data for WhatsApp calls to India.

Is my phone compatible with eSIM?

Most newer phones support eSIM. Here's a quick check:

iPhones with eSIM:

• iPhone XS, XS Max, XR (2018) and newer
• iPhone 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max
• iPhone 12, 13, 14, 15, 16 series (all models)
• iPhone SE (2020 and newer)

Popular Android phones with eSIM:

• Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer
• Google Pixel 3 and newer
• Samsung Galaxy Note 20 and newer
• Samsung Galaxy Z Flip/Fold series
• Most flagship phones from 2020+

How to check: Go to Settings > Cellular/Mobile > Add Cellular Plan. If you see this option, your phone supports eSIM!

Which eSIM provider should I choose for India?

All three providers work excellently in India. Choose based on your priorities:

Can't decide? Go with Airalo—it's the most popular for a reason, with 5+ million users worldwide and reliable service in India.

When should I activate my eSIM plan?

Important: Most eSIM plans start counting validity from the moment you activate them, NOT when you land in India.

Best practice:

• Install the eSIM profile before your trip (can be done at home)
• Keep it turned OFF until you land in India
• Turn it ON when you arrive at the airport
• This way you get the full 7 or 30 days

Can I use an eSIM and my regular SIM at the same time?

Yes! This is one of the best features of eSIM.

Your phone can have multiple SIM profiles active:

• Physical SIM: Your home carrier (keeps your number active for calls/texts)
• eSIM: Your India data plan (for WhatsApp, browsing, maps)

You choose which one to use for data. Set the eSIM for cellular data while keeping your physical SIM active for receiving calls from home. Perfect setup for travelers!

Why is WhatsApp blocked in the UAE, China, and other countries?

Some countries block VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services for various reasons:

• UAE, Qatar, Oman: Protect telecom monopolies and revenue
• China: Part of Great Firewall censorship
• Saudi Arabia: Previously blocked, now allowed but unreliable

Blocked services typically include: WhatsApp calls (messaging often works), Skype, FaceTime, Viber, Google Duo

How do I call India from UAE/Dubai?

Method 1: Use NordVPN (Recommended)

1. Subscribe to NordVPN ($3.39-12.99/month)
2. Download the NordVPN app
3. Connect to a server (Germany, Singapore, or UK work well)
4. Open WhatsApp—it will now work normally
5. Make free calls to India!

Method 2: Use eSIM

Get an eSIM plan from Airalo for an international data connection that bypasses UAE restrictions.

Method 3: Botim or C'Me

UAE-approved calling apps, but they charge per minute (not as economical as VPN + WhatsApp).

Does NordVPN work in China?

Yes, NordVPN is one of the few VPNs that reliably works in China.

However, setup requires some planning:

1. Subscribe to NordVPN before your trip
2. Download and install the app
3. Test it before leaving
4. When in China, connect to NordVPN first
5. Then access WhatsApp, Gmail, Facebook, etc.

NordVPN uses obfuscated servers that hide VPN traffic, making it difficult for China's firewall to detect and block.

Is using a VPN legal in UAE/China?

Legal status varies:

• UAE: Using VPN is legal for legitimate purposes, but using VPNs for illegal activities (fraud, hacking) is prohibited
• China: Gray area—not explicitly illegal for personal use, but officially requires government approval
• Saudi Arabia: Similar to UAE—legal for legitimate business/personal use

Practical reality: Millions of expats and travelers use VPNs daily in these countries without issues. NordVPN is widely used and trusted.

Can I use a free VPN instead of paying for NordVPN?

Not recommended. Here's why free VPNs are problematic:

• Don't work in restricted countries: Free VPNs are easily detected and blocked by China/UAE
• Sell your data: Many free VPNs monetize by logging and selling your browsing data
• Slow speeds: Unusable for calling—constant buffering and dropped calls
• Security risks: Some inject ads or malware
• Data limits: Often cap at 500MB-10GB per month

NordVPN costs just $3.39/month for the 2-year plan and includes:

• ✅ Works reliably in China/UAE/Saudi Arabia
• ✅ No data logging
• ✅ Fast speeds for calling
• ✅ 30-day money-back guarantee
• ✅ Use on 10 devices simultaneously

Try NordVPN Risk-Free →

What's the difference between WhatsApp, Skype, and FaceTime?

Here's a comparison of the most popular calling apps:

Bottom line: Use WhatsApp for most calls (everyone has it), FaceTime if your family has iPhones, and Google Voice when you need to call Indian landlines.

Can I use WhatsApp without a phone number?

No, WhatsApp requires a phone number to create an account. However:

• You can use WhatsApp on multiple devices (phone, tablet, computer) with the same number
• You can use a landline number or VoIP number if you don't have a mobile number
• Once activated, you only need internet (WiFi or data) to make calls—not cellular service

For travelers: If you get an eSIM plan, it comes with an Indian phone number you can use for WhatsApp.

Does call quality differ between apps?

Yes, but the difference is usually minimal if you have a good connection.

Best call quality (in order):

1. FaceTime Audio - Uses AAC-ELD codec, exceptional clarity
2. WhatsApp - Uses Opus codec, excellent quality
3. Skype - Very good quality, especially for video
4. Google Voice - Good quality, can vary
5. Viber - Good quality, similar to WhatsApp

The real factor is your internet connection: A strong WiFi or 4G/5G connection matters more than which app you use. With an eSIM data plan, you'll get consistent quality for any calling app.

Can I call Indian landlines and mobile numbers that don't have WhatsApp?

Yes! Use these services to call regular phone numbers:

• Google Voice: $0.01/minute to Indian landlines and mobiles (US users only)
• Skype: $0.02/minute with Skype Credit
• Viber Out: Similar rates to Skype
• Your regular phone carrier: With an eSIM data plan, you can also just use your regular carrier for voice calls

However: Given how popular WhatsApp is in India (500+ million users), almost everyone you'd want to call probably has it. It's worth asking family members to install WhatsApp—it takes 2 minutes and saves you money!

How do I install an eSIM?

Installation is simple and takes about 5 minutes. Here's the process:

Step 1: Purchase Plan

• Download Airalo, Saily, or Yesim app
• Select India from country list
• Choose your data plan (1GB, 3GB, 5GB, etc.)
• Complete purchase

Step 2: Install eSIM Profile

On iPhone:

1. The app will display a QR code
2. Go to Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan
3. Scan the QR code with your camera
4. Tap "Add Cellular Plan"
5. Label it "India" or "Travel"
6. Choose which SIM to use for cellular data

On Android:

1. The app will display a QR code
2. Go to Settings > Network & Internet > Mobile Network
3. Tap "Add Carrier" or "Add"
4. Scan the QR code
5. Tap "Add" or "Activate"
6. Enable the eSIM for mobile data

Step 3: Activate

• Turn ON the eSIM when you land in India
• Your phone will connect to local networks automatically
• Open WhatsApp and start calling!

What if my eSIM isn't connecting?

Try these troubleshooting steps:

1. Check if eSIM is enabled: Settings > Cellular/Mobile Network > Make sure your eSIM is turned ON
2. Check Data Roaming: Enable "Data Roaming" for your eSIM profile
3. Restart your phone: Simple but often works
4. Toggle Airplane Mode: Turn ON airplane mode for 30 seconds, then OFF
5. Check APN settings: Usually automatic, but the eSIM app will show correct settings if needed
6. Verify plan is active: Check in the provider's app to confirm activation
7. Wait a few minutes: Initial connection can take 5-10 minutes after landing

Still not working? Contact your eSIM provider's support:

• Airalo: 24/7 chat support in the app
• Saily: 24/7 live support (phone/chat)
• Yesim: Email and chat support

Will my home number still work with an eSIM?

Yes! This is one of the best features of using an eSIM.

Your phone can have two active lines simultaneously:

• Physical SIM: Your home carrier (AT&T, Verizon, T-Mobile, etc.)
• eSIM: Your India data plan

How it works:

• Keep your physical SIM in your phone
• You can still receive calls and texts on your home number
• Set the eSIM for "Cellular Data"
• Use the eSIM data for WhatsApp, browsing, maps

Pro tip: Put your home carrier in "Low Data Mode" or turn off cellular data for it to avoid roaming charges. Use only the eSIM for data.

Do I need to turn off my regular SIM to use eSIM?

No, you should keep your regular SIM active!

Here's the recommended setup:

1. Physical SIM (home carrier): Keep it IN and turned ON
2. Set for: Voice & Text only (turn OFF cellular data)
3. Benefit: Receive important calls from home

2. eSIM (India plan): Turn ON when in India
3. Set for: Cellular Data only
4. Benefit: Use for WhatsApp, browsing, maps, apps

This "dual SIM" setup gives you the best of both worlds—accessibility on your home number and affordable data in India!

Can I share my eSIM data with others (hotspot)?

It depends on the eSIM provider:

• Airalo: Yes, hotspot/tethering is allowed on most plans
• Saily: Yes, hotspot is supported
• Yesim: Yes, but check specific plan details

Note: Using hotspot will consume your data faster. If you plan to share data, consider getting a larger plan (5GB or 10GB instead of 1GB).

Alternative: If traveling with family, consider getting individual eSIM plans for each person—they're affordable enough ($4.50-18 per week) that everyone can have their own data access.

What happens when my eSIM plan expires?

When your eSIM plan's validity period ends:

• The eSIM profile remains installed on your phone
• Data service stops (you can't use it anymore)
• Your home SIM continues working normally
• You can delete the expired eSIM profile from your settings
• Or you can "top up" the same eSIM if the provider allows

For future trips: You can install a new eSIM plan anytime. Most travelers delete the old eSIM profile and install a fresh one for each trip.