What the official source says
- SourceTRA, position paper on the licensing approach to IP based voice and messaging services, 20 January 2021
- What it saysThe position paper of the Telecommunications Regulatory Authority (TRA) dated 20 January 2021 says online voice and messaging services that do not connect to phone numbers are not telecommunications services and need no licence. Services that do connect to public phone numbers need one. Using a phone number only to sign in does not count as connecting to phone numbers. The paper sets licensing rules for providers.
- What it does not sayNone of the official pages used here names WhatsApp.
What this means on your trip
- Messages and photos use mobile data, so switch on roaming for the eSIM line after landing.
- Save your hotel address, bookings and phone numbers offline, in case an app does not work.
- Your eSIM has no phone number, so keep your home SIM active for verification codes.
- Rules change. Open the official page again shortly before your trip.
Set it up before you fly
- Check that your phone supports eSIM and is not locked: eSIM compatible phones.
- Pick a plan for your destination below.
- Payment is taken once the eSIM is ready.
- Install it at home over Wi-Fi: tap Install in the app or scan the QR code.
- After landing, switch on data roaming for the eSIM line.
- Most plans start when your phone first connects there.
Prefer a daily allowance? 1 GB per day · 7 days for €21.99: full speed up to 1 GB a day, then 512 Kbps until the next day.
Picked like in our shop: the cheapest plan with about 0.7 GB a day. Live prices for Bahrain.
Questions and answers
Bahrain: does WhatsApp work?
The regulator says voice and messaging apps that do not connect to phone numbers need no licence. WhatsApp is not mentioned by name, so try one call after you land, with the app you plan to use.
Bahrain: what if a call does not connect?
Check that data roaming is on for the eSIM line and try again. If voice or video calls still fail, the app may be limited for calls there. A text message needs far less data than a call, so send a message instead.
Does the eSIM come with a phone number?
No. Plans are data only. Keep your own SIM for calls and texts, and use messaging apps over data.
Updated 24 Oct 2026 · checked against our live catalogue
How we check our data · Prices and plans come live from our catalogue; facts come from official sources, listed where we use them.
Sources: TRA Bahrain: position papers and guidelines · TRA Bahrain: Position Paper on the Licensing Approach to IP Based Voice and Messaging Services (LAD/0121/010)
