A group video call with family spread between the USA and Dubai puts grandparents, cousins and everyone else on one screen — and it is the kind of call that goes wrong most easily. This guide covers the app, the scheduling and the setup.
Pick the Right App for Your Group Size
Almost any app works for up to 10 people. FaceTime (up to 32) is simplest if everyone uses Apple devices; Google Meet and Zoom handle small groups easily, and BOTIM works well if the Dubai side already uses it daily.
For 10 to 32 people, FaceTime (32), Google Meet (100) and Zoom (100) all work. Meet is easiest because people can join from a browser link without installing anything.
Above 32 people, use Zoom or Google Meet — both support up to 100 free. Note the free limits: Zoom group meetings end after 40 minutes, Google Meet after 60. For a long gathering, plan a break and rejoin, or pay for Zoom Pro at approximately $15.99 per month.
Choose the app the least technical person already has. Remember: WhatsApp voice and video calls are restricted in the UAE, so the Dubai side needs a different app — BOTIM is the usual choice.
Schedule Across the Time Zones
Dubai runs on Gulf Standard Time (GST, UTC+4) all year; the USA spans four zones and most states change clocks for daylight saving. Dubai is 8–9 hours ahead of New York and 11–12 ahead of Los Angeles.
A call at 7 PM in Dubai is 10 AM Eastern and 7 AM Pacific in winter. Most families pick a Saturday or Sunday slot; send the invite with every time zone written out, and use a calendar invite so each phone converts it automatically.
Set Up the Call Step by Step
- One host sends the link and starts the meeting.
- Send the link a day early, and again 15 minutes before the call.
- Join two minutes early to check microphone and camera.
- The host should use a laptop or tablet for a bigger screen.
- One device per household. Two phones in the same room cause echo.
Use home Wi-Fi, not mobile data: a group call uses roughly 1 to 1.5 GB of data per hour. If anyone's connection is weak, ask them to turn off video and stay on audio.
Keep a Large Family Call Running Smoothly
Large calls need a little structure: the host welcomes people as they join and mutes background noise, one person speaks at a time, and the call stays to 45–60 minutes. Plan a loose order — grandparents first, then each household in turn.
What Group Calls Cost
For most families, a group call costs nothing beyond internet access. Zoom, Google Meet, FaceTime and Microsoft Teams are free for normal family use, within the time limits above. The only common paid cost is the BOTIM subscription in the UAE, approximately AED 50 per month.
FAQ
What is the best app for a large family video call between the USA and Dubai? Google Meet or Zoom — both support up to 100 people free in both countries. FaceTime is simpler if everyone uses Apple devices (up to 32).
How do I schedule a family call across Dubai and US time zones? Pick a fixed weekly slot and write the time in every zone, for example "Saturday, 7 PM Dubai / 10 AM New York / 7 AM Los Angeles". A calendar invite converts it automatically.
Why does my group call keep freezing? Usually the connection. Use Wi-Fi and ask anyone with a weak connection to turn off their camera.
Can the Dubai side join a WhatsApp group video call? No — WhatsApp voice and video calls are restricted in the UAE, including group calls. Use BOTIM, Zoom, Google Meet, Teams or FaceTime instead.