Mobile Phones

Registering a foreign handset, choosing a SIM and operator, mobile data, the Android-vs-iOS situation, and the local apps you'll actually need.

In 2017 Iran introduced a tax on mobile phones purchased abroad, including used phones brought in by travellers. As a result, once a SIM card is inserted into such a phone, it works normally for only 30 days before being automatically blocked by the networks. To keep using it beyond that, the phone must be registered on entry and the applicable tax paid.

Registering a foreign phone

To register a foreign mobile phone in Iran:

1. Obtain a Shenaseh Faragir code — normally printed and affixed to the back of your passport at the airport.
2. Visit the Mobile Registration Office — at Imam Khomeini International Airport, this is located after luggage pick-up.
3. Register personal and device details — your personal details, Shenaseh Faragir code and the phone’s unique IMEI number are recorded.
4. Pay the tax — return to the airport within 30 days to pay the tax, which is roughly 20–40% of the phone’s retail value, as determined by customs.

Buying a handset within Iran may be more convenient and cost-effective than registering one from abroad — locally bought phones have already had the tax paid and need only a simple SMS registration. While managing two phones may seem inconvenient, many students find it useful to keep one for their home country and a separate one for use in Iran.

SIM cards

There are three main mobile operators in Iran:

• MCI (Hamrah Avval) — Iran Mobile Communications Company, the first and largest, state-owned operator. Its services are generally more suited to Iranians than foreigners.
• MTN Irancell — the second largest, preferred by many foreigners for the ease of buying and registering SIM cards and other services.
• Rightel — a more recent entrant with a smaller market share and limited services.

As elsewhere, signal quality depends on factors such as distance from the nearest tower, so it is worth checking signal strength in the areas where you will spend most of your time before choosing.

Each operator offers both pre-paid (i’tibari) — where credit is bought in advance — and post-paid (daimi) — where you are billed after a period according to use — and they also provide a switching service between the two. Each has its own app (MyMCI, MyIrancell or MyRightel) for managing your account, checking your balance, topping up and paying bills.

Mobile data

Iran has nationwide 4G coverage, with many areas also supporting 4.5G speeds. 5G is currently available only in one part of Tehran, and a nationwide roll-out is likely years away.

Data packages can be purchased by visiting a retailer (where cash is also accepted) to top up your balance, using the operator’s app, using a mobile banking app, or using the operator’s USSD codes — dialled on the phone to access menus for changing settings or buying credit and internet packages:

Android vs iOS

There are two predominant mobile operating systems worldwide: iOS, exclusive to Apple, and Android, owned by Google. While Apple holds a significant global market share, the situation in Iran is different: sanctions have led to the blocking of the Apple App Store, so iPhone users are relatively scarce. Android is the most popular operating system here — unsurprising given its adoption by numerous manufacturers, its greater versatility and customisability, and its lower initial and repair costs.

Apps

For Android users, Google’s Play Store is among the most common app stores globally, but in Iran internet restrictions make it inaccessible without a VPN. As a result, many local marketplaces offer thousands of free and paid apps. The most popular is Cafe Bazaar (often just “Bazaar”), with over 36 million users and more than 150,000 apps. A big advantage of the Iranian stores is the availability of local apps for banking, shopping, taxis, social media and more. Other Android stores include Myket, Farsroid, Getandroid, Yasdl and Iranapp.

As noted, iPhones have limited capabilities in Iran owing to difficulties accessing the Apple App Store — a VPN is required to download apps, and purchasing them presents further challenges. Despite Apple’s security measures, Iranians have developed their own app stores for Apple users; unlike the Android stores these are membership-based and relatively expensive. After registering with a local mobile number and paying the membership fee, users can access and download apps. The most common are Sibche, Sibapp, Sibaneh and iApps.

Useful apps

• Cafe Bazaar — one of the most popular marketplaces for Iranian and non-Iranian Android apps. To install from Bazaar, enable “Install apps from unknown sources” in your phone settings.
• Fast Dictionary — an essential English–Farsi / Farsi–English dictionary that offers translations and example sentences for each word.
• MyIrancell — manage your Irancell balance, top up credit, buy internet packages and change settings.
• Baad Saba — an Islamic calendar app with prayer times, adhan alarms, daily du’as and ziyarat, calendar reminders, a weather forecast and more.
• Snapp! — an Iranian taxi and transport app: hail a taxi by selecting origin and destination, plus Snapp Bike (motorbike rides), Snapp Box (courier) and Snapp Van (larger items such as furniture and white goods). Similar apps include Tapsi and Maxim.
• Eitaa — with WhatsApp and Telegram largely unavailable, this messaging app is almost essential; send images, audio, video and documents, create groups and channels, and make voice and video calls to other Eitaa users.
• Digikala — one of the most famous online-shopping brands, considered Iran’s Amazon equivalent, selling everything from phones and laptops to kitchen appliances and clothing.
• Divar — an online classifieds service like eBay, Craigslist or Gumtree, with a user-friendly interface for buying and selling new or used goods — from houses and cars to private tuition.
• AP (Asan Pardakht) — literally “easy payment”, a third-party payment platform for transactions across many institutions: pay utility bills, give donations, and search and pay for bus and train tickets.
• Snapp Food! — one of the largest online food-ordering platforms, an offshoot of Snapp!, now delivering not just restaurant food but groceries, fruit and vegetables, meat and poultry, bread and even ice cream.
• Alibaba — a metasearch engine and online travel agency for domestic and international flights, intercity train and bus tickets, and hotel reservations.