How Can I Buy a SIM Card in Iran?

We try to put useful information in this content in order to assist travelers in buying and activation a SIM card.

How Can I Buy a SIM Card in Iran?

If you are in a situation where it is impossible to connect to the Internet in your hotel, or if you would like to call and use the Internet all through your trip in Iran or other similar conditions, we suggest you read this content.

Where Can I Buy a SIM Card?

Upon arriving at the Imam Khomeini Airport, a prepaid SIM Card can be purchased from official stores in Arrivals Lobby. Only two mobile data operators are available in the airport, Hamrah-e Aval (MCI) and Irancell (MTN), which are the largest mobile operator in Iran. Otherwise, you can purchase a prepaid Sim Card from official stores and approved resellers all over the country.

Recharge cards

Recharge cards can also be purchased from official outlets, approved resellers and supermarkets across Iran.

The Recharge cards are as follows:

Hamrah-e Aval: To add credit, dial *140*#(voucher PIN)#

Irancell: To add credit, dial *144*(voucher PIN)#

Main Balance

In order to check your main balance, dial the activation cods as follows:

• Hamrah-e Aval: *10*121#
• Irancell: *555*1*2#

What documents do you need to get a SIM card?

You must have your passport in order to purchase a SIM card. You will also receive a form to fill out it with the exact information from your passport. With these documents, you cannot get a postpaid SIM card, you can only purchase a prepaid SIM card.

Note: If you want to use a local SIM card for more than a month (since the first day of using the SIM Card), you need to register your mobile phone and pay the mobile phone tax.

How to active SIM card?

Your prepaid SIM card will be active as soon as the registration process has been completed. If it won’t be active, you must refer to the official stores to ask them to act your SIM card. Please note that the activation process of SIM card might be taken up to 24 hours after purchase.

How can I change the language?

The first step to be able to use the Iranian SIM cards for non-Iranian users, turn the menu language to English. Both operators provide the possibility of changing the menu language. In the following, you can find out how to change it.

Irancell (MTN)

The Irancell SIM card holders can change menu language to English by dialing this activation code: *555*4*3*2#

In order to turn it back to Persian, dialing: *555*4*3*1#

Hamrah-e Aval (MCI)

There is no activation code for changing the menu language for this mobile operator. The only way you can change it to English, follow the options to finalize the registration process in the basic adjustments of your SIM card. Note that, it is a permanent change!

How to active Internet?

For Irancell SIM card holders:

In order to receive automatic Internet settings, dial this activation code: *555*4*2#. Most of the mobile phones and tablets will be automatically set up for Internet by this setting. Even so, your handset is not able to receive automatic Internet settings, dial *555*4*4*1# and follow the options that are listed below.

After dialing the activation code, you have to select your mobile operating system and follow the steps as follows:
 

1. For iOS: Go to Settings > cellular > Cellular Data Network, set mtnirancell as an APN. Then, turn on Cellular Data and enable 3G or LTE.
    
2. For Android: Go to Settings > More networks > Mobile Networks > Access Point Names > Add new APN > Name: Irancell, Internet APN: mtnirancell > Save and turn on.
    
3. For Windows: Add new APN in Settings > Access Point Name: Irancell

For Hamrah-e Aval SIM card holders:

Send the internet activation request in one of the following methods:
 

1. Dialing *10*231# to request internet activation.
    
2. Sending a text message "1" to 8088.

After activating the mobile Internet service, you must apply for receiving Internet settings in one of the following methods:
 

1. Sending your mobile type and model or serial number (IMEI) via SMS to 8008 (to receive automatic Internet settings).
    
2. If your handset is not able to receive automatic Internet settings, follow the instructions below to insert the Internet settings manually:
    

For Android: Go to Settings > More networks > Mobile Networks > insert the values of the table below

For iOS: Go to Settings > cellular > Cellular Data Network > insert the values of the table below

Note: By dialing the activation code of *#06#, the 15-digit serial number (IMEI) is displayed on your mobile screen.

How to buy Internet Packages?

Buying Internet Packages are an affordable way to use the Internet. You can check all the Internet packages by dialing the following activation codes and choose one them based on your needs.
 

The activation codes are as follows:

• Hamrah-e Aval: *100*2# (All of the Hamrah-e Aval Internet packages are auto-renew. To cancel dial *100*8#)
• Irancell: *555*5#

Internet Package's Balance

In order to check your Internet package's balance, dial the activation cods as follows:

• Hamrah-e Aval: *140*11#
• Irancell: *555*1*4*1#