Practical guide
Staying Connected in Iran
Last verified: 2026-06-29
Google, WhatsApp, Instagram, X, YouTube, Facebook and Telegram are filtered, so install and test a VPN before you arrive. An eSIM is the easiest data option; a local SIM (MCI/Irancell) is cheap but needs passport registration and is sold at the airport. Coverage is good in cities and at tourist sites but can drop in deserts and remote areas, and connectivity can change suddenly.
Key things to know
- Major apps are blocked - set up and TEST a VPN before arrival
- Buy a local SIM at the airport (passport needed) or use an eSIM
- Good coverage in cities/sites; patchy in deserts and the remote routes
- Keep offline maps and backups for low-signal stretches
- Connectivity rules can change with little notice
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