Which Apps Work in Bali
With Your Foreign SIM?
Most travel apps work fine. The ones that don't are Indonesian apps that need a local +62 number to verify. Here's exactly what to expect before you land.
The Short Answer
Google Maps, WhatsApp, Airbnb, Booking.com, and Klook all work with any foreign number. The apps that don't — Gojek, Grab, OVO, and GoPay — are Indonesian apps that use SMS OTP verification, which only works reliably with a local +62 number. If you want to book motorbike taxis, order food to your villa, and pay cashless at markets, you need a local number.
Works with your foreign number
8 apps — navigation, accommodation, activities, and communication. No local SIM needed.
- • Google Maps, Waze, Maps.me
- • Airbnb, Booking.com, Agoda, Klook
Needs a local +62 number
8 apps — the Indonesian apps that make daily life in Bali easier. SMS OTP fails without +62.
- • Gojek, Grab (rides & food delivery)
- • OVO, GoPay, DANA (e-wallets)
Full checklist by category
Every app a Bali traveler might use — and whether your foreign SIM gets you in.
Ride-hailing & Transport
OTP verification fails consistently with foreign numbers. +62 required.
Technically accepts foreign numbers but OTP delivery is unreliable. +62 recommended.
Metered taxi app. Requires phone verification — foreign number support unclear.
Food Delivery
Part of Gojek — same +62 requirement applies.
Part of Grab — same OTP reliability issues as Grab rides.
E-wallets & Cashless Payments
Indonesian +62 only. No workaround — foreign numbers rejected at registration.
Gojek's wallet. +62 strongly preferred — foreign numbers face verification issues.
Officially supports 195 countries, but full QRIS functionality requires +62.
Discontinued for foreign users as of January 2025. Don't bother.
Maps & Navigation
No phone verification needed. Works offline with downloaded maps.
Sign in with Google or email — no phone number required.
Fully offline. No account needed at all — download Bali maps before you fly.
Communication
Any number works. Already installed? You're set — used for everything in Bali.
Accommodation & Activities
International numbers accepted. Register before you arrive.
Works with foreign numbers. No Bali-specific issues reported.
Accepts international numbers with country code selection.
Foreign numbers work reliably for OTP.
Why does a +62 number unlock these apps?
Indonesian apps — Gojek, OVO, GoPay, DANA — are built around the Indonesian phone network. When you sign up, they send an SMS verification code to your number. That code only routes reliably to Indonesian numbers (+62 prefix). Foreign numbers either don't receive the SMS at all, or receive it too late to complete registration.
It's not a policy decision — it's how the Indonesian telecoms infrastructure works. Getting a local +62 number is the only reliable fix.
Common questions
Can I use Grab in Bali without a +62 number?
Technically yes — Grab accepts foreign numbers — but OTP delivery is unreliable in practice. Many travelers find verification fails or is delayed. If you plan to use Grab daily, a +62 number is the safer bet. Alternatively, register at home before your trip while you still have a stable connection.
What's QRIS and do I need +62 to use it?
QRIS is Indonesia's universal QR payment standard — the same QR code works across all e-wallets. To pay via QRIS, you need an active e-wallet (OVO, GoPay, DANA). All three work most reliably with a +62 number. Without one, cash or an international card is your fallback.
Can I just use Google Maps for getting around?
Yes — Google Maps works perfectly in Bali with no phone verification. Download offline maps for Bali before you leave home. The only thing it can't do is book a ride for you — for that you need Gojek or Grab.
WhatsApp already works — why do I need a +62 number?
WhatsApp itself works fine with any number. But when you try to register for Gojek, OVO, or GoPay, those apps send an OTP to your phone number — and that's where foreign numbers fail. WhatsApp being active doesn't help with SMS OTP verification in other apps.
What if I don't want to deal with a local SIM at all?
You can get by with Google Maps, WhatsApp, and your hotel wifi. But you'll miss out on motorbike taxis, cheap food delivery, and cashless payments at markets — which are genuinely central to how Bali works day-to-day. Most travelers who skip it wish they hadn't.
Not sure which option is right for you? Message us — we'll help you figure out what you actually need before your trip. Chat on WhatsApp →
Get a local +62 number
before you land
One number unlocks ride-hailing, food delivery, and cashless payments across Bali. Choose eSIM (scan a QR before you fly) or physical SIM (delivered to your hotel).