Which Apps Work in Bali
With Your Foreign SIM?
Most travel apps work fine. The ones that don't are Indonesian apps that send their OTP code only to a local +62 number. Here's exactly what to expect before you land.
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.
Get your +62 number before you land:
$11.00
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$13.00
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$16.00
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$19.00
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$22.00
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$31.00
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All plans valid for 30 days · eSIM or SIM card, same price · One passport + phone = 2 registrations a year · 15% off when you order 2 or more.
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.
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.
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 →