SIM & Internet: how it works in Indonesia — first-hand

From real experience

• Foreign mobile devices used in Indonesia are subject to IMEI registration regulations. If service is lost after 30-90 days, the device IMEI likely requires formal registration at an official operator outlet (e.g., GraPARI Telkomsel) using a passport.
• Exchange rates at Bali airport are generally worse than in the city. However, the difference might not be critical for small amounts needed for a SIM card or taxi. For larger sums, it's advisable to exchange money in the city during business days.
• To keep your Telkomsel SIM card number active in Russia without an IMEI binding, you can continue paying for the SIM card plan through the MyTelkomsel app. If you have a new visa, you can visit a Telkomsel office to renew the registration for another three months.
• The user's iPhone supports eSIM, as it only has eSIM capability. The issue might be related to the phone's network settings or a carrier-specific activation process.
• SIM card prices in Bali differ significantly between airport kiosks (approx. 400,000 IDR) and official operator offices (Grapari). Travelers can save significantly by visiting an official store, though it requires passport registration and travel time. Tourists staying for longer periods (e.g., 2+ months) are advised to visit official carrier offices.
• An Indonesian SIM card is tied to the IMEI of the phone with which it was initially registered. If you wish to use an activated Indonesian SIM card in a different phone, the IMEI of that second phone must also be registered with Indonesian authorities. Unregistered foreign phones may have their SIM service blocked after a certain period (e.g., 3 months). IMEI registration can be done at airports upon arrival or at official telecom stores.
• IMEI registration in Indonesia is mandatory for devices staying longer than 90 days. If the device was not registered at the airport (Customs), the SIM card might be blocked after 30 days. To fix, visit the local customs office (Bea Cukai) or a certified operator branch with your passport, visa, and flight ticket. Check device status via the official government IMEI portal (imei.kemenperin.go.id).
• In Indonesia, a local SIM card remains active as long as the balance is topped up. The common '30-day' or '90-day' restriction refers strictly to the device's unregistered IMEI, which blocks local cellular network access on unregistered foreign phones after this period. To keep receiving SMS for bank confirmations, users can keep the SIM active through top-ups, even if the primary phone's IMEI is blocked, or use an IMEI-registered backup device.
• Russian MTS SIM card users in Indonesia often experience SMS delivery failures in roaming. Recommended troubleshooting: toggle airplane mode, manually select network operator (Telkomsel usually works best), and ensure the 'Easy Roaming and International Access' service is active in the provider's mobile app.
• To keep an Indonesian SIM card active long-term (useful for local bank notifications), buy "masa aktif" (active period extension) packages in the operator's app, which can extend validity for up to a year without high costs. Separately, unregistered foreign phones face network blocks via IMEI after 90 days of local network usage. If traveling outside Indonesia, the SIM will continue to work for receiving roaming SMS without IMEI registration.
• Russian bank and government services (Gosuslugi) SMS notifications are generally delivered to Russian SIM cards while abroad in Indonesia. No roaming is required; a basic local tariff with SMS capability is sufficient. Occasional short delays in message delivery may occur.
• Telkomsel users can extend SIM card validity via the 'Masa Aktif' feature in the MyTelkomsel app. Options include: 30 days (14k IDR), 90 days (33k IDR), 180 days (62k IDR), 300 days (97k IDR), and 360 days (115k IDR). Maintaining SIM activity keeps the number functional for future travel or roaming.
• Foreign tourists in Indonesia face IMEI registration requirements for mobile devices. Options include: 1) Registering at a Grapari Telkomsel office (valid for 3 months), 2) Paying a registration tax at customs, 3) Purchasing a local device with an already registered IMEI, or 4) Paying the tax after re-entering the country to receive a discount. Registration is necessary for cellular services to function reliably.
• Tourists in Indonesia buying a local phone and SIM card may encounter issues with IMEI registration expiry messages. Even if the phone is purchased from an official local reseller (e.g., Apple reseller in Beachwalk Shopping Center) and should have a pre-registered IMEI, the SIM card might be activated with a 30-day tourist validity instead of the standard 90 days. This can lead to confusion when an IMEI expiry reminder is received. SIM cards (physical) are not affected by being removed/reinserted, and the internet package is tied to the number and validity period, not continuous phone insertion. If an IMEI expiry message is received, check IMEI registration status and consult the SIM card provider (e.g., Telkomsel) or the phone reseller. After SIM reinsertion on Android, ensure Telkomsel is selected for mobile data.
• Local Indonesian SIM cards only work in devices with a registered IMEI. Tourist IMEI registration is valid for 30 days. Swapping a working local SIM card into an unregistered phone will result in 'No Service'. On dual-SIM Android phones, inserting the SIM into the wrong slot can trigger an IMEI block if only one slot was registered at the office.
• Foreigners staying in Indonesia for over 90 days must register their phone's IMEI to use local SIM cards. Registration at the airport is free for devices valued up to $500 (import duty exemption). Telkomsel offices can register the IMEI for 3 months upon SIM purchase. Once a device spends 90 days in local networks without registration, it is blocked for all Indonesian SIMs.
• Indonesian bank account management without a KITAS is restrictive. If a specific branch refuses a request (like updating a phone number), visiting a different branch can sometimes yield a different outcome due to inconsistent application of internal policies by branch managers.
• Mobile devices used in Indonesia for extended periods require IMEI registration. Solutions for blocked devices include purchasing a local phone, using a different carrier (if the IMEI database isn't shared), or paying the customs tax upon arrival. Simply changing SIM cards does not bypass the hardware-level IMEI block.
• A physical Indonesian SIM card (e.g., Telkomsel) can be removed and reinserted, or swapped with another SIM (e.g., a home country SIM) without voiding the active internet package. The internet package is tied to the SIM number and its validity period, not its continuous presence in the phone. Potential minor issues on Android devices after swapping include needing to manually re-select the Indonesian SIM for mobile data or a phone reboot. Vendor warnings about internet packages disappearing are generally incorrect.
• Foreigners staying in Indonesia long-term must register their phone's IMEI. Registration must be done inside the airport customs zone upon arrival to be eligible for a $500 tax deduction. Exiting the arrival area before registering makes the process significantly more difficult.
• If your Telkomsel SIM card registration is expiring soon (e.g., after 3 months), and you plan to stay longer, you can attempt to extend the registration at a Telkomsel office if your visa status allows. Otherwise, you may need to get a new SIM card.
• Starting July 1, 2026, Indonesia mandates biometric verification (facial recognition) for all new SIM and eSIM registrations. This requirement applies to both locals and foreign tourists, with the system checking faces against the immigration database.
• Foreign mobile devices in Indonesia must have their IMEI registered to connect to local networks long-term (over 90 days). If connectivity is lost, visiting a Grapari office for temporary registration may work; otherwise, full IMEI registration (paid) or exiting/re-entering the country is required.
• To keep an Indonesian SIM card (XL, Telkomsel) active while using it for roaming abroad (e.g., to receive banking OTPs), users must maintain a balance and perform at least one paid action (like sending an SMS) monthly, or purchase an active period extension ('masa aktif') package within the provider's official app.
• Foreign-bought mobile devices must have their IMEI registered to function with Indonesian SIM cards. Temporary registration (30-90 days) is typically performed at the time of SIM card purchase at official carrier offices. Phones without IMEI registration will eventually lose network connectivity. On one passport, a user can typically register up to three SIM cards from one operator.
• For mobile connectivity in Indonesia: 1. Local SIM cards (Telkomsel) are generally cheaper and required for registering local taxi/ride-sharing apps. 2. eSIMs (via Trip.com) are convenient for instant activation upon arrival. 3. 5-10 GB of data is sufficient for a 2-week trip if excluding video streaming.
• Foreign smartphones (IMEI) can be registered for free at the airport or official stores when purchasing a local SIM card. Registration is required for local SIMs to function properly.

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