Frequently asked questions
How the Bali eSIM plan works before, during and after a trip to Bali — and everywhere else in Indonesia it covers.
What is an eSIM?
A digital SIM built into the phone. Instead of putting a plastic chip in a tray, you install the plan by scanning a QR code, and your usual SIM can stay exactly where it is.
Does my phone support eSIM?
Most phones sold since 2018 do: iPhone XS and newer, Samsung Galaxy S20 and newer, Google Pixel 3 and newer, and many other recent Android models. The phone also has to be carrier-unlocked. Our setup guides show where to check in a few taps.
When should I install it?
Over Wi-Fi at home, a day or two before you fly. Nothing starts counting at that point: the plan begins when the eSIM first connects to a network in Indonesia, so an early install costs you nothing and saves you doing it on airport Wi-Fi.
Will I keep my own number?
Yes. The eSIM carries data only, so your home line stays active for your number, your SMS codes and your messaging accounts. Set mobile data to the eSIM and leave the rest as it is.
How fast is it?
It runs on a major Indonesian network: 4G/LTE where you are likely to be, and 5G where the network offers it. Enough for maps, video calls, uploading the drone footage, and working from a laptop over the hotspot when the café Wi-Fi gives up.
Do I have to remove my physical SIM?
No. The two run side by side. The only setting that matters is which line mobile data uses — point it at the eSIM so your home SIM never roams.
What happens when the data runs out?
Top up in the app. The data lands on the eSIM you already installed, so there is no second QR code and no reinstall.
Can I share it as a hotspot?
Yes, tethering is included. One plan can cover a laptop, a tablet and the people you are traveling with.
Do I need internet to install the eSIM?
Yes — the download needs Wi-Fi or a working connection, which is the reason to do it at home. Once installed, it activates on arrival without any connection of its own.
Can I make calls and send SMS?
Plans are data-only: they carry internet, not a phone line, so ordinary calls and SMS stay on your home SIM. Calls over the internet — WhatsApp, FaceTime, Telegram and the rest — run on the eSIM's data exactly as they do at home.
How long is a plan valid?
Lengths run from three days to a month, and every plan shows its own validity before you buy. The clock starts when the eSIM first connects in Indonesia, not on the day you pay.
Does it work outside Bali?
Yes — and this is worth knowing before you plan the trip: it is an Indonesia-wide plan, so Jakarta, Lombok, the Gili Islands, Nusa Penida and the rest of the country are covered on the same eSIM. It does not cover other countries; the app sells separate plans for a Singapore or Bangkok stopover.
Is payment secure? Can I get a refund?
Payment goes through the App Store or Google Play, so we never handle your card. If an eSIM cannot be installed or activated on a compatible phone, contact support in the app and we will sort it out.
Is this better than a SIM card at the airport?
For most trips, yes. You skip the arrivals queue and the passport registration a local SIM requires, you know the price before you travel, and you are online at the taxi pickup rather than an hour later. Your own SIM also never leaves the phone.