Can I still buy a SIM card at Bali airport?

Yes. Local SIM cards are still sold to tourists, including at the airport. Bring your original passport and allow a few minutes for the registration and face scan before the SIM is activated.

Is a travel eSIM a good alternative?

For many travellers it is. You buy it online, install it at home and turn it on when you land, without a counter visit. It is data-only, so calls and SMS are not included. Check each plan's details before you buy.

Will my own phone number keep working in Indonesia?

Yes. Your main SIM stays in the phone alongside the eSIM. To avoid unexpected charges, turn off data roaming on your main SIM and use the eSIM for data.

Which networks do LimitSim's Indonesia eSIMs use?

Depending on the plan, they connect to Telkomsel, Indosat, XL or Smartfren. Each plan lists its networks on the Indonesia plans page.

Indonesia's new SIM rule: face-scan registration for tourists (2026)

The LimitSim team · 2 min read

Since 1 July 2026, every new mobile number in Indonesia must be registered with facial biometrics. Foreign visitors register with their passport when they buy a SIM card, so the face scan happens at the counter before the SIM works. If you'd rather sort out mobile data before the trip, a travel eSIM can be bought online, installed at home and switched on when you land in Bali or Jakarta.

What changed in 2026

Indonesia's Ministry of Communication and Digital Affairs (Komdigi) has moved SIM registration from ID numbers to face recognition:

From 1 January 2026: a transition phase. New customers could register with their national ID number or with a face scan.
From 1 July 2026: facial biometrics became mandatory for every new mobile number.

According to the ministry, the scan takes less than two minutes. The aim is to cut down on fraud and scam calls made from unregistered numbers. Indonesian residents are also limited to three numbers per ID.

What it means for tourists

Foreign visitors can still buy a local SIM card in Indonesia, including at the airport. You need your original passport, and the SIM is activated only after the registration, including the face scan, is done at the point of sale. Plan a few extra minutes for it when you land.

The eSIM option: set up before you fly

A travel eSIM is a data plan you buy online before the trip:

The QR code arrives by e-mail right after payment.
Install it at home over Wi-Fi and keep it on the phone; some eSIMs cannot be installed again after deletion.
When you land, turn on the eSIM line and its data roaming in the phone's settings.

Travel eSIMs are data-only: calls and SMS are not included, and your own number stays on the phone, so messaging apps keep working over data. The 2026 rule governs new Indonesian phone numbers sold by local operators; a travel eSIM is a different product, so check each plan's details before you buy.

LimitSim's Indonesia plans connect to Telkomsel, Indosat, XL or Smartfren, depending on the plan. Each plan lists its networks.

Bali and beyond

In Bali almost every network works well. On other islands the network matters more: if you're heading to Lombok, the Gili Islands, Komodo or Raja Ampat, read our guide to eSIM coverage on Indonesia's islands.

Checklist before you go

Check eSIM support: dial *#06#. If a 32-digit EID appears, your phone supports eSIM. You can also look up your model in the list of eSIM phones.
Install at home and don't delete the eSIM after installing it.
Turn off data roaming on your main SIM to avoid unexpected charges.
Carry your original passport if you plan to buy a local SIM on arrival.

Frequently asked questions

Do tourists need a face scan to buy a SIM card in Indonesia?: Yes. Since 1 July 2026, every new mobile number in Indonesia is registered with facial biometrics. Foreign visitors register with their original passport, and the scan is done where the SIM is sold.
Can I still buy a SIM card at Bali airport?: Yes. Local SIM cards are still sold to tourists, including at the airport. Bring your original passport and allow a few minutes for the registration and face scan before the SIM is activated.
Is a travel eSIM a good alternative?: For many travellers it is. You buy it online, install it at home and turn it on when you land, without a counter visit. It is data-only, so calls and SMS are not included. Check each plan's details before you buy.
Will my own phone number keep working in Indonesia?: Yes. Your main SIM stays in the phone alongside the eSIM. To avoid unexpected charges, turn off data roaming on your main SIM and use the eSIM for data.
Which networks do LimitSim's Indonesia eSIMs use?: Depending on the plan, they connect to Telkomsel, Indosat, XL or Smartfren. Each plan lists its networks on the Indonesia plans page.