Using a Mobile Phone in Indonesia Without IMEI Registration

Yes, you can still use your phone in Indonesia without registering the IMEI, but it depends on how you plan to stay connected.

If you only use Wi-Fi, or you keep using your home SIM with international roaming, your phone can work normally without IMEI registration. The limitation starts when you want to use an Indonesian SIM or eSIM on a foreign-bought device, because Indonesia’s system requires the device IMEI to be recognized in order to access local cellular networks.

What “IMEI registration” affects in Indonesia

IMEI registration is about your device, not your SIM. In Indonesia, Customs (Bea Cukai) explains that phones, tablets, and similar cellular devices brought from abroad must have their IMEI registered so they can access Indonesian mobile networks.

So the key question is not “Will my phone turn on?” but “Will my phone be allowed to connect to Indonesian cellular service using a local Indonesian SIM or eSIM?”

Read more: IMEI Registration Cost in Indonesia: How Much You Pay

Situations where you can use your phone without IMEI registration

1) You use Wi-Fi only

If you rely on hotel Wi-Fi, café Wi-Fi, or a portable Wi-Fi device, your phone will work as usual. You can still use WhatsApp, email, Google Maps, and everything else that runs over Wi-Fi.

This option is simple, but you will lose reliable connectivity when you are outside Wi-Fi coverage.

2) You keep your home SIM and use international roaming

Indonesian guidance commonly states that foreign visitors who use a foreign SIM as an inbound roamer do not need to register IMEI and can use international roaming services instead.

This is the most “hands-off” option, but it can be expensive depending on your provider.

3) Short trip, and you do not need an Indonesian number

If you do not need local calls or a +62 number, Wi-Fi and roaming are usually enough for a short holiday.

You can Stay in Indonesia without IMEI Registration for 90 days

A commonly referenced Customs explanation is:

• Option A: Use your foreign SIM with roaming, no IMEI registration needed.
• Option B: If staying not more than 90 days, you may be able to get service by registering through operator channels (as described in the Customs-cited guidance).
• Option C: If staying more than 90 days, IMEI registration is done via Bea Cukai (website/app), with limits such as a maximum number of devices per traveler, depending on the policy.

If your goal is to use an Indonesian number reliably (especially beyond a short visit), you should plan on IMEI registration.

When you will run into problems without IMEI registration

What usually happens is not that your phone stops working entirely, but that cellular service becomes restricted.

1) You may lose access to Indonesian cellular networks (local SIM/eSIM)

If your phone was purchased overseas and the IMEI isn’t registered/recognized, you may be unable to use Indonesian mobile data, calls, and SMS with a local SIM/eSIM. That’s exactly what Bea Cukai warns about when they link IMEI registration to “access to Indonesian cellular networks.”

2) You might be forced into Wi-Fi-only or expensive roaming

In practice, travelers in this situation end up relying on:

• Wi-Fi (hotels/cafés/portable Wi-Fi), or
• international roaming (often expensive)

3) Using an international roaming eSIM (no IMEI registration)

Another option is using international roaming eSIMs, such as:

• Saily
• Holafly
• Airalo
• Klook

These eSIMs usually work without IMEI registration because they operate as roaming services rather than Indonesian local numbers.

However, compared to local Indonesian eSIMs, roaming eSIMs are usually:

• more expensive per GB
• limited in speed consistency
• less suitable for hotspot or longer stays
• do not provide a +62 Indonesian number

In practice, this also means roaming eSIMs often end up more expensive than using a local eSIM Telkomsel, especially for travelers staying more than a few days in Bali or Indonesia.

What if you forgot to register on arrival

Bea Cukai explains that if you brought an overseas device and it was not registered, you can still register it at a Customs service office as long as it is within a time window (they mention up to 60 days since arrival in their general guidance).

Read more: Declaring Mobile Phone in Indonesia

What this means for Indonesia Tourists

If you want the smoothest experience with local data + a +62 number (especially for ride-hailing, WhatsApp verification, local calls, hotspot), you should treat IMEI readiness as part of your connectivity checklist.

• If you only need connectivity sometimes and don’t mind relying on Wi-Fi, you can skip IMEI registration.
• If you want dependable local cellular service, plan ahead: check your device IMEI details and your arrival timeline (especially the 60-day Customs window).

If you’re unsure which setup fits your trip, you can get a Bali-optimized local eSIM through eSIM BaliEasy, and we’ll guide you on what to prepare (IMEI details, device checks, and timing) so you don’t waste your first day troubleshooting.