Why Having a +62 (Indonesian) Number in Bali is Useful for Tourists

A local +62 number isn’t just “nice to have.” In Bali/Indonesia, a phone number is used as your identity for many everyday services, especially anything that needs OTP (one-time password), verification, or driver/courier contact.

Below are the biggest real-world benefits.

1) More reliable OTPs (logins, payments, security checks)

Many services in Indonesia still rely on SMS OTP (or WhatsApp OTP) tied to the number on your account. If your home SIM is off, has roaming blocked, or your carrier filters overseas OTPs, you can get locked out at the worst time.

• Gojek uses your phone number for OTP/login and explicitly suggests using an Indonesia number if your number can’t be used.
• Banks / financial apps in Indonesia commonly use SMS OTP to a registered phone number for authentication. Example: BNI explains SMS OTP is sent to the customer’s registered phone number.
• Some banks explicitly reference OTP being sent via SMS to a phone number tied to an active registered Indonesian SIM card (example: OCBC terms).

Tourist takeaway: even if you can receive OTP on your foreign number, a +62 number usually makes verification smoother and reduces “OTP never arrives” problems.

2) Unlocking local e-wallet use: OVO / GoPay flows

If you want the most frictionless payments in Indonesia, especially for promos, QR payments, in-app convenience, local wallets matter.

• OVO is designed around Indonesian phone numbers in multiple official integration docs (e.g., “only allow Indonesian phone number”).
• GoPay (Gojek) upgrades and identity checks are passport-supported for foreigners, but it’s still tied to your account phone number and OTP flows in practice (GoPay help pages focus on verification/KYC).

For tourists who:

• Order food frequently
• Use Gojek often
• Pay via QR codes
• Stay longer than a short visit

A +62 number removes many unnecessary verification hurdles.

Tourist takeaway: If you plan to stay longer, order food a lot, use couriers, or pay locally often, a +62 number makes wallet-related steps far less painful, especially for OVO-style systems that are built around Indonesian numbers.

3) Easier account setup for Grab & Gojek

You can sometimes create Grab or Gojek accounts using an international number, but using a local Indonesian number significantly reduces registration and login issues.

Grab account registration commonly requires OTP verification via SMS

Gojek emphasizes having an active phone number because OTPs and login links are sent to that number

With a +62 number, OTP delivery during signup and login is generally more reliable, making account creation smoother from the start.

Tourist takeaway:

A local +62 number makes it easier to create and access Grab or Gojek accounts, reducing OTP problems and avoiding delays when you need transport or deliveries quickly.

4) Local calls/SMS for bookings, villas, clinics, tour operators, and “last-mile logistics”

Not every business in Bali runs WhatsApp perfectly, some still use normal calls/SMS, especially for quick confirmations.

Also, many local numbers are displayed in domestic format (08xx / +62…), and calling locally is cheaper/easier with a local SIM/eSIM than international roaming.

5) Emergency and help lines are easier to use in-country

Indonesia has national emergency numbers (like 112, 110, etc.).

In urgent situations, having a working local line (not dependent on roaming) is a practical safety benefit.

6) Local SIM/eSIM registration for foreigners is a standard, supported path

Telkomsel publishes a foreigner activation page describing tourist prepaid offerings and Bali pickup availability.

This matters because it signals: local number access for tourists isn’t “hacky”, it’s a normal, supported product category.

Summary

Having a local +62 Indonesian number in Bali isn’t just convenient, it makes everyday travel much smoother.

It improves OTP reliability for apps and payments, unlocks easier use of local e-wallets, allows better communication with drivers, couriers, and accommodations, and ensures reliable access to local networks in urgent situations.

BaliEasy eSIM gives you a genuine +62 local number on Indonesia’s local network (not roaming), so you get these benefits without swapping physical SIM cards.

For tourists who want fewer hassles and a more seamless Bali experience, getting a local eSIM like BaliEasy is a practical choice.