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Lotus, yes, the sim goes in opposite of Samsung and most others, with the contacts facing up. Grrr..  I fiddled with it too, but ultimately ended up leaving my T-Mobile sim in it and bringing my Samsung for local use on Globe / Smart. The TM Magenta Max plan includes international data and messaging and it works fine here.

@DanFinn

I agree 100% about the need for removable sim card, especially in SE Asia. In the US, the 13 is the last iPhone with that capability.

@Moon Dog try getting a barangay ID for this purpose, or a postal ID from post office. In any case, in Smart's registration system, they do not seem to read the uploaded ID. When and if they do, they can always contact the applicant if they reject the uploaded ID

@yiqipo Good advice, I'll pass it on. For now he is good to go because my mother in law registered his SIM in her name.

Has everyone done this?  I keep putting it off. I am prepaid, Globe and Smart.

Can it be done without a PI D/L?

I have done 3 prepaids online, 1 smart and 2 globe. One globe is registered to me as an American. For globe I had to upload my SRRV card (they actually asked for ACR-I or possibly passport) plus a selfie plus a current utility bill in my name that showed my address. The other globe and the smart were in my wife's name and I listed her nationality as Philippines. For her, I only had to upload her Phils DL and a selfie for both smart and globe. For my globe postpaid I only needed to confirm that the information they had for me was current.

@DanFinn

Thanks, I have an ACR but utility bill would be a problem. I always put all that stuff, car reg, etc. in her name now. We'll see what they ask for I guess.

I've registered many sims including my in laws, a couple of their friends and some of the workers.

@pnwcyclist  Hello. Easiest to put ALL phones in her name, quicker, easier and not as much bullshit as to what they want to know.

Great suggestion GoDees.. thanks.

Sim registration, payment and loading my phone was a nightmare for me.  Paymaya and GCash kept denying uploaded Identification without an explanation. And what was so frustating about it, I am IT for 30 years. So below, this is what I did to fix the problem.

• I've already ported my Verizon Mobile number to Google Voice before reaching the Philippines. This way I can access my US accounts when  a code is send for authentication. Works flawlessly. However, porting your mobile number MUST be done in the US in order for this to work. $20.00 for Google Voice setup fee, free after that.
• I went to the Globe Office in MIndanao and had them register my Filipino number for me. I realized that I am living in a third world country and some of these apps wouldn't survive in a US market. So why stress it any longer.
• I've attached my mobile number to my Wife's Filipino bank account. I am not eligible for a Filipino bank account yet. My wife's bank account has a mobile loading option. So when I am low, I transfer about 300 PH ($6.00 US dollars)to my phone. The mobile load is instant, and it last me for a month. It all depends on your usage, and I got a kick ass wireless network at home. So my calls to the US and anywhere in the world is free.
• My work around for PayMaya and Gcash Identification denials. i have the ability to transfer to PayMaya without upgrading my account by using my wife's bank account. I then use Paymaya to pay my Electric, Water and Internet bills. No need to stand on a line for hours, and pay a tricicle to take my demise.
• Finally the most important thing of all. I crack open a San Miguel beer and play with my puppies all day

I know there might be better solutions out there for Expats in the Philippines, but this one works for me and I hope it helps someone else to fully enjoy there retirement.

Lonely Wolf NYC

@pnwcyclist Hello. Easiest to put ALL phones in her name, quicker, easier and not as much bullshit as to what they want to know.
-@GoDees

That's what we did, 2 phone numbers in Bens name, 2 or 3 goes to get it done (system errors) but easier than trying to put one in my name.

Cheers, Steve.

When I went Online to register my three Globe SIMs. the last question asked me for my Exit Flight Info - Like I was going to Leave Philippines within 30 Days of Arriving as a tourist. I just submitted a copy of my ACR-I Card. I doubt that anyone reads this input data anyway - Just a Waste of time, just like when they required written form Contact Info during Covid. NO ONE took time to Data Entry that Info, Ever.

I Just did my Globe sim, as I like the number and wanted to keep it. Used the ACR card for proof of address and my revised e-ticket from PAL for the departure info. It was all accepted without issue and got the email confirmation today.

@Antoniahandrey

A citation should be included when posting an .

In any event, you're a little late to the party with this "news".

Do you register as a tourist or as a resident?

@Andy_1963

The member jameslee34  cannot reply due to their being banned.

If you want to get a new sim registered now, take note that the SMART sim reg system is not foreigner-friendly at all. First, they want to scan your passport, but their software cannot scan my passport of which the data page has a transparent plastic coating. So instead, I uploaded an image of my retiree card, issued by the Philippine Retirement Authority. Again, the verification process failed. Unlike before, any document is accepted, now they first use a software to read your document, and then have someone manually check them. That's fine, but their software is not able to read my passport, and they do not know what a retiree visa is. So I will have to go to a SMART office to try to sort this out. Wish me luck. I actually bought the new sim with a PLDT Home Wifi device, if the sim is locked to the device, then I will have to get a refund for the device. Quite a bloody hassle.

If you want to get a new sim registered now, take note that the SMART sim reg system is not foreigner-friendly at all. First, they want to scan your passport, but their software cannot scan my passport of which the data page has a transparent plastic coating. So instead, I uploaded an image of my retiree card, issued by the Philippine Retirement Authority. Again, the verification process failed. Unlike before, any document is accepted, now they first use a software to read your document, and then have someone manually check them. That's fine, but their software is not able to read my passport, and they do not know what a retiree visa is. So I will have to go to a SMART office to try to sort this out. Wish me luck. I actually bought the new sim with a PLDT Home Wifi device, if the sim is locked to the device, then I will have to get a refund for the device. Quite a bloody hassle. - @yiqipo

That is really hard to believe. SMART is the second largest carrier on PI and there must be 100s oh K foreigners legally registered. And you are the one who cannot. I myself registered a smart phone when registration originally started.

Smart is great and works almost everywhere. Sometimes they have unreal unlimited data which for what I do for work is a god send. I think you will find semantics at hand with some carriers for registration problems.

@yiqipo

yes 100% agree because I experienced it. when i contact the smart support on sim registration portal they advised me to give a barangay id as an alternate document for smart sim card registration.

I have a Globe SIM that is registered but I also have a UK SIM that I use for certain apps that require a UK phone number, do I have to register that SIM as well?