Guide to Purchasing and Using Globe Prepaid SIM Card in the Philippines#
This article introduces the purchase and use of Globe prepaid SIM cards in the Philippines.
1. Pricing Introduction#
Globe is one of the mainstream mobile operators in the Philippines, offering prepaid cards with zero monthly fees. A single top-up can keep the number active for a year (minimum 10 PHP, approximately 1.5 RMB), and it supports eSIM, requiring real-name registration.
(Pricing details omitted)
2. Purchase Channels#
1. Physical SIM Card#
Globe is available for purchase on the official stores of Lazada and Shopee, as well as in offline stores.
2. eSIM#
Can be purchased within the GlobeOne APP.
3. eSIM Purchase Guide#
Preparation:
- A Philippine bank card or GCash (a type of Philippine e-wallet) for purchasing eSIM.
If you do not have the above payment methods, you can try using Visa or MasterCard, or consider applying for an eSIM from Smart (another Philippine mobile operator), which supports bank card purchases from outside the Philippines. Blogger KowLoon successfully paid using a Wise Malaysia card!- A Chinese passport or other identification documents supported by Globe for identity verification.
- A Philippine address and proof of address for identity verification. (Reference: You can open a Maya Bank or Own Bank account and use a Visa statement as proof)
1. Install the APP#
Search for GlobeOne in the Apple App Store, Google Play Store, or other app stores, then download and install it.
2. Purchase eSIM#
Open the GlobeOne APP and click on the “Globe now offers eSIM. Check it out!” link at the bottom.
Select the type of eSIM you want to purchase. The “Local prepaid eSIM” can be used long-term; the “eSIM for PH visitors” is only valid for one month but has relatively simple identity verification, suitable for travel and similar situations. This article will take “Local prepaid eSIM” as an example.
Click the “Get eSIM” button.
The APP will check if the current device supports eSIM. If not supported, it will ask if you want to continue purchasing as shown below.
Click the “I’m buying for another phone” button to continue purchasing. Since GlobeOne provides eSIM via QR code, it does not affect the normal purchase even if the current device does not support eSIM.
Continue by clicking the “Continue” button.
Next is the checkout page. Fill in your email address (for receiving billing information and the eSIM QR code), choose a payment method, and then click “Purchase eSIM.” Payment methods support GCash and debit/credit cards.
Note:
Do not leave the GlobeOne APP during the payment process, as this may result in a successful charge without receiving the eSIM QR code.
KowLoon chose debit/credit card and tested Wise's Visa card, Maya's physical Visa card, and virtual MasterCard; both Maya's physical Visa card and Wise worked for payment.
3. Install eSIM#
After successful payment, you will see the eSIM QR code in the APP, and Globe will also send an email containing the eSIM QR code.
Use a phone that supports eSIM to scan this QR code to download and install the eSIM configuration profile.
Tip:
It has been tested that 5ber can successfully install and use Globe's eSIM.
After successful installation, click the “I’ve installed my eSIM” button to see your phone number.
4. Activation#
Insert the physical SIM card into your phone or activate the eSIM, and patiently wait for the SIM card to register on the operator's network until the phone signal appears, at which point the SIM card is activated.
Tip:
After activation, although real-name registration has not yet been completed, you can still receive external SMS verification codes normally. If you do not have ready proof of address in the Philippines for the upcoming real-name registration, you can take this opportunity to register a digital bank account and then obtain a bank statement as proof of address. (You can open a Maya Bank or Own Bank account and use a Visa statement as proof)
5. Real-name Registration#
According to Philippine law, using a SIM card requires real-name verification.
Click the “Register your SIM” link at the bottom of the previous screenshot, or directly click on the Globe official SIM registration link.
In the “Enter your mobile” text box, input your phone number, then click the “Register” button.
Next, click the “Next” button, and Globe will send a text message verification code to your phone number. After entering the received verification code, you will enter the registration page.
Fill in your information as prompted, make sure to select local resident in the Philippines, upload proof of address, identification, selfie, and other documents, then submit and patiently wait for review.
After passing the review, reopen the GlobeOne APP, register and log in, and you will see that the status of your phone number has changed to “Registered.”
6. Top-up#
Log in to the GlobeOne APP and click the “Buy Load” icon on the homepage.
At this point, the APP will ask whether you want to top up your own number or another number. Directly use the default option (i.e., top up your own number) and click the “Choose account” button.
Fill in or select the top-up amount, choose a payment method, and then click the “Buy Load” button to complete the payment. Supported payment methods include e-wallets (GCash, Maya, GrabPay, ShopeePay), bank cards (Visa, Master, JCB), and bank transfers (BPI, RCBC, UnionBank).
After successful payment, you will see the balance increase accordingly, and the validity period will be extended. (However, the validity period cannot be continuously accumulated)
7. Free Data#
Globe prepaid cards can enjoy free data. Interested friends can research on their own, this blog does not share free data-related techniques and tutorials, thank you!