Activate TM SIM Roaming 2025 – Setup, Rates & Travel Tips

If you are traveling to another country and want to stay connected with everyone through your TM SIM, you can do that. TM SIM doesn’t just work in the Philippines—it works in almost any country around the world, although the charges may vary depending on the country.

You can easily make and receive calls and also send messages, while receiving SMS is free of charge. Now, with the TM roaming SIM card, you can travel to any country without worrying about network issues and stay in touch with your friends and family without needing to buy a foreign SIM.

This guide is designed to provide you with complete details about TM SIM roaming, including how to activate roaming, roaming rates abroad, and all other important information you need to know.

What Is TM SIM Roaming & Why Does It Matter?

TM roaming allows your Philippines-issued TM SIM card to work in other countries by connecting with foreign telecom networks. It lets you make calls, send SMS, receive OTPs, and use mobile data on your original TM SIM number while you are abroad.

Keep your TM SIM wherever you roam—no need for a new SIM card in every country. It ensures:

Seamless communication
Access to receive OTPs and important SMS
Easy reconnection to the local TM network upon return
Continued use of mobile apps linked to your PH number

Note: TM uses Globe Telecom’s international partnerships to ensure that your number stays active anywhere in the world—whether you’re in the UK, UAE, Europe, or elsewhere.

How to Roam with a TM SIM?

We should activate roaming before leaving the Philippines. Even a small issue abroad can turn into a big problem. Below are the details on how to activate TM SIM roaming.

Method 1: Via USSD Code

You can easily activate roaming using a USSD code. Follow these steps:

Dial *143# and press the call button.
Select Roaming & International.
Choose Activate Roaming.

Method 2: Via GlobeOne App

You can activate your TM roaming using the GlobeOne app. Details are provided below:

Open the GlobeOne app and log in to your account.
Go to Roaming Services.
Toggle TM Roaming ON.

Method 3: Roaming TM Via Text

You can use this method for activating roaming quickly without using the GlobeOne app and without taking help from customer support. This method is most convenient for travelers and prepaid users. Here are step-by-step details to do it:

Make sure your TM SIM has at least ₱100 load balance.
Open your messaging app and click on create a new text message.
Type ROAM ON and Send it to 8080 (TM’s service number).
Wait for a confirmation message from TM.
Once confirmed, restart your phone before your flight or after landing abroad to automatically connect to a partner network.
After connecting abroad, confirm that your network signal and data are working correctly.

Method 4: Via TM Customer Support

Call 211 (via TM SIM) or visit a Globe Store.
Tell them about your issue and ask them to turn on roaming.

Note: You need to activate roaming on your TM SIM at least 24 hours before your flight to use your TM SIM number in another country.

How to Use TM SIM Roaming Abroad

Here are some important tips to help you use your TM SIM card abroad:

You don’t need a load to receive roaming signals abroad.
You will be charged for making or receiving calls, sending texts, and registering data promos.
To stay online abroad, you need to activate a roaming data promo.
Register a Roam Surf offer or any other affordable roaming offer via the GlobeOne or GCash app.
After successful registration, turn on your mobile data and then enable roaming data.
Set your network connection to 3G and restart your mobile phone.
Make sure you are connected to a TM partner network in the country you are visiting.
Once the promo is successfully registered, you can set your data connection back to LTE or 5G for a better roaming experience.

How to Make Calls or Send Texts While Abroadsend

Action	How to Dial or Send	Example
Call	Dial <+> <country code> <area code> <landline/mobile number>	+639151234567
Text	Send message to <+> <country code> <area code> <landline/mobile number>	+639151234567

TM Roaming Call & Text Rates

Action	Asia & America	Europe & Africa
Outgoing call	₱120/minute	₱150/minute
Incoming call	₱60/minute	₱75/minute
Outgoing text	₱20 / 160 characters	₱25 / 160 characters
Incoming text	FREE	FREE

Countries with TM Roaming

Asia & Middle East:
Australia, Cambodia, Thailand, UAE, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Guyana, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Israel, Japan, Oman, Kuwait, Afghanistan, Lebanon, Macau, Malaysia, Myanmar, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Singapore, South Korea, Tajikistan, Vietnam

America:
Canada, USA, Guyana, Montserrat, Uruguay, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Dominican Republic, Guatemala

Europe:
Austria, Germany, Greece, Netherlands, Hungary,, Kazakhstan, Belgium, Switzerland

Africa:
Central African Republic, Spain, Italy, Turkey, Egypt, Mauritius, Morocco, Kenya, Mozambique, Nigeria, Zimbabwe, Equatorial Guinea

Roaming via 2G unavailable on the following networks

Country	Network	2G Decommission Date
Cayman Islands	Digicel Cayman Ltd.	–
Guam	PTI/IT&E	–
Hong Kong	Hutchison	–
Macau	3Macau	–
Mexico	Telefónica	–
Netherlands	T-Mobile	–
Northern Marianas	IT&E	–
Puerto Rico	Claro	–
Singapore	MobileOne, Singtel, Starhub	–
Switzerland	Sunrise Communications	Dec 31, 2022
Taiwan	Chunghwa, Taiwan Mobile, Far Eastone	–
USA	AT&T	–

Roaming via 3G unavailable on the following networks

Country	Network	3G Decommission Date
Australia	Telstra	–
Bahrain	Zain	–
Cambodia	Smart Axiata	–
Czech Republic	O2, T-Mobile, Vodafone	–
Germany	Telefónica	–
Greece	Cosmote	–
Greece	Vodafone	Dec 2022
Hungary	Vodafone	Apr–Nov 2022
Indonesia	XL Axiata, Telkomsel Indonesia	–
Ireland	Vodafone	Dec 31, 2023
Italy	TIM	–
Lithuania	Telia	Sep 2022
Macedonia	Makedonski Telecom	Dec 31, 2022
Malaysia	Celcom, Digi Telecom Malaysia, Maxis Malaysia, U Mobile	–
Netherlands	Vodafone, KPN	–
Norway	Telenor	–
Puerto Rico	Claro	Q4 2023
Romania	Telekom Romania	–
Taiwan	Far Eastone, Chunghwa Telecom	Jun 2024
USA	AT&T	–
Vietnam	Viettel	–

Temporarily deactivated roaming service:

Pakistan, Swaziland, Benin, Burundi, Gambia, Mongolia, Mozambique

Limited roaming services (text and incoming calls only; outgoing calls unavailable)

Asia & Middle East:
Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Bangladesh, Bhutan, Brunei, China, Fiji, Guam, Guinea, Iran, Iraq, Jordan, Maldives, Micronesia, Mongolia, Nauru, Nepal, Palestine, Saipan, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, Uzbekistan, Yemen

America:
Argentina, Barbados, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominica, Dominican Republic, Ecuador, Greenland, Grenada, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Puerto Rico, Venezuela

Europe:
Albania, Armenia, Belarus, Belgium, Bulgaria, Denmark, Estonia, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Georgia, Gibraltar, Guernsey, Iceland, Ireland, Isle of Man, Jersey, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Macedonia, Malta, Moldova, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Sweden, Switzerland, Ukraine, United Kingdom

Africa:
Algeria, Andorra, Angola, Benin, Bosnia, Botswana, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cameroon, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Ethiopia, Gabon, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Kenya, Lesotho, Liberia, Libya, Madagascar, Malawi, Mali, Morocco, Namibia, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Seychelles, Sierra Leone, South Africa, Sudan, Swaziland, Tanzania, Togo, Tunisia, Uganda, Zambia

Check TM SIM Roaming is Activated or Not

If you receive this confirmation message:

“You have successfully activated TM Roaming. You can now use your TM SIM abroad.”

It means that roaming has been successfully activated on your mobile phone. You can also verify this by restarting your phone once you arrive at your destination. If your phone shows a signal and connects to a local network, it means roaming is active.

How to Deactivate TM Roaming

If you return to the Philippines after completing your trip or business abroad, type ROAM OFF and send it to 8080. Your SIM will automatically reconnect to the Philippine network and start working again.

Note: You don’t need to manually deactivate roaming—your SIM will automatically stop roaming once it detects you’re back in the Philippines. However, turning it off yourself adds an extra layer of assurance against unexpected charges.

Expert Tips to Use TM Roaming Smartly

Here are some essential tips to help you live comfortably in the Philippines while keeping your expenses low:

Connect to WiFi whenever available
Keep data roaming off unless it’s absolutely necessary.
Send SMS replies only for urgent matters
Check your roaming balance through *143# or the GlobeOne App.
Save offline maps and translation tools before your trip.

FAQs

Yes, you can use your TM SIM card abroad by simply activating roaming on your mobile phone.

It offers more benefits than expected. Here are a few:

You don’t need to worry about changing your SIM card—you can enjoy full signal and use social media while abroad. You can make and receive calls and texts and even receive OTPs, which are sometimes important for banking or other apps. You also have the option to choose a promo to save on your load.

Yes, you can receive a one-time password via text while abroad—just make sure roaming is active.

Here are some possible reasons:

Roaming is not activated.
Network coverage
SIM or device issue
Account restrictions
Manual network selection needed

The Access Point Name (APN) is a configuration that tells your device how to connect to your network provider. It’s essential for using all the features of your SIM card, including accessing the internet via mobile data.

Your TM roaming signal does not expire. It will stay active as long as you are in a country with a roaming partner network, your prepaid SIM has credit, and it is being used. You don’t need to turn it back on each time unless you’ve manually switched it off. If you are abroad for a long time, just make sure your SIM remains active.

You can make calls and send texts as long as you have enough load. You can save on extra charges by registering a data promo and stay connected with your friends and family via audio and video calls on Messenger and WhatsApp.

No, you won’t be charged for a missed call, except if someone leaves a voice message. However, some international partner networks may still charge for a missed call.

You don’t need a minimum load to have a roaming signal, and just having the signal does not use up your load. You can still receive texts even if your load is zero. However, to make or receive calls, send texts, or register for roaming promos abroad, you need enough load. Receiving texts is always free.

You can simply check your load abroad by the GlobeOne app or by sending the text ROAM DATA BAL to 8080.

Yes, your mobile number remains unchanged. You’re simply switching networks, not your number, and you’ll still be able to receive OTPs on your existing original number.

Yes, it’s quite expensive for an average person, but don’t worry—Room Surf Promos provides more affordable and unlimited alternatives.

Via GlobeOne:
1. Open the GlobeOne app and log in to your account.
2. Go to “Buy Load” and select your mobile number.
3. Enter the desired load amount and confirm the purchase.
Via GCash:
1. Go to Load > Mobile > TM.
2. Enter your mobile number and tap “Next.”
3. Enter the load amount and tap “Buy Now” to confirm.

Once loaded, you can register for roaming promos.

Here are the shortest details about foreign data promos:

Roam Surf—Browse, stream, and post anywhere with all-access data packs.
Roam Surf Apps – Stay connected with loved ones using your favorite chat apps.
Roam Surf Longer Stay – Enjoy continuous browsing during longer trips abroad.
GoRoam—Use your TM SIM abroad without switching it; enjoy cheaper data roaming in select countries.

Via GlobeOne: Buy > Buy TM promos > View All Roaming Promos > select promo.
Via GCash: Load > Mobile > TM > Roaming & Intl > select promo.

You will receive confirmation once the promo is activated.

While roaming, you can register for roaming data promos like Roam SURF or GoRoam. Other data promos, such as ALL-NET SURF and EasySURF, are not available abroad.

No manual detection is needed. Once you return to your home country, your roaming promos will deactivate, and other local data promos will start working again within their validity period.

If you want to find out, visit the Globe Roaming page or call 211.

Conclusion

TM SIM Roaming is one of the more convenient options to connect with when abroad. You can call, text, and access mobile data with your regular TM number in supported countries without buying a local SIM. You can easily manage your load with options like Roam Surf and GoRoam to avoid sudden charges.

Speaking from my experience, TM SIM Roaming was a lifesaver during my trip to the USA. I could coordinate with friends and family, move with maps, and even keep track of work emails without giving any thought that somehow the network may fail. TM SIM Roaming gave me peace of mind and allowed me to enjoy my trip without the usual stress.