You know the feeling: the Zoom call is rolling, your pocket Wi-Fi has been a champ all afternoon, and then—ping!—“No data balance.” It’s the tech equivalent of a motorcycle stalling at a green light. But topping up doesn’t have to be a frantic scramble. In 2025, loading a Globe MyFi or Smart Bro hotspot is almost as quick as ordering milk tea (no sugar, extra pearls, obviously). Below is a down-to-earth guide to every practical way of re-fueling your pocket Wi-Fi, whether you’re clutching a power bank in a bus terminal or chilling on the couch with your phone in hand. Ready? Let’s make sure that dreaded “No data” notification never ruins your day again.

Editor
Lloyd Kelly Miralles chevron_right
Table of Contents
The Quick-Glance Cheat Sheet
Loading Method |
Best For |
Gear Needed |
Rough Time |
E-wallet (GCash, Maya, ShopeePay) |
Anyone with a smartphone |
Phone + e-wallet app |
< 1 min |
Telco App (GlobeOne / Smart GigaLife) |
Frequent promo hunters |
Phone + registered SIM |
1 – 2 min |
USSD Codes |
When you’ve no data left at all |
Spare phone with hotspot SIM |
1 min, text-only |
Load Card / E-PIN |
Cash payments, no apps |
Card + phone to send the code |
2 – 3 min |
Share-A-Load / Pasaload |
Borrowing a friend’s balance |
A willing donor |
30 sec |
Auto-Load (recurring) |
“Set-and-forget” users |
Telco app or retailer setup |
One-time setup |
(Globe and Smart follow the same general playbook—just swap in the matching app or code where noted.)
Method 1: The E-Wallet Two-Tap (GCash, Maya, ShopeePay)

- Open your e-wallet app.
- Hit “Load” or “Buy Load.”
- Punch in the pocket-Wi-Fi’s number—check the SIM casing or dial *#06# in a phone if you forgot it.
- Choose a data promo or a raw peso amount. Popular bundles:
- Globe: HomeSURF199 (23 GB 30 days), GO+ 149 (15 GB + 8 GB freebies)
- Smart: UnliData999 (30-day unlimited on select devices), GigaPower199 (16 GB + 20 GB apps)
- Confirm payment, wait for a text saying “You’ve successfully purchased…”—done.
Why it rocks: Works over Wi-Fi, LTE, or even 3 G. Receipts live in the app, so expense reporting is painless.
Pro tip: Add the pocket-Wi-Fi number to your app’s Favorites so next time you only tap once.
Method 2: Telco Apps—GlobeOne and Smart GigaLife

Both telcos poured serious love into their all-in-one apps. Besides loading, you can check data balance, redeem loyalty points, and schedule auto-loads.
GlobeOne
- Log in with the hotspot’s number (scan the SIM barcode if it supports eSIM).
- Tap “Buy Promos.”
- Pick a Go, HomeSURF, or GoUnli package.
- Pay via GCash, debit card, or Globe Rewards.
Smart GigaLife
- Sign in (you’ll get an OTP on the hotspot; check SMS inbox in the app or Web UI).
- Tap “Store” → “Load.”
- Choose UnliData, GigaPower, or Money-based Load.
- Pay with Maya, credit/debit, or Smart Points.
Why it rocks: The app reminds you when the promo is about to expire and lets you stack another in advance.
Pro tip: Both apps now let you schedule recurring loads—ideal if you always need UnliData999 on the first of every month. Set it, forget it.
Method 3: USSD Codes—Old School, Still Handy

Globe
- Insert the hotspot’s SIM in any phone (even a ₱400 feature phone).
- Dial *143#.
- Navigate 4 ➜ 1 ➜ your data promo (menu numbers change—read the screen).
- Confirm; you’ll get a success SMS.
Smart
- Slot SIM into a phone.
- Dial *123#.
- Select “UnliData” or “Other Offers.”
- Pick a promo → Send → wait for SMS.
Why it rocks: You can load even when the hotspot is totally out of data and you can’t open an app.
Pro tip: Keep a tiny backup phone in your tech pouch—perfect emergency loader.
Method 4: Load Cards and E-PINs—Cash Is Still King

- Buy a physical load card (₱100 – ₱1 000) at 7-Eleven, Ministop, or sari-sari.
- Scratch to reveal the 14- or 16-digit PIN.
- Text the format below from the hotspot SIM (again, in any phone):
Telco |
Format |
Example |
Globe |
LOAD <PIN> to 8080 |
LOAD 12345678901234 |
Smart |
1510 <PIN> <Smart#> to 1510 |
1510 12345678901234 09191234567 |
You’ll get a confirmation SMS; then subscribe to a promo via app or USSD.
Why it rocks: Perfect for cash-only situations or parents who hand kids printed pins instead of GCash.
Method 5: Share-A-Load / Pasaload—Tapping a Friend’s Balance

Globe “Share-A-Load”
- Friend texts SHARE <10-digit number> <amount> to 2 443.
- They confirm with YES to a validation text.
Smart “Pasaload”
- Friend texts PASALOAD <11-digit number> <amount> to 808.
- They approve via the prompt.
Limits: ₱2–150 per transaction, multiple sends allowed. Standard ₱1 fee on Smart.
Why it rocks: Instant rescue when you’re stranded in a signal dead zone with a load seller in sight but no cash.
Method 6: Auto-Load—Zero Brain-Space Required

Both GlobeOne and Smart GigaLife now let you toggle Auto-Load:
- Choose a promo (say, UnliData999).
- Tap “Set as recurring.”
- Pick renewal interval (7, 15, 30 days).
- Confirm with your payment method.
Alternatively, authorized retailers can tag your number for auto-load; it fires on a set date and you pay via GCash request or in person.
Why it rocks: Ideal for remote teams or online sellers who must be live 24/7. No more “Oops, forgot to reload.”
Troubleshooting: When the Load Won’t Land
Situation |
Try This First |
SMS says “successful,” but no data |
Reboot the hotspot or toggle Airplane Mode twice. Sometimes the APN needs a gentle kick. |
Wrong promo loaded |
Telcos rarely reverse; instead, they add the correct promo. Some (Smart UnliData) override lower tiers automatically. |
USSD code won’t send |
SIM might be locked to data-only. Insert into a phone that supports voice/SMS; disable “data only” in the carrier settings. |
Can’t receive OTP in the telco app |
Open the hotspot web UI → Inbox. OTPs arrive there even if your phone’s Messages app stays silent. |
E-wallet payment failed |
Check if the wallet’s daily spending cap has reset. Maya, for example, caps basic accounts at ₱50,000/month. |
Loading Promos Worth Bookmarking (May 2025)
Telco |
Go-To 30-Day “Big Bucket” |
Every day “Just Enough” |
Globe |
HomeSURF299 – 45 GB, shareable |
Go50 – 5 GB + unlimited text, 3 days |
Smart |
UnliData999 – unlimited data |
GigaPower99 – 6 GB, 7 days |
Globe |
Go+ 400 – 65 GB mixed use |
Surf4All99 – 9 GB shared, 7 days |
Smart |
GigaVideo549 – 28 GB + unli YouTube |
All-Data50 – 2 GB, 3 days |
(Promo menus change quarterly—always check the GlobeOne or GigaLife app for the freshest bundles.)
Conclusion
Loading a Globe or Smart pocket Wi-Fi in 2025 is a choose-your-own-adventure:
- Need instant speed? Telco apps and e-wallets are your express lane.
- No data, no app? USSD still works like a charm.
- Cash-only barangay? Load cards haven’t left the chat.
- Chronic forgetter? Auto-load is your best friend.
The trick is to pick one method you can do with your eyes half-closed—and a backup for rainy-day emergencies. Now over to you: What’s your go-to loading hack? Do you swear by GCash, stick a ₱300 load card in your wallet, or lean on that one friend who always has extra balance?