How to Create a Maya Account in the Philippines (Step by Step)

That gets you a basic account. To use the full set of features, like savings and higher wallet limits, you'll upgrade it afterwards with an ID and a video selfie.

Create your Maya account, step by step

Maya's own guide lists these steps:

1. Download the Maya app from the App Store or Google Play and open it.
2. Tap to create an account and enter the personal information asked for.
3. Tap Agree to accept the terms.
4. Wait for the verification SMS sent to your registered mobile number.
5. Enter the verification code in the app.
6. Tap Proceed.
7. If a friend gave you an invite code, enter it for extra rewards. You can skip this.

If a screen looks different in your version of the app, follow Maya's on-screen prompts. They're the current version.

The detail people miss: your number is your account number

Maya's guide notes that your mobile number becomes your official Maya account number. That's handy, because people can send you funds using just your number. It also means the SIM matters. If you lose that number, you lose the easy way back into your account, so keep the SIM active and in a phone you use.

It's also why you should sign up with your own number, not a family member's. Every verification SMS and one-time code goes to that number.

Basic account vs upgraded account

	Basic (just signed up)	Upgraded
What you need	Mobile number and personal details	A valid ID and a video selfie
Who can do it	Anyone who signs up	Filipino citizens 18 and over, minors 7 to 17 with a parent, and foreign nationals
What you get	A starter wallet	Full features, savings and higher wallet limits

What you'll need to upgrade later

Maya's upgrade guide lists different requirements depending on who you are:

• Filipino citizens 18 and over: one primary ID, such as the Philippine National ID, ePhilID, passport, driver's licence, UMID, PRC ID, a digitised SSS ID with photo, or a Postal ID issued from 2015, or two secondary IDs such as PhilHealth and TIN.
• Minors aged 7 to 17: a valid ID (school ID is accepted), a parent or guardian's valid ID, a signed parental consent form and a PSA birth certificate, plus proof of guardianship if it applies.
• Foreign nationals: a passport.

To start, tap Profile, then Upgrade Your Account. Maya asks for your full name and date of birth, which must match your National ID, then a video selfie where you follow on-screen gestures. Maya says approved upgrades get an SMS confirmation within 24 hours, and an upgraded check mark appears on your profile.

Tips for a smooth sign-up

• Type your name exactly as it appears on your ID. It saves trouble when you upgrade.
• Use a phone with good signal so the verification SMS arrives quickly.
• Record the video selfie in good light, with nothing covering your face.
• Add an email address to your account so you can secure and recover it later. Maya has a separate guide for verifying your email.

If the verification SMS doesn't arrive

• Check the number you typed. A single wrong digit sends the code elsewhere.
• Move somewhere with better signal and wait a minute before asking for a new code.
• Make sure your SIM can receive texts and isn't out of load if you're on prepaid.
• Close and reopen the app, then try again.

If none of that works, contact Maya through its hotline, and have the number you're registering ready.

Checking your upgrade status

After you submit an upgrade, Maya says you can track it by tapping Check Status in your profile. Once approved, you'll get an SMS within 24 hours and an upgraded check mark at the top of your profile. If the system can't verify you from your name and date of birth, Maya asks for your National ID number or another primary ID, plus another video selfie. That's normal, not a rejection, so just follow the prompts.

Staying safe on Maya

Maya's upgrade page carries a clear warning: Maya and its official representatives will never ask for your password, your 16-digit card number or your one-time code, and never charge you to upgrade your account. Anyone offering to "verify" or "upgrade" your account for a fee is a scammer.

If you need help, use Maya's official hotline, (+632) 8845-7788, or the domestic toll-free number 1-800-1084-57788, both listed on Maya's site. Maya says it's regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas.

Why it's worth having if you earn online

If you're a freelancer or creator, I'd keep a Maya account alongside GCash so you have a second place to receive payouts and transfers. If one app is down or a transfer is held, the other still works. My guides on YouTube monetisation in the Philippines and Ko-fi in the Philippines cover how creators there get paid.

Maya or GCash first?

Both are e-wallets regulated by the Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas, and both work with your mobile number. Many shops and apps accept either. If you're opening your first wallet, pick the one your family, clients or the apps you earn from use most, so transfers between you are simplest. Then open the other as a backup once the first is upgraded. Having both means one outage or a held transfer never leaves you stuck.

My take

Signing up takes a couple of minutes and only needs your phone. I'd upgrade straight away while you have your ID to hand, since the basic account is limited. And keep that SIM safe: on Maya, your number is your account.

Frequently asked questions

What do I need to create a Maya account?

Just the Maya app, your personal details and a mobile number that can receive the verification SMS.

What is my Maya account number?

Maya says your mobile number becomes your official Maya account number.

Can a minor open a Maya account?

Minors aged 7 to 17 can upgrade with a valid ID, a parent's ID, a signed parental consent form and a PSA birth certificate.

Does Maya charge to upgrade an account?

No. Maya says it never charges you to upgrade your account.