How to activate a Claro eSIM
To activate a Claro eSIM, you scan the QR code provided by Claro using your phone's camera or from the eSIM Settings, confirm the profile download with active Wi-Fi, wait for it to appear as an active plan, and select that line for data. The entire process takes a couple of minutes if the QR code is still valid.
The detail that almost no one explains is that the order of these steps matters more than it seems: if you scan the QR with mobile data instead of Wi-Fi, if you scan it twice, or if you delete the physical SIM before confirming that the eSIM is active, the process will get stuck. The following sections cover the most likely path first (scanning the QR) and then move to less common cases (the QR is no longer valid, you need to activate it manually, or the problem is not yours but Claro's).
What you need on hand before starting
Before touching anything on your phone, gather these three things. It will save you from restarting the process halfway through:
- The QR code or manual activation code that Claro sent you via email, SMS, or on the store receipt. If they sent it in PDF, open it on another device (a computer or tablet) to scan it from the screen of the phone you are activating.
- Stable Wi-Fi connection. The eSIM profile is downloaded over the internet, not through the cellular network, so you need active Wi-Fi data throughout the process.
- An eSIM-compatible and unlocked phone to use digital profiles. Not all models support it, and some that do come factory-locked to a single operator.
If you are not sure if your model is on that list, it's worth checking before wasting time with the QR: there is a specific guide on eSIM-compatible phones that clarifies it by brand and model.
Step-by-step: activate with QR code
This is the most common method and, if your QR is still valid, the fastest. Menu names vary slightly between iOS and Android, but the logic is the same:
- Connect your phone to a Wi-Fi network.
- Go to Settings and look for the "Mobile Data" or "Mobile Networks" option.
- Select "Add eSIM" or "Add Cellular Plan."
- Choose "Use QR Code" and point the camera at the code provided by Claro. If the QR is in a photo saved on the same phone, almost all systems also allow selecting it from the gallery instead of the camera.
- Confirm the profile download and wait: it can take from a few seconds to a couple of minutes.
- When it appears as an active line, assign the appropriate use (data, calls, messages) and check that the network icon shows 4G or 5G, not just the plan name.
An eSIM activation QR code is meant to be used only once. Once a device scans it and the profile is linked, that same QR cannot be used to activate the eSIM on a second phone, even if the image is still perfectly legible.
Activate manually, without scanning
If you don't have a camera available, the QR is damaged, or you simply prefer not to scan anything, most operators—including Claro—also provide a manual activation code: a combination of an SM-DP+ address and an activation code in text format.
- Go to Settings > Mobile Data > Add eSIM.
- Look for the "Enter Details Manually" or "Can't Scan?" option.
- Enter the server address (the data that starts like a domain, for example, something similar to "rsp.claro.com") and the activation code exactly as provided, without extra spaces.
- Confirm and wait for the download, just like with the QR.
This method is worth trying if you already attempted the QR and it didn't work: it confirms whether the problem was with the code image or another part of the process.
| Method | When to use it | What you need on hand |
|---|---|---|
| QR Code | First activation attempt, when the code image is clear and available on another device or printed | Phone camera or the QR image saved in the gallery |
| Manual code (SM-DP+) | When the QR fails, is blurry, or simply cannot be scanned | Server address and activation code in text, copied without spaces |
How to activate a Claro eSIM on iPhone
On an iPhone, the usual path is Settings > Mobile Data > Add eSIM > Use QR Code. If the iPhone detects that the QR is open in another app (like Mail or Photos) while you have Settings open, it sometimes offers to activate it directly with a pop-up without having to scan anything with the camera. Once activated, in "Mobile Data" you can decide which line (the physical one, if you keep it, or the eSIM) uses data by default, and which you use for calls and messages.
One point that causes confusion: having the eSIM active does not mean the iPhone is using it for browsing. If you keep the physical Claro SIM inserted, check in "Mobile Data" which of the two lines has the cellular data option checked, because the phone does not switch on its own.
How to activate a Claro eSIM on Android
On Android, the menu varies a bit more depending on the brand (Samsung, Xiaomi, Motorola, Google Pixel), but generally, you get there via Settings > Connections (or Network & Internet) > SIM Manager > Add eSIM. After scanning the QR or entering the manual code, Android usually asks you to name the line (for example, "Claro" or "Personal") to differentiate it if you have more than one profile installed.
If your Android has dual physical SIM plus eSIM, go into the details of each line to confirm that the "mobile data" role has been assigned to the eSIM and not to the SIM you no longer want to use. This is the same error as on iPhone, just with a different menu.
The QR code doesn't work or says "already used"
If an error message appears when scanning the code, such as "invalid code" or "this profile has already been installed," it's almost always one of these three causes, in order of probability:
- The QR code was already scanned before, even if accidentally or from another device (for example, if someone else opened the email and tried the link). Since the code is for single use, it will always fail the second time.
- You were using mobile data instead of Wi-Fi during the download, and the connection was interrupted halfway, leaving the profile partially installed.
- The phone is not compatible or is locked to another operator, so it rejects any external eSIM profile.
In the first two cases, the typical solution is to ask Claro for a new activation code (do not retry the same QR over and over, as it will not change its status). In the third case, no reattempt will work until the device's compatibility is resolved, and it is advisable to review the guide on common problems when activating an eSIM before continuing to waste time with the same QR.
Common activation errors and their solutions
This table summarizes the most common error messages and what to try first in each case, to avoid guessing:
| What you see on screen | Most probable cause | What to try first |
|---|---|---|
| "Could not add cellular plan" | Connection interruption during download | Switch to Wi-Fi, restart your phone, and try the same QR again only once more |
| "This QR code has already been used" | The profile is already linked to a device | Request a new code; do not persist with the same one |
| "eSIM not compatible with this device" | The model does not support eSIM or is locked to another operator | Verify the exact model before continuing to try |
| The eSIM appears active but there is no data | The "mobile data" role is still assigned to another line | Check in Settings which line has cellular data marked |
| The camera does not detect the QR | Blurry, too small, or screen reflection in the image | Use the "select from gallery" option instead of pointing with the camera |
If you need the eSIM for travel and don't have enough time
All of the above applies if your Claro eSIM is for local use. But if you were activating it for a trip—for example, to have data as soon as you land—and the process gets stuck hours before departure, the problem is no longer just technical: it becomes a time issue. In that situation, it's best to separate the two things: reinstalling a local eSIM through Claro might require contacting their support and waiting for a response, and that margin doesn't always exist before a flight.
For that specific scenario—needing data for travel, not for your everyday line—an international eSIM can be purchased and activated on your own, without relying on a third party to resend you a code. With an international eSIM from PuraSIM, activation takes approximately 1 minute once you scan the QR, you have 180 days from purchase to activate it when you need it, and if anything is unclear, 24/7 support is available in all languages via email and WhatsApp, without being dependent on business hours. It's the difference between waiting for a response and solving it yourself from the same phone. You can check the available plans by destination in the international eSIM collection, which covers over 200 destinations.
If you have never installed an eSIM and want to understand the general mechanics before trying again, this guide on how to install an eSIM step-by-step covers the same things you've seen here but in a generic way, without depending on a particular operator. And if you're still debating whether to stick with your operator's roaming or switch to a travel eSIM, this comparison of eSIM versus traditional roaming lays it out based on concrete criteria, not opinions.
Frequently asked questions
How do you activate a Claro eSIM?
By scanning the QR code that Claro provides from Settings > Mobile Data > Add eSIM, with the phone connected to Wi-Fi. If you cannot scan the QR, most operators also provide a manual activation code as an alternative.
How do you activate an eSIM in general, regardless of the operator?
The process is generally the same: you enter the phone's mobile lines menu, add a new eSIM profile, scan or enter the code provided by the operator, and wait for the system to download the profile. The menu name changes depending on the phone brand, not the logic of the process.
How do I activate my Claro eSIM without going to a Claro store?
If you already have the QR code or the manual code (via email, SMS, or digital receipt), you don't need to visit a store: the entire process is done from the phone's settings. Going to a store is only necessary if you don't yet have an activation code.
How can I activate my Claro eSIM on my phone if I've already scanned it once?
If it has already been scanned, that same QR code will not work again because it is for single use. If you need to reinstall it (you changed phones, factory reset, etc.), you must ask Claro for a new activation code.
Why does my phone say the eSIM is active but I have no data?
Almost always because the "mobile data" role was assigned to another line (the physical SIM or another eSIM profile). This is corrected by going to Settings and manually selecting which line uses cellular data.
Do I need Wi-Fi to activate an eSIM?
Yes. The profile is downloaded over the internet at the time of activation, so you need a stable Wi-Fi connection during that process, even if the eSIM will later use mobile data for browsing.
Can I have a Claro eSIM and another travel eSIM at the same time?
Yes, as long as your phone supports multiple eSIM profiles (most recent models do). You can keep your Claro line for calls and messages and use an international eSIM only for data while traveling.
How long does it take to activate an eSIM once you scan the code?
Normally between a few seconds and a couple of minutes, depending on the speed of the Wi-Fi connection. With an international eSIM from PuraSIM, for example, activation takes approximately 1 minute.
In summary
If you're activating a Claro eSIM, the fastest way is still via QR from Wi-Fi, with mobile data connection turned off while the profile downloads. If the QR fails, it's almost always because it's already been used, the connection was cut halfway, or the device isn't compatible; the manual activation code can help rule out the first cause. And if the reason you needed the eSIM was an upcoming trip, there's no point in fighting with a process that depends on someone else forwarding you a code: an international eSIM activates on your own in about 1 minute, you can buy it up to 180 days in advance and activate it the day you need it, and if anything gets stuck, you have 24/7 support in all languages via email and WhatsApp instead of waiting for business hours. You can check available destinations in the international eSIM collection. To better understand the differences compared to a physical SIM before deciding, this comparison of eSIM versus physical SIM and this complete guide to eSIM for travel cover the rest of the picture.
