Quick steps to activate your Claro eSIM on iPhone
To activate your Claro eSIM on your iPhone, go to Settings, tap Mobile Data (or Cellular), and select Add eSIM. Scan the QR code Claro gave you via email, in-store, or through the app, confirm the plan, and you're done. With a good Wi-Fi signal, the entire process is quick and simple.
If you need to resolve it right now, here's the order in which to try each method, from most common to least common:
- Scan the QR code provided by Claro. This is the method most people use because it's what the carrier sends by default.
- Use the carrier's app or the activation link received via SMS, email, or WhatsApp, when you don't have the QR visible or can't scan it with another device.
- Enter the data manually (activation code and server address) if the QR has already been used, the image is damaged, or it never arrived.
Below, each of these methods is explained step-by-step, along with what to check if the iPhone activates the eSIM but has no data, and what to do if the problem actually comes from the carrier and not your phone.
What you need before you start
Before touching any menu, it's advisable to have the following ready to avoid interrupting the process midway:
- An eSIM-compatible iPhone (check the compatibility section below if you're unsure).
- Stable Wi-Fi connection. Activation is done over the internet, not mobile data, so if your only connection is the physical line you're about to replace, connect to a Wi-Fi network before you start.
- The QR code or activation code Claro provided you, either printed, in an email, or within the carrier's app.
- Your active Apple ID and the iPhone with the latest iOS version you can install, because older iOS versions handle eSIMs differently and some carriers stop supporting older versions.
- Battery with a good charge. It's not mandatory, but it prevents the process from being cut short if the system asks to restart the device.
If you're changing phones (for example, from an old iPhone to a new one) and don't have a new QR, you don't need to call Claro right away: keep reading, because in the manual activation section there's a way to move the eSIM without requesting a new code.
Activate eSIM by scanning the QR code
This is the most direct method and the one that works in most cases:
- Open Settings on your iPhone.
- Tap Mobile Data (on some models it appears as Cellular).
- Select Add eSIM or Set Up Mobile Data.
- Choose Use QR Code.
- Point the iPhone camera at the QR code provided by Claro. If the code is on another screen (a laptop, for example), move it close enough for the camera to focus properly.
- Confirm the line label (for example, "Personal" or "Claro") to differentiate it if you're going to use two lines at once.
- Choose which line will use mobile data by default and if you want to activate call forwarding between lines.
- Wait for the system to finish activating the plan. With a stable Wi-Fi connection, the process completes quickly.
An eSIM QR code is usually for a single activation. If the scan fails, don't try it more than two or three times in a row: some carriers invalidate the code after several failed attempts, and then you will need to request a new one.
If the camera can't read the code (blurry letters, low screen brightness, wrinkled paper), try increasing the brightness of the screen where the QR is located or ask for it to be re-sent in a larger file before assuming the code is damaged.
Activate eSIM with the carrier's app or link
When you don't have the QR code handy—for example, if Claro sent it as a link via SMS or WhatsApp instead of an image—the process changes slightly:
- Open the activation link directly from the iPhone where you want to install the eSIM (not from another device).
- The system should automatically recognize that it's an eSIM profile and open the same flow of Settings > Mobile Data > Add eSIM, but skipping the camera step.
- If the carrier has its own app and the plan is associated with your account, open the app, look for the line or eSIM management option, and follow the instructions to link the profile to this iPhone.
- Confirm the same data as in QR activation: line label and which one will use data by default.
This method has a practical advantage: since the link is associated with your account number, it is less likely to be invalidated by reading errors, unlike the QR, which depends on the camera capturing it correctly on the first try.
Activate eSIM manually, without a QR code
If the QR has already been used, the image arrived damaged, or you never received it, you can still activate the eSIM by entering the data manually:
- Go to Settings > Mobile Data > Add eSIM > Enter Details Manually.
- Enter the SM-DP+ server address and the activation code provided by the carrier (they usually come together in the same email or receipt as the QR).
- Confirm and wait for the system to validate the profile with the carrier's server.
This method only works if you have those two exact pieces of information; if you don't have them, there's no way to guess them, and in that case, the only solution is to ask the carrier to resend the activation code.
There's a different case where you don't need any new code: if you're moving the eSIM from an old iPhone to a new one of yours, Apple includes a function to transfer the line directly between the two devices, without going through Claro. It's activated from Settings > Mobile Data on the new iPhone, choosing to transfer from a nearby iPhone: the system uses Bluetooth to detect the old device and automatically moves the data profile, as long as both are on, close to each other, and running an iOS version that supports the function. This saves you from calling the carrier and avoids being without service while waiting for a new QR.
Check if your iPhone is eSIM compatible
Before assuming the problem is with Claro, it's worth confirming that the iPhone in question supports eSIM. Generally, models from iPhone XS and XR (2018) onwards include this feature, although there are two particularities that are often overlooked:
- iPhones purchased in mainland China usually come without eSIM support enabled from the factory, even if they are recent models.
- An iPhone locked to another carrier (not unlocked) may reject an eSIM from a different carrier even if the model is hardware compatible.
To confirm it directly on the device, go to Settings > General > About and look for the eSIM identifier section (appears as "eSIM Number" or similar). If that option does not exist in your menu, it is a clear sign that this particular iPhone does not support eSIM or has it locked by the carrier.
Common activation errors and how to resolve them
Most activation problems are repetitive. Before contacting support, check if your case matches any of these:
| What's happening | Most probable cause | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| QR cannot be scanned | Low light, low screen brightness, or dirty camera lens | Increase the brightness of the screen where the code is, clean the camera lens, and move it away a bit until it focuses |
| "Invalid QR Code" appears | The code has already been used on another device or has expired | Ask the carrier to generate a new one; eSIM codes are usually single-use |
| eSIM installs but no signal | eSIM line was not set as the active line for data | Go to Settings > Mobile Data and confirm which line is marked for mobile data use |
| iPhone says "Activation could not be completed" | Unstable Wi-Fi connection during the process | Switch to another Wi-Fi network and restart the process from Settings > Mobile Data |
| "Add eSIM" option does not appear | iPhone does not support eSIM or is locked to another carrier | Check device compatibility before continuing to try |
If you've tried all of the above and the problem persists, it's no longer something that can be resolved from Settings: at that point, the next logical step is to directly contact the carrier to have them check the profile status on their end.
eSIM vs. physical SIM: which one should you activate?
If you're still debating between requesting an eSIM or sticking with a physical SIM, this table summarizes the most significant differences when deciding:
| Aspect | eSIM | Physical SIM |
|---|---|---|
| Activation | Via QR code or app, without leaving home | Requires going to a store or waiting for chip delivery |
| Phone change | Transfers between compatible devices without a physical card | Remove the card from one phone and put it in another |
| Risk of loss or damage | Not applicable, it's a digital profile | Physical chip can be lost, bent, or damaged |
| Using two lines at the same time | Possible on iPhone with dual eSIM or eSIM + physical SIM | Depends on the device having a dual tray |
| Availability by carrier | Not all carriers or all plans offer it | Virtually universal |
eSIM activated but no data: what to check
This is a different case from not being able to activate: the eSIM is installed, appears in the list of lines, but the iPhone has no internet access. Before thinking about a coverage problem, check these in order:
- Confirm the default data line: Settings > Mobile Data > Default Mobile Data Line. If the wrong line is selected, the iPhone might have signal but not use the eSIM for browsing.
- Check that data roaming is activated if you are using the line outside your usual coverage area: Settings > Mobile Data > tap the eSIM line > activate Data Roaming.
- Verify the APN (Access Point Name) in the line settings; some carriers require a specific APN that isn't always configured automatically.
- Restart the iPhone. It sounds basic, but it solves a significant portion of cases where the profile was partially installed.
- Check the balance or plan status directly with the carrier: a correctly installed eSIM won't provide data if the plan isn't active on the carrier's side.
If you're traveling, your carrier's eSIM has a limit
Everything mentioned above is for activating and maintaining your local carrier's eSIM, like Claro, within your country. The problem arises when you cross the border: then the line depends on whether your carrier has a roaming agreement with a company in the country you're in, and that varies by destination, contracted plan, and carrier.
When the problem is no longer activation but coverage in another country, the practical alternative is a travel eSIM that does not depend on roaming agreements with your local carrier. With an international eSIM, you can have a data connection as soon as you land, without going through another complicated activation:
- Coverage in more than 200 destinations, so you don't need to sort this out country by country.
- Activation in approximately 1 minute once you arrive at the place where you will use it.
- 180 days from purchase to activate it, so you can buy it in advance without rushing.
- 24/7 support in all languages via email and WhatsApp if something doesn't work as it should, without depending on a phone line.
You can check the available options by destination in the international eSIM collection, and leave your Claro eSIM installed for when you return to your country.
Frequently asked questions
How do I activate my eSIM on my iPhone?
Go to Settings, tap Mobile Data, choose Add eSIM, and scan the QR code your carrier provided. If you don't have the QR, you can use the activation link sent to you or manually enter the code from the same screen.
How do I activate Claro's eSIM?
The process is the same as with any eSIM: Settings > Mobile Data > Add eSIM > Use QR Code, and scan the code Claro provided you via email, in-store, or through their app. If the code has already been used, you will need to request a new one directly from the carrier.
Do I need Wi-Fi to activate the eSIM?
Yes, in practice, it is recommended. Activation is downloaded over the internet, so if your only available connection is the physical line you are going to replace, connect to a Wi-Fi network first so you don't run out of data in the middle of the process.
Can I have Claro's eSIM and another travel eSIM active at the same time?
It depends on the model. iPhones with dual eSIM (or eSIM plus physical SIM) allow you to have two lines installed and choose which one uses mobile data and which one uses calls, without having to delete either of them.
What do I do if Claro's QR code has already been scanned before?
Most eSIM QR codes are single-use. If it has already been activated once (on this device or another), it will usually appear as invalid; in that case, you have to ask the carrier to generate a new code, reattempting the same QR will not work.
Does Claro's eSIM work outside my country?
Only if your plan includes international roaming with a current agreement in that specific destination, which varies depending on the country and the contracted plan. To avoid depending on this variable when traveling, many people prefer to use a separate travel eSIM, active only while they are outside their country.
How do I delete an eSIM I no longer use?
Go to Settings > Mobile Data, tap the line you want to remove, and select Delete eSIM. Keep in mind that, unlike a physical SIM, once deleted, it cannot be reinstalled with the same QR if it has expired or was single-use.
Which iPhones are compatible with eSIM?
Generally, models from iPhone XS and XR onwards support eSIM, with the exception of some units sold in mainland China that do not have this function enabled from the factory. You can confirm this in Settings > General > About, by looking for the device's eSIM number.
In summary
Activating Claro's eSIM on an iPhone is, in most cases, a quick process: Settings, Mobile Data, Add eSIM, scan the code. When something goes wrong, it's almost always due to the order of the steps (unstable Wi-Fi, incorrectly configured data line, QR already used) and not the device itself, so it's worth checking the error table before assuming you need to call support.
Where this guide stops being useful is when the problem is not activating the line, but rather that you don't have reliable coverage outside your country. For that, having an international eSIM ready before traveling avoids depending on whether your local operator has a roaming agreement in your destination, with 24/7 support via email and WhatsApp if something doesn't go as expected.
If you want to delve deeper into the rest of the process, you can also review the complete guide to activating an eSIM on iPhone, understand what an eSIM is and how it differs from a physical SIM, check which phones are compatible with eSIM, compare eSIM against traditional roaming, or solve other common problems when using an eSIM.
