Quick steps to activate your Claro eSIM on iPhone
To activate your Claro eSIM on your iPhone, go to Settings, tap Cellular (or Mobile Data), and choose Add eSIM. Scan the QR code Claro gave you — by email, in-store, or through their app — confirm the plan, and you're done. With a good Wi-Fi connection, the whole process is quick and straightforward.
If you need to sort this out right now, here's the order to try each method, from most common to least common:
- Scan the QR code Claro gave you. This is the method most people use because it's what the carrier sends by default.
- Use the carrier app or activation link sent by SMS, email, or WhatsApp, when you don't have the QR code handy or can't scan it with another device.
- Enter the details manually (activation code and server address) if the QR code was already used, the image got damaged, or it never arrived.
Below you'll find each of these methods explained step by step, plus what to check if your iPhone activates the eSIM but ends up with 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 you tap any menus, it's a good idea to have the following ready so you don't interrupt the process halfway through:
- An iPhone that supports eSIM (check the compatibility section below if you're not sure).
- A stable Wi-Fi connection. Activation happens 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 — whether printed, in an email, or inside the carrier's app.
- Your active Apple ID and your iPhone running the latest iOS you can install, because older iOS versions handle eSIMs differently and some carriers stop supporting older versions.
- Good battery charge. Not mandatory, but it saves you from the process cutting off if the system asks you to restart the device.
If you're switching phones (for example, from an older iPhone to a new one) and don't have a new QR code, you don't need to call Claro right away: keep reading, because in the manual activation section there's a way to move your eSIM without asking for a new code.
Activate the eSIM by scanning the QR code
This is the most direct method and 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 your iPhone camera at the QR code Claro gave you. If the code is on another screen (a laptop, for example), bring it close enough for the camera to focus properly.
- Confirm the line label (e.g., "Personal" or "Claro") so you can tell them apart if you use two lines at once.
- Choose which line will use mobile data by default and whether you want to enable 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 works, in the vast majority of cases, for a single activation. If the scan fails, don't try 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 showing the QR or ask them to resend it in a larger file before assuming the code is damaged.
Activate the 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 a bit:
- Open the activation link directly from the iPhone where you want to install the eSIM (not from another device).
- The system should automatically recognize it as 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 linked to 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 details as in the QR activation: line label and which one will use data by default.
This method has a practical advantage: since the link is tied to your account number, it's less likely to be invalidated by reading errors, unlike the QR, which depends on the camera capturing it correctly on the first try.
Activate the eSIM manually, without a QR code
If the QR has already been used, the image arrived damaged, or they never sent it to you, you can still activate the eSIM by entering the details manually:
- Go to Settings > Mobile Data > Add eSIM > Enter Details Manually.
- Enter the SM-DP+ server address and the activation code the carrier gave you (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 data; if you don't, there's no way to guess them, and the only option 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 feature 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 previous device and moves the data profile automatically, as long as both are turned on, close to each other, and running a version of iOS that supports the feature. This saves you a call to the carrier and avoids being left without service while waiting for a new QR.
Check if Your iPhone Is eSIM Compatible
Before assuming the problem is with your carrier, it's worth confirming that the iPhone in question supports eSIM. Generally, models from the iPhone XS and XR (2018) onward include this feature, though there are two details that are often overlooked:
- iPhones bought in mainland China usually come without eSIM support enabled from the factory, even on 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 check directly on the device, go to Settings > General > About and look for the eSIM identifiers section (it appears as "eSIM Number" or similar). If that option doesn't exist in your menu, it's a pretty clear sign that this particular iPhone doesn't support eSIM or has it blocked by the carrier.
Common Activation Errors and How to Fix Them
Most activation problems are recurring. Before contacting support, check if your case matches any of these:
| What's Happening | Most Likely Cause | What to Do |
|---|---|---|
| The QR code won't scan | Low light, low screen brightness, or dirty camera | Increase the brightness on the screen showing the code, clean the camera lens, and move it back a bit until it focuses |
| "Invalid QR Code" appears | The code was already used on another device or has expired | Ask your carrier to generate a new one; eSIM codes are usually single-use |
| eSIM installs but there's no signal | The eSIM line wasn't set as the active line for data | Go to Settings > Cellular and confirm which line is selected for cellular data |
| 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 > Cellular |
| "Add eSIM" option doesn't appear | The iPhone doesn't support eSIM or is locked to another carrier | Check device compatibility before trying further |
If you've tried everything above and the problem persists, it's no longer something you can fix from Settings: at that point, the logical next step is to contact your carrier directly so they can check the profile status on their end.
eSIM vs Physical SIM: Which One to Activate
If you're still unsure whether to get an eSIM or stick with a physical SIM, this table sums up the differences that matter most when deciding:
| Aspect | eSIM | Physical SIM |
|---|---|---|
| Activation | Via QR code or app, without leaving home | Requires going to a store or waiting for the chip to be shipped |
| Switching phones | Transfers between compatible devices without a physical card | Take the card out of one phone and put it in another |
| Risk of loss or damage | Not applicable, it's a digital profile | The physical chip can be lost, bent, or damaged |
| Using two lines at the same time | Possible on iPhones with dual eSIM or eSIM + physical SIM | Depends on whether the device has a dual tray |
| Carrier availability | Not all carriers or plans offer it | Nearly universal |
You Activated the eSIM but Have 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 won't browse. Before thinking about a coverage issue, check these in order:
- Confirm the default data line: Settings > Cellular > Default Voice Line. If the wrong line is selected, the iPhone may have signal but not use the eSIM for data.
- Check that data roaming is turned on if you're using the line outside your usual coverage area: Settings > Cellular > tap the eSIM line > turn on Data Roaming.
- Verify the APN (access point name) in the line's settings; some carriers require a specific APN that isn't always configured automatically.
- Restart the iPhone. It sounds basic, but it resolves a significant number of cases where the profile was only partially installed.
- Check your balance or plan status directly with your carrier: a correctly installed eSIM won't give you data if the plan isn't active on the carrier's side.
If You're Traveling, Your Carrier's eSIM Has Limits
Everything above works for activating and keeping your local carrier's eSIM, like Claro, running within your country. The problem appears 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, plan, and carrier.
When the issue is no longer about activation but about coverage in another country, the practical alternative is a travel eSIM that doesn't depend on roaming agreements with your local carrier. With an international eSIM, you can have data connection as soon as you land, without going through another complicated activation:
- Coverage in over 200 destinations, so you don't need to sort this out country by country.
- Activation in about 1 minute once you arrive at your destination.
- 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 options available by destination in the international eSIM collection, and keep your Claro eSIM installed for when you're back in your country.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I activate my eSIM on my iPhone?
Go to Settings, tap Cellular, choose Add eSIM, and scan the QR code your carrier gave you. If you don't have the QR, you can use the activation link they sent you or enter the code manually from the same screen.
How do I activate the Claro eSIM?
The process is the same as with any eSIM: Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM > Use QR Code, and scan the code Claro gave you by email, in-store, or through their app. If the code has already been used, you'll need to request a new one directly from the carrier.
Do I need Wi-Fi to activate the eSIM?
Yes, in practice it's recommended. The activation downloads over the internet, so if your only available connection is the physical line you're replacing, connect to a Wi-Fi network first to avoid running out of data mid-process.
Can I have the Claro 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 cellular data and which one uses calls, without having to delete either.
What do I do if the Claro QR code was already scanned before?
Most eSIM QR codes are single-use. If it was already activated once (on this device or another), it will normally show as invalid; in that case, you need to ask your carrier to generate a new code—retrying the same QR won't work.
Does the Claro eSIM work outside my country?
Only if your plan includes international roaming with a valid agreement in that specific destination, something that varies by country and plan. To avoid depending on that variable when traveling, many people prefer to use a separate travel eSIM, active only while they're outside their country.
How do I delete an eSIM I no longer use?
Go to Settings > Cellular, 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 already expired or was single-use.
Which iPhones are compatible with eSIM?
Generally, models from the iPhone XS and XR onward support eSIM, with the exception of some units sold in mainland China that come without this feature enabled from the factory. You can confirm this in Settings > General > About, looking for the device's eSIM number.
In a nutshell
Activating your Claro eSIM on an iPhone is, in most cases, a quick process: Settings, Cellular, Add eSIM, scan the code. When something goes wrong, it's almost always down to the order of the steps (unstable Wi-Fi, a misconfigured data line, an already-used QR) rather than 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 issue isn't activating the line, but not having reliable coverage outside your home country. For that, having an international eSIM ready before you travel means you don't have to rely on whether your local carrier has a roaming agreement at your destination, with 24/7 support by email and WhatsApp if something doesn't go as expected.
If you want to dive deeper into the rest of the process, you can also check out 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 eSIM compatible, compare eSIM vs traditional roaming, or solve other common issues when using an eSIM.
