How to activate Claro international roaming step by step
To activate Claro international roaming, first check the Mi Claro app or your country's web portal, activate the service or roaming package there, and then confirm that your phone has data roaming enabled in Settings. If the option does not appear, contact customer service before traveling.
Claro operates as a brand in several countries in the region (including Colombia, Argentina, Chile, Peru, Ecuador, Puerto Rico, and the Dominican Republic, among others), and each local operation manages roaming with its own app, its own packages, and its own agreements with foreign operators. Therefore, there is no single universal button: the following is the order in which it is convenient to try things, from the quickest and most probable to the least probable, so that you don't waste time the night before a flight.
Step 1: Activate it from the Mi Claro app or web portal
The first place to look is your country's official app (normally called "Mi Claro") or your line's website. It's the fastest way because it doesn't depend on waiting for assistance and is usually available 24 hours a day.
- Open the app and go to your plan or line section.
- Look for "roaming," "itinerancy," or "international use" in the menu (the exact name varies by country).
- If your plan already includes roaming, it should allow you to activate or confirm it there before your trip.
- If your plan does not include it, the app usually offers data, minute, or SMS packages for your chosen destination, with a date range.
- Save the confirmation (screenshot or email) in case you need to make a claim later.
Do it with a few days' margin. Some activations take time to propagate on the network, and it's not advisable to leave it until the day of your flight.
Step 2: If it doesn't appear in the app, contact customer service
When the app doesn't show the roaming option for your plan or destination, the next step is to contact customer service directly through the channels offered in your country: in-app chat, corporate WhatsApp, social media, or phone line. It is common for corporate plans, prepaid plans, or special promotions to require an agent to manually activate the service or confirm if your destination has coverage through agreements with local operators.
Before hanging up or closing the chat, always ask them to confirm three things in writing: that roaming has been activated, from what date, and what happens if the package runs out while you're abroad. This written confirmation is your only proof if something goes wrong at your destination.
Step 3: Check data roaming in your phone settings
Activating the service in your Claro account is not enough: your phone also has its own switch, and if it's off, you won't have data even if the operator has already enabled roaming for you.
- iPhone: Settings → Cellular → Cellular Data Options → enable "Data Roaming."
- Android: Settings → Connections or Network → Mobile Networks → enable "Data Roaming."
Here's a detail almost no one checks: many phones separate the "data roaming" switch from the "network selection" switch. If at any point you set network selection to manual mode (for example, to force a specific network in your country), your phone might keep searching for that same network abroad and never connect to the associated network, even if roaming is on. Before traveling, leave network selection on automatic mode and only then activate data roaming; in that order, it fails much less often.
How to know if you have Claro roaming activated
There are three ways to check without waiting until you are already at your destination:
- Within the app: The roaming or plan section usually shows a status ("active," "pending," "no roaming") along with the validity date if you purchased a package.
- Via chat or WhatsApp with customer service: Ask them to confirm the line status before traveling; this is the most reliable way if the app is unclear.
- On your phone upon landing: When you arrive and turn on data, you should see the name of an associated network in the status bar (sometimes next to an "R" symbol for roaming). If your phone stays on "SOS" or without network, something was not configured correctly.
If you can, test roaming with a minimum amount of data as soon as you land (e.g., loading a map) instead of waiting until you really need it. This way, you detect a problem with time to call customer service, instead of discovering it when you urgently need your phone.
What to do if roaming doesn't activate or stops working
If you followed the previous steps and still don't connect, these are the most common causes, ordered from most to least frequent.
| Probable cause | How it's detected | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Plan does not include roaming or an active package | The app asks to purchase a package or shows "no international service" | Purchase the corresponding package from the app or request it via chat before traveling |
| Data roaming off on the phone | The operator confirms the line is active, but there's no connection | Check the data roaming switch in Settings (see step 3) |
| Network selection in manual mode | The phone shows "searching for network" or connects to a network and then drops | Change network selection to automatic and restart the phone |
| Destination has no roaming agreement with Claro | Customer service confirms that country has no coverage | Confirm before traveling; if there's no coverage, you'll need an alternative like a local eSIM |
| Prepaid line with no balance or suspended | The app shows zero balance or inactive line | Recharge or regularize the line before leaving the country |
| Phone locked to another operator or with reported IMEI | Doesn't connect to any network, not even the local one | Verify the device status before the trip; this cannot be fixed at the destination |
If you have already checked the list and the problem persists, the most efficient approach is to escalate it directly via chat or WhatsApp with Claro, asking them to review the technical status of the line from their system, as some causes (such as internal blocks or provisioning errors) can only be seen from their end.
How much does roaming with Claro Colombia cost?
There is no single cost: the cost of roaming depends on the country, the plan you have contracted, whether you buy a fixed data/minute package or pay per consumption, and whether the destination is within the operator's preferential agreements. Prices also change over time, so any figure you see today may not be the same in a few months.
The important thing before traveling is not to memorize a price, but to confirm three things through your country's official channel: if your plan already includes roaming, if you need to buy a specific package for your destination, and what happens if you run out of that package while abroad (some operators charge for additional consumption at a higher price than the package). Asking these questions in writing before leaving is what prevents a surprise bill upon your return.
Traditional roaming vs. data eSIM: the real difference
Your operator's roaming and a travel data eSIM solve different needs, and it's important to understand the difference before deciding which to use for each trip.
| Aspect | Claro Roaming (or other operator) | International Data eSIM |
|---|---|---|
| Phone Number | You keep your usual number, ideal for receiving calls and SMS | Uses a local or virtual number; does not replace calls with your number if you need it |
| Price before traveling | Depends on the plan, country, and foreign operator; may vary without prior notice | Fixed price of the data package you choose before purchasing |
| Activation | Requires management with the operator and phone settings (see previous steps) | Installed by scanning a QR code; with PuraSIM, activation takes approximately 1 minute |
| Coverage | Depends on your operator's agreements with local networks in each country | Depends on the eSIM provider; PuraSIM covers more than 200 destinations |
| Physical SIM required | No, uses your same current SIM or eSIM | No, it installs as an additional profile; the phone must be eSIM compatible |
In practice, many travelers end up using both: operator roaming to keep their number (important calls and SMS) and a separate data eSIM for browsing without relying on the prices or coverage of a single operator.
When to use Claro roaming and when to use an eSIM
Roaming makes sense when you need to remain reachable on your usual number, your trip is short, and your plan already includes the service without significant additional cost. In that case, following the steps in this guide and confirming the price before you leave is usually sufficient.
An international eSIM makes more sense when you travel to several countries on the same trip, need predictable data without relying on the coverage your operator has negotiated in each destination, or simply want to avoid the uncertainty of usage-based charges. If you've never used one, this guide to traveling with an eSIM explains the complete process, and this other one thoroughly compares the differences between eSIM and roaming case by case.
If you decide to install an eSIM, the setup process is short; you can review it calmly in this guide on how to install an eSIM, and if something doesn't connect upon arrival, this other guide summarizes the most common eSIM problems and how to solve them.
Frequently asked questions
Do I need a new SIM card to use Claro roaming?
No. Roaming works with the same SIM or eSIM you already use in your country; you just need to activate it in your plan and check your phone settings before traveling.
Does Claro roaming work in all countries?
Not necessarily. Coverage depends on the roaming agreements Claro has with operators in each destination, and these agreements vary depending on the country from which your line originates. Confirm this with customer service before traveling to an unusual destination.
Can I activate roaming the same day as my flight?
Sometimes yes, but it's not the safest. Some activations take time to propagate on the network, so it's best to do it at least one or two days in advance and confirm the status before heading to the airport.
Does roaming consume data from my domestic plan or is it a separate package?
It depends on the plan and the country. Some plans include roaming within the same domestic gigabytes; others require purchasing a specific package for the destination. Check it in the app or ask directly before traveling.
What happens if I forget to activate roaming before traveling?
If you have Wi-Fi available upon arrival (at the airport or hotel), you can try activating it from there using the app. If you don't have Wi-Fi, you will have to wait to contact customer service through another channel, which may take longer than you'd like while traveling.
Can I use WhatsApp and other apps without activating data roaming?
Only if you have a Wi-Fi connection. Without data roaming activated, your phone will not have mobile internet abroad, although it may still receive calls and SMS in some cases depending on the plan.
What does the "R" symbol on my phone screen mean?
It indicates that your phone is connected to a network via roaming, rather than your usual operator's network. Seeing it is a sign that the connection worked, though it doesn't guarantee you have data if the package is exhausted.
Does a data eSIM completely replace roaming?
It replaces the mobile data part (browsing, maps, apps), but not your usual number for calls and SMS, unless you use internet calling features. That's why many travelers combine their roaming line for the number and a separate eSIM for data.
Conclusion
To activate Claro international roaming, always start with your country's app or portal, confirm the status via chat or WhatsApp if it's unclear, and check your phone settings before considering the matter resolved. If something goes wrong, the troubleshooting table in this article covers most cases without waiting until you're already at your destination.
And if what you're looking for is to completely avoid the uncertainty of prices and coverage that depend on agreements between operators, an international data eSIM gives you a package with a fixed price, activation in approximately 1 minute, coverage in more than 200 destinations, and 180 days to activate it from the moment of purchase. If something doesn't work along the way, support is available 24/7 in all languages via email and WhatsApp, without depending on the availability of a single operator.
