What is an eSIM and how does it differ from Claro's physical SIM?
An eSIM is a chip integrated into your phone's motherboard that performs the same function as Claro's physical SIM card, but without a card to insert: it's activated with a QR code provided by the operator. You cannot lose or damage it, but your phone must be compatible with this technology.
For Claro, the eSIM is not a different product from your usual line: it's another way to install the same line. Your number, plan, and balance remain the same; the only thing that changes is the physical support. If you want to understand the concept in more detail before continuing, you can review what an eSIM is exactly and how it compares to traditional cards in eSIM vs. physical SIM.
This is precisely the first thing to clarify, because many searches for "how to request an eSIM from Claro" actually hide two different needs: some people want to switch their local Claro line from a physical card to an eSIM, and others are looking for how to get mobile data when traveling outside their country. These are different solutions, and in this article, you will see both.
How to request your Claro eSIM step-by-step
The exact procedure varies depending on the country where you have your Claro line (Argentina, Colombia, Peru, Chile, and other markets where it operates have slightly different self-management processes), so the safest thing is always to confirm the current step-by-step in the official app or Claro website for your country. Even so, the general scheme is repeated in most cases:
- Confirm that your phone supports eSIM (we'll see this in the next section).
- Enter Claro's official self-management app or website with your user account.
- Look for the option to change your line from physical SIM to eSIM.
- Verify your identity: this usually requires an account detail or a code sent via SMS.
- Confirm the request and wait for the QR code or activation link.
- Scan the code with your new phone (or with the same phone, from another device) to install the profile.
In some countries, this process is completely digital and resolves in minutes; in others, Claro still requires visiting a physical service point to validate identity before releasing the QR, especially if it's the first time you're activating an eSIM on that line. If you have doubts about how to install the profile once you have the code, the guide on how to install an eSIM explains the generic process used by almost all operators worldwide.
| How to request it | What you need | When it's convenient |
|---|---|---|
| Official Claro app or website | Registered user, compatible phone, good internet connection | You already use Claro and want to switch your line from physical to eSIM |
| Claro store or service point | Official identification and your phone handy | Your country requires in-person validation or the online process fails |
| New line (portability or new activation) | Identity documentation and, in some cases, proof of address | You don't have a Claro line yet and are activating directly with eSIM |
How to get your Claro eSIM QR code
Once Claro approves your request, the QR code normally appears within the same app, in an email, or in a link that opens from your phone. It's an image with a pattern containing the technical data of the profile (the same type of code used by any operator in the world, not just Claro). You scan it only once, with the camera of the phone where you will use the line, and the operating system automatically installs the profile.
One detail that almost no one mentions and that is worth keeping in mind: most eSIM QR codes are designed for a single use. If the process is interrupted halfway, you close the window before finishing the installation, or you try to scan the same code on a second phone, it is very likely that it will no longer work and you will have to request a new one through the same channel through which the first one arrived. Therefore, before scanning, it is advisable to have your phone with a good battery, a good Wi-Fi or data signal, and avoid interrupting the process.
If instead of a QR code you see the "manual installation" option with an SM-DP+ server and an activation code, it's the same process, just in text format instead of an image; it works for the same cases where you can't scan directly from the phone where you're going to use the eSIM.
Which phones are compatible with Claro's eSIM?
Not all phones come with this technology, and not all that do have it enabled for all operators or regions. Generally speaking, mid-range and high-end models launched in recent years —from brands like Apple, Samsung, or Google, among others— usually include eSIM support, but exact compatibility depends on the model, the operating system version, and, in some cases, the country where the phone was originally purchased.
Before starting any process with Claro (or with any travel eSIM), it's advisable to check the detailed list of eSIM-compatible phones and confirm, within the phone's own settings, that the "add eSIM" or "add mobile plan" option appears available. If that option does not appear in the menu, it is most likely that the phone is eSIM-locked by the operator or region of purchase, not that the technology is absent from the hardware.
Common problems when requesting or activating your Claro eSIM
Most hiccups when switching from physical SIM to eSIM with Claro are variations of recurring issues:
- The QR expires before scanning it. If several hours pass between Claro generating it and the installation attempt, it may become invalid and needs to be requested again.
- The phone is listed as "not compatible" even if the model is. This usually happens with devices purchased outside the country where you will activate the line, because some manufacturers block the eSIM function based on the region of sale.
- The profile is installed but there is no signal. Sometimes you need to restart the phone or manually activate the line as primary for data after installing the profile.
- The process is lost when changing plans at the same time. Switching from card to eSIM and changing plans in the same transaction can cause conflicts; it's better to make one change at a time.
If you encounter any of these scenarios, in common problems when using an eSIM, we review the most frequent causes and solutions in more detail, applicable to any operator, not just Claro.
Why Claro's eSIM doesn't solve your international travel needs
Here is the point that causes the most confusion. Changing your Claro line from a physical SIM to an eSIM does not change anything about how that line works when you leave your country: it is still your local number, with your local plan, and when you cross the border, it enters international roaming exactly as if you were carrying the physical card. Roaming can involve additional charges, special packages that need to be activated before traveling, or limited coverage depending on the destination, according to the current conditions of your operator and your country at the time of travel.
A local Claro eSIM identifies your usual number, with your usual plan. An international travel eSIM is a separate data profile, designed solely to connect you in another country without touching your main line.
Therefore, if what you really need is internet to use maps, WhatsApp, and banking apps while on vacation or a business trip, requesting an eSIM from Claro does not solve the underlying problem: you are still dependent on your local operator's roaming. The full comparison between both scenarios can be found in eSIM vs. roaming, which explains in more detail why they are two different solutions for different needs.
How to activate an eSIM without going to a Claro store
If your real goal is to have mobile data in another country and you don't want to rely on a store visit or identity validation from your local operator, the alternative is to directly install an international travel eSIM, without going through Claro at all. The process is shorter because it doesn't involve a change to an existing line: you purchase the data plan for the country or area you are traveling to, receive the QR code by email, and install it from the comfort of your home, even before packing your bags.
The advantage of this route is that it doesn't depend on whether your local operator requires in-person processing, or whether your phone is limited to Claro's network for eSIM: it only depends on the phone generally supporting eSIM. You can review the complete step-by-step in how to activate an eSIM, available for more than 200 destinations, with 24/7 support in all languages via email and WhatsApp if anything is unclear during installation.
How long does each option take to activate?
Requesting an eSIM directly with Claro can be resolved in minutes if the process is completely digital in your country, or it can take longer if it requires in-person validation, manual review, or coordination with a service point. There is no single timeframe because it depends on the internal process of each market where Claro operates.
An international travel eSIM, on the other hand, is activated through a standardized process: the profile installation takes only a few minutes, and the activation of the data plan itself takes approximately 1 minute once you turn on mobile data at your destination. Furthermore, this type of eSIM does not expire from the moment of purchase: there are 180 days to activate it, so you can calmly install it several months before your trip and have it ready, without time pressure.
Example: from Buenos Aires to Mexico City without fighting with roaming
To see it with a concrete example: imagine you live in Buenos Aires, you have had your Claro line all your life, and in two weeks you travel to Mexico City for work, for six days. You don't need to change anything about your Claro line or go to a store. Here's what you do:
- Before traveling, from your home and with Wi-Fi, you buy the data eSIM for Mexico and install it on your phone. Since you have 180 days to activate it from the purchase date, there's no rush: it can be installed and kept on standby.
- You leave your Claro line as is, with mobile data turned off or in power-saving mode, just to continue receiving calls and SMS (for example, bank verification codes) on your usual number.
- Upon landing in Mexico City, you activate the travel eSIM's data: the process takes about 1 minute and you already have internet, without going through Claro's roaming or looking for airport Wi-Fi.
- During the trip, you use maps, transportation apps, and WhatsApp with the data eSIM, while your Argentine number remains available on the same phone thanks to the dual profile (dual SIM).
- Upon returning to Buenos Aires, you simply go back to using your Claro line as usual; the travel eSIM remains saved for your next destination.
This same scheme applies to any combination of origin and destination country, not just Argentina-Mexico, and even works if the trip includes several stops: the data eSIM is chosen according to the itinerary's coverage, not according to your local operator.
Claro eSIM vs. international travel eSIM: comparative table
With all the above in mind, here's how the two options look side-by-side:
| Aspect | Claro local eSIM | International travel eSIM |
|---|---|---|
| What it's for | Replacing your physical card with your same usual line and number | Having mobile data in another country without relying on your local operator |
| Where it's requested | Claro app, web, or store in your country | Directly online, from any country |
| Does it work the same abroad? | No: it enters international roaming, according to your plan's conditions | Yes: it's specifically designed for use outside your country |
| Does your number change? | No, it's the same line as always | No, it's used alongside your main line as a separate data profile |
| Identity validation | Yes, specific to activation or line change with your operator | No process required with a local operator |
| Time until data is active | Variable depending on the country and channel used | Approximately 1 minute after activation at the destination |
| Activation period from purchase | Not applicable (it's your usual line) | 180 days from purchase |
| Support if something goes wrong | Claro's customer service channels in your country | 24/7 in all languages via email and WhatsApp |
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to go to a Claro store to request my eSIM?
It depends on the country: in several markets where Claro operates, the process is fully digital through the app or website, but in others, an in-person visit to a service point is required to validate identity, especially the first time. It is advisable to confirm this on your country's official channel before starting.
How much does it cost to switch from physical SIM to eSIM with Claro?
The cost, if any, depends on Claro's current conditions in each country and can change over time, so it's best to consult it directly on your operator's official channel before requesting it, rather than relying on a generic figure.
Can I have Claro's eSIM and a travel eSIM at the same time?
Yes. Most eSIM-compatible phones support two active profiles at once (dual SIM), so you can keep your Claro line for calls and SMS while using an international data eSIM for browsing when you travel.
What happens if my phone is not compatible with eSIM?
If your phone doesn't support eSIM, neither Claro nor any other operator will be able to activate one for you: in that case, the only option remains a physical SIM card, either from your local operator or a physical travel SIM.
Does Claro's eSIM work automatically when I travel to another country?
Technically it does connect, because it's the same line as always, but it does so under your plan's international roaming conditions, not as an eSIM designed for travel. That's why many people prefer to add a specific data eSIM for their destination.
Can I activate a travel eSIM before leaving my country?
Yes, and it's even advisable to do so: you can install the profile with Wi-Fi before your trip and have it ready, as you have 180 days from the purchase date to activate it. The data itself is turned on when you arrive at your destination.
What documents do I need to order an eSIM from Claro?
Generally, some account or identity validation data is requested, the exact details of which depend on the country and the channel (app, web, or store). For an international travel eSIM, on the other hand, no identity verification process with a local operator is required.
How do I know if my eSIM is active?
After scanning the QR code and installing the profile, check your phone settings to ensure the line appears enabled for mobile data and shows a signal. If there is no signal, restarting the phone once the installation is complete is usually sufficient.
Conclusion
If you want to transfer your Claro physical SIM card to an eSIM, the way is to request it through the app or official website of your country (or through a store, if your market requires it), confirm that your phone is compatible, and scan the QR code without interruptions. But if what you are really looking for is to have internet when traveling outside your country, ordering an eSIM from Claro is not the solution: you will still depend on roaming from your local line.
That's what the international travel eSIM is for: it's installed before you leave, doesn't require any paperwork with a local operator, has 180 days to activate from purchase, and once you reach your destination, it turns on in approximately 1 minute. If you want to get started, the getting started guide in the previous section already provides everything you need to install it; then you just need to choose your destination in the PuraSIM international eSIM collection, with coverage in more than 200 destinations and 24/7 support in all languages via email and WhatsApp.
