Setup Guide

Set Up Your Colombia eSIM: Quick Install Guide for 2026

July 20269 min readBy Daniel Mercer, Lead eSIM Analyst

1 network tested
5 providers compared
Updated June 2026

Daniel Mercer

Lead eSIM Analyst

43 countries tested280 plans reviewed14 airports tested8 years in telecom

Previously at Analysys Mason covering APAC mobile markets (2016-2021)

How we test

Published July 2026 · Updated June 2026

Compatibility

Supported devices for Colombia plans

iPhone

Supported models: iPhone XR, XS, 11 through 16 Pro Max, and SE (3rd generation). Requires iOS 16 or later. iPhones hold up to 8 eSIM profiles with 2 active simultaneously. Check carrier lock: Settings > General > About > Carrier Lock. 5G eSIM requires iPhone 12 or newer.

Android

Supported: Samsung Galaxy S21 and later (S22-S25, Z Flip/Fold series), Google Pixel 3+, Xiaomi 12T Pro and later. Requires Android 10 or later. eSIM profile limits vary: Samsung holds 5-8 profiles, Pixel supports 8+. 5G on Claro CO requires Samsung S22+ or Pixel 6+.

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Providers

Colombia eSIM providers compared

Nomad (Recommended)

Nomad is the recommended provider for Colombia with a 4.1/5 rating. Best Budget pick. Plans available: 1GB, 3GB, 5GB, 10GB, 20GB plus unlimited daily options. Installation via QR code delivered by email.

Overall

Install: 4.2/5 · QR Flow: 4/5

Docs: 3.9/5 · Reliability: 4.2/5

Nomad full review

Alternative providers

eSIM providers for Colombia
Provider	Per GB	Rating	Best For
Nomad#1 Pick	from $3.00/GB	4.1/5	Best Budget
Airalo	from $4.50/GB	4.5/5	Best Overall
Saily	from $3.99/GB	4.4/5	Best Privacy
HelloRoam	from around $3.50 per gigabyte	4.4/5	Coverage + Value
Holafly	from $2.99/day	4.3/5	Best Unlimited

Which provider to choose

Budget travel: Nomad offers the lowest per-GB rate
Broadest coverage: Airalo covers 200+ countries on one account
Unlimited data: Holafly removes the data counter entirely
Privacy: Saily bundles NordVPN under the same account

Installation

Step-by-step eSIM installation

iOS installation (iPhone)

Open Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM
Select "Use QR Code"
Scan the QR code from your Nomad confirmation email
Label the plan (e.g., "Colombia Travel")
Set as cellular data line (not your default for calls)
Do NOT enable data roaming yet
Confirm the plan appears under Settings > Cellular

iOS 18: the "Add eSIM" option appears under Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plan. iOS 17 and earlier: Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM.

Android installation (Google Pixel)

Open Settings > Network & Internet > Add eSIM
Select "Download a SIM instead" then scan
Scan the QR code from your Nomad confirmation email
Name the profile (e.g., "Colombia Data")
Set as mobile data SIM
Do NOT enable data roaming yet
Verify the plan in SIM manager

Manual installation (if QR fails)

If the QR code does not scan, use manual entry:

Go to Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM
Select "Enter Details Manually"
Enter the SM-DP+ address from your provider email
Enter the activation code
Complete the setup as with the QR method

Use manual entry when: camera cannot read the QR code, the email was forwarded without the image, or you are installing on a second device.

Configuration

APN and band settings for Colombia

Automatic APN configuration

Most eSIM profiles auto-configure APN settings for Claro CO's network. After installation, verify the APN is set correctly:

iPhone: Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Cellular Data Network
Android: Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > (travel eSIM) > Access Point Names

A correctly configured APN shows the carrier name and data type. If the APN field is blank, your phone will attempt to auto-fill on first connection.

Manual APN entry

If auto-configuration fails (rare, typically older Android devices), enter APN settings manually. Check your provider's confirmation email for the exact values. Common fields:

APN configuration fields
Field	Value
APN Name	From provider email
APN	Provider-specific value
Authentication	None (most providers)
APN Protocol	IPv4/IPv6

Provider-specific APN values override Claro CO's carrier defaults. Always use the values from your provider, not generic carrier APNs.

5G and LTE band selection

5G is available in Colombia (limited coverage). To force a network type:

iPhone: Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Voice & Data > 5G Auto / LTE
Android: Settings > Network > Preferred network type > 5G/LTE/3G Auto

Switch to LTE-only to conserve battery in rural areas without 5G towers. 5G in Bogota and Medellin

Verification

Connection test for Colombia

Signal and network verification

Check your status bar: the carrier name should show Claro COor a roaming indicator. Signal bars confirm connection strength. Go to Settings > Cellular to verify data usage is counting on the travel eSIM line.

"Claro CO" or roaming icon: Connected and working
"Searching...": Still connecting, wait 2-3 minutes
"No Service": Data roaming is off or wrong SIM line selected

Speed test

Run fast.com or Speedtest.net to verify your connection speed. Expected speeds on Claro CO: approximately 35 Mbps download. Speeds vary by location: airports and city centers are fastest, rural areas slower.

Verifying data roaming is active

Go to Settings > Cellular > (travel eSIM) > Data Roaming: ON. Test by opening any website in your browser. If it loads, roaming is active. If not, toggle data roaming off and back on, then restart your phone.

Dual-SIM verification

Confirm your home SIM still receives calls and texts. Confirm the travel eSIM handles all data traffic. Test: send yourself a text message to your home number. Then load a webpage. Both should work simultaneously. If data routes through the home SIM instead, switch your cellular data line to the travel eSIM.

Airport Guide

Arriving at El Dorado (BOG) with your eSIM

Before boarding

Install your Colombia eSIM at home the night before departure. Open Settings on your phone, add the eSIM profile via QR code over your home WiFi, and leave it toggled off. The plan clock does not start until Claro CO's network registers the profile after you land. Airport WiFi at El Dorado (BOG) is unreliable for eSIM installation — boarding-gate networks often block the download entirely.

During the flight

Airplane mode stays on until you land. Use the flight time to verify your eSIM configuration: the Colombia profile should be your active data line, and data roaming for that line should be ready to toggle on after touchdown.

After landing

Disable airplane mode after landing. Toggle the Colombia eSIM on and enable data roaming for that line. Claro CO's 5G/LTE network picks up your profile in 45-90 seconds. Verify by loading any webpage. SIM counters in the arrivals hall charge a tourist premium ($5-10 for 5-10GB / 28 days) with a queue. Your eSIM is already active.

Leaving the airport

Navigate the airport with live data. Check transit schedules, verify your hotel booking confirmation, and message your host — all before you exit the terminal. Claro CO's 5G/LTE signal covers the airport grounds. Colombia's emergency number is 123 — it works without data, but having your eSIM active means you can also share GPS coordinates with emergency services.

Device Setup

Device-specific instructions for Colombia

Samsung Galaxy (One UI 6+)

Open Settings > Connections > SIM Manager > Add eSIM.
Select "Scan QR Code" and frame the QR code from your provider's email. The download completes in 5-15 seconds.
Tap "Add" when the carrier profile loads. Label it "Colombia Data" under SIM Manager for clarity.
Set the Colombia eSIM as your mobile data SIM: Settings > Connections > SIM Manager > Mobile Data > select Colombia eSIM.
Enable Data Roaming: Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Data Roaming > On (for the travel SIM only).
After landing at El Dorado (BOG), enable the eSIM. Claro CO's 5G/LTE network registers within 60-90 seconds. If data does not connect within 3 minutes, enter the APN manually: Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Access Point Names > Add. Name: Claro CO, APN: "claro.com.br". Save and select it as active.
Verify: open Chrome and load any page. Data flowing confirms your Colombia eSIM is active.

Carrier confirmation: Your status bar should display "Claro CO" or "Movistar CO" with 5G/LTE signal within 60-90 seconds. On Samsung, check Settings > Connections > SIM Manager — the travel SIM shows "Claro CO" as the connected network. A "5G" icon in the status bar confirms Claro CO's 5G connection.

Note: If "No Service" persists after 2 minutes, go to Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Network Operators, switch from Automatic to Manual, wait for the scan to complete, then select Claro CO. If the carrier does not appear, restart the device: hold Power + Volume Down until the restart menu appears.

iPhone (iOS 17+)

Open Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM > Use QR Code.
Point the camera at the QR code from your provider's email. The profile downloads in 5-15 seconds on stable WiFi.
Tap "Add Cellular Plan" when prompted. Label the plan "Colombia Data" to distinguish it from your home line.
Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data and select the Colombia eSIM as your active data line.
Turn on Data Roaming for the Colombia line only: Settings > Cellular > [Colombia Data] > Data Roaming > On.
After landing at El Dorado (BOG), toggle the eSIM on. Claro CO registers your profile in 60-90 seconds. If data does not connect after 3 minutes, add the APN manually: go to Cellular Data Network and enter APN: "claro.com.br". Leave username and password blank.
Verify: open Safari and load any webpage. If the page renders, your Colombia data is active at 35 Mbps average.

Carrier confirmation: Your status bar should display "Claro CO" or "Movistar CO" with 5G/LTE signal within 60-90 seconds. On iPhone, check Settings > Cellular — the Colombia line shows "Claro CO" under Network. If you see "5G" in the status bar, your phone has connected to Claro CO's 5G band.

Note: If the carrier field shows "No Service" after 2 minutes, go to Settings > Cellular > Network Selection, turn off Automatic, wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on. If Claro CO does not appear in the list, restart your iPhone (hold Side + Volume Down for 3 seconds, slide to power off, wait 30 seconds, power on).

Google Pixel (Android 14+)

Open Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > Add SIM > Download SIM.
Scan the QR code from your eSIM provider's email. The profile downloads in under 15 seconds.
Confirm the download and label the SIM "Colombia Data" for identification.
Set as mobile data SIM: Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > Colombia Data > Use for mobile data.
Enable roaming: Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > Colombia Data > Roaming > On.
After landing at El Dorado (BOG), enable the profile. Claro CO connects within 60-90 seconds. If data fails to connect, add the APN: Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > [Colombia eSIM] > Access Point Names > New APN. Name: Claro CO, APN: "claro.com.br". Save and set as default.
Open Chrome and load any page to verify data connectivity on Claro CO's 5G/LTE network.

Carrier confirmation: Your status bar should display "Claro CO" or "Movistar CO" with 5G/LTE signal within 60-90 seconds. On Pixel, check Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs — the travel SIM displays "Claro CO" as the active network.

Note: If the signal does not register within 2 minutes, go to Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs > Colombia Data > Advanced > Choose network, switch to Manual, let the scan run, and select Claro CO. If it fails, reset network settings under Settings > System > Reset options > Reset Mobile, WiFi & Bluetooth.

Carrier Config

Carrier troubleshooting for Colombia

Claro CO

APN: "claro.com.br" — enter under Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Network (iPhone) or Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Access Point Names (Samsung). Leave username, password, and proxy fields blank. Save and restart data.

Network selection: Open Settings > Cellular > Network Selection (iPhone) or Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Network Operators (Samsung). Turn off Automatic. Wait 10-30 seconds for the carrier list to populate. Select "Claro CO" from the list. The phone locks onto Claro CO's 5G/LTE band and data resumes within 30 seconds.

Expected speed: 32-35 Mbps in urban areas, 11-18 Mbps in rural coverage

Common issue: Claro CO's network occasionally delays eSIM profile registration during peak hours at major airports. If your phone shows "Searching..." for more than 2 minutes, turn off Automatic network selection, wait 10 seconds, then select Claro CO manually from the operator list.

Resolution: Restart your phone after adjusting network settings. Claro CO typically completes registration within 60-90 seconds of a fresh boot. If the issue persists, remove and re-add the eSIM profile using the manual activation code from your provider's confirmation email.

Movistar CO

APN: "movistar.es" — enter under Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Network (iPhone) or Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Access Point Names (Samsung). Leave username, password, and proxy fields blank. Save and restart data.

Network selection: Open Settings > Cellular > Network Selection (iPhone) or Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Network Operators (Samsung). Turn off Automatic. Wait 10-30 seconds for the carrier list to populate. Select "Movistar CO" from the list. The phone locks onto Movistar CO's 5G/LTE band and data resumes within 30 seconds.

Expected speed: 21-30 Mbps in cities, 7-14 Mbps outside metro areas

Common issue: Some eSIM plans routed through Movistar CO require data roaming to be enabled on the travel SIM line specifically. Leaving it off is the most common reason travelers report zero signal after landing in Colombia. Check under Settings > Cellular > [Travel eSIM] > Data Roaming.

Resolution: Toggle airplane mode on for 15 seconds, then off. This forces a fresh network scan without a full restart. Movistar CO should appear in your carrier field within 60 seconds. If it does not, use manual network selection to find and choose Movistar CO directly.

Tigo CO

APN: "web.tigo.com.co" — enter under Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Network (iPhone) or Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Access Point Names (Samsung). Leave username, password, and proxy fields blank. Save and restart data.

Network selection: Open Settings > Cellular > Network Selection (iPhone) or Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Network Operators (Samsung). Turn off Automatic. Wait 10-30 seconds for the carrier list to populate. Select "Tigo CO" from the list. The phone locks onto Tigo CO's 5G/LTE band and data resumes within 30 seconds.

Expected speed: 21-30 Mbps in cities, 7-14 Mbps outside metro areas

Common issue: Tigo CO may show a signal bar but no data if the APN was not auto-configured. This happens on roughly 10-15% of Colombia eSIM activations. Enter APN "web.tigo.com.co" manually under Cellular Data Network settings.

Resolution: Reset network settings: Settings > General > Transfer or Reset > Reset Network Settings (iPhone) or Settings > General Management > Reset > Reset Network Settings (Samsung). This clears saved WiFi passwords but resolves most Tigo CO registration failures. Re-enable the Colombia eSIM after the reset completes.

Dual SIM

Dual SIM setup for Colombia: keep your number, use local data

Data line setup

Set the Colombia eSIM as your cellular data line: Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data > select the travel eSIM. All web traffic, maps, and app data route through Claro CO's 5G/LTE network at $4.77 for 1GB. Your home carrier never touches data traffic, so no roaming charges accumulate.

Calls and SMS

Your home SIM handles calls and texts on your existing number. No one calling you sees a difference. SMS-based verification codes for banking apps and login services arrive on the home SIM as usual. Data-based messaging apps (WhatsApp, iMessage, Telegram) use the Colombia eSIM's data connection through Claro CO.

Emergency dialing

Colombia's emergency number is 123. This call connects through any network, regardless of which SIM is active or whether you have data. Your eSIM gives you the additional ability to use GPS mapping to find the nearest hospital and to share coordinates with emergency responders via text or messaging apps.

Battery impact

Two active SIMs cost roughly 10-15% more battery. The phone runs separate baseband connections for each line. On days with heavy use, turn off the home SIM under Settings and leave only the Colombia eSIM active. Your home number goes to voicemail until you re-enable it. Colombia outlets are Type A/B — bring an adapter and a portable charger.

Hotspot

Tethering and hotspot with your Colombia eSIM

Most eSIM plans for Colombia support personal hotspot out of the box. Enable it under Settings > Personal Hotspot (iPhone) or Settings > Connections > Mobile Hotspot (Samsung). Your laptop, tablet, or travel companion's phone connects through your Colombia eSIM on Claro CO's 5G/LTE network. Hotspot throughput typically reaches 21-28 Mbps typical through hotspot. Video calls over hotspot use 300-500 MB per hour. A 1GB plan supports 6-10 hours of video calling before running low.

Provider restrictions

Not every plan includes hotspot. Holafly's unlimited eSIM plans for Colombia restrict tethering to prevent network abuse. Airalo and Nomad include hotspot on their fixed-data plans. If the Personal Hotspot toggle is missing from Settings, the plan blocks it at the carrier level — no workaround exists without switching to a hotspot-enabled plan.

Data impact

Hotspot data consumption is higher than direct phone use: laptops pull desktop-resolution assets. Budget 150-200 MB/hour for browsing, 300-500 MB/hour for video calls, 1.5-3 GB/hour for streaming. Turn off cloud sync, OS updates, and auto-downloads on connected devices to protect your Colombia data allowance.

Registration

Skip Colombia's SIM registration with eSIM

Buying a physical SIM in Colombia requires Passport required. At El Dorado (BOG), the registration process at Claro CO's counter takes 15-30 minutes: passport scan, photo capture, form completion. Some carriers require biometric verification (fingerprint or face scan). An eSIM purchased online before departure skips this entire process. No documents, no counter, no registration delay.

Connect to Colombia's 5G network via eSIM

Colombia has limited 5G availability in select areas on Claro CO's network. 5G in Bogota and Medellin. To use 5G with your eSIM, verify your phone supports 5G (iPhone 12 or later, Samsung Galaxy S21 or later, Pixel 5 or later). Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Voice & Data > 5G Auto (iPhone) or Settings > Connections > Mobile Networks > Network Mode > 5G/LTE/3G/2G (Samsung). Average download speed on Claro CO's 5G: 35 Mbps. 5G drains battery 10-20% faster than LTE. Switch to LTE if battery life is more important than speed.

WiFi Backup

WiFi and eSIM activation in Colombia

Colombia has good WiFi in hotels, malls, and cafes. The best approach: install your eSIM at home over your own WiFi before departure. The QR code scan transfers about 500 KB of profile data — it needs a clean connection, not speed. Airport WiFi at El Dorado (BOG) uses captive portals that can interrupt the eSIM download. Install at home, travel with confidence.

Activating without WiFi

If you cannot scan the QR code, use manual entry. Your eSIM provider's confirmation email contains an SM-DP+ activation address and activation code. On iPhone: Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM > Enter Details Manually. On Samsung: Settings > Connections > SIM Manager > Add eSIM > Enter Activation Code. Enter the SM-DP+ address and code exactly as shown. This method uses your existing data connection (home carrier or WiFi) and does not require a camera.

Multi-Country

Colombia eSIM on a multi-country trip

If Colombia is one stop on a South American multi-country route, install all country eSIMs before departure. Most phones store 8 or more eSIM profiles. Label each one clearly: "Colombia Data," "France Data," etc. At each border, disable the previous country's eSIM and enable the next one. The switch takes 30 seconds under Settings > Cellular. A single-country Colombia plan on Claro CO's 5G/LTE network delivers better local coverage than a multi-country regional eSIM — starting at $4.77 for 1GB.

Switching eSIM profiles between countries

At the Colombia border, open Settings > Cellular (iPhone) or SIM Manager (Samsung). Disable your previous eSIM. Enable the Colombia profile and set it as the active data line. Turn on data roaming for the Colombia line. Claro CO's 5G/LTE network connects within 60-90 seconds. Do not delete the previous eSIM — you may need it on the return leg.

Fixes

When your Colombia eSIM does not work

"eSIM Not Supported" error

Cause: Your phone is carrier-locked or the model does not support eSIM.

Fix: Contact your home carrier to unlock (24-72 hours). Verify your model supports eSIM at our compatibility list.

"Unable to Activate eSIM" error

Cause: eSIM profile slot is full, or the QR code was already redeemed.

Fix:Delete unused eSIM profiles in Settings > Cellular. iPhones hold 8 profiles (2 active). If the QR shows as used, contact your provider for a replacement code.

Connected but no data

Cause: Data roaming is off on the travel eSIM, or data is routing through the home SIM.

Fix:Settings > Cellular > select travel eSIM > Data Roaming ON. Also verify: Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data > select the travel eSIM as your data line. Restart your phone after making changes.

Slow speeds on Claro CO

Expected: 35 Mbps. If speeds are noticeably lower: toggle airplane mode on and off. Move to a different area. Try forcing LTE if 5G is congested.

Provider-specific installation issues

Airalo: QR code in email and in-app. Re-download available in the app under "My eSIMs"
Nomad: QR delivered by email only. Check spam folder. No app required for installation
Holafly: QR code in app and email. Unlimited plans activate on first connection
Saily: QR in app. VPN configuration separate from eSIM setup

Full troubleshooting guide · Transfer eSIM to new phone

Quick Answers

Common setup questions for Colombia

FAQ

Your Colombia setup questions answered

How do I install an eSIM for Colombia on iPhone?

Open Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM > Use QR Code. Scan the code from your provider email. Label the plan "Colombia Travel" and set it as your cellular data line. The process takes about 5 minutes over WiFi.

How do I install an eSIM for Colombia on Android?

Open Settings > Network & Internet > Add eSIM. Select "Download a SIM instead" then scan. Scan the QR code from your provider email. Name the profile "Colombia Data" and set it as your mobile data SIM. Steps vary slightly between Google Pixel and other Android versions.

What APN settings do I need for Colombia?

Most eSIMs auto-configure APN for Claro CO's network. If auto-config fails, check your provider's confirmation email for manual APN values. Go to Settings > Cellular > Cellular Data Options > Cellular Data Network to verify or enter settings manually.

Can I install the eSIM before my trip to Colombia?

Yes. Install at home over WiFi any time before departure. Do not enable data roaming until you land in Colombia. Plans count from the first network connection, not from installation. Installing early is recommended.

How many eSIM profiles can my phone hold?

iPhone holds up to 8 eSIM profiles with 2 active simultaneously. Android varies by manufacturer: Samsung supports 5-8, Google Pixel supports 8+. Delete unused profiles in Settings > Cellular to make room for new ones.

What if the QR code does not work for Colombia?

Use manual activation: Settings > Cellular > Add eSIM > Enter Details Manually. Find the SM-DP+ address and activation code in your provider email. This method works when the camera cannot read the QR code or when using a forwarded email.

How do I know my eSIM is connected to Claro CO?

Check the status bar for "Claro CO" or a roaming indicator. Run a speed test at fast.com. Expected speeds: approximately 35 Mbps. If you see "No Service," enable data roaming on the travel eSIM line.

Does Colombia support 5G eSIM?

5G coverage in Colombia is limited. 5G in Bogota and Medellin To use 5G, your phone must support it (iPhone 12+ or Samsung S21+) and your eSIM plan must include 5G access.

How to test eSIM before traveling to Colombia?