Set up Linphone with a QR code

SIP Trunks · 4 min read Softphone Linphone
Configure a softphone in seconds. Instead of typing a server address, username, and password into Linphone by hand, you scan one QR code from your Cliqtel portal and the app configures itself — encrypted and ready to make and receive calls.

Overview

Linphone is a free, open-source softphone for iOS, Android, and desktop. Cliqtel can generate a QR code that contains everything Linphone needs to register against your SIP trunk. You scan it once, and the account is set up automatically — no copy-pasting credentials, and no risk of a typo in the server or password.

This works for any of your SIP trunks: your personal web softphone, a desk-phone trunk, or a dedicated trunk you create just for your mobile.

What you'll need

  • A Cliqtel account with at least one SIP trunk. If you don't have one yet, go to My Numbers → SIP Trunks and click Create Trunk.
  • The Linphone app on the device you want to call from (phone, tablet, or computer).
  • An internet connection on that device (Wi-Fi or mobile data).

Step 1 — Install Linphone

1Get the app

Install Linphone from the App Store (iPhone/iPad) or Google Play (Android). A desktop version is available from linphone.org if you prefer to call from your computer. Open the app, but don't fill in any account details yet — the QR code does that for you.

Step 2 — Open the QR code in your portal

2Generate your setup code
  1. Sign in to your Cliqtel portal and go to SIP Trunks (left menu, under Infrastructure).
  2. Click the trunk you want to use to open its panel.
  3. Click Set up Linphone (QR). A QR code appears. (You can also open Show Softphone Setup — the same code is shown there, above the manual settings.)
One code, one device. Each QR code is single-use and expires after about 15 minutes. If it lapses, or you want to set up another device, just reopen the panel to get a fresh one.

Step 3 — Scan it in Linphone

3Point your camera at the code
  1. On Linphone's welcome screen, choose "Use a QR code" (on some versions: Assistant → Scan QR code).
  2. Point your camera at the QR code on your screen.
  3. Linphone reads the code and configures the account automatically.
That's it. Within a few seconds Linphone shows your account as connected / registered. Back in the portal, the trunk's Registration Status turns green — your device is now ready to receive calls.

Step 4 — Make a test call

4Confirm two-way audio

If a phone number is assigned to this trunk, call it from another phone — Linphone should ring. To test outbound, dial a number you can reach (for example your own mobile) from Linphone and confirm you can hear each other in both directions.

Can't scan? Manual options

If you're already in the portal on the same device as Linphone (so there's no second screen to scan), use the Copy link button next to the QR code, then in Linphone open Assistant → Fetch remote configuration and paste the link. Linphone downloads the same configuration.

You can also configure Linphone entirely by hand using the values under Show Softphone Setup:

Manual SIP settings
SIP Server:   sip.cliqtel.com
Transport:    TLS (port 5061) — recommended
Username:     (shown in the trunk panel)
Password:     (shown once when you create or regenerate the trunk)
Why the QR is easier: the manual route needs the plaintext password, which is only shown once at trunk creation. The QR code sets up the account using a secure digest instead, so you never have to retrieve or retype the password.

Troubleshooting

SymptomWhat to do
The code won't generate, or says credentials are out of date Open the trunk, click Regenerate Password, then create a fresh QR code and scan that.
Linphone says the code is invalid or expired The code is single-use and lasts ~15 minutes. Reopen the trunk panel to generate a new one.
Linphone never shows "registered" Check the device has internet. On restrictive networks, allow SIP over TLS (TCP port 5061) plus UDP 10000–20000 for audio.
Calls connect but there's no audio one way This is almost always a firewall/NAT blocking the audio (RTP) ports above. Try mobile data to confirm, then adjust the network.

Security & privacy

  • No plaintext password leaves the portal. The QR encodes a one-time link to a configuration that authenticates with a secure digest, not your raw password.
  • The link is single-use and short-lived (about 15 minutes), so a code you don't scan simply expires.
  • Signalling is encrypted — the configuration registers over TLS by default.
  • If you ever think a code was seen by someone else, just open the trunk and click Regenerate Password; any old configuration stops working immediately.

Ready to connect your softphone?

Open SIP Trunks in your portal, pick a trunk, and scan. Stuck? Contact support.

Go to SIP Trunks →