What Cricket Wireless Is

Cricket Wireless is a prepaid cell phone carrier owned by AT&T. You pay for service before you use it — there's no contract, no credit check, and no monthly bill. You buy a plan, load money onto your account, and your phone works until that money runs out. When your balance gets low, you add more money to keep the service active.

Cricket operates on AT&T's network infrastructure, which means you get the same cell towers and data speeds as AT&T customers, but at a lower price because you're paying upfront and there's no customer service overhead. You can bring your own phone to Cricket if it's compatible, or you can buy one from them.

Key Takeaways

  • Cricket Wireless is a prepaid service where you pay for your plan before using it, with no contract or credit check required.
  • Plans include a set amount of talk, text, and data each month, and you choose the plan size that fits your needs.
  • You can bring an unlocked phone from another carrier or buy one from Cricket, and you set up service in-store or online.
  • When your monthly balance runs out, you add more money to your account to renew your plan for another month.
  • Cricket's customer service is available by phone, online chat, or in-store at Cricket locations and authorized retailers.

How Cricket Plans Work

Cricket offers several plan sizes, each with a set amount of talk minutes, text messages, and data per month. The plans reset on the same day each month — usually the day you first activated service or the day you last added money to your account. You pick the plan that matches how much you use your phone, and that's what you pay each month.

If you run out of data before your month ends, Cricket lets you buy extra data in chunks, or you can wait until your plan resets. Talk and text don't work the same way — once you run out of minutes or texts, you can't make calls or send texts until your plan renews, unless you buy an add-on. Many people choose a plan with unlimited talk and text to avoid this problem, then adjust the data amount based on whether they stream video or just browse.

Cricket also offers a feature called AutoPay, where you set up automatic monthly payments from a debit card or bank account. Using AutoPay usually gives you a small discount on your monthly plan cost — typically $5 to $10 off, depending on the plan size.

Bringing Your Own Phone or Buying One

If you already own a phone, you can use it with Cricket as long as it's unlocked and compatible with AT&T's network. An unlocked phone is one that isn't tied to a specific carrier — you can check whether your phone is unlocked by calling your current carrier or checking your account online. Cricket has a tool on their website where you can enter your phone's model number to see if it will work.

If you don't have a phone or yours isn't compatible, Cricket sells phones in-store and online. They carry recent models from major brands like Apple, Samsung, and Motorola, usually at prices lower than you'd pay at a carrier store because there's no contract subsidy involved. You can also buy a phone elsewhere — Best Buy, Walmart, Amazon — as long as it's unlocked and AT&T-compatible.

When you're ready to start service, you'll need your phone's IMEI number (a unique identifier for your device). You can find this by dialing *#06# on the phone itself, or by looking in the phone's settings under "About Phone." Cricket uses this number to set up your service on their network.

Activating Service and Adding Money

You can start Cricket service online, in a Cricket store, or at an authorized retailer like Walmart or Best Buy. Online set up is fastest — you provide your phone's IMEI number, choose your plan, and pay with a debit card or bank account. Your service usually starts within a few minutes.

In-store set up takes longer but gives you a chance to ask questions and make sure your phone works before you leave. You'll bring your phone, show your ID, and the staff member will set up it for you while you wait. Some retailers also offer set up, though they may charge a small fee.

When your monthly plan is about to run out, you'll get a text message reminder. You can add money to your account through the Cricket website, the Cricket mobile app, in-store, or by calling Cricket customer service. You can also set up AutoPay so money is charged automatically each month — you won't have to remember to add it yourself.

What Happens If Your Service Stops

If your plan balance reaches zero and you don't add more money, your service stops working. You won't be able to make calls, send texts, or use data. However, you can still receive calls and texts for a short period — usually 30 to 60 days — and you can still turn your service back on by adding money to your account.

If you don't add money for an extended period (the exact timeframe varies), Cricket may close your account and reassign your phone number to someone else. If you want to keep your number, add money before that happens. If your account is closed and you want to restart, you'll need to go through set up again, though you may be able to keep the same phone number if you act quickly.

Customer Service and Support

Cricket offers customer service through multiple channels. You can call their support line, which is available during business hours. You can also use online chat through the Cricket website or app, or visit a Cricket store in person. Response times vary — phone lines can have wait times during peak hours, while chat is sometimes faster.

For common issues like checking your balance, adding money, or changing your plan, the Cricket app or website is usually the quickest option. You can do these things 24/7 without waiting for a representative. For more complex problems — like a phone that won't connect to the network, or questions about your account — talking to a representative is usually necessary.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I keep my current phone number if I switch to Cricket?

Yes. This is called number porting. When you set up service, tell Cricket you want to port your number from your previous carrier. You'll need your account number and PIN from your old carrier. The process usually takes a few hours to a day. During that time, your old service stops and Cricket service starts.

What happens if I go over my data limit?

Once you use all your monthly data, your data stops working until your plan resets the next month. You can buy extra data in 1 GB or larger chunks if you need it before your plan renews. Talk and text work the same way — if you run out, you can't use them until your plan resets, unless you buy an add-on.

Do I need a credit check to get Cricket service?

No. Cricket is prepaid, so there's no credit check. You just need to pay for your plan upfront. This makes Cricket a good option if you have no credit history or a low credit score.

Can I use Cricket internationally?

Cricket offers international calling and texting add-ons, but rates are high. For travel, it's usually cheaper to buy a local SIM card in the country you're visiting, or to use WiFi calling through apps like WhatsApp or Skype. Check Cricket's website for current rates to the countries you plan to visit.

What if my phone breaks or gets lost?

Cricket doesn't offer insurance or replacement programs for damaged or lost phones. If your phone breaks, you'll need to buy a new one. However, your Cricket service itself isn't affected — you can move your SIM card to a new phone (if it's compatible) or set up a new phone with your existing account and phone number.