What Cricket Wireless Is and Who Runs It

Cricket Wireless is a prepaid wireless carrier owned by AT&T. You pay for service in advance — either monthly or by the day — rather than signing a contract and receiving a bill at the end of the month. Cricket uses AT&T's network infrastructure, which means your phone signal comes from the same towers as AT&T customers, but you pay less because you're on a prepaid model without the overhead of billing and customer service that postpaid plans carry.

Cricket does not require a credit check, a Social Security number, or a long-term commitment. You can start service the same day you buy a phone or bring an existing one. The trade-off is that Cricket deprioritizes your data during network congestion — if the tower is busy, AT&T's postpaid customers get faster speeds first.

Key Takeaways

  • Cricket charges a flat monthly fee for unlimited talk, text, and a set amount of data, with no contract or credit check required.
  • You own your phone outright; Cricket does not lock devices or require you to finance them through the carrier.
  • Your data speed may slow during peak hours if the network is congested, because postpaid AT&T customers have priority.
  • You can bring a phone you already own if it is unlocked and compatible with AT&T's network, or buy one from Cricket at full price.
  • Switching to Cricket or leaving Cricket requires no early termination fee because there is no contract.

How Monthly Plans Work

Cricket offers several monthly plan tiers, each with unlimited talk and text plus a data allowance. The exact plans and prices change, so check Cricket's website for current options, but the structure is always the same: you choose a tier, pay upfront for the month, and your service runs for 30 days from the date you set up.

Once you hit your monthly data limit, your speed drops to 2G (very slow, suitable for text and email only) for the rest of the month. You can still use data at that slower speed at no extra charge — you won't be cut off. If you need faster speeds before the month ends, you can buy an add-on data package, which costs extra and gives you a temporary boost.

Your plan renews automatically on the same day each month unless you cancel. You can change your plan at any time; if you upgrade mid-month, you pay the difference and your new plan starts when ready. If you downgrade, the change takes effect on your next renewal date.

Bringing Your Own Phone or Buying One

If you already own a phone, you can bring it to Cricket as long as it is unlocked and works on AT&T's network. An unlocked phone is one that is not tied to a specific carrier — you can move it between networks. If your phone is locked to another carrier, you may be able to contact that carrier and request an unlock code, though they may require you to have been a customer for a certain length of time or to have paid off any device financing.

To check whether your phone works with Cricket, you can enter the phone's IMEI number (a unique identifier printed on the phone or found in settings) on Cricket's website. Cricket will tell you whether the phone is compatible. If it is not, you can buy a phone directly from Cricket at full retail price — no financing, no monthly payment plan. You own it when ready and can take it to another carrier whenever you want.

When you set up service, you will need to provide your phone's IMEI number and your SIM card information. Cricket will send you a SIM card in the mail, or you can pick one up at a retail location and set up it the same day.

How to set up Service

You can start Cricket service online, by phone, or in person at a Cricket store or authorized retailer. Online set up is the fastest: you choose your plan, enter your phone information, and pay. Cricket will either mail you a SIM card or let you pick one up at a nearby location. Once you have the SIM card, you insert it into your phone, follow the set up steps on Cricket's website, and service begins when ready.

If you set up by phone, a Cricket representative will walk you through the same steps. In-store set up is the same process but happens in front of a staff member, which can be helpful if you have questions about which plan to choose or how to insert the SIM card.

You will need a valid payment method (debit card or credit card) to pay for your first month of service. Cricket does not accept cash for monthly payments, though some retail locations may allow cash for phone purchases.

What Happens If You Run Out of Data or Money

If your monthly data allowance runs out before your 30 days are up, your data speed drops to 2G automatically. You can still send texts, make calls, and use data-dependent apps, but everything will be slow. This does not cost extra — you straightforward continue using your service at reduced speed until your plan renews.

If you want faster data before your renewal date, you can buy a data add-on through the Cricket app or website. These are temporary boosts that last until you use the amount of data you purchased or until your plan renews, whichever comes first.

If your payment fails when your plan is due to renew, Cricket will typically give you a grace period of a few days to update your payment method. If you do not pay within that window, your service will be suspended. You can reactivate it by paying your overdue bill, but there is no additional fee for reactivation.

International Calling and Texting

Cricket includes some international calling and texting at no extra charge, but rates vary by country. You can call or text to over 200 countries and territories, but the cost per minute or per message depends on the destination. Before you travel or call internationally, check Cricket's website for the rates to the specific country you need.

If you are traveling outside the United States, your phone will use local networks in that country, and you will be charged international rates for any calls, texts, or data you use. Cricket does not offer international roaming plans like some other carriers do, so costs can add up quickly if you use your phone heavily abroad. Consider buying a local SIM card or using WiFi calling when you travel.

Switching Carriers or Canceling Service

Because Cricket is prepaid with no contract, you can cancel at any time with no penalty. Your service straightforward ends on your next renewal date, or when ready if you request it. You do not owe anything beyond what you have already paid for the current month.

If you want to switch to another carrier and keep your phone number, you will need to request a porting authorization code (PAC) from Cricket. This is a code that proves you own the number and allows another carrier to transfer it to their network. You can request a PAC through the Cricket app, website, or by calling customer service. The new carrier will handle the actual transfer, which usually takes a few hours to a few days.

If you do not request a PAC and straightforward stop paying, your number will eventually be recycled and assigned to someone else. If you want to keep the number, request the code before you cancel.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use my Cricket phone on another carrier later?

Yes, as long as your phone is unlocked. When you buy a phone from Cricket, it comes unlocked, so you can move it to any other carrier that supports that phone's technology. If you bring your own phone to Cricket, it must already be unlocked. You can check with your previous carrier about unlocking it if you are not sure.

What happens to my service if I do not renew my plan?

Your service stops at the end of your 30-day cycle if you do not pay to renew. You will not be able to make calls, send texts, or use data. You can reactivate by paying for a new month of service, and your old number will be held for a short time, but if you wait too long, it may be reassigned.

Does Cricket charge extra for calls or texts?

No. All Cricket plans include unlimited talk and text within the United States at no extra charge. International calls and texts to other countries do cost extra, and rates vary by destination. Domestic calls and texts are always included.

Can I use Cricket if I have bad credit?

Yes. Cricket does not run a credit check and does not require a credit history. You only need a valid payment method to pay for your first month upfront. This makes Cricket a common choice for people new to credit or those with poor credit history.

How do I know if my phone will work with Cricket?

Enter your phone's IMEI number on Cricket's website, and it will tell you whether the phone is compatible. The IMEI is printed on the back of most phones or can be found by dialing *#06# on the phone's keypad. If your phone is not compatible, Cricket sells phones at full price that are may provide to work.