How to Activate Cricket eSIM?
You activate it from your Cricket account (My Cricket app or website), where you generate a QR code, and then scan it from your new phone in Settings > Cellular Data > Add eSIM. In most cases, the entire process is completed in a few minutes, without needing to visit a physical store.
The order of this article goes from the most common method to the least common, because not everyone starts at the same point: some already have the QR code in their email, others are just setting up their plan, and others are struggling with an error after several attempts. If you already know where you are in the process, jump directly to that section using the menu above.
Step-by-step: Activate Your Cricket eSIM with the QR Code
This is the most common path, used by most when buying a new plan or changing phones:
- Log in to your account. From the My Cricket app or the Cricket website, log in with your number and password.
- Look for the SIM option. Under "Manage Line," you'll find "SIM card" or "Get eSIM." If your phone is compatible, you can request the conversion to eSIM there.
- Receive the QR code. Cricket will send it to you via email or display it directly on the app screen. It's a single-use code: if you generate a new one, the previous one becomes invalid.
- Open it on the phone where you will use the eSIM (not the one you used to request it, unless it's the same device). Go to Settings > Cellular or Mobile Data > Add eSIM > Use QR Code.
- Scan and confirm. The system will ask if you want this line as primary, secondary, or for data. Choose as needed and confirm.
- Wait for activation. You'll see a progress bar or an "activating" message. When it's done, check for Cricket signal at the top of the screen.
- Restart your phone if you don't see a signal after a few minutes, even if the system says it's activated. This is the step most people skip and the one that resolves most cases.
If you purchased a phone with a pre-installed Cricket eSIM (some new plans come this way), you can skip steps 3 and 4: just confirm activation from Settings when you turn on the phone for the first time.
Can I activate the eSIM on my own Cricket, or do I need to go to a store?
Yes, in the vast majority of cases, you can activate it yourself, without going to a store. You need three things: an eSIM-compatible and unlocked phone (or one purchased directly from Cricket), a Wi-Fi or data connection from another line to download the profile, and your account number or the QR code sent by Cricket. If you have these three things, the entire process can be done from your phone.
A physical store is still useful in two specific cases: if your phone is old and you're not sure if it supports eSIM (they can confirm it on the spot with diagnostic equipment), or if you're porting your number from another carrier and the online system rejects the transfer more than once. Other than that, going to the store doesn't speed anything up: the underlying process uses the exact same QR and involves the same waiting time.
How to activate your Cricket eSIM online without scanning a QR code
If you don't have a camera available on your new phone, or you didn't receive the QR code, there's a manual way: within Settings > Cellular Data > Add eSIM, almost all modern phones offer the "Enter Details Manually" or "Manual Setup" option. There, you'll be asked for two pieces of information that also appear next to the QR code in your Cricket account: the SM-DP+ address and the activation code. Copy them exactly as they appear (they are case-sensitive) and your phone will set up the eSIM without needing to scan anything.
Another option, if your old phone still has signal, is to transfer the eSIM directly between Apple devices using the quick transfer feature that appears when you bring the two phones close together — in this case, you don't even need the QR code, because the system moves the profile automatically. This only works between compatible and updated iPhones.
Phones compatible with Cricket eSIM
Compatibility depends on the model and whether the phone is unlocked for eSIM (some originally sold with another carrier have the feature software-locked). The most reliable way to know isn't a list, it's your own phone: go to Settings > Cellular Data and look for the "Add eSIM" option. If it appears, it's compatible.
| Phone Family | Generally Compatible From | Where to Confirm |
|---|---|---|
| iPhone | iPhone XS / XR onwards | Settings > Cellular Data > Add eSIM |
| Samsung Galaxy | S20 series onwards (unlocked version) | Settings > Connections > SIM Card Manager |
| Google Pixel | Pixel 3 onwards | Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs |
| High-end Motorola | Varies by model and region of purchase | Settings > Network & Internet > SIMs |
If you bought the phone used or refurbished, also check that it doesn't have an active carrier lock: an eSIM cannot be installed on a device locked to another company, even if the model is technically compatible. To understand the complete difference between this type of digital profile and a physical card, we have an in-depth comparison between eSIM and physical SIM.
How long does Cricket eSIM activation take?
When switching phones without porting a number, activation usually completes in minutes: the profile is downloaded, the phone registers on the network, and you have signal. When the process includes porting your number from another carrier, the time changes: Cricket itself warns that this process can take longer, and in some cases, it can extend for several hours while the previous carrier releases the line.
While you wait, keep your phone connected to Wi-Fi or active data (via another line, if you have one), do not turn off the device unless the process itself asks you to, and avoid generating a second QR code "just to try": each new code invalidates the previous one and can restart the waiting time.
Common activation errors and how to resolve them
Most activation problems fall into a handful of repeated causes:
- "SIM not provisioned" or network error: almost always resolved by restarting the phone after the system confirms activation, not before.
- QR code won't scan: ensure the other device's screen (or email) doesn't have low brightness or reflections; if it continues to fail, use the manual code option described above.
- "Code already used" or invalid QR: this means a new one was already generated, either by accident or because you tried twice. Request a fresh code from your account and use only that one.
- Signal but no data: confirm that the APN is configured for Cricket; on Android phones, you sometimes have to select it manually after installing the profile.
- Phone says "not compatible" even if the model is: typically this is a carrier lock inherited from a previous purchase, not an eSIM issue itself.
If you've tried the above and the problem persists, check our guide to common eSIM problems, which covers cases that apply to any carrier, not just Cricket.
If you're porting your number at the same time: order matters
This is a detail that almost no one explains and that prevents hours without voice signal. If you're switching to Cricket from another carrier and want to port your number on the same day you activate the eSIM, activate it first while connected to Wi-Fi, confirm that your phone is already picking up Cricket's network, and only then initiate the porting process.
If the number is released by the previous carrier before the Cricket eSIM is provisioned on your phone, you'll be without calls or messages during that period — even if mobile data still works via Wi-Fi, without active cellular signal, portability gets stuck midway.
Doing it in that order (eSIM active first, then portability) doesn't speed up the process, but it prevents you from being without voice coverage exactly when you need it most, for example, if you're waiting for a work call or a call from a bank.
Does Cricket eSIM work if you travel outside the United States?
Cricket is a domestic carrier: its coverage and plans are designed for use within the United States. Outside the country, whether you cancel or keep your eSIM active, you won't have the same coverage or conditions as you do at home, and properly activating the eSIM on your phone doesn't change that reality — it's a matter of carrier coverage, not installation.
If the reason you came to this article is precisely that, traveling and needing data in another country, the solution is not to force your domestic eSIM: it's to install a second travel eSIM, specific to the destination, without touching your Cricket line or number. eSIM-compatible phones allow you to have multiple profiles saved and choose which one uses data at any given time. You can see how this coexistence between lines works in our comparison between travel eSIM and traditional roaming.
Cricket vs. an international travel eSIM: what's the difference?
They are not direct competitors: each solves a different problem. The confusion arises when someone tries to use their domestic Cricket plan to cover international travel, or vice versa.
| Cricket eSIM (domestic) | International Travel eSIM | |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage | United States | 200+ destinations, depending on the chosen plan |
| Intended for | Daily use in the US (number, calls, monthly plan) | Temporary data during international travel |
| Activation | Minutes, can be extended if number porting is involved | Approximately 1 minute once at the destination |
| Support | Cricket's own channels | 24/7 in all languages, via email and WhatsApp |
If your situation is "I need data for a trip and my Cricket plan doesn't cover me there," there's no need to struggle with roaming settings: you can check plans by destination in our international eSIM collection and install the profile as an additional line, without deactivating or affecting your Cricket eSIM.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to activate an eSIM on Cricket?
The cost depends on the plan and whether you activate it as part of a new plan, add a line, or switch from a physical SIM to an eSIM on the same line. To get the exact current price, check your Cricket account or their official website, as these amounts change over time and due to promotions.
Do I need Wi-Fi to activate Cricket eSIM?
You need some type of internet connection to download the profile, whether it's Wi-Fi or mobile data from another line. Your phone cannot download the eSIM without a connection, so if your only phone loses its physical SIM before you finish, use Wi-Fi as a backup.
Can I have both eSIM and physical SIM at the same time on Cricket?
It depends on the phone model: those that support dual SIM allow you to have one eSIM and one physical SIM active at the same time, or even two eSIMs. Check your model's specifications before assuming it's possible.
What happens if I lose my Cricket eSIM QR code?
It's not a serious problem: you can generate it again from your Cricket account (app or website). When you do, the previous code is automatically invalidated, so only the most recent one will work.
Does Cricket eSIM work for a phone bought in another country?
Only if that phone is unlocked and compatible with the network bands Cricket uses in the United States. A phone bought in another country might have band restrictions or carrier locks that prevent activation, even if it has eSIM functionality.
How do I know if my Cricket eSIM activation is complete?
The Cricket signal will appear at the top of the screen, and you'll be able to make a call or use data normally. If after a while nothing appears, restart your phone before assuming something went wrong.
Can I activate Cricket eSIM while outside the United States?
The activation process itself can be initiated from anywhere with internet access, but the line is designed to work within Cricket's coverage in the U.S. If you're going to use the phone in another country, that activation won't solve the need for data there.
In Summary
For most, activating a Cricket eSIM means logging into their account, requesting the QR code, scanning it from Settings, and waiting a few minutes — without setting foot in a store. If something goes wrong, it's almost always fixed with a restart, a new code, or checking the phone's carrier lock. If it's still stuck, then a physical store or Cricket support would be advisable.
Now, if you've reached this point because the real problem is different — you need data for a trip outside the United States and your Cricket plan doesn't cover you there — that part isn't solved by reattempting activation: it's resolved with a separate travel eSIM, which coexists with your Cricket line without affecting it. At PuraSIM, you have up to 180 days from purchase to activate it when you need it, with 24/7 support in all languages via email and WhatsApp if something isn't right at your destination. You can view plans by country in the international eSIM collection, or first review the complete guide to eSIMs for travel if you're still deciding how to manage your connection for your next trip.
