Cricket Wireless eSIM: activation, transfer and travel

How to get a Cricket eSIM

Cricket Wireless requires an unlocked, eSIM-capable, network-compatible phone when you bring your own device. Use Cricket's Compatibility Checker before purchasing service. Cricket lists iPhone XS and newer, many Samsung devices launched in 2022 or later, and Google Pixel 6 and newer, but its Samsung list is not all-inclusive.

Cricket's activation page asks for your current phone number and a 15-digit IMEI, entered without dashes or spaces. If you are bringing your number from another carrier, Cricket asks after purchase for your current wireless account number, number transfer PIN, and billing ZIP code. You can provide those details later.

Keep your existing service active while Cricket transfers your number. Cricket says most number transfers finish within 24 hours and sends an email when yours is complete. Its instructions say you can cancel your original service after that notification.

Cricket eSIM activation and QR code

Cricket Wireless's activation page tells you to scan the displayed QR code or follow your device's prompts. Cricket also emails the QR code to you. Its separate eSIM information page says that, after purchasing service, you should look for a push notification before downloading your eSIM profile.

Cricket gives the following ordered download instructions. Follow the wording for your phone:

1. On iPhone, Cricket says to open Settings and tap Cellular or Mobile Data. On Android, Cricket says to open Settings and tap Network & Internet.
2. On iPhone, Cricket says to tap Add Cellular Plan, then Add eSIM. On Android, Cricket says to tap Add Mobile Plan, then Add eSIM or Download eSIM. Cricket says this starts a search for the eSIM profile and installs it.
3. Cricket says to follow the on-screen prompts to finish.

Moving your Cricket eSIM to a new phone

For an iPhone-to-iPhone transfer, Cricket Wireless says both devices must be signed in with your Apple Account, nearby, and have Bluetooth turned on. Your previous iPhone must be unlocked with its device passcode. Cricket's transfer support page requires both phones to run iOS 18.4 or later.

Cricket gives these steps during initial setup of the new iPhone:

1. When prompted during initial setup, Cricket says to tap Transfer from Nearby iPhone.
2. Cricket says to choose the phone number or cellular plan you want to transfer.
3. Cricket says to follow the on-screen prompts on both phones. Once the new phone is active, Cricket says the old physical SIM or eSIM deactivates automatically.

Cricket's Android guidance conflicts across its pages. Its transfer support page provides Android-to-Android and Android-to-iPhone instructions, but its separate eSIM information page says Android-to-Android and Apple-to-Android transfers are unavailable. Confirm your transfer route with Cricket before relying on those instructions. Cricket lists support at 1-800-CRICKET (800-274-2538).

Cricket free eSIM trial

Cricket Wireless describes tryCricket as a 14-day free trial for an unlocked, compatible phone, with no charge or commitment. Cricket provides a temporary phone number, 3 GB of data, and unlimited talk and text during the trial.

Cricket's trial article says eSIM-capable Apple devices can use the tryCricket app. It also says eligible Android devices can use the app, while describing a mailed physical SIM for Android customers with free two-day shipping.

Cricket's trial page does not clearly state which Android devices receive an eSIM rather than a mailed physical SIM. Do not assume that access to the tryCricket app means your Android trial uses eSIM.

Cricket abroad: roaming or a travel eSIM

Cricket Wireless says you need its $45 Smart Unlimited plan or higher to add Cricket Passport before or during travel. Cricket's Unlimited Daily Pass costs $10 for 24 hours of unlimited talk, text, and data. Its Five Days Pass costs $25 and includes unlimited talk and text plus 5 GB of high-speed data.

Cricket says Passport charges begin only when voice, text, or data use starts in an eligible country. Cricket also says speed restrictions apply, and coverage and data speed vary by destination. Its pages checked here do not establish which of Mexico, Canada, Europe, or Japan have Passport coverage or roaming included in your base plan.

For comparison, these prepaid travel eSIM examples come from our price table, checked Oct 2026. They are selected examples, not a full plan list:

• Mexico: Saily lists 20 GB for 30 days at US$37.99. Airalo lists unlimited data for 7 days at US$23.50.
• Canada: Ubigi lists 10 GB for 7 days at US$15.00. Saily lists 1 GB for 7 days at US$5.29.
• Europe: Saily lists 1 GB for 7 days at US$4.99. Airalo lists unlimited data for 7 days at US$27.00.
• Japan: Saily lists 20 GB for 30 days at US$24.99. Airalo lists unlimited data for 7 days at US$26.50.

Cricket Passport's stated benefit is talk, text, and data together. The travel eSIM examples below offer different data amounts and validity periods, so compare the allowance with your trip length rather than treating the prices as equivalent packages. Airalo's unlimited label also should not be read as a promise of unrestricted speed.