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This post was originally published by KUKU in Roundup of phone purchase deals (101 Express). Because it became very popular, and because Cricket runs phone promotions year-round, it has been spun off into a standalone article. Contributors to this post also include Wangbo and BY.

Deal link: https://www.cricketwireless.com/current-phone-and-plan-deals (remember to click through from a cash-back site)

  • Feel free to use our refer link
  • The refer system is quirky and often delayed. Be patient, and do not apply for the code multiple times, or you may waste a slot.
  • If the refer link in this article has reached its limit, you can use a reader's refer link from the comments section instead.

Cricket only offers a one-time cash back through shopping portals, and tracking is usually not difficult.

In addition, this article has been updated with instructions on how to unlock the phone after 6 months of use. Click here. We strongly recommend waiting 6 months before unlocking.

  • After receiving the phone, use a referral code. Use the service for two months and you will get a $25 account credit, effectively covering the third month.
  • One address can order two phones. Refer each line to the other (+ downgrade the plan), and you get another $25 in account credit, effectively covering the fourth month.
  • Then refer a friend, and you can keep the cost low through the sixth month. Making it to the unlock point should definitely not be a problem.

[Updated 2022.3] The best Cricket deals right now are the iPhone XR ($50) and iPhone 11 ($100).

In addition, WeChat reader Hami Gua submitted a new play: “Get three unlocked Cricket Dream 5G Android phones cheaply (requires port-in).” The refer link in this article includes the contributor's link. Here is how it works:

  • Prepare a number for port-in. Recommended options include Visible (cost $5, self-refer) or Google Fi
  • Feel free to use our refer link to get a $25 off code, which must be added after receiving the phone and can be used toward the bill.
  • Click through to Cricket from a shopping portal. Recommended: RebatesMe or Mrrebates
  • Buy 5 phones total (2 iPhone 11 + 3 Cricket Dream 5G Android phones) for a total price of $600
  • In incognito mode, wait for a while on the cart page so Cricket thinks you are hesitating. A 25 off coupon may pop up. Click Unlock Discount for $25 off, and if you also have the Cricket offer via Chase offer, you can save another $25.
  • Get $8 back from RebatesMe, bringing the final price to 600-25-25-8=$542+tax.
  • The two iPhone 11 phones can be traded in at GameStop for a total of $524 in Vanilla Visa gift cards.
  • The Cricket Dream 5G can be remotely unlocked on eBay for $6 (click here for the eBay unlock), so in the end it is like paying $50 for three Android phones with 5G support.

[Updated 2021.12] Based on BY's latest DP, Cricket changed the terms, and promo phones can no longer be proactively downgraded to the $30 plan. If you bought a phone, in theory you now need to stick with the $60 plan for the full three months, which makes this less attractive for those who want to hold long term. If you already purchased, you can try asking customer service to downgrade it.

[Updated 2021.5 #2] If you followed this deal through the blog, the first batch of iPhone SE2 devices will become unlockable in a few days, and the second batch about a month later. Click here to jump to the unlocking steps.

Image from WeChat reader Gray

About Cricket

Cricket is a classic U.S. MVNO, and its parent company is AT & T, which also provides the network. So if you like AT & T but do not like its high monthly bill, Cricket is a good option. Cricket also frequently runs solid phone promotions. These are locked phones, but they can be unlocked after just 6 months of use, and there are ways to keep the service cost to a minimum. Cricket often offers excellent discounts, especially on port-in promotions.

Current Best Deal

The best deal right now is on the iPhone SE2 (64G, $50; 128G, $100). There were previously strong promotions on the iPhone 7 and iPhone 8P as well, and we will keep updating this post with the best current offers.

  • The phones are locked.
  • The current promotion ends on January 21, 2021.
  • Your final pre-tax cost can be $75-$100 [or $80-$105 after tax].

This may be the cheapest iPhone SE2 deal ever. We previously wrote about a $120-$140 Visible deal, but this one is even better. Of course, this phone is locked. If you actually need it, you can use it for 6 months and then unlock it. Or you can skip the unlock and take it straight to an in-store trade-in, where it is worth a $205-$210 Apple gift card. Yes, you read that right: you can trade it for a gift card.

So all in, you could come out ahead by $100+ in Apple gift cards, and this deal allows multiple purchases. If your plan is to do an in-store Apple Store trade-in, do not buy the 128G version. Trade-in value does not depend on storage, so the cheaper one is the better buy.

What You Need

Most of Cricket's best phone deals require a port-in, so here is what you need to prepare:

  • A physical SIM card
  • SSN (you need to enter the last four digits; if you do not have one, you can use 0001 or 0000)
  • Shopping portals
  • Chase/BofA offer ($25 off), or use AMEX wireless credit ($10 or $20 back)
  • Referral code [optional; if you are not using one, then you do not need this]

Physical SIM Card

GV port-in is not accepted. You can use a phone or SIM deal you picked up previously, or refer to online summaries.

For example:

Some options previously covered on this site:

Not yet covered on this site:

  • Ting, often $1 at Target [Tip: if it is the red card, go to account setting and click port out. If it is the blue card, after you reach that page, change iaccount in the URL to account. HT: WeChat reader Orcinus orca]
  • SpeedTalk Mobile $5 Prepaid GSM Sim [After activation, set up an account on the official website. You can submit a Port-away request by message, and later receive a text with the Account and Pin.]
  • Ultra, a legendary SIM for use outside the U.S.; guide coming later. Ask online customer service for the info.
  • [Very difficult] Lycamoblie, once a legendary SIM with nearly zero cost worldwide; guide coming later. It is only so-so now and getting the info is difficult. Asking via Twitter is recommended.
  • [Dead] FreedomPop. Cricket no longer accepts FreedomPop for Port-in, but you can still port it into Visible.

Once you have the phone number's Account number and pin, you are ready for Port-in.

SSN

This deal requires the last four digits of an SSN, so you cannot buy it without one. If you really do not have an SSN, you can try 0000 or 0001.

Cashback sites

Cricket only offers one-time cashback through cashback sites, and tracking is usually not difficult.

Credit card offer/reimbursement

Check your Chase and BofA offers; you may get lucky. Registration is required, and both the phone purchase and service payment can trigger them:

Image from the blog author, Mr. Bo

You can also use an AMEX Green or Platinum card with wireless service reimbursement benefits; no registration is required:

Refer bonus

With a refer link, you can enter your own email address and receive a code by email; it is valid for 30 days. When activating the phone after purchase, enter the code, and after 60 days of service you will receive a $25 service credit.

  • Feel free to use our refer link
  • Refer can be quirky and often gets delayed. Be patient, and do not request the code multiple times, or you may waste the slot.
  • If the refer link in the article is already maxed out, you can use a reader's refer link from the comments section.

If you do not plan to use the phone or do not need to unlock it and will take it straight to Trade-in, you can skip this step.

You can also buy the phone first and deal with refer later by giving the referral code to someone who needs it.

Purchase walkthrough

Once the above is ready, buying the phone only takes a few minutes.

  • You need a native U.S. IP to purchase (non-U.S. IPs and VPN purchases are not supported). If you are outside the U.S., you may want to consider Google Fi.

Be sure to click through from one of the cashback sites above to the Cricket website, then find the iPhone SE2 port-in deal shown below:

  • iPhone SE2 64 G, $49.99 [If you only want it for trade-in, just choose this one]
  • iPhone SE2 128 G, $99.99 [Not highly recommended]

The process is easy:

  • You need to choose the $60/m monthly plan, or the phone price will revert to full price. After purchase, you can downgrade to the cheapest $30/m plan. (You will get a $30 Cricket credit refund for the first month.) [Explained below]
  • During checkout, you will need to enter the information for the phone number you are porting in.
  • You need to enter the last four digits of your SSN.
  • If your payment will not go through, you can try PayPal Key. Since it is treated as a debit card, it often works surprisingly well.
  • Note: QQ email may not receive the order confirmation email, but that does not affect the order.

Shipping is next-business-day delivery. A few hours after purchase, you should receive the shipping email.

[Possibly dead] It may be possible to buy two phones in one order, which is the maximum supported. You need two numbers to Port-in. When ordering, choose add a line. The phone price is the same, but for the first month you only need to pay $90 in service charges ($45/line), effectively saving another $30. (You must Port-in the primary number first when purchasing.) After the order succeeds, you will receive an email asking you to add the second line. This method is now more likely to get the order canceled, so use your own judgment. HT: Mr. Bo

Cashback tracking

The author used Rakuten ($5/500 MR), and the cashback posted quickly. Many readers used RebatesMe (currently the highest cashback at $11, recommended), and tracking was also fast. In both cases, you can usually see the tracking once the phone ships. YMMV. As shown below, the price displayed is the phone's original price:

Image from WeChat reader @朱松枥, using RebatesMe

Direct Trade-in

If you are only doing this for the phone, the rough pre-tax cost is $50 + $60 - $10 = $100 (or $75). After receiving the phone, you can take it directly to an Apple Store for Trade-in, and the staff will give you an Apple gift card worth $205-$210.

This method is very bug-like, so do not tell the store staff how you got the phone. If you really have to answer, just say it came free with prepaid service.

After the Trade-in, the Sim is still active. If you want, you can keep using it; you just need an unlocked phone.

Continue using Cricket

If you actually need this phone service or want to unlock the phone, keep reading this section.

Activate the phone

When activating, you need to enter the referral code mentioned above. That way, after 60 days of actual use, you can receive a $25 service credit.

After activation, download the app, create an account, and log in to enter the referral code. PS: If you are outside the United States, activation requires a native US IP, such as Google Fi.

Enter the referral code generated earlier. You need to stay active for 60 days to trigger the reward

Downgrade the plan (do it right away)

If you do not have a big data need, or are only doing this for the deal, we recommend downgrading to the cheapest plan: 2GB of high-speed LTE data. After that, speeds are reduced to 2G. Texting and calling are unlimited, and the cost is $30/m.

  • Path: after registering your online account, go to “Plan & Service” on the website or “Plan info” in the app, then “Edit Plan & Features”
  • After downgrading, you will get a $30 credit back for the first month, and the monthly cost afterward is $30
  • Cricket runs on AT & T’s network and is generally recommended
Where to change the plan

Family Plan

If multiple people will use it long term, you can consider setting up a family plan. For details, see the official explanation. The regular unlimited data plan is the most recommended:

  • Cricket Core Plan [unlimited data, 4-5 lines, $25/m]
What you get: unlimited calling minutes, unlimited texts and picture/video messages, and unlimited data access* with speeds up to 8 Mbps for each member of the family. Includes unlimited video streaming at DVD quality (about 480p) plus select international features. Remember, all lines on the account must be on the $55/mo Cricket Core Plan. View plan details

*Data speed 8 Mbps. Video streaming at 1.5 Mbps (about 480p) .


If you set up a group plan, possibly only the primary account holder can refer.

Unlocking

It is strongly recommended to keep service for 6 months before unlocking.

  • After receiving the phone, immediately downgrade the plan. You will get a $30 service credit back, which can cover the second month (that is, two months of use)
  • Use a referral code, stay active for two months, and get a $25 service credit (equivalent to covering the third month)
  • One address can order two phones. Refer each other (+ downgrade the plan), and you get another $25 service credit (equivalent to covering the fourth month)
  • Then refer a friend, and it should be no problem to keep costs low through the sixth month until unlock eligibility.

After 6 months of use, you can unlock it. The account’s Account Settings page provides the unlock code. HT: V1ctor

After clicking it, you can unlock the phone (requires 6 months of use).

What to do with the number afterward

If you actually need it, just keep using it; Cricket’s coverage is pretty good. If you do not want to keep it, you can consider:

  • Using it for other port-in promotions
  • Porting in to Google Voice

Summary

Cashback sites usually track very quickly; in most cases, it shows up once the phone ships, though YMMV. If you are also doing a Trade-in, it is like making an extra $100+ on top (for example, by buying Apple gift cards at half price or an even deeper discount), so this deal is very solid. You can also use it with a SIM interposer or without cellular service. iPhones are especially useful for this kind of deal-hunting, so having an extra one is not a bad thing.

More phone deal articles