How Hard Is It To Switch From Cricket Wireless To At&t - Complete Guide

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Switching from Cricket Wireless to AT&T is surprisingly straightforward, but before you make the jump, you should know there are better options available. While both carriers use AT&T's network, Cricket actually offers similar coverage at a fraction of the cost, making this switch potentially unnecessary for most users.

The Technical Switch Process

Switching from Cricket Wireless to AT&T is technically simple since both services use the same network infrastructure. The entire process typically takes 15-30 minutes and can be completed online or in-store.

You'll need your Cricket account number and PIN, which you can find in your Cricket app or by calling customer service. AT&T will handle the number porting process automatically when you activate your new service. Your Cricket service will be cancelled automatically once the port completes.

The main challenge isn't technical complexity—it's justifying the dramatic price increase for what amounts to the same network experience.

Why This Switch Often Doesn't Make Sense

Cricket Wireless operates as AT&T's prepaid brand, using the exact same cell towers and coverage areas. The primary differences are pricing structure and network priority during congestion.

AT&T postpaid customers get higher priority during busy periods, meaning faster speeds when towers are crowded. However, this advantage is often negligible in real-world usage. Most Cricket customers experience identical performance to AT&T postpaid in everyday situations.

The cost difference is substantial. Cricket's plans range from $30-60 per month, while AT&T's comparable plans start at $65 and can exceed $100 monthly. For most users, you're paying double for marginally better network priority.

Better Alternatives to Consider

Before switching to AT&T, consider these superior options that consistently rank higher in our testing:

Visible (10/11 rating) operates on Verizon's network, which provides better overall coverage than AT&T in most areas. At $25 per month with taxes included, it costs less than Cricket while delivering superior network performance. Visible offers truly unlimited data with no throttling after specific usage caps.

US Mobile (9.5/11 rating) provides access to all three major networks, allowing you to choose Verizon, T-Mobile, or AT&T coverage based on your location. Their build-your-own plan structure offers excellent flexibility, with prices starting around $15 monthly.

Tello (9.5/11 rating) uses T-Mobile's network and offers plans from $8-25 monthly. While T-Mobile coverage varies by location, Tello provides exceptional value with unlimited hotspot data and no data breaches in their security history.

What You'll Actually Gain vs. Lose

Switching from Cricket to AT&T provides few tangible benefits for most users. You'll gain slightly higher network priority during peak usage times and access to AT&T's premium customer support. International roaming options are more extensive with AT&T postpaid plans.

However, the losses are significant. Your monthly costs will roughly double, and you'll deal with more complex billing, potential overage fees, and contract commitments. The network coverage remains identical since both services use AT&T's infrastructure.

For heavy data users, Cricket's speed limitations (8 Mbps for most plans) might justify the switch. AT&T postpaid offers faster peak speeds, though most online activities work fine at Cricket's speeds.

Step-by-Step Switching Process

If you're determined to switch despite the cost increase, here's the complete process:

Preparation Phase: Gather your Cricket account information including your account number and PIN. These details are available in the MyCricket app under account settings. Ensure your Cricket account is in good standing with no outstanding balances.

Choose Your AT&T Plan: Review AT&T's current offerings and select a plan that matches your usage needs. Popular options include the Unlimited Starter ($65/month) and Unlimited Extra ($75/month). Factor in taxes and fees, which typically add $5-10 monthly.

Initiate the Switch: Visit AT&T's website or a retail store to begin the process. Provide your Cricket account details when prompted. AT&T will handle the number porting automatically—don't cancel Cricket service yourself, as this could cause you to lose your phone number.

Activation: Once AT&T processes your information, they'll send a new SIM card or provide eSIM activation instructions. Follow the provided setup steps to activate service on your device.

The entire process typically completes within a few hours, though complex ports can take up to 24 hours in rare cases.

Device Compatibility Considerations

Most phones that work with Cricket will function perfectly on AT&T since they share network infrastructure. However, newer AT&T plans may require 5G-compatible devices for optimal performance.

If you're using an older phone, verify it supports AT&T's current network bands. The carrier has been shutting down 3G services, so devices from before 2018 might need replacement.

Cricket phones purchased directly from the carrier are typically locked to their network for a specific period. You'll need to unlock your device before switching, which Cricket will do free after 60 days of service and account good standing.

Cost Comparison Reality Check

Let's examine the real financial impact of this switch with concrete numbers:

Cricket Wireless: The popular $40/month plan includes unlimited talk, text, and data (throttled after 22GB) with mobile hotspot capability. Total monthly cost with taxes is exactly $40.

AT&T Unlimited Starter: The comparable AT&T plan costs $65/month plus taxes and fees, typically totaling around $72-75 monthly. You're paying roughly 80% more for the same network coverage.

Over a year, you'll spend an additional $384-420 for marginally better network priority. That's enough money to purchase a quality unlocked smartphone or cover several months of service with a better-rated carrier like Visible.

Network Performance Reality

AT&T's marketing suggests significant performance advantages over Cricket, but real-world testing reveals minimal differences for typical usage. Both services access the same cell towers and coverage areas.

The primary distinction involves network priority during congestion. AT&T postpaid customers get faster speeds when towers are overloaded, typically during major events or in extremely dense urban areas. For most users in most locations, this difference is imperceptible.

Speed tests often show identical performance between Cricket and AT&T in suburban and rural areas where network congestion is minimal. The priority advantage primarily matters in specific high-traffic situations.

When the Switch Makes Sense

Despite our general recommendation against this switch, certain situations might justify the move:

Heavy business users who need guaranteed fast speeds for video conferencing or large file uploads might benefit from AT&T's network priority. The cost increase could be justified by business productivity gains.

International travelers will find AT&T's postpaid international roaming options more comprehensive than Cricket's limited offerings. If you frequently travel abroad, the additional monthly cost might be worthwhile.

Family plan scenarios sometimes make AT&T more competitive on a per-line basis. Large families might find AT&T's multi-line discounts reduce the cost gap with Cricket.

Best Phone to Pair With This Plan

If you need an unlocked phone that works perfectly with AT&T, we recommend the Google Pixel 9a. It's our top budget phone pick for 2026:

• Works with all US carriers (Verizon, T-Mobile, AT&T networks)
• Supports eSIM + physical SIM for easy switching
• 7 years of software updates
• Excellent camera and battery life
• Around $499 unlocked

View Pixel 9a on Amazon →

Our Recommendation: Consider Better Options

Given the minimal benefits and substantial cost increase, we strongly recommend considering alternatives before switching from Cricket to AT&T. The process is easy, but the value proposition is poor.

For most users: Switch to Visible instead. You'll get better network coverage (Verizon vs. AT&T), lower costs ($25 vs. $65+), and a higher overall rating (10/11 vs. Cricket's 6/11). The switch process is equally simple, and you'll save hundreds annually.

For T-Mobile coverage areas: Consider Tello (9.5/11 rating) with plans starting at just $8 monthly. You'll dramatically reduce costs while potentially improving coverage in your area.

For maximum flexibility: US Mobile (9.5/11 rating) lets you test all three networks to find the best coverage in your specific location. Their build-your-own plan structure ensures you only pay for features you actually use.

The Bottom Line

Switching from Cricket Wireless to AT&T is technically straightforward but financially questionable for most users. You'll pay roughly double for the same network coverage with minimal real-world performance improvements. The 15-30 minute switch process is the easy part—justifying the dramatic cost increase is much harder. Instead of AT&T, consider Visible for better value on Verizon's superior network, or explore our other top-rated carriers that offer better overall experiences at competitive prices.

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