Cricket Wi-Fi Calling breaks when the line is not active, the phone is not supported, the emergency address is not verified, or the Wi-Fi network is blocking the connection. The fix starts with Cricket eligibility, then moves through the phone settings, Wi-Fi checks, software updates, and network resets.
Work through these in order. The early steps catch the usual setup problems before you erase saved networks or call support.
1. Confirm Cricket Support First
Start here if the Wi-Fi Calling menu is missing or the feature never worked on this phone.
- Make sure your current Cricket monthly plan cycle is paid.
- Test regular calls, texts, and email. If normal service is broken, fix the account or service issue first.
- Confirm the phone is Cricket Wi-Fi Calling-capable. Cricket requires an active, paid line, a Wi-Fi Calling-capable phone, an active Wi-Fi network, and a phone that has connected to the Cricket network at least once.
- Cricket supports compatible iPhones, Cricket Wi-Fi Calling-capable phones, most Cricket-sold devices since 2020, and select BYOD Android phones.
- For BYOD, go to Cricket’s Bring Your Own Phone page and use Check IMEI Now.
If a BYOD Android phone passes the IMEI check but still has no Wi-Fi Calling option, Cricket needs to verify provisioning on the line and SIM or eSIM.
2. Turn On Wi-Fi Calling Correctly
- 1.On iPhone, open Settings > Phone > Wi-Fi Calling.
- 2.Turn on Wi-Fi Calling on This iPhone.
- 3.Tap Enable, then Continue.
- 4.Tap I agree.
- 5.Enter your emergency 911 address and verify it.
- 6.Tap OK and confirm Wi-Fi Calling is on.
Apple’s current iPhone path is Settings > Cellular > your Cricket line under SIMs > Wi-Fi Calling > Wi-Fi Calling on This iPhone. Cricket also lists a newer iOS-style route through Settings > Apps > Phone > Wi-Fi Calling.
On Android, use Cricket’s path first: Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi Calling > I agree > enter your emergency 911 address > Verify address > Done.
On Pixel and current Android settings, use Settings > Network & internet > SIMs > Carrier SIM > Wi-Fi calling. On Samsung Galaxy, use Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi Calling.
3. Fix the Emergency Address
An invalid or rejected emergency 911 address can stop setup from completing, and an outdated but accepted address should be updated so 911 calls route to the right location. Open the phone’s Wi-Fi Calling settings, choose Change Address, update the Wi-Fi Calling location or emergency 911 address, then save it.
Once the address is accepted, turn Wi-Fi Calling off and back on from the same screen. Then place a test call while connected to Wi-Fi.
4. Restart and Refresh the Connection
A restart clears the phone’s current network state without deleting anything.
- 1.On iPhone X, 11, 12, 13, or later, press and hold either volume button and the side button until the power-off slider appears, drag the slider, wait 30 seconds, then hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. On iPhone SE (2nd or 3rd generation), press and hold the side button instead; on iPhone SE (1st generation), 6, 7, or 8, press and hold the top button.
- 2.On Samsung, swipe down with two fingers, tap the Power icon, tap Restart, then tap Restart again.
- 3.On Pixel 6 and later, press Power and Volume up for a few seconds, then tap Restart.
- 4.On Pixel 5a and earlier, press Power for about 30 seconds or until the phone restarts.
After the restart, refresh the radio connection. Open Settings, turn Airplane Mode on, wait 10 seconds, then turn Airplane Mode off. If you use Wi-Fi Calling while cellular is weak or while Airplane Mode is on, turn Wi-Fi back on afterward.
If the phone is frozen, force restart it. On iPhone 8 or later, press and quickly release volume up, press and quickly release volume down, then hold the side button until the Apple logo appears. On iPhone 7 or 7 Plus, hold volume down and the side button; on iPhone 6s or SE (1st generation), hold the Home button and the side button. On Pixel, hold Power for up to 60 seconds and release when the G logo appears.
5. Move to a Better Wi-Fi Network
- On Android, open Settings > Network & internet > Internet, confirm Wi-Fi is on, and check the Wi-Fi signal bars.
- Move closer to the router when the signal is weak.
- On Android, swipe down from the top, touch and hold Internet, then tap Reset to reset the current internet connection.
- On iPhone, confirm other devices connect to the same Wi-Fi network and make sure the router is on and in range.
- Try another router band, such as 5 GHz instead of 2.4 GHz, when your router offers both.
Wi-Fi Calling depends on the Wi-Fi network, and Apple states that not all Wi-Fi networks work with it. Test Cricket Wi-Fi Calling on another Wi-Fi network before changing deeper phone settings.
6. Restart the Router and Remove Blocks
For home Wi-Fi, unplug the router from the electrical outlet and make sure its lights go out. Wait 30 seconds, plug it back in, then wait about 30 seconds for the lights to return. Test Cricket Wi-Fi Calling again after the network reconnects.
On school, business, or managed Wi-Fi, ask the network admin to allow the traffic Wi-Fi Calling needs on AT&T’s network. The admin fix is to allow IPSec pass-through, open UDP 500, UDP 4500, and TCP 143, set MTU to 1500 where configurable, allow epdg.epc.att.net, sentitlement2.mobile.att.net, and vvm.mobile.att.net, then update router, modem, or switch firmware from the manufacturer’s official site.
7. Update the Phone and Carrier Settings
Cricket says to keep the phone on the latest software, and Apple says carrier settings updates add carrier support for features such as Wi-Fi Calling.
- On iPhone, open Settings > General > Software Update.
- To install an iPhone carrier settings update, connect to Wi-Fi or cellular, open Settings > General > About, then follow the onscreen instructions when a carrier update appears.
- On Samsung, open Settings > Software update or System updates > Download and install, Check for system updates, or Check for software updates.
- On Pixel, open Settings > System > Software update or Software updates, then follow the onscreen steps.
8. Reset Networks and Contact Cricket
- 1.On iPhone, confirm Wi-Fi Calling is on under Settings > Cellular > your Cricket line > Wi-Fi Calling.
- 2.Then open Settings > General > Transfer or Reset iPhone > Reset > Reset Network Settings.
- 3.On Samsung, open Settings > General management > Reset > Reset mobile network settings or Reset Wi-Fi and Bluetooth settings > Reset settings.
- 4.Reconnect on Samsung through Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi, then enable Wi-Fi Calling again through Settings > Connections > Wi-Fi Calling.
Use a network reset after eligibility, setup, Wi-Fi, router, and update checks are done. This removes saved Wi-Fi networks and passwords, cellular settings, VPN settings, and APN settings.
For phones with a removable SIM, power the phone off, remove and reinsert the SIM, then turn it back on. On older phones with a removable battery, Cricket also recommends removing and replacing the battery while the phone is off.
If Cricket Wi-Fi Calling still does not work, contact Cricket Chat, call 1-800-CRICKET (274-2538), dial 611 from a Cricket phone, or visit a Cricket store. Ask support to confirm Wi-Fi Calling support on your line and device, correct IMEI or eSIM/SIM provisioning, and correct APN settings.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is Cricket Wi-Fi Calling missing from my phone settings?
The phone or line is not provisioned for Cricket Wi-Fi Calling. Cricket supports compatible iPhones, Cricket Wi-Fi Calling-capable phones, most Cricket-sold devices since 2020, and select BYOD Android phones. Use Cricket’s IMEI checker for BYOD phones, then contact Cricket if the menu is still missing.
Does Cricket Wi-Fi Calling work in Airplane Mode?
Yes. Cricket says Wi-Fi Calling works when cellular is weak or the device is in Airplane Mode with Wi-Fi enabled, as long as the phone has previously connected to the Cricket network.
Why does Wi-Fi Calling fail only on one Wi-Fi network?
Apple says not all Wi-Fi networks work with Wi-Fi Calling. Test another Wi-Fi network, restart the router, move closer to it, or ask the network owner to check firewall restrictions.
Can I use Cricket Wi-Fi Calling on an iPad or Mac through my iPhone?
Apple lists Cricket as supporting Wi-Fi Calling, but not the extra Wi-Fi Calling on supported iCloud-connected devices feature. Do not rely on iPad, Mac, or Apple Watch Wi-Fi Calling support with Cricket unless Cricket enables it for your setup.
