Knowing how to get free hotspot on a Cricket phone can help you save on your mobile data. Let me share with you how you can do it.
Cricket Wireless offers unlimited data plans that you can use. However, if you don’t get the one with hotspot capabilities, you won’t be able to share it.
Here are the exact steps we took so you can share your data without paying more than you need.
Let’s find out how!
To get a free hotspot on a Cricket phone, install the Setting Database Editor. Then, scroll down to the Tether Entitlement Check State and change the subject number. Finally, change the default settings on your phone to APN type. If this doesn’t work, restart your phone to save the changes.
Before we get into the specific details of getting a free hotspot on a Cricket phone, let us show you the factors you need to consider first.
Making the Free Mobile Hotspot Cricket to Work
When you are trying to pull off hacks like this, there will always be a little resistance.
So, the first thing you have to do is make sure you don’t have any outstanding balance on your account.
Then, you can proceed to check other important considerations such as:
1. Device Compatibility
Only a few select phone brands are compatible with Cricket. The hotspot feature requires you to have an eligible device and a qualifying data rate plan.
2. Cricket Unlimited Plan
Unlimited plans have limited data restrictions. You can only use a preset amount of data every day.
Once you hit it, data speeds become slower for the rest of the billing cycle.
3. Cricket Subscription is Paid on Time
The more you pay on a subscription, the higher your data limit.
But to get a free hotspot, you need to have access. You can only do so with an active subscription.
4. Tools You Need
To get a free hotspot on your Cricket phone, you need to download and install the Setting Database Editor from the App Store or Google Play.
The app allows you to access and manage the network settings on your device.
5. Settings to Use
You need to modify your phone settings to apply the changes made through the Setting Database Editor app.
Now you know the important factors in getting a free hotspot on your Cricket.
Let us move on to the actual steps of the process.
How to Get Free Hotspot on a Cricket Phone – Steps!
Before we discuss the steps to get a Cricket hotspot free in detail, you have to pay for unlimited data deals.
You cannot hack the data plan if you don’t have access to it.
Cricket offers a range of data plans. Some don’t include the hotspot feature. You’d have to spend extra money. Luckily, there is a way to go around it.
If you already have an account, move to the next phase and follow the guidelines below.
Step #1: Get the Settings Database Editor
Cricket Mobile offers unlimited data plans that you can use to connect to the internet on your phone.
One of the issues is that this is limited in the sense that you’re not allowed to share it.
They have a separate unlimited data plan that includes the hotspot feature for $10 more.
Ten dollars doesn’t sound like a lot. However, since it’s a monthly payment, it can quickly add up, especially if you don’t share your internet via a hotspot that often.
To get around this, you need to start somewhere, and getting the Settings Database Editor app is the first step you want to take.
Here’s how to download the Settings Database Editor app on your phone:
- Go to your phone’s app store (Play Store or App Store)
- Type in Settings Database Editor.
- Download the corresponding app.
- Tap on the Install button.
Note: This won’t take more than a few seconds, and make sure that the installation process is complete before you launch it.
Step #2: Look for the Tether Entitlement Check State Option
Now that you have the Settings Database Editor all set up on your phone, it’s time to make some changes.
The particular setting you’re looking for is called the Tether Entitlement Check State setting. It’s a registry entry that controls the wireless module on your phone.
If you’re not subscribed to Cricket Wireless’ unlimited plan with a mobile hotspot, this setting will stop it from sharing your connection.
Editing this bypasses the lock set by Cricket Wireless, allowing you to use your phone to share your internet without having to get the hotspot option in your plan.
Here’s how to find the Tether Entitlement Check State entry on your phone’s database:
- Go to your phone’s menu.
- Locate the Settings Database Editor app.
- Tap on it to launch it.
- Scroll down until you find the Tether Entitlement Check State entry.
Note: The name of the database item will look like tether_entitlement_check_state, so make sure you watch out for that.
Step #3: Change the Subject Number on the Editor
You can now change the value of this particular item on your phone’s database.
Doing this will officially change the setting and open up your phone’s wireless module to share your Cricket Wireless internet.
You’re looking to change the subject number here, which controls the locks on your hotspot module.
Here’s how to change the subject number:
- Tap on the Tether Entitlement Check State item.
- Wait for a pop-up dialog box to appear on your screen.
- Type in the value as -1.
- Go back to the Settings Database Editor app home screen.
- Close the app.
Tip: The value you want to type in is -1. Don’t forget the - sign, as this can cause issues down the road.
Step #4: Select the Cricket Network on Your Device
After using the Settings Database Editor app, the job’s not done yet. You only made changes to your phone’s hardware settings.
You’ll still need to make additional changes to your wireless module can properly use those new registry settings.
In this step, you’ll need to specify that you want to connect to the Cricket Wireless network.
Here’s how you can do it properly:
- Open your phone’s Settings app.
- Select Mobile Networks.
- Tap on the Access Point Names menu.
- Choose Cricket from the list.
Step #5: Change Your APN Settings
These are the most important steps to be successful in this hack.
Now that you’ve specified to connect to the Cricket network, you’re going to want to make changes to the APN settings.
You want to change the APN Type in particular.
Here’s how to change your Cricket APN settings:
- Go to your phone’s Settings, then Mobile Networks.
- Select Access Point Names, then Cricket.
- Find the item that says APN Type.
- Replace the value with “default, MMS, dun, supl.”
- Return to your phone’s home screen.
Note: You might need to restart your device for the settings to take effect fully.
Step #6: Confirm Your Internet is from the Hotspot
You’ll now need to check if the changes you made work.
First, you want to ensure that your Cricket Wireless plan does not include the hotspot package.
If you’re sure about that, you can share your connection and see if they work, and you can use your phone as a hotspot.
Here’s how to use your phone as a hotspot:
- Turn on mobile data on your phone.
- Turn on your phone’s hotspot feature in the settings.
- Connect your laptop or another phone to it.
- On your other device, check if you can connect to the internet.
Tip: You can find the username and password of your hotspot after you turn it on.
These are the steps you need to take to turn your Cricket phone into a hotspot without spending more on your current plan.
Yes, it’s not entirely free, but if you can save $10 a month for a feature you’re likely going to use several times a year, it adds up.
Contact Cricket Wireless for assistance if you run into issues with your Cricket phone and hotspot capabilities.
Read Next: How to Change a Verizon Phone to Cricket?
Bottom Line
Now that you know how to get free hotspot on a Cricket phone, you should be able to share your mobile data even if your plan doesn’t allow it.
These steps are incredibly easy, and you don’t even need to have any technical expertise to get this hack to work.
Kevin has over five years of experience working in various Tech startups and providing Technical solutions. He has contributed to many Tech publications and websites. Check out more about him here.