How do I fix a Samsung Galaxy that only shows Emergency calls only?
Answer
Emergency calls only on a Galaxy usually means the SIM is not registering on the Cricket network, so reseat the SIM, confirm network mode, and verify the Cricket account is active before replacing hardware.
Before you start: stop right away if…
- Emergency calling may still work while normal Cricket service is down; arrange another way to stay reachable if the outage continues.
Follow these steps
Power off and reseat the SIM
Turn the Galaxy completely off. Remove the SIM tray, take the SIM out, reinsert it firmly in the correct orientation, then close the tray.
You should see: The SIM is seated securely and the phone is ready to power on.
Turn the phone back on and watch the status
Power the phone on and wait one to two minutes. Check the status bar for carrier name, signal bars, or whether Emergency calls only remains.
You should see: Normal Cricket service appears, or emergency-only status returns.
Set network mode to automatic
Go to Settings > Connections > Mobile networks and set Network mode to LTE/3G/2G (auto connect) or the automatic option available on your model.
You should see: The phone searches again and either registers on the network or still cannot.
Confirm the Cricket account is active
Sign in to the official Cricket account app or website, or call Cricket support, and confirm the line is active and not suspended for billing or a plan change.
You should see: The account shows active service, or Cricket confirms a suspension or provisioning issue.
Check that the phone reports an IMEI
Open the Phone app and dial *#06#. Note the IMEI shown. If nothing appears, tell Cricket the phone is not reporting an IMEI when you contact them.
You should see: An IMEI number is displayed, or you have confirmed it is missing for support.
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Extra tips
What to look for: Status text such as Emergency calls only, No SIM, or missing signal with no normal calling
Before you change anything: Confirm you are using the Cricket SIM that belongs to this line. Check whether the Cricket account bill is current before resetting the phone. Avoid a factory reset until SIM and account checks are done. Never share account passwords or codes with unexpected callers.