Cricut Joy setup

Cricut Joy is a tiny machine in the Cricut lineup that connects to a computer and mobile devices to cut, draw, and write on compatible materials. It can be connected to devices only via a Bluetooth connection. It doesn’t support USB connectivity, unlike other Cricut machines. To complete the setup, you need to download and install the Cricut Design Space software. Users can use this software to create designs and finally send them to the Cricut Joy. Check the step-by-step instructions to set it up. 

Step 1: Turn On the Cricut Joy 

Ensure that you’ve unpacked the machine and removed the adhesive packaging from it. Then, connect its power cable to the power socket. Cricut Joy turns on as you power it on from the main switch, as it doesn’t have any power buttons. 

Step 2: Download & Install the Cricut Design Space 

Cricut Design Space is a design app for all the Cricut cutting machines, including Cricut Joy. However, Cricut Joy had its own app before November 2023, but then it was discontinued due to low usage. With the Design Space app, users can create designs, modify and customize them for cutting, drawing, writing, or a variety of other functions. 

Here are the instructions to download and install this app. 

On Windows 

If you’re a Windows user, follow these steps to install the Design Space app. 

1. Start by visiting design.cricut.com on an internet browser and entering the machine model name in the search field. 
2. Check the box to accept the Cricut Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. 
3. Hit the Download button to download the app. 
4. Once the download is finished, double-click on the file in the Downloads folder. 
5. An installation window will appear. Let the app install. 

On Mac 

If you’re a Mac user, follow the instructions to install the Design Space. 

1. Visit design.cricut.com on an internet browser, and enter your machine’s model in the search field. 
2. Check the box to accept the Cricut Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. 
3. Click the Download button in green. 
4. Select a folder to save the file and click the Save button. 
5. Once the download is complete, navigate to the Downloads folder and double-click on the file. 
6. The Cricut Design Space icon will appear on the screen. Drag it into the Applications folder. 
7. Double-click the Design Space file in the Applications folder and let the installation run. 
8. Select the Open button to open the application. 

Once the app is installed, sign in to the Cricut account. 

Step 3: Sign In/Create an Account 

Users who have used Design Space can use the same account details to sign in. The beginner users need to create a new account to sign in to the application. 

1. To sign in, enter the username and the password. 
2. To create a new account, fill in the necessary fields, including your full name, country or region, email address, and create a password. 
3. Re-enter the password to confirm, and then use the credentials to sign in to Design Space. 

Step 4: Connect Machine to the Computer

Cricut Joy needs to be connected to a device to work. Here are the instructions to connect it to a Windows and Mac computer. 

On Windows 

1. Click the Windows icon at the bottom of the computer’s screen. 
2. Type Settings in the search bar and open it. 
3. Select the Bluetooth & Devices option from the left sidebar. 
4. Click the Add device option at the top right corner of the screen. 
5. Now, the available Bluetooth devices will appear on the list. 
6. Select the Cricut Joy machine from the list and enter the PIN as “0000” if asked. 
7. The computer will show a “Connected” or “Paired” message. 

On Mac 

1. Go to the Apple menu and open the System Settings or System Preferences (on older macOS). 
2. Select the Bluetooth option, and select the Cricut Joy from the list of Bluetooth devices. 
3. Finally, enter the PIN (0000 or 1234) if asked. 
4. Continue setting up the machine via Design Space. 

Note: If you’re using a smartphone, install the Design Space app, which is easily available on the Play Store or App Store. The sign-in process is the same as the app.