Systems, methods, and devices for secondary cell activation using temporary reference signals are provided. In one aspect, a method of wireless communication performed by a user equipment (UE), includes receiving, from a base station (BS) via a first cell, an activation command to activate a second cell different from the first cell, and receiving, from the BS via the second cell during an activation period, a first reference signal different from a synchronization signal block (SSB). The method further includes performing a measurement of the first reference signal, and operating in the second cell based on the measurement. In some aspects, using reference signals different from SSBs may reduce the delay associated with activating the secondary cell.