Google’s wireless service formerly known as Project Fi has officially been rebranded to Google Fi. In addition, the service is now compatible with a majority of Android devices, including those from Samsung, Huawei, and OnePlus, as well as iPhones. Here’s everything you need to know about Google Fi.
In 2015, Google launched Project Fi, a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO) compatible with Nexus and Pixel smartphones (plus the Motorola Moto X4). Three years later, the company has officially announced the project has been brought directly under Google’s branding with a name change to “Google Fi.” But that’s not all — Google Fi is now compatible with a majority of Android devices and, for the first time ever, it also works with iPhones.
Just like the incumbents with which it competes, Google Fi offers data, voice, and texting service for a flat rate, and boasts a robust network that reaches most of the contiguous U. S. But that’s where the similarities end.
Google Fi is one of the few wireless carriers in the U. S. to refund you for the data you don’t use, meaning that if you churn through 3.5GB data in one month on a 4GB plan, you are credited the remaining 0.5GB. Fi’s network relies on a combination of U. S. Cellular, T-Mobile, and Sprint networks for coverage, and compatible phones switch between the three depending on network congestion and signal strength. The carrier also recently gained support for RCS Chat, meaning customers will be able to send larger image and video files, read receipts, and more.
It’s easy to sign up to Google Fi, too. Not only can you sign up through the Google Fi website, but now you can also head to Best Buy and get a SIM card off the shelf. The downside to that, however, is that you’ll pay $10 for the Best Buy SIM cards — while when you sign up online, Google will ship the SIM card to you for free. In other words, you’re basically paying to not have to wait.
Here’s everything you need to know about Google Fi, including plan pricing, phones that are compatible with Google Fi, and more.
Since Google Fi’s network-switching technology requires special software and wireless radios, you’ll get the full experience with a phone that’s designed for the service. Google Fi-compatible phones also take advantage of Wi-Fi Assistant, a background service that automatically connects to “more than a million” public hot spots. It’s a seamless transition between the networks — calls aren’t interrupted when the phone switches from cellular to Wi-Fi — and the connection is secured through a virtual private network that routes traffic through Google’s servers.
Interestingly enough, Google has announced that it will no longer sell the Pixel 2 and Pixel 2 XL on Fi — so we assume it’s because the company isn’t making the Pixel 2 anymore and it’s sold out of units. It will, however, soon add the Moto G7 to the lineup, which is nice to see.
Here’s a list of phones built to be used with Google Fi:
If you use an iPhone or Android smartphone that’s not listed above, you’ll still have the same data coverage (including international coverage) and access to the same group plans. Unfortunately, it won’t support the switch between multiple cellular networks — as with iPhones, those with devices that aren’t designed for Google Fi will be on the T-Mobile network and T-Mobile’s roaming partners abroad.
