{"id":8774,"date":"2021-09-10T20:36:37","date_gmt":"2021-09-10T18:36:37","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/plus.maciejpiasecki.info\/index.php\/2021\/09\/10\/google-fi-everything-you-need-to-know\/"},"modified":"2021-09-10T22:25:07","modified_gmt":"2021-09-10T20:25:07","slug":"google-fi-everything-you-need-to-know","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/plus.maciejpiasecki.info\/index.php\/2021\/09\/10\/google-fi-everything-you-need-to-know\/","title":{"rendered":"Google Fi: Everything You Need To Know"},"content":{"rendered":"

If you\u2019re reading this, you\u2019re likely an Android enthusiast, and that means you\u2019re probably interested in Google\u2019s own carrier, Google Fi. It\u2019s not as straightforward as Verizon or T-Mobile. But once you take a look at coverage, plans, features and more, you\u2019ll definitely want to take Google Fi for a spin.
\nIn this article, we will go over what Google Fi actually is. As well as its plans, phones and tablets that are available, features, costs and much more. Here\u2019s everything you need to know about Google Fi.
\nWhat is Google Fi?
\nIn technical terms, Google Fi is an MVNO that runs on T-Mobile and US Cellular\u2019s networks here in the US. It used to run on Sprint\u2019s as well, but T-Mobile purchased Sprint in April of 2020. So that\u2019s all one network now.
\nGoogle Fi has been around for a little while now, actually, having officially launched back in 2015. At first it was an invitation only service, named \u201cProject Fi\u201d, and was only available on the Nexus 6. It has since moved out of the \u201cProject\u201d phase and surprisingly did not get killed off by Google, and now works with virtually any smartphone \u2013 including the iPhone.
\nWhat plans does it have?
\nThe plans that Google offers is pretty easy to explain. And there\u2019s only three. There\u2019s Flexible, Simply Unlimited and Unlimited Plus.<\/p>\n

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\nFlexible is going to cost you $20 per month for unlimited talk and text. Then you\u2019ll pay $10 per gigabit of data that you use. And this is down to the penny, so Google does not round up your data. If you used 1.56GB of data then you\u2019re charged $10.56 for your data. And not a penny more. Which is a really nice feature to have. Now yes, if you use 4GB of data per month, it\u2019ll make more sense to get unlimited for $60\/month. But Flexible comes with Bill Protection, so you\u2019ll never pay more than $60 (plus taxes and fees), no matter how much data you use.
\nSimply Unlimited is just that, unlimited talk, text and data for $60 per month. Though, you do not get international calling, texting or data. Nor do you get mobile hotspot. That is all saved for the Unlimited Plus plan. Which also comes with 100GB of Google One storage included. Making it a pretty sweet deal.
\nData is slowed once you hit 15GB on the Flexible plan, and 22GB on the Simply Unlimited and Unlimited Plus.
\nWhat about family plans?
\nYou can add up to 5 additional lines to your plan. And of course, the more you add, the cheaper it gets. All the way down to $16 per line, per month for Flexible at 6 lines. And $45 per line, per month on Unlimited Plus.
\nThis works by adding people to your family group. So you can also share other Google products, like Google One Storage, YouTube Music and YouTube TV. It\u2019s very simple to add others to your plan, through the Google Fi app.
\nAm I locked in for a specific amount of time?
\nWith Google Fi, you can choose to jump to another carrier at any time. There\u2019s no contracts here with Fi. However, if you did finance your phone through Google Fi, you will owe the remaining balance if you cancel your account. That\u2019s the same as with any carrier, however.
\nIs international data included?
\nInternational data (as well as texts and calls) are included on the Flexible and the Unlimited Plus plans. The Simply Unlimited plan does not have international data, texts or calls included.
\nOn the Flexible plan, it\u2019s the same $10\/GB in over 200 countries. So you\u2019re paying the same amount in Europe as you would be in the US. And on the Unlimited Plus plan, it\u2019s included in your bill for over 200 countries. That\u2019s really great news for those that do a lot of traveling.
\nWhat are the best phones for Fi?
\nUndoubtedly, the best phones for Google Fi are Pixel smartphones. This is because Google made them specifically to work with Fi. While a phone from Samsung may not work as well with Fi. That might sound strange, since Fi is just an MVNO. But Fi is a bit more than just an MVNO.
\nRemember Google Fi works on multiple networks. Originally, T-Mobile, Sprint and US Cellular and will intelligently jump onto public WiFi and activate the Google VPN when possible. That is not like most MVNOs. Most only work on one cellular network and WiFi. And doesn\u2019t move from network to network on its own. Which is why Pixel is generally the best option here.
\nGoogle also has a relatively interesting plan with the Pixel 5a. Where you can basically \u201csubscribe\u201d to the Pixel 5a with 5G and get it, along with device protection and a phone upgrade after two years, for just $15 per month. That actually comes out to $360 over the two-year term, which is cheaper than the Pixel 5a (priced at $449), so that\u2019s a really great deal.
\nWhat other phones work on Fi?
\nPretty much any phone will work on Google Fi. Whether it\u2019s a Samsung Galaxy, OnePlus, iPhone, or any other smartphone that works in the US. Fi does sell a number of Samsung and Motorola phones on its site, however. In addition to the latest Pixels.
\nCan I finance my phone through Google Fi?
\nYes, but not just any phone. The number of phones that Google Fi has and sells isn\u2019t very large. As of writing this, there are ten phones that you can buy from Google Fi. These range from $99 to $999. So there\u2019s something in everyone\u2019s price range. These can all be financed through Google Fi, and that amount will be added onto your bill. Like with most carriers, it is 0% interest here too. And if you trade-in your current phone, you might get an even better deal.
\nHow good is Fi\u2019s coverage?
\nGoogle Fi\u2019s coverage isn\u2019t the best. This comes down to a couple of factors, but mainly because of T-Mobile\u2019s network. Fi runs on T-Mobile and US Cellular, which for most of us, that means just T-Mobile. As US Cellular is only available in a small number of States, mostly in the midwest.<\/p>\n

T-Mobile generally has good coverage, however since Google Fi is an MVNO, it doesn\u2019t get the same speeds as a regular T-Mobile phone. The way these networks work, is that T-Mobile Postpaid customers will get the priority on each tower. Followed by T-Mobile\u2019s prepaid customers (that\u2019s T-Mobile Prepaid, and Metro by T-Mobile). Then MVNO\u2019s like Google Fi, Straight Talk and others at the bottom of the pole.
\nSo if you are on T-Mobile now, and think their coverage is good, you may not get the same experience with Google Fi. And that\u2019s just how Google Fi customers are prioritized by T-Mobile. This is similar on Verizon and AT&T too though.
\nDoes Google Fi have 5G coverage?
\nYes, Google Fi has 5G coverage. Basically, wherever T-Mobile or US Cellular has 5G, Google Fi has it.
\nIf your phone has bands n71 and n41, then you\u2019ll be able to connect to T-Mobile\u2019s 5G network. Remember that it doesn\u2019t really have mmWave available in a lot of areas, so 5G is currently about as fast as 4G. So it might be a good idea to just turn off 5G for now.
\nPhones that are designed for Fi, include the Pixel 4a 5G, Pixel 5 and Pixel 5a with 5G support. There are also a few unlocked Samsung models, like the Galaxy S21 and Galaxy Z Flip 3.
\nOther, unlocked 5G phones will work, but they need to support T-Mobile\u2019s 5G bands in order for them to work.
\nCan I refer people to Google Fi?
\nYes. Yes you can.
\nGoogle will give you $20 for every person that you refer to Fi, with your own personal link. There is a max of $200 that you can get from referring people to Google Fi. So that\u2019s essentially 10 people. But that\u2019s a good way to bring your bill down a bit, for a little while.<\/p>\n

To find this code, you\u2019ll see an option that says \u201cGet $20 off your bill\u201d on your Google Fi account. Click on that, and you\u2019ll see a page where you can automatically send an invite to an email address (or two). As well as a link that you can share.<\/p>\n

At the bottom of the page, you\u2019ll see the list of those you\u2019ve already referred and how much money you\u2019ve received. This includes money that will come on a future statement. As you don\u2019t get the money until the person you\u2019ve referred has completed a month on Fi.
\nHow do I contact Google Fi Support?
\nWe all have horror stories with contacting customer support. No company is 100% good with customer support. But Google does a pretty good job. It\u2019s pretty easy to contact them as well.
\nWith the Google Fi app, you can contact Google right there and get help 24\/7. You also have the option to call them or email them as well. You can also contact Google through the Fi webpage too.
\nThe Google Fi app is pretty useful too. As you can see your usage, as well as any other lines on your account. You can also pause your account, or cancel it within the app. Google also makes it easy to upgrade your phone and change your plan from the app.
\nHow do I switch to Fi?
\nTo switch to Fi, you\u2019ll want to hit the \u201cJoin Fi\u201d option at the top of the page here.
\nYou\u2019ll need to sign into your Google account, as well as pick a new number or transfer your current number to Fi. And then you\u2019ll be choosing your new phone or whether you are bringing your current phone over to Fi.
\nThe good thing with Fi, is that it supports e-SIM, so you\u2019ll be able to switch to Fi the same day. As you won\u2019t need to wait for a replacement SIM card to come to your house. Pixel smartphones support e-SIM, which make switching carriers so much easier.
\nHow do I cancel Fi?
\nGoogle makes cancelling its service very easy, thankfully. So if you decide to leave Fi, you won\u2019t even need to talk to someone. From the Google Fi website or app, tap on the Account tab.
\nThen tap on the Manage Plan option.
\nNext tap on Cancel service.
\nAnd simply follow the instructions, and you\u2019re all set.
\nThe post Google Fi: Everything You Need To Know appeared first on Android Headlines.
\n
\nSource: ndroidheadlines.com <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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