Google Fi FAQs: 6 Things to Know Before You Sign Up

For most people, Google is the main operating system they use, and you can even get phone service through the company when you sign up for Google Fi for mobile devices. If you're a Google Fi Wireless customer, your device will also have access to the company's coverage. In 2015, Google first introduced the service which was originally called Project Fi, that uses a combination of Wi-Fi and other carriers' networks to provide coverage for certain Google devices. Its initial users were mainly drawn to its pay-as-you-use model, though it has since added more data options and devices that work with the service.

Table of Contents:

• Plans and Pricing
• Services and Features
• Google Fi vs. Other Competition
• Phone Options
• Customer Experience
• Summary

‍

How Does Google Fi Stand Out Among the Rest?

Although Google Fi is a mobile virtual network operator (MVNO), it's not as different from other carriers. One of the main differences between Google Fi and other mobile carriers is its streamlined billing, where you pay a flat rate for each GB of data while also reaping unlimited talk and text. Unlike other mobile carriers, Google Fi doesn't own its own equipment, but instead leases the time and data it collects from the T-Mobile network primarily. However, having a limited T-Mobile network in your region will not provide the same experience.

1. Google Fi Plans and Pricing

From an affordable flexible option to other add ons available, Google Fi has every plan available to accommodate a customer’s needs. 

• You can have unlimited talk and text for $20 a month. The flexible option adds a $10 fee for each GB of data you consume over the cellular network, so if you plan on using 3GB of data per month, you'll pay $50 for each month.
• Even though Google Fi's rates are similar to those of other mobile carriers, they don't include fees or taxes. With the availability of Wi-Fi, you might be able to use less data than you would with a traditional carrier, though this depends on where you are using your device.
• For $40 a month, you can get 10GB of data with Metro, while Project Fi only offers 2GB.
• Google Fi's Bill Protection feature is designed to help minimize the impact of excessive data usage on the company's financials. For instance, if a single user consumes 6GB of data, Google Fi will stop charging $10 for each additional GB, capping the total bill at $80.
• If you have multiple lines with Google Fi's flexible plan, the company's Bill Protection levels will increase. For instance, if you have two lines, the bill for each line will be capped at 10GB, which means that the total cost of the plan is around $136 per month. If you're planning on adding an additional line, it costs $15 per line.

Google Fi also offers a plan with unlimited data for those who want to travel overseas. The cost of this plan is $65 per month for a single line. With the addition of a second line, it costs $55 per line, which brings the total to $110 a month.

A cheaper option for Google Fi's Unlimited plan is called Simply Unlimited, which costs $50 per month for a single line. The company offers per-line discounts as well. However, many of the benefits of its Unlimited Plus plan are lost, such as the ability to use data while traveling.

Each of Google Fi's plans is based on a single user, and it allows you to have up to six lines with one service account. With each additional user, the company adds to the base price of the plan and provides their own allotment of high-speed data. You can also add additional SIMs for other devices for free.

2. Google Fi Services and Features

Customers of Google Fi can use their mobile devices as a wireless hotspot for free. However, they only get 5GB of data per month.

• The main advantage of Google Fi's international phone plan is that it allows users to access their regular data in over 200 countries without paying roaming fees. T-Mobile's Go 5G Plus plan, on the other hand, provides users with 5GB of high-speed data for free. However, it also comes with a monthly fee of $90.
• The Go 5G plan from T-Mobile is $75 each month which offers users only high-speed data connectivity in 11 European nations, with slower connectivity across the rest of the world.

3. Google Fi Vs. Other Competition

Google Fi continues to stand out as one of the best phone carriers when compared to other competitors, and customers enjoy the wireless hotspot perks and availability of plans. How does Google Fi truly compare to the rest of the field? Take a look at some comparisons with the best providers out there!

Google Fi Vs. Verizon

Verizon  is a top U.S. carrier that has plenty of plans and coverage. Google Fi, on the other hand, is a growing company that has a unique structure.

Although Google Fi’s Simply Unlimited plan is similar to myPlan Unlimited Welcome, it is $15 cheaper on the Verizon network. The downside is that it comes with additional lines, which is why you have to pay extra for the hotspot access. On the other hand, the base plan of Verizon is as cheap as $30 for four lines. Google Fi Wireless’ cheapest plan is $20 for four lines. 

Verizon offers a higher-tier plan that comes with 10GB of international data. While this is a good upgrade for some Verizon customers, Google Fi’s international capabilities are outstanding. Google Fi’s Flexible Plan is a great option if you’re not planning on using a lot of data. It starts at $20 per month for a single line, and the cost of each gigabyte of data is $10.

Google Fi Vs. Mint Mobile

The cheapest plan from the carrier Mint Mobile is $15 per month, with an introductory period of three months. Its pricing is tied to the number of months that customers renew their service, and the best rate is 12 months, which can be used after the three-month period. Customers can also pay the company's best rates for multiple lines through its Mint Family plan. On the other hand, Google Fi's cheapest deal is $20 per month, though it requires you to add multiple lines to the network.

Although it's not as strong as Verizon or AT&T when it comes to coverage in rural areas, Mint is still a great option for those who live in urban and suburban regions. Its plans come with unlimited data and include a variety of features, such as a hotspot. Mint Mobile’s prices are also low, and it doesn't offer additional perks or subscription services.

Google Fi offers a variety of additional perks and features apart from its basic service. Its plans come with international roaming, and it also provides free VPN access. In addition, customers can get YouTube Premium and a year's worth of storage through its top-tier plan.

Google Fi Vs. Xfinity Mobile

MVNOs, such as Google Fi and Xfinity Mobile, provide mobile voice and data services over the networks owned by major companies such as T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T. These networks offer customers a cheaper alternative.

Google Fi's Flexible plan is different from other plans in that it allows users to set a monthly amount for their voice and text features. After a certain amount of data is used, the speed of their network is slowed down to 256 kbps or 3G. They can still send and receive emails, but they might experience issues with streaming videos.

Three different data plans are offered by Xfinity Mobile. All of them have premium data, and they won't be deprioritized whenever there's network congestion or high traffic. However, once you reach the data cap, the plans will stop offering data.

The smallest of the plans is the 1GB Premium Data plan, which gives users a limited amount of data. However, once the 1GB is reached, the data will stop. It costs $15 a month for the plan, which comes with a variety of features, such as a hotspot.

4. Google Fi Phone Options

You might have thought that Google Fi only works with the company's smartphones, such as the Pixel. However, with the addition of support for other devices, such as iPhones, the service now allows you to bring any device to the carrier. In addition, Google Fi has a compatibility checker that will let you know if your gadget can be used.

Although Google Fi is best used with devices made by Google, it’s completely compatible with most other modern phone brands on the market today.

5. Google Fi Customer Experience

Google Fi customers can call 1-844-TALK-2-FI for any customer service assistance, or they can use the Fi app to contact customer service as well. To get a better idea on how the experience has been with Google Fi for customers, take a look at these reviews. 

Apple App Store Reviews

“I haven’t had any problems with Google Fi, I actually have service in more areas than when I was using AT&T but it really seems to come down to where you’re living and what kind of phone do you have. I ended up buying a Pixel and absolutely love it, I’ve already talked my family into also switching to Fi and getting Pixels it’s been great. They were paying almost $200 for 2 Samsung phones (that weren’t being financed) they barely use at US Cellular, now it’s $30-40 for both of them.”

“I have had data connection issues on and off with this service since I got it. Sometimes you get someone in customer service that sounds like they know what they are doing, then you have agents who totally waste your time on reboots, airplane mode, etc when this has been tested previously. This time my no data issue was “solved” by turning off my phone, removing the SIM card, turning on the phone, turning off the phone, replacing SIM card, and turning on the phone. The agent thought that this was an acceptable fix to the problem. I replied I am not going to take out my SIM card every time I have a data loss issue. “Rest assured it will not happen again”. I asked for the specific reason why it happened this time. No specific reason was given. So I am not assured in any way that this issue won’t come back.”

Sitejabber Reviews

“You have to have a very specific phone to use this service but if you already have a Nexus 6, Nexus 5X or Nexus 6P then jump on board. $20 for unlimited talk and text, and the $10 a GB for Data. If you can use mostly WiFi you can save some money. Plus this works in other countries making travel for me much easier now. Give them a shot... I LOVE GOOGLE!”

Your Google Fi FAQs, Answered.

With simple plans, affordability, and perks for those living internationally, there’s a lot to enjoy about the Google Fi Wireless plan. While Google Fi has many advantages, users who don’t live near T-Mobile coverage will not fully be able to enjoy the services since that is who Google Fi is run by. Other than connection issues, customers have noted problems with the enrollment process and customer service. 

Whether or not Google Fi is right for you and/or your family will really come to your budget, needs, and your proximity to T-Mobile coverage. Choose wisely and check out the Google Fi app today!