
With a flexible and affordable cell phone plan and a solid unlimited plan, Google Fi is an attractive option for anybody looking to bring their phone to another carrier. Phones that are compatible with Google Fi include most newer iPhones, Samsung Galaxy phones, and many of the other top phones on the market.
Find out if your phone compatible with Google Fi.
Formerly Project Fi, Google Fi is an MVNO owned and operated by Google. Originally founded to support the Google Nexus 6, Google Fi now supports almost all of the major devices in the smartphone world.
Google Fi is powered by the networks of T-Mobile and U.S. Cellular. Working on both of those network technologies available in the country makes Google Fi compatible with a wide array of phones.
Is My Phone Compatible with Google Fi?
Since Google Fi works on CDMA, GSM and LTE networks, chances are your phone will be compatible with Google Fi. However, as with most of life's questions, the answer really isn't as simple as that. Many older phones, for instance, don't work with Google Fi, and many phones that are compatible with Google Fi while functioning perfectly fine, might not be able to take advantage of all the perks that come with Google Fi.
If your phone wasn't specifically designed with Google Fi in mind, your device will not be able to utilize one of Google Fi's best functions which intelligently connects your phone to the network with the best connection in any given area. Instead, you'll be defaulted to T-Mobile's LTE network.
Just remember that in order to bring your phone to Google Fi, you'll need to make sure your device is unlocked.
Before you bring your phone to Google Fi, you can use their tool to make sure 100% that your phone is compatible with Google Fi.
Are iPhones Compatible with Google Fi?
Google Fi for the iOS is in beta which means that, yes, it is compatible with certain models of the iPhone. To work on Google Fi, your iPhone must be running iOS 11.0 or higher.
SMS on Google Fi compatible iPhones may not completely work; however, iMessages should function at full capacity. The iOS voicemail app will not work with Google Fi; however, you can receive voicemails as texts and/or call the voicemail service to receive them.
As stated above, since your iPhone wasn't specifically made to function on Google Fi, it will not be able to switch from network to network. Instead, your phone will default to T-Mobile's LTE network.
Unfortunately, the iPhone 5C, 5 and older are not compatible with Google Fi.
Are Samsung Galaxy Phones Compatible with Google Fi?
Good news for fans of the Samsung Galaxy is that your phone is compatible with Google Fi and will function with the service as you are already used to. The only real (and minor) hiccup is that your phone will not be able to switch intelligently network to network. Instead, your phone will be on T-Mobile's LTE network.
Still, if you are ready to ditch your current carrier but don't want to leave your beloved Samsung Galaxy Note9 behind, you can bring it to Google Fi.
What Phones Are Designed for Google Fi?
The Nexus 6 was the first phone designed specifically for Google Fi (then Project Fi) since then a handful of phones have been designed with the ability to take advantage of all that Google Fi has to offer.
Of course, the best phone for Google Fi is any of Google's own Pixel line of phones. One of the more popular lineups of phones on the market, the Google Pixel is a perfect match for Google Fi.
Other phones (not from Google) that can use Google Fi to the fullest include:
- Moto G6
- Moto X4
- LG G7 ThinQ
- LG V35 ThinQ
Keep in mind that if you originally purchased one of the above phones locked to another carrier, Google Fi's intelligent network switching may not work with your phone.
NOTE: Although HTC manufactured the first two generations of Pixel, their own branded phones are not compatible with Google Fi.
Google Fi's Cell Phone Plans
One of Google Fi's goals is to keep things nice and simple for its users. With this in mind, Google Fi only offers two plans.
With their Flexible plan, your monthly costs will adjust to your data usage. Your bill could potentially be cheaper if you use less data, and you will never be charged more than 6GB worth of data, even if you use more (speeds will slow down after 15GB of data usage within the month).
With the Google Fi Unlimited plan, you get unlimited talk, text, and data plus benefits like free calling to over 50 countries, and free data and texting while traveling.
Angelo Ilumba
Senior Writer