A Step-by-Step Guide to Getting Google Fi on an iPhone

Getting Google Fi on an iPhone is a straightforward process, and with these steps, you'll be up and running in no time.

First, ensure your iPhone meets the system requirements by checking if it's a model that's compatible with Google Fi. This includes iPhone 6s and later models, as long as they're running iOS 12 or later.

To start, back up your iPhone data to iCloud or iTunes, as the setup process will erase your phone's data.

Next, go to the Google Fi website and sign in to your account or create a new one if you don't have one already.

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To get started with Google Fi on your iPhone, download the Google Fi iOS app from the App Store. This will be your gateway to setting up your account and starting your Google Fi journey.

If you haven't already, opt in to eSIM activation on the Fi website, as this will trigger device and iOS compatibility checks in the Google Fi iOS app. This is a crucial step to ensure a smooth setup process.

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Once you have the Google Fi app downloaded, you can take advantage of Google Fi's free 7-day trial. This is a great opportunity to test out the service and see if it's right for you.

To start your trial, simply have an active Google account and download the Google Fi app from the App Store. From there, you can set up your account and begin using the Google Fi network.

If you don't have another device to scan the QR code, you can add your eSIM manually, but be aware that this process takes longer. You can find the QR code on the Google Fi website, and then navigate to Cellular > Add eSIM > Use QR Code on your iPhone to scan it.

You can also transfer your current number to Google Fi, or choose to use both Google Fi and your current carrier. This flexibility is one of the benefits of using Google Fi on your iPhone.

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You're no longer required to manually enter APN and MMS settings during the activation process. If you're activating an eSIM, follow the steps below to set up Google Fi on your iPhone.

To switch from an eSIM to a physical SIM, join Fi and check iPhone compatibility first. This is a crucial step to ensure a smooth transition.

Download the Google Fi iOS app to proceed with the setup process. Once you opt in to eSIM activation on the Fi website, the Google Fi iOS app will perform device and iOS compatibility checks.

Make sure to opt in to "Quick setup" on the Fi website before you activate from the Google Fi iOS app. This will save you some time in the setup process.

If you haven't made up your mind or are curious to learn how eSIM works, you can take advantage of Google Fi's free 7-day trial. All you need to do is have an active Google account and download the Google Fi app from the App Store.

To start using a Google Fi eSIM on your iPhone, go to Cellular > Add eSIM > Use QR Code on your iPhone. Then, scan the QR code, and your eSIM will automatically install on your device.

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To activate your Google Fi SIM on an iPhone, you'll need to follow some simple steps. If you're on an iPhone XS or newer, you'll need to download an eSIM to set up service.

First, connect to a Wi-Fi network on your iPhone, and sign in to the Google Account connected to the phone number you want to use. Then, follow the in-app instructions to set up your phone number and download the eSIM.

If you're not using an eSIM-compatible iPhone, you'll need to order a physical SIM card to set up service. Simply insert the physical SIM into your iPhone, and download the Google Fi app to follow the in-app instructions to set up your phone number and activate service.

To complete the setup, restart your device and test your calls, texts, and data by calling someone, sending a text, and checking if your data works when Wi-Fi is turned off.

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If you're having trouble getting your features to work, don't worry – it can take up to 24 hours for your number to transfer and for features to be fully active. If you're still having issues, contact Google Fi support for help.

Here's a quick checklist to help you get started:

You're almost there! To finish setting up Google Fi on your iPhone, you'll need to download the Google Fi iOS app. This will perform device and iOS compatibility checks, so make sure to opt in to “Quick setup” on the Google Fi website beforehand.

The app will guide you through the process, but you'll also need to enable SMS & MMS Messages in your iPhone's Settings app. Specifically, you'll need to head to the "Cellular" menu and tap "Cellular Data Network" (or "Cellular Data Options" if you're on iOS 11).

To enter the necessary values, copy the following information and paste it into your iPhone's settings: MMSC = fi.g.co/mms/wapenc, MMS Max Message Size = (leave blank), and MMS UA Prof URL = (leave blank). Note that these values were recently updated to fix issues with sending photos and videos via MMS.

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Using Google Fi on iPhone can be a great option, but you'll want to make sure your device is compatible first. Most popular phones work with Google Fi, so it's likely your iPhone will be okay.

If you're unsure, use the compatibility checker tool on Google's website to double check. Devices bought from Google Fi or the Google Store are already unlocked, so you don't have to worry about that.

You can find the list of compatible iPhone models below. Keep in mind that it's a good idea to double check your specific iPhone model will work on Fi.

To make sure your iPhone can send and receive regular non-iMessage text messages, you'll need to tweak some additional options. Open your Settings app and head to the "Cellular" menu.

If you're on iOS 12 or later, tap "Cellular Data Network." If you're on iOS 11, tap "Cellular Data Options", then "Cellular Data Network." You'll need to enter a few values into the provided fields manually.

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Copy the information below exactly as it's typed, then enter it into the fields on your iPhone. Note that the MMSC field was changed as recently as March 2020, likely because of issues iPhone users had sending photos and videos via MMS.

MMSC field: leave blank

MMS Max Message Size field: leave blank

MMS UA Prof URL field: fi.g.co/mms/wapenc

While Google Fi doesn't explicitly ask that you add the MMS UA Prof URL, it doesn't hurt to include it. It's the User Agent Profile that Apple provides to wireless network carriers.

Restart your iPhone after you're done making these changes. After that, Google Fi will be fully set up and ready to go!

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You should know that iPhones are not capable of switching between Google Fi's three underlying networks, which are Sprint, T-Mobile, and US Cellular.

Instead, any iPhone you use with Google Fi will be limited to only the T-Mobile network.

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T-Mobile's coverage map is a good resource to check before proceeding, just to make sure there's good coverage in your area.

If you own an iPhone X or older, don't click the "Extended Range LTE-600 Mhz" overlay on the coverage map to get an exact representation of coverage.

All iPhones sold in the US work on all critical T-Mobile frequencies, except for one exception: T-Mobile's new 600 MHz Band 71 network, which the iPhone X and older won't work on.

The iPhone XS, XS Max, XR, 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max, and all future iPhone models will work on this network, though.

You'll get the same coverage with any US iPhone on Google Fi as a T-Mobile iPhone would get on the T-Mobile network, especially if you have an iPhone XS or newer.

With Google Fi, your iPhone will lose some functionality, at least for now: texting (SMS) won't work over Wi-Fi.

Wi-Fi calling won't work either, so you'll need to be connected to a cell tower for texting non-iPhone users.

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Google may add these features in the future, but it's hard to hold out hope.

You'll also lose access to Visual Voicemail in the Phone app, but you'll still get badges on the Phone app saying how many voicemails you have.

To read transcripts of voicemails and listen to and delete them, you'll need to open the "Voicemail" tab in the Google Fi app.

You may also receive transcripts of voicemails as text messages in the Messages app, which can be somewhat annoying if you don't want them showing up in two places.

To set up the Google Fi app on your iPhone, start by downloading the app from the App Store. If you haven't already, opt in to "Quick setup" on the Google Fi website.

The Google Fi iOS app will perform device and iOS compatibility checks once you opt in to eSIM activation on the Fi website. This ensures that your iPhone is compatible with Google Fi.

To activate from the Google Fi iOS app, make sure you've opted in to "Quick setup" on the Google Fi website beforehand. This will make the process smoother and faster.

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