They're not truly unlimited. After 35/50GB, depending on the plan, you'll be throttled to 256Kbps. The only truly unlimited tethering option is Visible, albeit with a 5Mbps cap. Answer from Ethrem on reddit.com
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Google Support
support.google.com โ€บ fi โ€บ answer โ€บ 9462098
About Google Fi plans - Google Fi Wireless Help
25 GB of high-speed hotspot tethering. Pricing per line ... You get unlimited calls and text with the Unlimited Standard plan. You donโ€™t incur additional charges when you send RCS messages. Data ยท Up to 50 GB of unmetered data at no cost. Data speed slows to 256 kbps after 50 GB of use per ...
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Google Support
support.google.com โ€บ fi โ€บ answer โ€บ 6182204
Tether or create a Wi-Fi hotspot - Google Fi Wireless Help
Unlimited Premium: 50 GB of high-speed hotspot tethering. Google Fi trial: We include tethering in your trial.
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Google Fi
fi.google.com โ€บ about โ€บ plans
Unlimited, Flexible & Group Phone Plans & Rates - Google Fi Wireless
Google Fi Wireless does not charge any extra fees to use your phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot on plans where hotspot tethering is included. You can use your phone as a Wi-Fi hotspot to share your data with any Wi-Fi-compatible device. That data will count toward your monthly high-speed data usage.
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Google Fi
fi.google.com โ€บ about โ€บ plans โ€บ unlimited-standard
The Unlimited Standard Phone Plan - Google Fi Wireless
Be the first to know about new launches, exclusive promotions, and the latest features. ... High-speed hotspot tethering up to 25 GB/person on Unlimited Standard.
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Reddit
reddit.com โ€บ r/googlefi โ€บ using fi data only as primary isp with unlimited plan
r/GoogleFi on Reddit: Using Fi data only as primary ISP with Unlimited plan
October 2, 2019 -

Is anyone here using Fi as their home Internet connection either with the phone's wifi hotspot or with a data-only SIM? How's it working out? How are streaming services working on your Roku or Smart TV? Gaming?

EDIT: I'm mostly asking because I intend on doing this for my mother in law. She has been testing out the solution on my data only sim, averaging around 10gb per month. She just does basic browsing and email and sometimes streaming audio. No Roku, etc. Soon she will have her own data only sim on her own unlimited Fi account.

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Google
blog.google โ€บ products โ€บ google-fi-wireless โ€บ fi-unlimited-plans-now-start-20
Fi unlimited plans now start at $20
April 8, 2022 - And weโ€™re including 5 GB of hotspot tethering so that when youโ€™re on the go, you can use your phone as a portable Wi-Fi hotspot and share its Internet connection with your other devices, like a tablet or laptop.
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The Verge
theverge.com โ€บ news โ€บ tech โ€บ google
Google Fi is launching a $35 / month unlimited plan | The Verge
April 22, 2025 - The plan will remain at $65 per month for one line, but it no longer offers unlimited high-speed hotspot tethering and now has a 50GB limit. In addition to these updates, Google Fi will now let you connect a secondary tablet or laptop to your ...
Find elsewhere
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The Verge
theverge.com โ€บ tech โ€บ news โ€บ google
Google Fi is adding a less expensive unlimited plan
April 22, 2021 - While the newly dubbed Unlimited Plus (still $70 per month for one line) provides high-speed data and texting in over 200 countries for international travelers, Simply Unlimited only includes data and text in Canada and Mexico.
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Google
blog.google โ€บ products โ€บ google-fi-wireless โ€บ 10-years-unlimited-essentials
Google Fi Wireless launches Unlimited Essentials, celebrates 10 years
April 22, 2025 - Unlimited Standard, previously known as Simply Unlimited, now has 50 GB of high-speed data, up from 35 GB, and 25 GB of high-speed hotspot tethering, up from 5 GB. 3 5 Plus, you'll continue to get coverage in Canada and Mexico, and full connectivity ...
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Reddit
reddit.com โ€บ r/googlefi โ€บ hotspot vs tethering
r/GoogleFi on Reddit: Hotspot vs Tethering
June 17, 2021 -

I'm trying to figure out if my Google Fi phone plan needs to include the "hotspot" feature in order to tether or share data to my Chromebook via USB? Seems like using a hotspot is separate because I can connect my USB right now and share data without the hotspot being active.

I'm asking because I'm looking at a group plan on Google Fi but for some reason the hotspot feature is not included in these plans. Now I'm wondering if I'll still be able to connect my phone to my device, select usb tethering on phone, & be good to go... if I need data on my Chromebook. Thanks.

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Engadget
engadget.com โ€บ google-fi-unlimited-plan-pricing-201955454.html
Google Fi cuts plan pricing, adds more high-speed data
April 9, 2022 - With a Simply Unlimited package, you can use up to 35GB of data, up from 22GB previously, before Google will begin throttling your connection. As an Unlimited Plus customer, meanwhile, the high-speed cap is now at 50GB.
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Reddit
reddit.com โ€บ r/googlefi โ€บ 5gb hotspot tethering on unlimited essentials plan for current customers
r/GoogleFi on Reddit: 5GB hotspot tethering on Unlimited Essentials plan for current customers
October 14, 2025 -

I noticed that on my Google account that's not connected to Fi I get the option of 5GB tethering on the Unlimited Essentials plan. This option doesn't appear on my other Google account that I currently use with Fi. Is the 5GB hotspot tethering on unlimited essentials only available for new customers?

EDIT: For those of you who were asking. Here's what I'm seeing on the two accounts.

https://imgur.com/a/Nm2qWZA

The orange one has the Fi account while the purple is not linked with Fi. I was just wondering if there was an official answer about whether hotspot tethering will be included in Unlimited Essentials going forwards

EDIT (10/14/25): I am now on unlimited essentials plan and it does have 5GB of hotspot tethering.

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WhistleOut
whistleout.com โ€บ cell phone plans โ€บ cell phone carriers โ€บ google fi wireless
Google Fi Wireless Unlimited Premium for 1 | WhistleOut
Google Fi Wireless is now offering a 7 day free trial to customers with compatible devices. Simply sign up for the free trial and download the Fi app to experience the unlimited calls, texts and data service.
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Reddit
reddit.com โ€บ r/googlefi โ€บ new unlimited essentials plan is such a no brainer for an average user
r/GoogleFi on Reddit: New Unlimited Essentials plan is such a no brainer for an average user
April 28, 2025 -

I was contemplating about leaving Fi (for cheaper alternatives) but recent Fi plans overhaul convinced me to stay.

Sure, you can get a visible for $5-10 cheaper but with Essentials you get a free smartwatch line, ability to upgrade immediately to higher tier if going overseas, deep phone discounts (can downgrade immediately to lower tier after 120 days), sim/esim data only.

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Google Fi
fi.google.com โ€บ about
Google Fi Wireless for Phone Plans & Mobile Phone Deals
Automatic renewal of YouTube Premium ... included with the Unlimited Premium plan. ... High-speed hotspot tethering up to 25 GB/person on Unlimited Standard and 50 GB/person on Unlimited Premium....
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TechCrunch
techcrunch.com โ€บ home โ€บ google fi drops prices for its unlimited plans and adds more data
Google Fi drops prices, adds data
April 11, 2022 - Google Fi also announced updates to its Unlimited Plus plan, which offers the same features as the Simply Unlimited plan, along with additional perks, including unlimited hotspot tethering and 100 GB of Google One cloud storage.
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Mobile Internet Resource Center
rvmobileinternet.com โ€บ google-fi-increases-data-limits-lowers-price-on-unlimited-plus-and-simply-unlimited-plans
Google Fi Increases Data Limits, Lowers Price on Unlimited Plus and Simply Unlimited Plans - Mobile Internet Resource Center
August 23, 2022 - The other change with SImply Unlimited is that it now has 5GB of mobile hotspot data, whereas before this plan did not have the hotspot/tethering feature at all. On both plans, speeds are throttled to 256 kbps once the premium data threshold is lowered. These changes apply both to new customers, as well as existing customers who are already using Google Fi service.
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Mobile Internet Resource Center
rvmobileinternet.com โ€บ google-fi-launches-new-unlimited-plan-with-a-22gb-limit
Google Fi Launches New Unlimited Plan - With a 22GB Limit - Mobile Internet Resource Center
January 10, 2021 - But it can work well as a secondary ... Google Fi offerings, but with the hard throttling of data speeds - it's best looked at as a 22GB plan, not unlimited....