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Reddit
reddit.com › r/googlefi › looking for an honest opinion
r/GoogleFi on Reddit: Looking for an honest opinion
January 26, 2023 -

I currently have Verizon and my wife and I are on my parent's plan because it's financially beneficial for all of us. But each of us are paying upwards of 175 a month because we have new device payment plans. I'm looking to switch away from Verizon but really like their service coverage.

Google-Fi prices are amazing and so I'm looking to possibly switch to them once my device is paid off next month and I'm looking to get a new Google Pixel through the Fi plan as well.

Can anyone provide an honest unbiased opinion on Google Fi, it's network coverage and reliability and it's downsides or upsides other than cheaper plans?

Top answer
1 of 5
7
I've been on Fi for several years (when it was ProjectFi actually) and have no issues with the service. I've interacted with support a single time in all these years. I had to call them when my Nexus 5X became stuck and unusable in a boot loop and they sent me a replacement. My bill was about $33 but I recently switched from the Pixel 3a to the 6a and so now it's around $45 ($10 Pixel subscription). I've only used Google phones (Nexus, Pixel) and so maybe that helps. The only other service that looks appealing is Mint mobile but I am too lazy to switch.
2 of 5
5
Network coverage--very much YMMV based on location. Reliability--I used Fi a long time ago, left for verizon prepaid and came back to Fi last year. I notice oddities with network reliability now that I didn't notice before when I was on Fi--it's little things like I know there's coverage but occasionally I don't get strong data. It's so infrequent that it doesn't impact me, and localized to specific locations. I found Verizon coverage to be wider and more reliable but not in a way that I cared vs. price and also lack of features. One thing I didn't like about verizon prepaid was lack of visual voicemail. I'm in the California Bay Area for what its worth--both verizon and t-mobile show pretty much full coverage based on their maps. I still found verizon a bit more reliable. Anyway, other things to consider. Google support is variable and can fail miserably at times. It's not the norm, but it can happen. I had a bad experience with device returns 5 years ago. I've had good experiences with helping number port-in issues. Downsides--since this is a google product and heavily integrated with google services and device firmware, if you have an issue with service it's not uncommon for support to have you do things like capture bug reports on your phone and send them. Then it's not uncommon to have to wait days or a week or more to hear back if there are any resolutions. I don't like that aspect and no other phone provider would do that. 5g is meh--not specifically a google fi problem because it relies on the parent provider networks, but on fi you don't get access to some of t-mobile's enhanced network capacity like 5g UC. With the price reductions for family plans and increased data allowances it was easy for us to switch 3 lines to the simply unlimited plan and pay the same we were on verizon prepaid but have significantly more data. I do wish they would allow data-only SIMs on the simply unlimited plan, and not have arbitrary 5gb caps on wifi hotspot--wish they would treat your data as your data, letting you use your 35gb however you want/need. But that's not unlike a lot of other cellular providers these days. And if you want that you can pay more for the unlimited + plan.

mobile virtual network operator owned by Google

Google Fi Wireless (pronounced /faɪ/), formerly Project Fi and Google Fi, is an American MVNO telecommunications service by Google that provides telephone calls, SMS, and mobile broadband using cellular networks and Wi-Fi. … Wikipedia
Ratings
4.1 / 5.0
Google Play
56.1K votes
Factsheet
Type Mobile data and voice service
Location United States
Roaming in 200+ international destinations
Protocols GSM / UMTS / LTE / NR
Factsheet
Type Mobile data and voice service
Location United States
Roaming in 200+ international destinations
Protocols GSM / UMTS / LTE / NR
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Google Fi
fi.google.com › about
Google Fi Wireless for Phone Plans & Mobile Phone Deals
Explore Google Fi Wireless and enjoy flexible plans, superior coverage, and seamless device integration for a unique mobile experience.
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Eat Walk Learn
eatwalklearn.com › home › reviews › google fi service review after three years
Google Fi Service Review After Three Years
July 31, 2025 - I have been using Google Fi for ... two three years. In that time, I have traveled to Chile, New Zealand, Australia, French Polynesia, Easter Island, Chile, Peru, Colombia, Panama, Mexico, Ireland, Scotland, Northern Ireland, England, France, Spain, Portugal, and Canada. Here is my review of Google Fi after using it for 3 years around the world.
Discussions

Google fi users - happy with it and recs? - Bogleheads.org
Questions on how we spend our money and our time - consumer goods and services, home and vehicle, leisure and recreational activities ... I'm seriously thinking about switching to Google fi from Republic Wireless. I suspect my Moto X phone won't be directly transferable, but my phone is 2 years ... More on bogleheads.org
🌐 bogleheads.org
March 21, 2019
Moving abroad for good - Google Fi/Voice question
Fi and Voice are completely separate services. If you port your number to Voice, you have an option of leaving Fi. If you close out the account, you can also start a new Fi account while in the US. You also have the option of suspending Fi service. Voice only offers you a US based number for computer\web based calls and texting. It offers no advantages aside from that, which in itself is a very good advantage. I use Voice on my data-sim only phones as emergency backups. In some cases, SMS may fail to reach Voice numbers due some reason I forget the name of. This happens much less often now than it used to when Voice first came out. I used to not receive 2FA texts sent to my Voice before Fi existed, whereas they worked fine for my actual cell number. And yes, Voice is free. Fi doesn't "last" 6 months internationally, they have been known to cut services sooner based on posts on this subreddit. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/GoogleFi
17
12
October 10, 2021
Google Fi review
This isn't a review, it's an anecdote. You live/work in an area that has better ATT coverage than T-mobile. Not very useful info for anyone else looking to change carriers. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/GoogleFi
72
29
October 8, 2024
Thinking of switching to Google Fi — need advice for Canada usage
You probably want to read this support article about using Google Fi outside the US. https://support.google.com/fi/answer/6157794?hl=en#zippy=%2Cwhat-you-need-to-know-about-the-international-roaming-policy I think your problem would be this clause, unless someone else knows better Extent of use: If you use Google Fi outside the United States for an extended period of time (usually 50 days), you’ll receive a warning email and notification in the Google Fi app. Your international data will be suspended 30 days after you receive the email (your account stays active). You can avoid suspension by returning to the US and using data for at least a week. Usage abroad shortly after avoiding suspension may cause you to get the warning email more quickly next time you’re abroad. More on reddit.com
🌐 r/GoogleFi
36
6
May 13, 2025
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WhistleOut
whistleout.com › cell phone plans › articles › reviews
Google Fi Review: Budget-Friendly Wireless with Smart Features | WhistleOut
November 3, 2025 - Unless you added more than one line, the average person would have been wise to stick with Google Fi’s $50/month Simply Unlimited plan, which included 35GB of premium data, a 5GB hotspot, free talk and text from the US to over 200 destinations, and unlimited data, talk, and text in the US, Mexico, and Canada. I had this plan for 6 months and never maxed out my data or hotspot. (More on this later). ... Although less popular, the Flexible plan is still great for those with low data needs, such as grandparents, or for students traveling and using Wi-Fi for most of their internet needs.
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Quora
quora.com › What-is-Google-Fi-Is-it-worth-it-Can-you-share-your-experience
What is Google Fi? Is it worth it? Can you share your experience? - Quora
Answer (1 of 3): Google Fi is a Mobile virtual network operator - Wikipedia (MVNO). This means that they don’t operate their own cell towers, but lease access to the towers from the companies that run those towers. This is a very common practice in itself. What separates out Google Fi in this ca...
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App Store
apps.apple.com › us › app › google-fi-wireless › id1413936031
Google Fi Wireless - Ratings & Reviews - App Store
As an active duty, military member ... phone service plan. However that is not the case. They are incompetent and untrustworthy, way more hassle and stress than they are worth....
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Reddit
reddit.com › r › GoogleFi
Google Fi Wireless
April 13, 2015 - Switched to Fi during Black Friday and it’s been really good so far. If you’re on the fence of switching, I’d say give it a try. It’s been awesome so far for essentially the same service as TMo · My Pixel 10 Pro XL upgrade arrived today. Instead of a phone, I got door hinges ... My Pixel 10 Pro XL upgrade arrived today. Instead of a phone, I got door hinges ... Cannot port in bc xfinity insists that the Google Fi account number which is 5 digits is too short.
Find elsewhere
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Quora
quora.com › What-are-the-potential-downsides-of-Google-Fi
What are the potential downsides of Google Fi? - Quora
Answer (1 of 8): “What are the potential downsides of Google Fi?” I'm going to assume the readers know about and understand what Google Fi (Project Fi) is. If not, I have answered that question many times. Please look into my profile. 1. Coverage. Sprint and Tmobile have less network coverage o...
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Clark Howard
clark.com › home › google fi review: my experience as a 6-year customer (pros and cons)
Google Fi Review: My Experience as a 6-Year Customer (Pros and Cons)
May 22, 2025 - I turn on my phone, wait 5-10 minutes for my service to activate, and enjoy my trip. I can use my phone the same way I use it at home. My service is never interrupted and I’ve never had any surprise costs. When I joined Google Fi Wireless in 2019, selecting a phone “designed for Fi” was a big deal.
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Hacker News
news.ycombinator.com › item
Google Fi sucks, it's way too expensive. The last several years have seen an exp... | Hacker News
January 13, 2019 - I've been keeping mobile data turned off unless I explicitly need to use it. I turned it on last night to google something quickly, and it managed to use 60mb · Can't wait to go back to mintsim after I satisfy the 4 month requirement from their cyber Monday deal
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Spenza
spenza.com › home › mvno › google fi 5g: worth it in 2025? review & guide.
Google Fi 5G: Worth It in 2025? Review & Guide. - Spenza
August 12, 2025 - In 2025, Google Fi 5G covers 36% of the U.S., making it the top MVNO for 5G reach. Since it uses T-Mobile’s network, this coverage stretches across major cities, suburbs, and even some rural spots.
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Business Insider
businessinsider.com › reviews › tech › google fi wireless review: affordable phone plans with stellar international benefits
Google Fi Wireless review: Affordable phone plans with stellar international benefits
September 27, 2023 - In areas where I was covered and had good service, however, I had no issues with buffering when watching video, and downloads were smooth. I noticed poor video call quality, but that was the only snag I encountered. It's also important to note that I was using a "Designed for Fi" phone, which in theory added to the plan's performance. As a general rule, it's safe to say that if you live in an area covered by T-Mobile, you'll be good to go with Google Fi, though you'll get more comprehensive coverage with a "Designed for Fi" device.
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Tom's Guide
tomsguide.com › phones › network carriers
Google Fi Review: Seamless Wireless Service from Google | Tom's Guide
Google Fi Review: Excellent wireless service from Google
Google Fi combines a trio of networks into a first-class wireless service with an unparalleled customer experience, though it’s not the cheapest option out there. Google Fi delivers a first-class wireless service with an unparalleled customer experience — though it’s not cheap
Rating: 4.5 ​
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Google Play
play.google.com › store › apps › details
Google Fi Wireless - Apps on Google Play
2 weeks ago - I've been with Google Fi almost since the beginning. It was a breath of fresh air compared to Verizon. However, it's gotten worse and worse. I just upgraded my phone, less than a month ago, but more than 15 days so I cannot return it. It's a minor glitch. The message notification doesn't work, but as minor as the glitch is, since people mostly text instead of calling, this is a major inconvenience.
Rating: 4.1 ​ - ​ 56.1K votes
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Google Fi
fi.google.com › about › coverage
Google Fi Coverage: Check Our Network in Key Areas
Google Fi Wireless provides fast, reliable nationwide 4G LTE and 5G coverage through the T-Mobile network. Google Fi Wireless is not subject to data traffic deprioritization, which means you won't experience slowed data speeds during times of high network usage.
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PhoneArena
phonearena.com › home › discussions
Discussion - Google Fi wireless - PhoneArena
September 10, 2025 - How reliable is Google Fi wireless from your experience? I am trying decide whether or not Google Fi wireless is safe and worth it. The affordable pri...
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Bogleheads.org
bogleheads.org › board index › community › personal consumer issues
Google fi users - happy with it and recs? - Bogleheads.org
March 21, 2019 - I have been using Google Fi for years and am pleased with it. I have used it in several foreign countries (Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Canada, Mexico) and it worked fine. A nice benefit is that unlike most pnones/carriers, the phone and texting works over wi-fi.
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Google Store
store.google.com › magazine › google_fi
Pixel Phone Plans from Fi - Google Store
Discover Google’s fast, easy, no contract wireless service for your Pixel phone.
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Nomadic Hustle
nomadichustle.com › home › travel
Google Fi Review (2022 Guide) Best Wireless Plan For Travelers?
December 1, 2024 - Other times you have to wait until the following day to go and find a carrier in your new country. But you need that local SIM card. You need data while you navigate through a city. You want to be able to make and take local calls without issue. Here’s the thing about Google Fi.