Google Fi Wireless plans are very flexible to choose between either unlimited data or choosing to pay only for the data you use. All plans include 5G support, Wi-Fi calling/texting, spam blocking along with hotspot tethering, full connectivity for select smartwatches, and unlimited data, calls, and texts within the US, Canada, and Mexico.
Google Fi (https://fi.google.com/about/plans/) will ship you a free SIM card when opening a new line (to use with your own device) or you can buy a phone from the Fi store which will ship with a preactivated SIM card. See the image below for comparative plans between one and four people in the household.
LTE Overseas
The best feature of Google Fi is the availability of LTE speeds on your mobile phone when traveling overseas. LTE overseas data is unlimited for the “Unlimited Plus” plan and it costs $10/GB for the “Flexible” plan. The “Simply Unlimited” plan is only good for North America (see images below). To curb misuse, Google Fi T&C state that it is not intended for international use over 90 consecutive days.
It is important to know that you must have an active Fi service in the US (not including territories) before you go abroad in order to access international coverage (you cannot activate Fi for the first time while abroad).
Android devices from the Google Fi store
You can order all the commonly available Android smartphones from the Fi store (https://fi.google.com/about/phones) with good discounts for both new and existing users.
Are iPhones compatible with Google Fi?
Yes! Google Fi also supports eSIM on iPhone 14 onwards along with support for Wi-Fi calling (https://support.google.com/fi/answer/13525969?hl=en&co=GENIE.Platform%3DiOS). Google Fi is obviously better suited to Android devices, but we met several happy iPhone users during our overseas travels.
Google Fi Plans
I chose the “Flexible Fi Plan” to be able to get LTE during our overseas travels. While in the US, I am always in an area (home or work) with Wi-Fi and don’t need an unlimited data plan. However, others may be interested in the “Unlimited Plus” plan for making unlimited calls from the US to other countries along with unlimited worldwide LTE data.
My monthly Google Fi bill
For my Google Fi Flexible plan, monthly bills average around $30-34 and I only exceed it during my overseas travel after extensive use of Google maps while driving and looking up stuff online when on the road (see image below of my monthly bills).
Pause and cancel Google Fi service
You can pause your Google Fi Wireless phone plan for up to a maximum of three months (you can resume your service at any time). If you haven’t resumed service after three months, it will automatically turn back on.
You can cancel your Google Fi service at any time and there are no termination fees.
Fi competition – Roaming with T-Mobile
T-Mobile is the only US cellular company that includes free overseas roaming with its plans (roaming data speeds are limited to 256kpbs on several plans and LTE speeds are capped at 5GB for their top plans).
- Go5G, MAX and Plus plans give you up to 5GB of high-speed data in more than 215 countries at no extra charge.
- Go5G Plus, Go5G, MAX, Plus, Magenta, ONE, and Simple Choice plans give you unlimited texting and data at up to 256kpbs in more than 215 countries.
- Go5G, Magenta, ONE, and Simple Choice plans give you up to 5GB of high-speed data in 11 European countries (Austria, Croatia, Czech Republic, Germany, Hungary, Poland, Slovakia, North Macedonia, Montenegro, Romania, and Greece) at no extra charge.
Summary
There is simply no other US carrier that offers an unlimited roaming LTE data plan. I have been using Google Fi for several years and I enjoy consistent LTE speeds during my overseas travel. My Flexible Fi plan has served me well all these years and I am planning to upgrade to an Unlimited Plus 4-line family plan to enhance the unlimited data LTE experience.