Google Fi Rolls Out eSIM support for Existing iOS Subscribers

[MacRumors]

Google Fi has begun rolling out eSIM support for current iPhone subscribers, which will let them use the dual-SIM technology that comes in certain models of Apple's smartphones.

In April, Google started allowing new users to sign up for Google Fi's mobile virtual network service using the eSIM integrated into iPhone XR, XS, XS Max, 11, 11 Pro, 11 Pro Max and 2020 iPhone SE models.

Support for eSIM came with Monday's release of Google Fi version 2.5, which allows users with dual-SIM iPhones to free up the physical SIM slot in their handsets.

According to 9to5Google, the functionality has not fully rolled out yet , but several Redditors have managed to get it working by uninstalling then reinstalling the Fi app and signing in, after which they're asked if they want to switch to eSIM.

Users are then sent to an online setup URL where they can select Settings > Cellular > Add Cellular Plans on their iPhone to scan a QR code. Setting up data and MMS involve additional steps.

In addition to freeing up the physical SIM, the feature also promises to speed up the process of subscribing to Google Fi for future customers.

Google Fi is designed to provide a hassle-free cellular service with perks like international data coverage at an affordable price. See the Google Fi website for more details.

Article Link: Google Fi Rolls Out eSIM support for Existing iOS Subscribers

 

[Brian Y]

I'm still amazed at how much the US gets charged for cell service. Even Google Fi's plans are expensive compared to what we get this side of the pond.

 

[nholm]

I'm still amazed at how much the US gets charged for cell service. Even Google Fi's plans are expensive compared to what we get this side of the pond.

Me too. Is it lack of competition?

 

[mtrm]

I'm still amazed at how much the US gets charged for cell service. Even Google Fi's plans are expensive compared to what we get this side of the pond.

I think it’s partially because of the cost to build and maintain the infrastructure. The US has a much lower population density compared to many (if not most) European countries, making it more expensive per costumer served. According to Wolfram Alpha, the US has ~5x the population of the UK but ~40x the area. I’m not saying that’s the only reason or that people in the US aren’t being ripped off, but that probably helps explaining this discrepancy a bit.

 

[BaggieBoy]

I recall having to do some testing of a voice mail product in California (I was UK based) around 20 years ago that required me to purchase a prepaid cell phone to use to just receive calls. I had no idea that incoming calls were charged and used the credit...until the $50 credit was used up in a couple of days!

 

[Pistol Peto]

Meet Google Fi, a different kind of business we'll close down in a few years.

 

[mattopotamus]

I'm still amazed at how much the US gets charged for cell service. Even Google Fi's plans are expensive compared to what we get this side of the pond.

Their plans really make no sense to me. A prepaid plan from one of the major carriers is a better plan IMO.

 

[plandersen]

Free international data roaming with both these Google Fi packages?

Am I missing something? Because in that case, it's not a bad deal.

Any catches to this that might be worth highlighting?

 

[lllusion]

I'm still amazed at how much the US gets charged for cell service. Even Google Fi's plans are expensive compared to what we get this side of the pond.

In Feb. while in India, I purchased a SIM card & 1 month of 1.5GB of daily 1.5GB data for 300 Rupees ($4 USD).

 

[Victor Mortimer]

I'm still amazed at how much the US gets charged for cell service. Even Google Fi's plans are expensive compared to what we get this side of the pond.

What's the rest of the world pay? I'm paying about $35/month for unlimited everything for the phone and 20GB hotspot data.

 

[GeoStructural]

I recall having to do some testing of a voice mail product in California (I was UK based) around 20 years ago that required me to purchase a prepaid cell phone to use to just receive calls. I had no idea that incoming calls were charged and used the credit...until the $50 credit was used up in a couple of days!

Same here! Where I come from, incoming calls are free. An unlimited plan (data + voice + texting) will set you back $25 at most.

Reception is also better there than here. I can’t believe the many times I am driving in the US without coverage. In my country you get cellphone reception on national roads even on the farming areas.

What's the rest of the world pay? I'm paying about $35/month for unlimited everything for the phone and 20GB hotspot data.

You must be in a family plan then. Something like what you describe is in the 70-85 dollars a month in the US for individuals.

 

[Victor Mortimer]

I recall having to do some testing of a voice mail product in California (I was UK based) around 20 years ago that required me to purchase a prepaid cell phone to use to just receive calls. I had no idea that incoming calls were charged and used the credit...until the $50 credit was used up in a couple of days!

20 years ago cell service was still kind of expensive. It's hard to find anything that charges for calls by the minute any more.

And the UK is apparently still stuck with having to pay by the minute to call a cell phone.

 

[Wowzera]

I think it’s partially because of the cost to build and maintain the infrastructure. The US has a much lower population density compared to many (if not most) European countries, making it more expensive per costumer served. According to Wolfram Alpha, the US has ~5x the population of the UK but ~40x the area. I’m not saying that’s the only reason or that people in the US aren’t being ripped off, but that probably helps explaining this discrepancy a bit.

Well, Brazil is larger than USA (if not included Alaska) and the mobile plans are a lot cheaper than those sold in USA. 4G speeds are ok (around ~20 MB) and coverage is good.

 

[plandersen]

I use 3 as a provider in Denmark and pay approx 23,5 USD for-
- Unlimited talk+text
- 25 GB Data/month (+ 25 GB extra/month until mid sept).
- 3LikeHome - free Data+call roaming internationally in 66 countries.

But there are much cheaper providers fx:
- Oister - 60 GB data (and 7 Gb in EU) + Unlimited talk+text for 16 USD/month

 

[nylonsteel]

maybe its time for a mr video review of this service

 

[827538]

I'm still amazed at how much the US gets charged for cell service. Even Google Fi's plans are expensive compared to what we get this side of the pond.

I agree, moving to the US I found almost everything to be considerably cheaper than in Europe. Except anything related to ISPs and cell providers. Fortunately there’s some good MVNO’s offering fair prices but the prices from the big three are astronomical in my opinion. And to say it’s related to population density might factor somewhat but there’s plenty of sparsely populated countries with affordable service. I think they price gouge because they can. Verizon and AT&T don’t even seem to try and compete on price.

 

[Justanotherfanboy]

I think it’s partially because of the cost to build and maintain the infrastructure. The US has a much lower population density compared to many (if not most) European countries, making it more expensive per costumer served. According to Wolfram Alpha, the US has ~5x the population of the UK but ~40x the area. I’m not saying that’s the only reason or that people in the US aren’t being ripped off, but that probably helps explaining this discrepancy a bit.

This would be true if it were true...

But, all low-density areas are NOT built out here. Your theory relies on that!
You cannot get coverage here, in the boonies- not the desert, not the woods.
If/when you can, it’s gonna be 2g & barely support talk.
There are huge swaths of this country that haven't even seen LTE.
I assure you... the price hike here isn’t just to cover genuine expenses from Verizon & AT&T.
It’s to even greater line their pockets, because the American people historically have had no alternative (that may change soon, as we finally got a 3rd viable competitor via the TMUS/S merger).

 

[Mpalmieri1203]

I'm still amazed at how much the US gets charged for cell service. Even Google Fi's plans are expensive compared to what we get this side of the pond.

Im using Mint. It’s not unlimited but I get 12gb a month for $300 a year. Seems reasonable. Fi is too much for the same network. I guess it’s great if you need those international features.

 

[aneftp]

I'm still amazed at how much the US gets charged for cell service. Even Google Fi's plans are expensive compared to what we get this side of the pond.

5 lines/$175 for essentially unlimited data (100gb full speed Data with 30gb tethering plus free hbo ). That’s $35/line. Att best plan currently. Remember most post paid customers in USA have access to family plans with employee discounts (last survey says 88% of att customers) have employee discount and or family plans

so would Europeans Consider $35/line for 100gb full speed Data plus tethering expensive? To cover a country as large as USA and Alaska and Hawaii and Puerto Rico?

the people who complain plans are expensive are those on single lines and two lines

but 4-5 lines in USA is pretty affordable.

 

[TechieGeek]

Free international data roaming with both these Google Fi packages?

Am I missing something? Because in that case, it's not a bad deal.

Any catches to this that might be worth highlighting?

If you're a frequent international traveler, Fi is amazing. There's absolutely no additional charge for "roaming". I've used it in Switzerland, Germany, Spain, Portugal, it works great everywhere. You can also get a data-only SIM for your iPad - unlike other carriers, you don't pay "more" to add an iPad, it's just charged as part of your regular data use.

With the other US carriers, you either pay a premium for international roaming, or you can get a local SIM in your destination country, but you can't iMessage using your US-based phone number if you're using a local SIM.
[automerge]1589981603[/automerge]

5 lines/$175 for essentially unlimited data (100gb full speed Data with 30gb tethering plus free hbo ). That’s $35/line. Att best plan currently. Remember most post paid customers in USA have access to family plans with employee discounts (last survey says 88% of att customers) have employee discount and or family plans

so would Europeans Consider $35/line for 100gb full speed Data plus tethering expensive? To cover a country as large as USA and Alaska and Hawaii and Puerto Rico?

the people who complain plans are expensive are those on single lines and two lines

but 4-5 lines in USA is pretty affordable.

That's the issue though, you need 5 lines....whereas in Europe you can get that plan on a single line.

It's like saying "when I bundle cable + home phone + internet + security system I can get my internet for $xx". At the end of the day, I may not need cable + home phone + security system, I only need internet. I don't need 5 lines.

 

[aneftp]

Free international data roaming with both these Google Fi packages?

Am I missing something? Because in that case, it's not a bad deal.

Any catches to this that might be worth highlighting?

Google fi is good as a secondary cellular provider for international traveling.
It’s plans are outdated these days When it launched (2015 as project fi) many USA carriers still had restricted data and hefty over charges per 1gb/$10 extra So paying 1gb per $10 seem reasonable for google fi at the time. Plus get money back if didn’t use all the data.
But with T-Mobile USA forcing att and verizon back to providing unlimited Data again in early 2017. Google fi really doesn’t serve any purpose for domestic use in USA anymore

I use it for international travel I do 1-2 times a year. Put it on pause mode the rest of the time and do not get charge.

 

[hallux]

Their plans really make no sense to me. A prepaid plan from one of the major carriers is a better plan IMO.

That depends on your use case, and/or willingness to manage data usage. I'm willing to do that and can generally keep my bill under $30.

Free international data roaming with both these Google Fi packages?

Am I missing something? Because in that case, it's not a bad deal.

Any catches to this that might be worth highlighting?

Yes, international data roaming (including hotspot) on Fi works the same as domestic data. The "catch" is that unless you're on a "designed for Fi" device you lose one of the main features of the service - network switching, which may not be as much of a benefit after the T-Mobile/Sprint merger. Devices not designed for Fi are stuck using just the T-Mobile network.

 

[TechieGeek]

Google fi is good as a secondary cellular provider for international traveling.
It’s plans are outdated these days When it launched (2015 as project fi) many USA carriers still had restricted data and hefty over charges per 1gb/$10 extra So paying 1gb per $10 seem reasonable for google fi at the time. Plus get money back if didn’t use all the data.
But with T-Mobile USA forcing att and verizon back to providing unlimited Data again in early 2017. Google fi really doesn’t serve any purpose for domestic use in USA anymore

I use it for international travel I do 1-2 times a year. Put it on pause mode the rest of the time and do not get charge.

For iPhone users, I think two advantages over the other carriers are:

1. You can add data-only SIMs for no extra charge, you're only billed for the data that they use, at the regular data rate. This means you can add a SIM to your iPad, to your car, etc. without worrying about additional charges. Other carriers require you to add a "mobile internet plan", or pre-purchase data in advance.
2. I trust Google far more than the other carriers to protect me against fraudulent SIM swaps. Sadly there are still lots of websites that don't offer app-based two-factor authentication and reply on SMS instead. There are countless stories of people walking into a carrier store with a fake ID and getting a SIM card swap, then resetting people's online passwords using SMS.

As others pointed out, Fi also does network switching on Android. On Android it can also automatically connect you to high-quality WiFi networks + automatically apply a VPN on top, so that you're using fast WiFi securely and not using your data plan.

 

[hallux]

As others pointed out, Fi also does network switching on Android. On Android it can also automatically connect you to high-quality WiFi networks + automatically apply a VPN on top, so that you're using fast WiFi securely and not using your data plan.

Only on specific Android devices, at least for the network switching part but I think for most of what you mentioned.

 

[Smearbrick]

I use a 3rd party, pay as you go plan. $50/month for unlimited data/talk, and 15GB of mobile hotspot. It’s on the Verizon network, so coverage is excellent.

I have to say, however, my girlfriend has T-Mobile, and her coverage is way better than I expected it to be.