Introduction
Are you always traveling? Tracking down WiFi in new cities is a hassle, from hidden fees to spotty networks. Google Fi allows you to choose your device, the best service provider, and save on data. It's simple, takes minutes to join and has the best support team.
In this article, I will explain how to set up your Google Fi account, how to obtain a US address, and how to activate your account outside the United States.
You can use Fi in over 210+ countries and territories around the world, here’s the full list: https://fi.google.com/about/international-rates/
When you travel, having your mobile phone always on is essential. Google Fi ensures that you stay connected regardless of where you are. For travelers who rely on the sophisticated communication, navigation and location services provided by their smartphones, a reliable connection is a must.
Enjoy worldwide mobile coverage wherever you are.
Table of Contents
- Introduction
- Google Fi Unlimited Plan
- Frequent Traveler Considerations
- How to Sign Up for Google Fi as a Non-Resident
- Google Fi Activation Outside the United States
- How to Setup Connectify Hotspot to Share Internet via WiFi from a PC
- Setup Speedify VPN
- FAQ for Google Fi
Google Fi Unlimited Plus Plan
Google Fi Unlimited is a cellular service that gives you the most data for your dollar, no annual contracts, and support in more countries than any other international cellular provider so you can use that unlimited data while traveling, and seamless phone and WiFi calling between your devices.
For $70 (single line), you now receive 22GB of high-speed data allowance. You also get free calls to 50+ countries and territories if you’re calling from inside the US. Or, Save money by adding more lines:
- Unlimited Plus for 2 people: $60 (per line)
- Unlimited Plus for 3 people: $50 (per line)
- Unlimited Plus for 4 people: $45 (per line)
Frequent Traveler Considerations ✈️
Around November 2019, there were a number of reports of people being warned that their Fi service would be terminated because these users had been leaving the US for a long time, usually over five months.
They were warned that if they did not return to the continental US soon, their data would be completely cut off. As the Google Fi Terms of Use state, they must be used predominantly in the US.
It may not be worth it for some of you, but it could still be an excellent option for others. I primarily wrote this article because it saved me from not having a working phone while I was in Canada and I was able to continue using the service once I returned to the United States.
How to Sign Up for Google Fi as a Non-Resident
Officially, Google Fi is marketed only to US citizens, but if you follow our step-by-step guide, you can get it it to work while outside the United States, which is what a sizeable proportion of customers want. The demand of activating Google Fi outside the United States has only surged with US citizens stuck in other countries during the 2020 Pandemic.
✔️US-based Google account
✔️US-based IP Address (via VPN)
✔️Supported shipping address
✔️Supported US credit card
Sign up for Google Fi
Google Fi Activation Outside the United States
I switched to my Google Fi eSIM to activate the service and got an inexplicable error message every time I tried it. It really didn't seem to work with all Android VPN apps on my Pixel 3 XL because the Google VPN (comes with Google Fi) that wants to boot up, which would close the VPN connection immediately.
I share two different ways of overcoming this problem.
The following is a list of hardware requirements:
- Internal Ethernet card
- External Ethernet USB adapter (optional).
Requirements:
1. Google Fi Compatible Phone + Fi SIM OR eSIM
2. WiFI-enabled Windows 7/8/8.1/10 Computer
3. Your Google Fi account address needs to be listed somewhere in the United States like a co-working space or other address inside the country.
OR Use Borderlinx to get an address for the shipping of the Google card + phone for activation. Alternatively, you only need to use the built-in eSIM in your Pixel 3 / 4 / 5 phone and do not need a SIM card, but still need a United States address.
Hotspot connects all devices easily to Wi-Fi
Connectify Hotspot makes all your devices happy. It's an easy-to-use virtual router application that lets you share the Internet from your laptop to your smartphone, tablet, media player, e-reader, other laptops and even your friends nearby. Use it anywhere in the world without restrictions.
How to Setup Connectify Hotspot to Share Internet via WiFi from a PC
STEP 1: In order to share 3G/4G or Ethernet connections as WiFi hotspots, please purchase the PRO or MAX versions of Connectify from the website*. Using the free trial allows you to experience all features of Connectify before paying a cent.
Sign up for Connectify Hotspot
Risk Free, 30-Day Money Back Guarantee!
*Sharing 3G/4G or Ethernet is only available in the PRO and MAX versions.
Use all of your Internet connections at once
Whether at home, at work or on the go: Speedify is the only VPN that makes your online experience faster, more reliable and more secure. It also works effortlessly with Connectify Hotspot.
STEP 2: You will need to start and connect a VPN if you have not already done so. If you are not sure which VPN to choose, I recommend going with a mobile VPN such as Speedify, that can also combine multiple connections at the same time.
Sign up for Speedify
Risk Free, 30-Day Money Back Guarantee!
With Speedify, you can combine multiple Wi-Fi, 3G/4G and wired Internet connections for higher speeds and increased reliability, but in this tutorial, we will only use it for the great way to create a hotspot for your future Google Fi phone and ease of use.
STEP 3: Navigate to and open the Connectify Hotspot application. Use the Wi-Fi Hotspot tab to create your connection.
STEP 4: Check that your VPN has been selected from the ‘Internet to Share’ drop-down.
STEP 5: Select Routed Network Access as you are unable to bridge the VPN.
STEP 6: Give your hotspot a name (SSID) and password. The hotspot name is the network name that other devices will see and connect to and connect to using your unique password. Your Connectify Hotspot is a real, working hotspot that you use just like any other wireless network.
Optional: Ad Blocker will save you a lot of data. Learn more at Connectify hotspot.
STEP 7: Press the ‘Start Hotspot’ button to begin sharing your Internet connection with your other devices.
Register for Google Fi while connected to your USA VPN and download the Google Fi app from the App Store.
I found out that I was still receiving non-descriptive errors while my phone was connected to a VPN, so I went to Settings => Network & Internet => Mobile Network => Tap ‘Google Fi' and tap “Advanced'” at the bottom of the screen, last tap “Delete SIM'” and I found out that my eSIM was activated on Google Fi while I was in Canada! Enjoy!
How did it go? Please leave a comment below if I missed something or if everything worked for you. I would love to hear from you!
I found Speedify + Connectify to be one of the easiest ways to make things work instantly and without too much effort. You can use other VPNs, but you still need a way to somehow get your phone into the VPN network and they have set up these two tools to do that.
I used Google Fi from Comber, Ontario to Quebec and had service most of the time, except for Mont-Tremblant National Park, where there is little cell phone reception. If you can, try calling via WiFi apps, otherwise it costs 20 cents per minute when you call home to the United States.
Alternatively, we setup our DD-WRT flashed router to route all traffic through a US-based VPN service so we can activate our Google Fi account and protect our data from prying eyes.
Let's look at how to activate Google Fi with a NETGEAR WiFI Router, flashed with DD-WRT firmware.
FAQ for Google Fi
Can I activate Google FI outside the USA?
The most important factor to make this work is to use a US-based VPN service, so that your device seems to have a connection from the United States.
Which Networks Does Google Fi Use?
In the United States, Fi uses T-Mobile / Sprint and U.S. Cellular.
In other countries, Google uses other compatible networks.
What is Google Fi VPN?
Whenever you connect to public Wi-Fi hotspots, your phone automatically connects to Google's proprietary VPN service, which protects you from someone else sharing the network or someone close to you sniffing out your signal.
Is there a Google Fi Trial?
New Google Fi users receive a free 1-month of unlimited service when they bring their own phone. Get $20 off your bill by using my referral link.
Sign up for Google Fi
Sign up for Connectify Hotspot
Sign up for Speedify
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