Google Fi, formerly Project Fi, was first launched in 2015 as a solution to the problems experienced by significant network carriers. It allows users to get 4G LTE and 5G service from the most robust network.
It was initially available on Nexus 6 but currently works on various Android phones and tablets. But does that mean that any device can work with Google Fi? Far from it! So, what devices work with Google Fi? This article discusses that and more.
What is Google Fi?
Google Fi is a Google program established to provide fast wireless connectivity to users across the United States. Google partners with leading network carriers, hardware manufacturers, and users to deliver reliable wireless connectivity.
It uses T-Mobile and US Cellular, leading network carriers, and Wi-Fi hotspots to provide the most reliable connectivity possible. All it takes is having a smartphone designed for Fi or compatible with Fi. So, you’re good to go if you have an iPhone, Pixel, or an unlocked Android phone.
Besides, Google Fi has a streamlined billing system that lets you pay one monthly fee for unlimited tests and talk plus a per-gigabyte flat rate. With the Bill Protection feature, Google Fi caps your monthly charges, serving as an unlimited plan.
Devices That Work With Google Fi
Only unlocked devices work with Google Fi. Any phone bought from the Google Store or Google Fi is unlocked. If in doubt, ask the shop where you bought the phone or your current carrier. Possibly, your carrier will unlock the phone once you’ve met certain conditions.
What devices work with Google Fi? At the bare minimum, compatible Android phones run on Android 7.0, have 4G LTE bands 2 and 4, and support calls via VoLTE. For iPhones, compatible devices must run at least iOS 13.
Here are the various categories of devices that work with Google Fi:
1. Phone Models Specially Designed for Google Fi
With this category of devices, you get all the functionality you need from Fi. You can make calls, send or receive texts, and connect to the internet on the 4G LTE or 5G networks. You also get to enjoy international roaming and a VPN-aided secure connection.
The phones designed for Google Fi are available from the Google Store or Google fi. Each phone works with a differently-sized SIM card. That’s why you should find out to ensure your phone works from the get-go.
The following are some of the phones which are made especially for Google Fi:
| Phone Make | Phone Model |
|---|---|
| Pixel | Pixel 6, Pixel 6 Pro, Pixel 2 and up (all versions), Pixel Model G-2PW4100 (North American version), Pixel XL Model G-2PW2100 (North American version) |
| iPad | iPad Pro 2015, iPad Air 2 – Model A1567, iPad Mini 4 – Model A1550 |
| LG | LG G7 ThinQ (North American version), LG V35 ThinQ (North American version) |
| Motorola | Android One Moto X4 (all versions), Moto G 5G (North American version), Moto G6 (North American version), Moto G7 (North American version), Moto G Play (North American version), Moto G Power – 2020, 2021, and 2022 (North American Version), Moto G Stylus (North American version), Moto G Stylus 5G (North American version), Motorola One 5G Ace (North American Version) |
| Nexus | Nexus 5X Model LGH790 (North American Version), Nexus 6 Model XT1103 (North American version), Nexus 6P Model H1511 (North American version), Nexus 9 OP82300 (US LTE) |
| Samsung | Samsung Galaxy A03s (North American version), Samsung Galaxy A13 5G (North American Version), Samsung Galaxy A32 5G (North American version), Samsung Galaxy A53 5G (North American version), Samsung Galaxy A71 5G (North American version), Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G (North American version), Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G (North American version), Samsung Galaxy S20 5G (North American version), Samsung Galaxy S20+ 5G (North American version), Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G (North American version), Samsung Galaxy S21 5G (North American version), Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G (North American version), Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra (North American version), Samsung Galaxy S22 5G (North American version), Samsung Galaxy S22+ 5G (North American version), Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra 5G (North American version), Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G (North American version) |
2. Apple Models that Work with Google Fi
Several apple devices work perfectly with Google Fi. With these devices, you can make calls, send or receive texts, and connect to the internet. iPhone users access all these services via the T-Mobile network. Besides, it is possible to use international roaming services.
With Android devices, you can access Wi-Fi hotspots and tether to the internet when you travel to foreign countries. However, you can text with an additional setup. In the case of iMessage, you do not have to change the setting. All iPhones work perfectly well.
Essentially, all iPhones with at least iOS 13 can work with Fi. The following are some of the iPhones that work with Google Fi:
- iPhone SE
- iPhone 6S
- iPhone 6S Plus
- iPhone 7
- iPhone 7 Plus
- iPhone 8
- iPhone 8 Plus
- iPhone X
- iPhone XR
- iPhone XS
- iPhone XS Max
- iPhone 11
- iPhone 12 series
- iPhone 13 series
3. Samsung Phone Models Compatible with Google Fi
While some Samsung phone models are specially-made for Google Fi, others might not work efficiently on the network. Most of them are compatible but need to be unlocked to work. You can use them to make calls, send and receive texts, and broadband data on the T-Mobile network.
These phones are also suitable for making calls over Wi-Fi and international roaming. The Samsung phones should run Android 7.0 Nougat, support VoLTE, and feature LTE bands 2 and 4. The following are some of the Samsung phone models compatible with Google Fi:
| Samsung Series | Phone Model |
|---|---|
| Samsung Galaxy S Series | Samsung Galaxy S10, Samsung Galaxy S10+, Samsung Galaxy S10 E, Samsung Galaxy S8, Samsung Galaxy S9, Samsung Galaxy S9+, Samsung Galaxy S8+, Samsung Galaxy S8 Active, Samsung Galaxy S7, Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge, Samsung Galaxy S7 Active, Samsung Galaxy S6, Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge, Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge+, Samsung Galaxy S6 Active |
| Samsung Galaxy Note Series | Samsung Galaxy Note 8, Samsung Galaxy Note 9 |
| Samsung J Series | Samsung Galaxy J7 (2017 and 2018), Samsung Galaxy J3 (2017 and 2018) |
4. Motorola Models Compatible with Google Fi
Motorola is one of the phone manufacturers with phones you can use with Google Fi. So long as the phone is unlocked, you can use it to send and receive text messages, make calls, and connect to the internet. Unlike other phone models, Motorola phones can only work with Google Fi if they have Android 8.0 and above. Besides, the phones must support VoLTE and have LTE bands 2 and 4. So, if you have a phone with these features, you can rest assured it will work with Fi.
The following are some of the Motorola phones that work with Google Fi:
| Motorola Phone Series | Motorola Phones |
|---|---|
| Motorola Moto Z Series | Motorola Moto Z3, Motorola Moto Z3 Play, Motorola Moto Z2, Motorola Moto Z2 Play, Motorola Z2 Force, Motorola Moto Z |
| Motorola Moto G Series | Motorola Moto G Power (North American version), Motorola Moto G Stylus (North American version), Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G (North America version), Motorola Moto G4 (with at least Android O), Motorola Moto G4 Plus (with at least Android O), Motorola Moto G5 (with at least Android O), Motorola Moto G5 Plus (with at least Android O), Motorola Moto G5S (with at least Android O), Motorola Moto G5S Plus (with at least Android O), Motorola Moto G6 Plus, Motorola Moto G6 Play, Motorola Moto G7 Plus, Motorola Moto G7 Play, Motorola Moto G7 Power, Motorola Moto G7, Motorola Moto G 5G |
| Motorola Moto E Series | Motorola Moto E4, Motorola Moto E4 Plus, Motorola Moto E5, Motorola Moto E5 Plus, Motorola Moto E5 Play |
| Motorola Moto One | Motorola Moto One (Android One), Motorola Moto One Power |
5. LG Phone Models Compatible with Google Fi
What devices work with Google Fi? On the LG menu, several phones work perfectly well with Google Fi. Besides being unlocked, it is necessary for the phones to run Android 7.0 Nougat, support VoLTE, and have bands 2 and 4 for LTE.
Like any other Google Fi phone, you can use the LG devices to make calls, send or receive texts, and connect to the internet via the T-Mobile network. Besides, you can make local and international calls over Wi-Fi. Whenever you need it, you can easily use international roaming.
The following LG phones are compatible with Google Fi:
| LG Phone Series | LG Phone Model |
|---|---|
| LG V Series | LG V20LG, V30LG, V30SLG V35 ThinQ (carrier editions), LG V40 |
| LG G Series | LG G6, LG G7 ThinQ (carrier editions), LG G7 One (Android One) |
| LG Stylo Series | LG Styo 4, LG Stylo 3 |
| LG Budget Devises | LG X Venture, LG X Charge, LG X Power, LG K20 Plus and K30, LG Aristo 2, LG Aristo 2 Plus |
6. Huawei Phone Models Compatible with Google Fi
You can also buy a Huawei phone and use it with Google Fi if it’s compatible. With any of the Huawei phone models, you can make calls and receive and send messages. Whether a 4G LTE or a 5G phone, it can help you stay in touch via the T-Mobile or US Cellular networks. Besides, you can make calls via Wi-Fi and access international roaming services. Texting over Wi-Fi is also possible.
The following are the Huawei phone models you can use with Google Fi:
| Huawei Phone Series | Huawei Phone Models |
|---|---|
| Huawei Honor Series | Huawei Honor 8 |
| Huawei Mate Series | Huawei Mate 10 Pro, Huawei Mate 20, Huawei Mate Pro, Huawei Mate 20 Lite |
| Huawei P Series | Huawei P20, Huawei P20 Pro |
7. OnePlus Phone Models Compatible with Google Fi
OnePlus provides a wide variety of smartphones to its customers in the United States. You will likely find models that work with Google Fi on its extensive menu of phones. All the OnePlus devices are great for making calls, texting, and browsing the internet. Besides, you can make international calls over the internet or Wi-Fi.
Depending on your location, you may also send and receive texts over Wi-Fi. However, you cannot pick just any OnePlus phone and hope it works with Google Fi. Ideally, the phone should have Android 7.0 and LTE bands 2 and 4. To allow you to make calls over Wi-Fi and the internet, all OnePlus phones should support VoLTE.
The following OnePlus phones are compatible with Google Fi:
- OnePlus 3
- OnePlus 3T
- OnePlus 5
- OnePlus 5T
- OnePlus 6
- OnePlus 6T
- OnePlus 7T
- OnePlus 7 Pro
- OnePlus 8
- OnePlus 8 Pro
- OnePlus 8T
- OnePlus 9
- OnePlus 9 Pro
8. Other Models Compatible with Google Fi
Other phone manufacturers with devices work perfectly well with Google Fi. The phone companies include Nokia, Essential, Red, and Xiaomi. It is critical that these phones run on Android 7.0 or later. Besides, they should support VoLTE and have LTE bands 2 and 4.
With any of these phones, you get all the basic functionality, including texting, making calls, and surfing the internet. Additionally, you can use the international roaming functionality and call your friends over Wi-Fi. In some instances, you can also text over Wi-Fi.
The following are the other phones that work with Google Fi:
| Phone Brand | Phone Model |
|---|---|
| Essential | Essential PH-1 |
| Nokia | Nokia 8 Sirocco (Android One), Nokia 7.1 (Android One) |
| Red | Red Hydrogen One |
| Xiaomi | Xiaomi Mi A2 Lite |
9. Tablets Compatible with Google Wi-Fi
You can use a tablet with Google Fi by first activating your phone. Once done, you can connect your tablet to the internet using mobile data. However, not all the available Google Fi plans make it possible to add a data-only SIM and use your tablet.
An example of a tariff that doesn’t support a data-only SIM card is the Simply Unlimited plan. But if you’re on the Flexible or Unlimited Plus plans, you’ll be able to use a data-only SIM card. The following are some of the tablets that are compatible with Google Fi:
- Android tablets with Android 7.0 or higher (US versions)
- Nexus 9 LTE (US versions)
- Samsung Galaxy Tabs S2 or newer
- Sony Xperia Z4 (US version)
- iPads with at least iOS 13 and LTE bands 2 and 4
10. 5G Phones that Work with Google Fi
5G technology provides breath-taking download skills and seamless streaming of 4K videos. Google Fi can offer 5G service courtesy of T-Mobile. With the right phone, you can enjoy the benefits of 5G. The following are some of the 5G phones that work with Google Fi:
| Phone Brand | Phone Model |
|---|---|
| Motorola | Motorola One 5G Ace, Motorola Moto G 5G, Motorola Moto G Stylus 5G |
| Pixel | Pixel 4a and later models |
| Samsung | Samsung Galaxy A32 5G, Samsung Galaxy A53 5G, Samsung Galaxy A71 5G, Samsung Galaxy A13 5G, Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G, Samsung Galaxy Note20 Ultra 5G, Samsung Galaxy S20 5G, Samsung Galaxy S20+ 5G, Samsung Galaxy S20 Ultra 5G, Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, Samsung Galaxy S21+ 5G, Samsung Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G, Samsung Galaxy S22, Samsung Galaxy S22+, Samsung Galaxy S22 Ultra, Samsung Galaxy Z Flip3 5G |
The Bottom Line
What devices work with Google Fi? This article canvasses that topic in greater detail, providing a comprehensive list of devices you can use with Google Fi. If your phone doesn’t appear on this list, it is unlikely to work with Fi. So, you must check for comparability to ensure that it can work.
Once you join Google Fi, you will have an opportunity to enjoy stable rates for unlimited texts, calls, and data. The good thing is that it is available nationwide via the T-Mobile network.