How to Set up Google Fi on iPhone X, iPhone 8, and iPhone Xs Max

Google’s next-generation cellular carrier — Google Fi that comes as a replacement to Project Fi — is increasing in popularity across the mobile phone ecosystem. Many users have been tempted to ditch AT&T, Verizon Wireless, T-Mobile, and Sprint for the latest network owing to its extremely cheap plans, which start at just $20 and its capability to establish connection with millions of Wi-Fi hotspots all around the world. And there is even a Google Fi app that is now offered on the iOS App Store.

If you’re one of such iPhone owners looking to make the switch, there are some things you need to know about setting up Google Fi up on your Apple mobile device, such as iPhone X, iPhone 8, and iPhone Xs Max. This is what we will be addressing in this how-to article.

Step-by-Step Guide on Setting up Google Fi on iPhone

Step 1: Ensure that your smartphone is not carrier-locked

First, you should find out whether your iPhone is carrier-unlocked (also known as GSM-unlocked or SIM-unlocked) or not. If it is, the device would not connect to Google Fi’s network, even if it has the technical capability of doing so. If your iPhone was bought directly from Apple, it is quite possible that it is unlocked. If you purchased the device from your network carrier, you may need to unlock it.

Step 2: Check Fi’s limitations on iPhone to be sure you’ve no qualms with them

You need to know Apple iPhones do not have the capability to switch between the three underlying networks of Google Fi — Sprint, T-Mobile, and US Cellular. Rather than this, any iPhone that you make use of with Google Fi will be restricted to solely the T-Mobile network.

Before taking any step further, it is advised that you check T-Mobile’s coverage map in a bid to confirm that there is strong coverage in your area. But to make sure that you get an exact representation of coverage, you should not click on the “Extended Range LTE-600 Mhz” overlay. (We will explain this in detail later.)

You could be concerned about the various bands as well as frequencies employed by the different US network carriers, but you needn’t be. Every iPhone sold in the United States, irrespective of whether they were bought directly from Apple or through a carrier, support all major T-Mobile frequencies. The single exception here is the new 600 MHz Band 71 network of T-Mobile; however, even iPhones that are bought from T-Mobile themselves are not compatible with this network. Put it another way, you will get the exact same coverage by making use of all US iPhones on Fi just the same way a T-Mobile iPhone would receive it on the T-Mobile network carrier.

Also, your mobile device will lose few of its capabilities on Google Fi, at least in the meantime. SMS texting won’t work over Wi-Fi. iMessage will work normally; sending text to non-iPhone users, however, will require being connected to a cell tower. Also, making calls via Wi-Fi won’t work. You won’t be able to get access to visual voicemail by switching to Google Fi. These concerns could be addressed in the near future when Google releases updates for their Fi app for iPhones.

Step 3: Get a dedicated SIM card for project Fi

If you still gung-ho about making the switch, you will need to purchase a Google Fi SIM card. To buy one, just register for Google Fi and choose “Bring your own phone” when you are asked to state a device. You will not incur any charges for the SIM kit to be used with your Apple iPhone.

Step 4: Do the installation of Google Fi app

At this juncture, you should install Google Fi app on your device. To do this, you can enter “Google Fi” in the search portal on the App Store or access the installation page directly. And it is free.

Step 5: Activate the SIM card of Fi

Now, simply insert the SIM of your Google Fi into the Apple iPhone and restart it. When your smartphone comes right back up, launch Google Fi app; log in by using the Google account you made use of in activating Fi. Lastly, follow the ensuing prompts to enable your new cell service.

Step 5: Put the Option for SMS & MMS Messages on

With a view to ensuring that your Apple iPhone is able to send and receive normal non-iMessage text messages, you will need to tweak some additional options. To do this, launch the Settings app; then go to the “Cellular” menu. If your device runs iOS 12, hit “Cellular Data Network.” If it is on iOS 11, tap “Cellular Data Options” > “Cellular Data Network”.

The next thing is to manually input some values into the provided fields. You should copy and paste the pieces of info stated below exactly the way you see them. Of course, the “leave blank” fields should left blank.

 Cellular Data

APN: h2g2
Username: leave blank
Password: leave blank

LTE Setup

APN: h2g2
Username: leave blank
Password: leave blank

MMS

APN: h2g2
Username: leave blank
Password: leave blank
MMSC: fi.g.co/mms/wapenc
MMS Proxy: leave blank
MMS Max Message Size: 1048676
MMS UA Prof URL: apple.com/mms/uaprof.rdf

After completing this step, you should restart your iPhone once more. That’s all: Google Fi is now fully set up on your mobile phone!