First off, I LOVE Project Fi. It has completely replaced my previous methods while travelling internationally (Using expensive Verizon plans or buying a local pre-paid SIM). It's simple and awesome! The Data Only addition has been a freaking miracle since I have so many devices that had previously been decommissioned WiFi only devices.
I recently decided to add a few Data Only SIM cards. My kids use my old decommissioned phones to play games so I popped them in to see if they would work. YUP!
The best thing? The extra SIMs are free, you can add up to 9! They share the same data plan you have. If you go over 1GB then you pay an extra $10...etc. Super simple, no surprises.
The supported list of devices is simply a suggestion... The APN information will work on any device which you can edit the APN list for. Since my primary line is Verizon then most of my devices are Verizon and in case you didn't know, Verizon DOES NOT carrier lock their devices. This is a popular misconception carrying over from their CDMA days.
I'll re-iterate, ANY "global ready" device on Verizon will work with ANY SIM card as long as you know the correct APN settings and the global radios are compatible with their service. I've been doing this internationally for years!
Devices I'm using on Google Fi:
Nexus 5 (Unlocked)
HTC One M7 (Verizon)
Samsung Galaxy S4 (Verizon)
DROID MAXX (Verizon)
NEXUS 6 (UNLOCKED)
VZW Moto X (1st gen)
I'll add a few notes on the usage:
The Fi SIM is Nano only. Most of these devices are Micro-SIM so I stick with adapters I KNOW are good and work. Be VERY careful which adapter you use since I have literally destroyed the pins on phones and tablets with the wrong adapter and ruined $300 phones in the process.
I personally prefer the MediaDevil adapter which is $6 on Amazon, I have a number of sets of these now and had zero issues.
All of the VZW devices show messages at bootup saying "Non-Verizon SIM detected" but after setting up the APN once, which did not require any unlock codes, all worked fine... I just dismiss the message and they rock.
Unlocked devices still needed to have the APN configured but do not have the "non-standard" SIM alert.
The HTC One (M7) runs on the slower 3G bands despite having radios for HSDPA. Not sure why, it's an older phone.
The Nexus 5 only really worked correctly on Fi with 6.0 Android and since the Jan 2016 6.0.1 release it has been freaking awesome and rocks all the LTE bands. Seriously, best update you could ever hope for.
The S4 and the MAXX OCCASSIONALLY shows LTE. Otherwise it's still fast 4G speeds on H+
Typically the devices show H+ on the signal.
I recently decided to add a few Data Only SIM cards. My kids use my old decommissioned phones to play games so I popped them in to see if they would work. YUP!
The best thing? The extra SIMs are free, you can add up to 9! They share the same data plan you have. If you go over 1GB then you pay an extra $10...etc. Super simple, no surprises.
The supported list of devices is simply a suggestion... The APN information will work on any device which you can edit the APN list for. Since my primary line is Verizon then most of my devices are Verizon and in case you didn't know, Verizon DOES NOT carrier lock their devices. This is a popular misconception carrying over from their CDMA days.
I'll re-iterate, ANY "global ready" device on Verizon will work with ANY SIM card as long as you know the correct APN settings and the global radios are compatible with their service. I've been doing this internationally for years!
Devices I'm using on Google Fi:
Nexus 5 (Unlocked)
HTC One M7 (Verizon)
Samsung Galaxy S4 (Verizon)
DROID MAXX (Verizon)
NEXUS 6 (UNLOCKED)
VZW Moto X (1st gen)
I'll add a few notes on the usage:
The Fi SIM is Nano only. Most of these devices are Micro-SIM so I stick with adapters I KNOW are good and work. Be VERY careful which adapter you use since I have literally destroyed the pins on phones and tablets with the wrong adapter and ruined $300 phones in the process.
I personally prefer the MediaDevil adapter which is $6 on Amazon, I have a number of sets of these now and had zero issues.
All of the VZW devices show messages at bootup saying "Non-Verizon SIM detected" but after setting up the APN once, which did not require any unlock codes, all worked fine... I just dismiss the message and they rock.
Unlocked devices still needed to have the APN configured but do not have the "non-standard" SIM alert.
The HTC One (M7) runs on the slower 3G bands despite having radios for HSDPA. Not sure why, it's an older phone.
The Nexus 5 only really worked correctly on Fi with 6.0 Android and since the Jan 2016 6.0.1 release it has been freaking awesome and rocks all the LTE bands. Seriously, best update you could ever hope for.
The S4 and the MAXX OCCASSIONALLY shows LTE. Otherwise it's still fast 4G speeds on H+
Typically the devices show H+ on the signal.
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