Is Google Fi better than Verizon?

[ImTurningViolet]

Re: Google Fi

If your signal is good at home and most places you go then wifi calling does not need to be on AFAIK. I just always had mine on whether I was using it for calls or not because my cell signal at home was crap with all 3 services.
Sounds like it's working out for you, that's great! You will end up saving money and it will add up over time.

Thanks to you and Gary for the advice! I get strong TMo signals here in SF so I am not really worried about that part of it. And I have been leaving WiFi scanning on bc like Gary, I have Xfinity wifi so I can connect to open hotspots. I've noticed it connecting here and there.
I know I'm only a week and a half in, but I've really been pleasantly surprised by how easy the switch has been. My goal is to make the $200 credit I got for switching last as long as possible with me and my husband on the plan. Maybe we'll switch back at some point, but with international data and a super low phone bill, maybe we won't ever switch back.

 

[TraderGary]

Re: Google Fi

Thanks to you and Gary for the advice! I get strong TMo signals here in SF so I am not really worried about that part of it. And I have been leaving WiFi scanning on bc like Gary, I have Xfinity wifi so I can connect to open hotspots. I've noticed it connecting here and there.
I know I'm only a week and a half in, but I've really been pleasantly surprised by how easy the switch has been. My goal is to make the $200 credit I got for switching last as long as possible with me and my husband on the plan. Maybe we'll switch back at some point, but with international data and a super low phone bill, maybe we won't ever switch back.

Sounds like you too are in a good area to make Fi work. Kate and I are 14 months in and we've now saved over $1,000 from what we used to pay. We pay no attention to trying to save data because of automatic WiFi connections wherever we go.

Did you opt in to the Google Fi VPN for WiFi safety? When you do there will be a little "Key Icon" in the Status Bar.

And be sure to give the Signal Spy app a try as it's built to work with Fi and gives you lots of good info in the Status Bar like what Carrier and WiFi you're connected to and signal strength.

 

[ImTurningViolet]

Re: Google Fi

Sounds like you too are in a good area to make Fi work. Kate and I are 14 months in and we've now saved over $1,000 from what we used to pay. We pay no attention to trying to save data because of automatic WiFi connections wherever we go.

Did you opt in to the Google Fi VPN for WiFi safety? When you do there will be a little "Key Icon" in the Status Bar.

I actually wanted to ask you about that. Is it network tools --> Enhance network? And it runs all the time?
I would feel better having it on since I'll be connecting to hotspots. I just wasn't sure if I had to toggle that on or it Google would automatically route me through their VPN. It was a bit confusing.

 

[ImTurningViolet]

And I will definitely check out Signal Spy.

Edit: got it- and am definitely keeping it!

 

[TraderGary]

Re: Google Fi

I actually wanted to ask you about that. Is it network tools --> Enhance network? And it runs all the time?
I would feel better having it on since I'll be connecting to hotspots. I just wasn't sure if I had to toggle that on or it Google would automatically route me through their VPN. It was a bit confusing.

Yes, that's it. It's still in Beta, but it runs flawlessly and should be a standard option soon. Toggle it ON and from that point on you are always running through the Google Fi VPN for both cellular and WiFi. I wouldn't be without it. It says on the page that the VPN will increase data usage by about 10%. I'm not noticing much of an increase, if at all, but then our actual billable cellular data use is so low that 10% of "not much" is even less of "not much".

 

[ImTurningViolet]

Re: Google Fi

Awesome, thank you.

 

[puch96]

Re: Google Fi

Wifi VPN routed by Google will also work even if you don't have Google Fi. When the system deems a safe WiFi connection, my phone will connect to Wifi (with the key symbol next to it). But it works in a few places that I've seen.

 

[18t]

Re: Google Fi

So far my fi experience has been pretty good. The biggest issue I have is that I can no longer forward Google voice calls to my actual phone number. Anyone know a way around this?

 

[Almeuit]

Re: Google Fi

So far my fi experience has been pretty good. The biggest issue I have is that I can no longer forward Google voice calls to my actual phone number. Anyone know a way around this?

From looking here it may not be possible (unless there is a hack out there). Google says you could possibly move your GV number to another account but IDK how feasible that would be for you.

https://support.google.com/fi/answer/6246240?hl=en

 

[18t]

Re: Google Fi

I was able to Port my gv number to another account, but trying to get that number forwarded to my fi number is the real problem.

 

[hallux]

Re: Google Fi

It can't be done. A Fi number is technically a Google voice number, Google Voice can't forward to Google Voice.

 

[sjcdal]

Re: Google Fi

So far my fi experience has been pretty good. The biggest issue I have is that I can no longer forward Google voice calls to my actual phone number. Anyone know a way around this?

No, you cannot forward GV to FI...because google considers FI a subset of GV, and you cannot forward one GV # to another. BUT I use FI, and have multiple GV #'s ring through to my Pixel on FI. Just set up Hangouts on the phone. Then:

• Hangouts/Hamburger upper left/
• choose the google account associated with the number you want to ring/
• Incoming Calls
• select INCOMING CALLS then
• enable notifications and Sound and Vibrate.

The great thing about this is that each number can have a different ring tone, so you know which one is ringing. Incoming calls will pop up notification and you answer from within Hangouts...and the calls are routed over wifi or cellular data...very small data usage.


This method also works if you wanted to have your work phone accept a personal line that went through GV.

You can dial OUT through hangouts dialer too, so no logging by the cell line, and it will again use cellular data not counting against cellular minutes.


Oh...and one other thing I do is set up a forwarding rule from my GV numbers so that any transcribed voicemail along with the link to listen is automatically forwarded to my main email account.

 

[18t]

Re: Google Fi

No, you cannot forward GV to FI...because google considers FI a subset of GV, and you cannot forward one GV # to another. BUT I use FI, and have multiple GV #'s ring through to my Pixel on FI. Just set up Hangouts on the phone. Then:

• Hangouts/Hamburger upper left/
• choose the google account associated with the number you want to ring/
• Incoming Calls
• select INCOMING CALLS then
• enable notifications and Sound and Vibrate.

The great thing about this is that each number can have a different ring tone, so you know which one is ringing. Incoming calls will pop up notification and you answer from within Hangouts...and the calls are routed over wifi or cellular data...very small data usage.


This method also works if you wanted to have your work phone accept a personal line that went through GV.

You can dial OUT through hangouts dialer too, so no logging by the cell line, and it will again use cellular data not counting against cellular minutes.


Oh...and one other thing I do is set up a forwarding rule from my GV numbers so that any transcribed voicemail along with the link to listen is automatically forwarded to my main email account.

I tried the Hangouts trick, but the phone would never ring during a call. Only would receive a missed call notification.

 

[Erinjayala]

Re: Google Fi

Google Fi support is HORRIBLE!!! First of all, my pixel 3 microphone stopped working after 3 days. I looked online and it seemed like a common occurrence. I contacted support and they arranged for a replacement. They told me go ahead and order my replacement and not to worry because I wouldn't be charged (Its a $799 phone). I gullibley proceeded and guess what? It immediately was charged and caused me to overdraw my account. I contacted them and thus began my 5 hour call to resolve this matter, even though I never got a satisfactory resolution. In the end, I just wanted them to cancel my order and do a regular replacement procedure that didn't involve an Authorization Hold. After hours of being put on hold and passed around I was assured that the order was cancelled. The next day I contacted them again to make sure they had in fact cancelled the order and they hadn't. I had to file a claim with my bank which will still take up to 10 days to resolve. I can't believe Google has such terrible support. Their own employees were frustrated by their convoluted processes. Do yourself a favor and stay away from Fi!

 

[Mike Dee]

Re: Google Fi

Google Fi support is HORRIBLE!!! First of all, my pixel 3 microphone stopped working after 3 days. I looked online and it seemed like a common occurrence. I contacted support and they arranged for a replacement. They told me go ahead and order my replacement and not to worry because I wouldn't be charged (Its a $799 phone). I gullibley proceeded and guess what? It immediately was charged and caused me to overdraw my account. I contacted them and thus began my 5 hour call to resolve this matter, even though I never got a satisfactory resolution. In the end, I just wanted them to cancel my order and do a regular replacement procedure that didn't involve an Authorization Hold. After hours of being put on hold and passed around I was assured that the order was cancelled. The next day I contacted them again to make sure they had in fact cancelled the order and they hadn't. I had to file a claim with my bank which will still take up to 10 days to resolve. I can't believe Google has such terrible support. Their own employees were frustrated by their convoluted processes. Do yourself a favor and stay away from Fi!

I don't know about Google Fi specifically but Google support gives you the option whether you want to return first or receive first. Receive first they always put a temporary hold on your card.

 

[Itsa_Me_Mario]

Re: Google Fi

I don't know about Google Fi specifically but Google support gives you the option whether you want to return first or receive first. Receive first they always put a temporary hold on your card.

Fi is the same.

 

[TraderGary]

Re: Google Fi

I don't know about Google Fi specifically but Google support gives you the option whether you want to return first or receive first. Receive first they always put a temporary hold on your card.

Google Fi and Google Support work the same way through the Google Store. I always opt for the temporary hold as I don't want to be without my phone. I've never had a problem understanding the process.

 

[sulla1965]

IMO nothing beats Verizon in coverage. T-Mobile and even Sprint have upped their game in recent years, but Verizon is still #1 for a reason.

 

[mustang7757]

IMO nothing beats Verizon in coverage. T-Mobile and even Sprint have upped their game in recent years, but Verizon is still #1 for a reason.

That depends where your location is

 

[18t]

That depends where your location is

Yep. I think Verizon is better as a whole, especially in sparse locations, but it entirely depends on your area. For me, Verizon isn't as good at my home or office, but is fairly better in the mountains.