Pixel 3 and Google Fi - "Enhance Network" VPN

[dannyro77]

I've been reading about the relatively new setting for us Google Fi users in regard to enabling the "enhance network" option in settings to basically turn on Google VPN for cell/mobile data. Are the majority of people turning this on? Does the benefit outweigh the extra data useage (over 1 day Google connectivity services used 30 MB of data which essentially means its an extra Gig of data used).

I dont know if it makes the connection slower, but it does tell you outright it will use more data. Just looking for opinions: is it worth it? Not many articles written about it so far.

thanks

Dan

 

[hallux]

I have a Pixel 2 but I can chime in as I'm on Fi and have this option. I leave it off for the most part. It works fine on my home connection but the guest network at work and the WiFi available at my supermarket are not up to standard for the connection to not bypass to LTE. Because of that I just leave it off.

 

[anon(10274434)]

I have mine ON. I use very little data to start with so I haven't noticed any increase.

 

[Almeuit]

I've been reading about the relatively new setting for us Google Fi users in regard to enabling the "enhance network" option in settings to basically turn on Google VPN for cell/mobile data. Are the majority of people turning this on? Does the benefit outweigh the extra data useage (over 1 day Google connectivity services used 30 MB of data which essentially means its an extra Gig of data used).

I dont know if it makes the connection slower, but it does tell you outright it will use more data. Just looking for opinions: is it worth it? Not many articles written about it so far.

thanks

Dan

It will slow it down a little bit but it usually won't matter much unless you have a bad data connection. Adding encryption takes more time due to processing but not much.

I'd suggest giving it a try if you want to be more secure.

 

[18t]

I keep it off most of the time. If I am going to be using public wifi a lot then I will turn it on.

 

[N4Newbie]

I'm not a privacy fanatic, but have used the "Private Internet Access" (PIA) VPN for some time because it gets around my gym's free Wi-Fi's blocklist.

So, I was happy to see Google incorporate their own VPN into Fi services.

Having said that, I have since come to realize that my Xfinity Stream app will not allow me to stream live TV stations that have DRM enabled (basically, all of them it seems) because it says that it is "Available to watch in home only". Disconnecting the VPN resolves the issue.