Set up eSIM & activate Google Fi trial

To join the trial, you must add the Google Fi network as an eSIM on your unlocked, eSIM compatible phone.

Tip: "pSIM" stands for "physical SIM" and "eSIM" for "embedded SIM."

Dual-SIM set-up & trial activation

For more information on how to use dual SIM with an eSIM, go to the manufacturer's support site.

Eligible iPhone devices

Your original SIM is a pSIM or you have an iPhone 13 model & later

Check out the tutorial for these eligible phones:

Activate Google Fi with your dual-SIM phone

You can have 2 active SIMs at the same time. When you sign up for the trial, you must connect to the Google Fi mobile network. This action doesn’t cancel the service with your current carrier.

  1. To add Google Fi to your phone, follow the instructions on your screen.
    1. Set your preferences for calls, texts, and data.
      • Your Google Fi plan has a default label at first. To give it the custom label, tap on the default label.
        • Default Line: To set your current carrier, select Primary. This lets you send calls and texts from your existing number. You can still switch to Google Fi before you call or text.
        • iMessage & Facetime: To set your current carrier, select Primary.
        • Cellular Data: Select Google Fi.
          • To accurately test out Google Fi’s coverage, turn off Allow Cellular Data Switching.
    2. To update the network setting, follow the instructions on your screen.
  2. Get your new Google Fi number.
  3. To complete the final checks before you start the trial, follow the instructions on your screen.
Test your Google Fi service

From the top of your phone's screen, swipe down. Your other carrier should be displayed alongside Google Fi. When you make calls, send texts, or browse the internet, make sure Google Fi is selected.

Calls

If you're calling someone in your Favorites list:

  1. Tap Info.
  2. If the other carrier's label is displayed, tap the label.
  3. Select the label corresponding to Google Fi.

If you're using the keypad:

  1. Enter the phone number.
  2. If the other carrier's label is displayed, near the top of the screen, tap the label.
  3. Select the label corresponding to Google Fi.

iMessage or SMS/MMS message

  1. Open Messages.
  2. Open an existing conversation.
    1. For a new conversation, tap New.
  3. Enter the contact's name.
  4. If the other carrier's label is displayed, tap it.
  5. Select the label corresponding to Google Fi.

Browse the internet

  1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app.
  2. Tap either Cellular or Mobile Data.
  3. Turn on Cellular Data.
  4. Turn off Wi-Fi.
  5. Stream a video or run a data speed test.

If Google Fi isn't displayed alongside your other carrier, update your carrier settings.

Update default carrier preferences after activation
  1. Label your plans. It helps you identify which carrier and phone number to use for calls, texts, and data.
    1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app.
    2. Tap Cellularand then the phone number and then Cellular Plan Label.
    3. Select a label or enter a custom label.
  2. For data, calls, and texts, set Google Fi as the default carrier and phone number your device automatically uses.
    1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app.
    2. Tap Cellular.
    3. Select which carrier and phone number you want as Primary for “Default Line” and “iMessage and Facetime.”
      • If you want your iPhone to use mobile data from both carriers, depending on coverage and availability, turn on Allow Cellular Data Switching.

Your original SIM is an eSIM

Your original SIM for the iPhone SE(2020), XR, XS, 11, 12, and their series is an eSIM.

Check out the tutorial for these eligible phones:

Turn on Google Fi on your dual-SIM phone

You can have just one eSIM active at a time. When you sign up for the trial, we ask you to switch to Google Fi. We temporarily turn off your current SIM but you can turn it back on in the phone settings anytime.

This process doesn’t cancel the service with your current carrier. You can also add Google Fi's trial alongside an eSIM.

  1. To add Google Fi to your phone, follow the instructions on your screen.
    • Only one carrier can be active at a time. If Google Fi is on, any other carriers are temporarily off.
    • If you have a phone number with another carrier, it won’t work while Google Fi is on. You can switch between carriers anytime.
    • To update the network settings, follow the instructions on your screen.
  2. Get your new Google Fi number.
  3. To complete the final checks before you start the trial, follow the instructions on your screen.
Test your Google Fi service
  • From the top of the screen, swipe down once or twice.
    • If Google Fi is displayed, you can:
      • Make domestic phone calls.
      • Send texts.
      • Stream music or videos.
      • Browse the internet.
      • Use apps.
      • Run a data speed test.
    • If the other carrier's name is displayed, you're not connected to Google Fi yet. Temporarily turn off the other carrier's SIM and turn on Google Fi:
      1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app.
      2. Tap either Cellular or Mobile Data and thenthe carrier's phone number.
      3. Turn it off.
Switch between carriers after activation
  1. Label your plans. It helps you identify which carrier and phone number to use for calls, texts, and data.
    1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app.
    2. Tap Cellular and then the phone number and then Cellular Plan Label.
    3. Select a label or enter a custom label.
  2. Temporarily turn off the carrier you don't want to use. You can only have one SIM active at a time.
    1. On your iPhone or iPad, open the Settings app.
    2. Tap either Cellular or Mobile Data and then the carrier's phone number.
    3. Turn off the number.

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