This article helps with Google Fi activation issues like SIM card problems, iPhone setup, and checking self-service error codes and messages.
How to fix SIM card issues for Google Fi
- Double-check that you have a Google Fi SIM card.
- Make sure your device is carrier-unlocked and compatible with Google Fi.
- If you insert your SIM card and your phone says “No SIM card,” remove the SIM. Make sure it's clean and place it on the tray correctly. Then, restart your device.
- To restart your device, hold down the power button for 30 seconds.
- Make sure that the tray closes completely.
- For transfers from another carrier, insert your last SIM card. If your phone recognizes your last card but not your Google Fi SIM, your phone might be carrier-locked. Contact your last carrier for more information.
How to fix network issues after you transfer iPhone service to Google Fi
If your new iPhone is on, but you don’t have service, follow the steps below:
- Remove Fi SIMs on your old iPhone.
- This means deleting all Fi eSIMs/pSIMs active or inactive.
- Remove Fi SIMs on your new iPhone.
- This means deleting all Fi eSIMs/pSIMs active or inactive.
- If you have the Google Fi iOS app on your new iPhone, delete the app. You can keep the Google Fi iOS app on your old iPhone.
- Download eSIM to your new iPhone.
- Follow instructions at fi.google.com/ios/quicksetup.
- Complete steps 2-4.
- Complete step 5.
Important: The inability to Update Network Settings results in no connection.
- Download Google Fi iOS app to your new iPhone.
Tip: When you download the app again from the Play Store on your new iPhone, the app opens to the correct steps for eSIM activation. This includes port-in instructions and voicemail setup. Complete all steps of in-app activation.
How to check self-service error codes & messages in Google Fi
Google Fi doesn't support your deviceTo use Google Fi, you need an unlocked phone that's compatible with Google Fi. Check your phone's compatibility.
If you bought your Google Fi phone through Google Fi or the Google Store, your device is unlocked.
If you brought your own device to Google Fi, contact your carrier to make sure your phone is unlocked.
Make sure you don't owe any payments on your device. Your carrier may also have you take other steps to unlock your device.
Make sure that your phone is compatible with Google Fi. Check your phone's compatibility. Then, make sure you properly install your SIM card.
If you have a Pixel 2 and up, you can remove your physical SIM card and start your eSIM activation.
If you contact support because of unexpected SIM notifications or your device unexpectedly shows 2 active Google Fi SIMs, you must take the following steps:
Remove any Google Fi physical SIM cards.
- Download the Google Fi app
.
- To activate or reactivate with an eSIM, complete the steps.
- If unexpected SIM behavior persists after the physical SIM card is removed and reactivation is completed, reboot the device.
- Restart your phone and retry activation.
- For physical SIM card errors, insert the SIM card firmly. If that doesn’t work:
- If the device is eSIM compatible, activate with eSIM.
- To rule out SIM hardware issues, try the SIM card with another phone.
- Get a new SIM card.
- If you encounter this error with eSIM activation, the device may have issues with eSIM hardware. Try a physical SIM card instead.
Your sign up process isn’t complete. Complete the process:
- On your device’s browser, go to https://fi.google.com/signup.
- Complete the sign-up flow.
- Once you sign up, the browser redirects to the "Account Management" page.
You can’t activate Fi outside the US. Before you use Fi internationally, you must activate it within the US.
- Active or reserve military who serve abroad.
- State Department employees who serve abroad.
- Dependents who are part of the same group plan.
If you are in this category, verify your government status. After SheerID verifies you, you can activate Fi outside the US.
Check your device’s eligibility and go through the sign-up flow. Make sure that you use the same Google Account that you use to sign up for Google Fi.
Check whether your device can activate with eSIM. Check your phone's compatibility.
If compatible, you can remove your physical SIM card and start your eSIM activation.
If your device can’t use eSIM and you must replace your SIM card, order a replacement on your Google Fi account:
- On your device, sign in to Google Fi.
- Select Order SIM card.
- Order a SIM card.
- You can also buy a new SIM card through a retailer like Best Buy, Amazon, or Target and get reimbursed up to $10 USD.
If you get this error code, these instructions should pop up on your device:
"To get Google Fi service on this device, first, remove the current SIM card and replace it with one supported for this device. What SIMs are supported? If you ordered this device from Google Fi, use the SIM that we sent along with this device."
If you don’t have the newest version of the SIM, pick one up at an authorized third-party provider or order a SIM card replacement.If you try to activate Fi too many times, we temporarily block the process as a security measure to protect your account. You can try again in a few days.
Turn off your virtual private network (VPN) and try the activation steps again. Once we activate your service, you can turn the VPN back on. Learn how to turn the VPN on or off.
If you have reached the maximum of 6 members on your plan, you can’t add another one in the current billing cycle. Even if a previous member was removed, you need to wait until the end of the billing cycle to add a different member.
Make sure your device has a Wi-Fi connection and try again. If the problem continues, contact support.
Close and reopen the Fi app.
We can’t turn on your Google Fi service because your phone can't connect to the internet.
Check your internet connection and try again.
Update your device:
- On your device, go to the Play Store.
- Select the Google Fi app.
- Install any available updates.
Troubleshoot the issue:
- Confirm that your device has a Wi-Fi connection.
- Try the activation process again.
- Confirm that your Fi app and Android don’t need any updates.
- If they do, install any available updates.
- Restart your phone.
Turn off airplane mode:
- On your device, open Settings.
- Select Network & internet.
- Turn off Airplane mode.
- “Airplane mode” is off when the switch to the left and is gray.
- Open the Google Fi app.
- Try the activation steps again.
If a different Wi-Fi connection is available, try to connect to it.
When you connect to Wi-Fi, open the Google Fi app and try the activation steps again. If the problem continues, contact support.
Turn on mobile data:
- On your device, open Settings.
- Select Network & internet
Mobile network.
- Turn on Mobile data.
- “Mobile data” is on when the switch is to the right.
- Open the Google Fi app.
- Try the activation steps again.
Mobile network.Restart your device and retry the activation process. If the problem continues, contact support.
Update your Google Fi app to the latest version for full connectivity.
- On your device, open the Play Store app
.
- At the top right, tap the profile icon
Manage apps & data
- On the list, find the Google Fi app
- Tap Update.
- If you find "Open" instead of "Update" next to the app, the app is already up to date.
Manage apps & data If you still have issues, contact a Google Fi agent.