Sep 3, 2017, 5:37 am
Last edit by: Zorak
Which countries are supported?
https://support.google.com/fi/answer...intl_countries
Note that in some locations Hangouts (and Gmail) are not available (e.g., China, Russia, Thailand, South Korea, Mexico, Argentina, and more: see link below for full list of excluded countries), so you will need a VPN to access them (or to make VOIP calls via Hangouts Dialer)
https://support.google.com/hangouts/answer/3205646
Exceptions:
Listed, but no/spotty service:
Not listed, *did* have service
1- Reboot phone
2- Toggle "airplane mode" on/off. Wait five seconds after toggling off (it resets phone modem).
3- Try manually connecting to each available network (rather than using the auto select feature).
4- Toggle down from 4g to 3g (removing the recommended 4g option) and then try manually connecting to each available network.
5- Toggle down from 3g to 2g and then try manually connecting to each available network.
https://support.google.com/fi/answer...intl_countries
Note that in some locations Hangouts (and Gmail) are not available (e.g., China, Russia, Thailand, South Korea, Mexico, Argentina, and more: see link below for full list of excluded countries), so you will need a VPN to access them (or to make VOIP calls via Hangouts Dialer)
https://support.google.com/hangouts/answer/3205646
Exceptions:
Listed, but no/spotty service:
- Ukraine (Aug 2018) - no service, all providers listed as "forbidden". Post #660
- Alaska (Jul 2018) -- had voice service, but inconsistent/spotty data (try forcing Sprint)
- Peru (Sep 2016) post 341, 360
- Grand Cayman Island (Jan 2018) post 547
Not listed, *did* have service
Belize (Jan 2018) post 547Belize now appears on the "supported" international list
1- Reboot phone
2- Toggle "airplane mode" on/off. Wait five seconds after toggling off (it resets phone modem).
3- Try manually connecting to each available network (rather than using the auto select feature).
4- Toggle down from 4g to 3g (removing the recommended 4g option) and then try manually connecting to each available network.
5- Toggle down from 3g to 2g and then try manually connecting to each available network.
Google Fi: Anyone care to post their experience?
Aug 16, 2017, 8:31 am
#496
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,016
I travel internationally a few times a year. That's what's kept me back from Fi. I have a lot of US domestic travel, and I'm with Verizon and AT&T (on my iOS devices) and it's all domestic unlimited.
Verizon (on my phone) sucks on their $10/day international program, limited as it is to 500MB and also not that fast either.
But, it is easy and there is no additional monthly charge...
Verizon (on my phone) sucks on their $10/day international program, limited as it is to 500MB and also not that fast either.
But, it is easy and there is no additional monthly charge...
Aug 16, 2017, 11:20 pm
#497
Join Date: Apr 2005
Location: SFO
Programs: UA MM, SQ KrisFlyer, SPG/Marriott Titanium
Posts: 1,232
I used my 6P mostly plugged in and had both the random restart and the microphone issue. Is there a fix/recall on either issue?
Aug 18, 2017, 10:47 am
#498
Join Date: Feb 2000
Location: Menlo Park, CA, USA
Programs: UA 1MM 0P, AA, DL, *wood, Lifetime FPC Plat., IHG, HHD
Posts: 6,912
the random reboots was fixed with an update, can't recall if it was in the OS payload or another one. There were microphone issues, but I think that was a take it in somewhere, or send it in and MAYBE they replaced the phone with a refurb.
Aug 20, 2017, 12:07 pm
#499
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: BOS
Posts: 3,534
I'm currently on T-mobile but contemplating switching to Fi due to it being cheaper with our relatively low data use across 5 lines. I've been reading about the difficulties of handing off between networks and dropped calls. Does that still occur? We'd be using a combination of Pixel, Nexus 5X and Pixel 2 (when released) phones. At home I have to use a booster to a reliable T-Mobile signal as my house appears to be at the very edge of their LTE umbrella. I've not checked the Sprint signal as I've never had a Sprint phone in my house.
Aug 20, 2017, 12:54 pm
#500
Join Date: Dec 2009
Location: New York, NY
Programs: AA Gold. UA Silver, Marriott Gold, Hilton Diamond, Hyatt (Lifetime Diamond downgraded to Explorist)
Posts: 6,776
Don't switch until you've tested this out. There are apps that can help but having an actual phone is best.
As far as I know Fi does not have a booster ability so you'd be potentially left without a signal.
I haven't had issue with my fi phone dropping calls when switching but my domestic use is focused on ATT not fi.
As far as I know Fi does not have a booster ability so you'd be potentially left without a signal.
I haven't had issue with my fi phone dropping calls when switching but my domestic use is focused on ATT not fi.
I'm currently on T-mobile but contemplating switching to Fi due to it being cheaper with our relatively low data use across 5 lines. I've been reading about the difficulties of handing off between networks and dropped calls. Does that still occur? We'd be using a combination of Pixel, Nexus 5X and Pixel 2 (when released) phones. At home I have to use a booster to a reliable T-Mobile signal as my house appears to be at the very edge of their LTE umbrella. I've not checked the Sprint signal as I've never had a Sprint phone in my house.
Aug 20, 2017, 1:36 pm
#501
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,016
I'm currently on T-mobile but contemplating switching to Fi due to it being cheaper with our relatively low data use across 5 lines. I've been reading about the difficulties of handing off between networks and dropped calls. Does that still occur? We'd be using a combination of Pixel, Nexus 5X and Pixel 2 (when released) phones. At home I have to use a booster to a reliable T-Mobile signal as my house appears to be at the very edge of their LTE umbrella. I've not checked the Sprint signal as I've never had a Sprint phone in my house.
Aug 21, 2017, 5:38 am
#502
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Detroit; Formerly Dubai
Posts: 3,652
I guess I am starting to travel to the more edge case countries, but my last two international forays have been to Belize and the Maldives. Both places don't support Fi, but my SMS worked perfectly when connected to Wi-Fi. I think I have been to 5 of the unsupported countries now. However, I have been to dozens of supported ones, and I still think its the best choice for me. Although I was a little surprised that Belize didn't have service. I didn't even check ahead of time because it doesn't seem that "exotic" upon landing I got the bad news.
Aug 21, 2017, 5:39 am
#503
Join Date: Nov 2006
Location: Detroit; Formerly Dubai
Posts: 3,652
Apologize if this a dupe, but Fi is having some problems in Hong Kong at the moment. Go to the Fi forum and look at the problems and the work arounds. In essence, you force your phone to 3's 2g network and once registered turn on HSPA but leave LTE off.
Aug 21, 2017, 11:13 am
#504
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: La Jolla, California
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold, SWA CP
Posts: 1,123
I'm currently on T-mobile but contemplating switching to Fi due to it being cheaper with our relatively low data use across 5 lines. I've been reading about the difficulties of handing off between networks and dropped calls. Does that still occur? We'd be using a combination of Pixel, Nexus 5X and Pixel 2 (when released) phones. At home I have to use a booster to a reliable T-Mobile signal as my house appears to be at the very edge of their LTE umbrella. I've not checked the Sprint signal as I've never had a Sprint phone in my house.
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In my case, as you get closer to the ocean the signal from all carriers gets worse. The app allows you to show the signal strength from each carrier.
Here is my area reduced for T-Mobile only:
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I find that Fi switches between Sprint and T-Mobile. Coverage has been OK and much better than Verizon. I'm on T-Mobile at the moment. You can see from the icon at the top. You can check Sprint coverage from this app.
Aug 21, 2017, 1:25 pm
#505
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: BOS
Posts: 3,534
Thanks for the information, I'm going to hold off on switching then until I can verify the Sprint signal in my house is any better. I did download the open signal app. Hopefully with background data disabled and no data collection settings it won't consume any battery life.
Aug 21, 2017, 2:24 pm
#506
Join Date: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,303
Thanks for the information, I'm going to hold off on switching then until I can verify the Sprint signal in my house is any better. I did download the open signal app. Hopefully with background data disabled and no data collection settings it won't consume any battery life.
https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets...9IM/edit#gid=0
Straight Talk sim is probably the easiest to get in person, Red Pocket easy online. Tello, Ting, or FreedomPop probably also inexpensive.
Aug 21, 2017, 3:36 pm
#507
Join Date: Nov 2009
Location: La Jolla, California
Programs: KrisFlyer Gold, SWA CP
Posts: 1,123
Thanks for the information, I'm going to hold off on switching then until I can verify the Sprint signal in my house is any better. I did download the open signal app. Hopefully with background data disabled and no data collection settings it won't consume any battery life.
Sep 1, 2017, 6:35 pm
#508
Join Date: Jun 2011
Location: I 35 south bound, finally stopped
Programs: LT Plt, 4mm, *A GLD, burned out medical provider, executing our estate plan
Posts: 1,665
A shortcut/convenience app for these codes:
Back when I switched to Fi, a co-worker pointed me at Signal Spy: https://www.signalspy.com/
In that app is a button for Launch Dialer Codes that lets you choose a carrier and loads the appropriate code into the clipboard. Then it switches you to the phone app and you just have to paste it into the dialer directly.
Back when I switched to Fi, a co-worker pointed me at Signal Spy: https://www.signalspy.com/
In that app is a button for Launch Dialer Codes that lets you choose a carrier and loads the appropriate code into the clipboard. Then it switches you to the phone app and you just have to paste it into the dialer directly.
Sep 2, 2017, 12:47 am
#509
Moderator, El Al and Marriott Bonvoy, FlyerTalk Evangelist
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: SIN
Programs: SQ*G, Mar LTT, Hyatt Glb, AA LTG, LY, HH, IC, BA, DL, UA SLV
Posts: 12,018
Sep 2, 2017, 11:35 am
#510
Join Date: Feb 2013
Location: Miami, FL
Programs: UA 1MM, AA Plat, Marriott LT Titanium, Hyatt Glob, IHG ♢ Amb, Hilton ♢, Hertz Pres
Posts: 6,016
https://fi.google.com/about/rates/?country=VN
Did you try to manually connect to each provider shown?
btw - on another note, the UK is truly difficult with Fi when outside the major cities. Fi does NOT allow one to connect to EE, vodafone or O2. It will only connect with Nova. And Nova does not have good coverage in Scotland. I have been traveling around the Highlands and Hebrides without service for days
