Important: Before you can use Google Fi internationally, you must activate it within the US. After activation, you’re required to use your service mostly in the US.
If you’re an active-duty military or a State Department employee stationed abroad, you can be eligible for an exception to this policy.
What is SheerID
SheerID checks if you work for the government. To check if you can use your phone in other countries, Google Fi uses SheerID. To learn more, go to goo.gle/fi-sheerid.
If you have questions about SheerID like what papers you need, email customerservice@sheerid.com.
SheerID keeps your information safe. It only uses your information to check if you can use Google Fi in other countries.
SheerID will not:
- Share your information.
- Save your papers.
Learn about how SheerID keeps your information safe.
Get checked before you sign up
SheerID will ask for your information and proof that you work for the government. You need to show government-issued papers that have your:
- Full name
- Branch of service you work for:
- Military
- State Department
- Proof that you work in another country
Do not upload a picture or photocopy of your military ID.
Check family member eligibility
The international usage exception extends to all members on your group plan. This applies if the account holder is the verified military or State Department employee. To ensure that your family members are covered, before you submit your verification through SheerID, add them to your plan.
Sign up for verification
- After you have a Google Fi account, go to goo.gle/fi-sheerid.
- If you need to pause your Google Fi, do so before you continue.
- If you have family, add them to your group plan before you continue.
- Choose if you want to verify your military or government job.
- Fill out the verification form.
- Send the papers they need. Use new papers if you can.
If your job isn’t on the list, you can’t use Google Fi in other countries.
Tip: To get verified fast, ensure the info you provide matches your documents. If you changed your name, upload your military document and another government-issued document that shows your current name.
When SheerID verifies your info, you can use your Google Fi service abroad for up to 9 months without suspension of your international data. After 9 months, you need to re-verify your status. This exception applies to data roaming. International calling rates still apply.
When you make an international call from the US to a non-US number, it typically costs $0.20 per minute. To avoid these charges, use Wi-Fi calling whenever possible.
Understand what happens after you submit documents
After you submit your documents, SheerID will review them. This usually takes about 20 minutes. You’ll get an email from SheerID that confirms your status or requests more information.
Once SheerID verifies your status, Google Fi sends you a confirmation email. This can take a few minutes, but may take up to 24 hours.
Tip: If you can't find the Google Fi confirmation email, check your spam folder.
Activate service & resolve interruptions
After you receive the confirmation email from Google Fi, to activate your Google Fi eSIM for the first time while overseas, or after your service was paused due to international limits:
- On your device, delete your existing Google Fi eSIM profile.
- Delete the Google Fi app.
- To activate your service, reinstall the Google Fi app and follow the on-screen instructions.
Maintain your status
- You must re-verify your status after 9 months. We’ll send you an email to remind you.
- How to keep your status if you’re in another country:
- Start a new Google Fi account: Re-verify your status.
- Use Google Fi in another country long-term: After 9 months, Google Fi will send you an email asking you to re-verify your status.
- Get a new phone: You don’t need to re-verify.
Contact SheerID
- You can only verify through SheerID’s secure online site. If you have a problem, email SheerID at customerservice@sheerid.com.
- If you have questions about how SheerID verifies, like papers or request status, email customerservice@sheerid.com.
- If you have questions about using your phone in other countries, call Google Fi support.