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

Eligible iPhone devices

iPhone SE (2020), XR, XS, 11, 12, 13 and later are eligible for the Google Fi trial. Google Fi only supports eSIM on iPhone 14 and 15.

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

Check out the tutorial for these eligible phones:

• iPhones XR–12
• iPhones 13–14+

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 service with your current carrier.

1. Follow the instructions on your screen to add Google Fi to your phone.
   1. Set your preferences for calls, texts, and data.
      1. Your Google Fi plan has a default label at first. Tap on the default label to give it the custom label Google Fi. 
      2. 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. 
      3. iMessage & Facetime: To set your current carrier, select Primary.
      4. Cellular Data: Select Google Fi. To accurately test out Google Fi’s coverage, turn off Allow Cellular Data Switching.
   2. Follow the instructions on your screen to update the network settings.
2. Get your new Google Fi number.
3. Follow the instructions on your screen to complete the final checks before you start the trial.

Test your Google Fi service

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

Calls:

 If you're calling someone in your Favorites list:

1. Tap the Info button .
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. Near the top of the screen, if the other carrier's label is displayed, tap the label.
3. Select the label corresponding to Google Fi.  

 

iMessage or SMS/MMS message:

1. Open Messages.
2. Open an existing conversation. 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. Go to Settings.
2. Tap either Cellular or Mobile Data.
3. Turn on Cellular Data.
4. Turn off Wi-Fi. Run a data speed test or stream a video. 
   • If your data isn't working, go to the troubleshooting guide.

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

Update default carrier preferences after activation

First, label your plans. It helps you identify which carrier and phone number to use for calls, texts, and data. 

1. Go to Settings Cellular. 
2. Tap the phone number Cellular Plan Label.
3. Select a label or enter a custom label.

Then, you can set Google Fi as the default carrier and phone number your device automatically uses for data, calls, and texts. 

1. Go to Settings Cellular. 
2. Select which carrier and phone number that you want as Primary for “Default Line” and “iMessage & Facetime.” 
3. 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:

• iPhones XR–12
• iPhones 13–14+

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 service with your current carrier. You can also add Google Fi's trial alongside an eSIM.

1. Follow the instructions on your screen to add Google Fi to your phone
   1. Only one carrier can be active at a time. If Google Fi is turned on, any other carriers are temporarily turned off. If you have a phone number with another carrier, it won’t work while Google Fi is turned on—but you can switch back and forth between carriers whenever you want.
   2. Follow the instructions on your screen to update the network settings.
2. Get your new Google Fi number.
3. Follow the instructions on your screen to complete the final checks before you start the trial.

Test your Google Fi service

1. From the top of the screen, swipe down once or twice. 
2. If Google Fi is displayed, you can make domestic phone calls, send text messages, stream music or videos, and browse the internet. You can also run a data speed test and use apps.
3. If the other carrier's name is displayed, that means that you're not connected to Google Fi yet. Temporarily turn off the other carrier's SIM and turn on Google Fi's:
   1. Go to Settings.
   2. Tap either Cellular or Mobile Data.
   3. Tap the carrier's phone number. 
   4. Turn it off.

Switch between carriers after activation

First, label your plans. It helps you identify which carrier and phone number to use for calls, texts, and data. 

1. Go to Settings Cellular. 
2. Tap the phone number Cellular Plan Label.
3. Select a label or enter a custom label.

As you can only have one SIM active at a time, temporarily turn off the carrier you don't want to use.

1. Go to Settings.
2. Tap either Cellular or Mobile Data.
3. Tap the carrier's phone number.
4. Turn off the number.

Related resources

• About the Google Fi trial
• My data isn’t working