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

These steps work for Pixel phones and may vary based on the device. For specific instructions, go to the manufacturer's support site. 

Eligible Android devices

• Most Pixel 2 to 3a and Samsung Galaxy S20, S21, S22, S23, Note 20, Flip 3, Flip 4, Fold 4 (see exceptions)
• Pixel 4 and later

Your original SIM is a pSIM or you have a Pixel 7

Check out the tutorial for these eligible phones:

• Pixel devices 
• Samsung devices

Activate Google Fi on your dual-SIM phone

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

1. Your phone will ask you for permission to use 2 SIMs. Tap Yes.
2. Then, it will ask you to use Google Fi for mobile data. Tap Use Google Fi.
3. Once the activation is complete, you’re connected to Google Fi and your existing carrier. 
   • The default for mobile data will be Google Fi. You can receive phone calls and texts on both numbers, but the outgoing calls and texts will be from your original carrier. You can select Google Fi as the default carrier for calls and texts after activation. You can update these settings anytime.

Test your Google Fi service

From the top of your phone's screen, swipe down once or twice. 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:

Before you call:

1. Open the dialer.
2. Enter digits.
3. The default SIM is displayed. Change it to Google Fi.

Before you text:

1. Select existing text message or create new.
2. Click the SIM icon in the chat box.
3. Change it to Google Fi. 

Before you browse the internet: 

1. Open Settings.
2. Tap Network & internet.
3. Select Google Fi.
4. Turn on Mobile data.
5. Select the other carrier.
6. Turn off Mobile data.
7. Turn off Wi-Fi. 
8. 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 SIM settings.

Update default SIM preferences after activation

You can choose which SIM your phone uses for data, calls, and text messages by default.

1. Open your phone ​​Settings.
2. Tap Network & internet SIMs.
   •  If you don’t have Google Fi on your list of SIMs, go to activate Google Fi on your dual-SIM phone.
3. For each network, set your preferences:
   • Data: Turn on Mobile data.

• Only one SIM can be the default for data.
• Most data goes through the default SIM for that use type. However, during a phone call, all data goes through the SIM that makes the call.

• Calls: Tap Call Preference. Then pick your default carrier, or tap Ask me every time.
  • If you’re on a call, you can’t get a call through the other SIM at the same time. Calls to the other SIM go to voicemail.
• Texts: Tap SMS Preference. Then pick your default carrier, or tap Ask me every time.

Your original SIM is an eSIM

Use these steps if your eligible Pixel or Samsung Galaxy has an eSIM. You can also check out these tutorials:

• Pixel devices
• Samsung devices

Activate Google Fi on your dual-SIM phone

You can only have one eSIM active at a time. When you sign up for the trial, you’re asked to switch to Google Fi. Your current SIM is temporarily off, but you can turn it back on in the phone settings anytime. This won't cancel service with your current carrier.

 

1. Your phone will ask you to temporarily turn off your current carrier. Tap Yes.
2. Once the activation is complete, you’re connected to Google Fi and your other carrier is temporarily turned off. 
   • You won’t receive calls and texts on your original number when you’re using Google Fi, but you can switch between carriers anytime.

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 texts, 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, you aren’t connected to Google Fi. Temporarily turn off the other carrier's SIM and turn on Google Fi's:
   1. Open your phone ​​Settings.
   2. Tap Network & internet Mobile network or SIMs.
   3. Select Google Fi's SIM.
   4. Tap Use SIM.

Switch between carriers after you activate

Since you can have just one active eSIM at a time, turn on the carrier you want to use and temporarily turn off the other one.

1. Open your phone ​​Settings.
2. Tap Network & internet Mobile network or SIMs.
3. Select the SIM that you want to use.
4. To turn on the SIM, tap Use SIM.

Related resources

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