Ready or Not – Changing Phones Makes Google Fi Even Better

It’s not a secret that I’m a fan of Google’s MVNO, Google Fi. I’ve used it for years at this point, but apparently, I’ve not been using it to its fullest potential.

One of Google Fi’s biggest draws is the ability to change between multiple networks in the United States without interrupting connectivity. In theory, that means that you should always be connected to the best possible network in your area, even if you move between two different networks in the middle of a call. However, you have to be using one of a very small number of “Fi Ready” phones to take advantage of that feature.

Until recently, I was traveling across the globe with a phone that was decidedly not “Fi Ready”, but that worked great for my needs. Since I spent so much of my time overseas, it didn’t really bother me that I couldn’t switch networks seamlessly while Stateside. It wasn’t relevant, and Fi worked great for me everywhere else I traveled. That changed earlier this year when I found myself back in the States with a phone that wasn’t making full use of the Fi network.

With that phone, I was unable to get a signal pretty much anywhere that wasn’t a city. Whether I was camping in National Parks in California, visiting family in rural Georgia, or on any of the highways in-between, I lacked signal.

So, I got a new phone.

My current phone is the Pixel 4a, purchased directly from Google. It was time for an upgrade from my old phone anyway, and the main draw for me was that it was a budget-friendly phone with a camera that will hopefully help my picture taking game. The fact that it was Fi Ready was an afterthought.

The difference in connectivity is stark. Where before I had to struggle to find a place where I had a signal, I now have one pretty much everywhere I go. Granted, I haven’t taken the phone on a true cross-continental road trip yet, but it has already been a drastic improvement in the places I have been. That includes the dead zone that surrounded the house where I stayed in Georgia. It was so bad I briefly changed service providers.

While working and traveling abroad I loved Google Fi, and I recommended it to everyone who would listen. Stateside it was a different story. It turns out that was partially my own fault. I didn’t think it would matter much if my phone wasn’t specifically Fi Ready, but it turns out it was sort of a big deal. While I definitely wish Google Fi had a wider selection of Fi Ready phones, the Pixel 4a has been impressive. So, it comes down to this. While it is a pain to be limited to phones that are marked as Fi Ready, one of those phones is absolutely necessary if you plan on using Google Fi while traveling in the States.

If you’ll be trying it out, use my referral code for $20 off your first month of Google Fi!