About Google Fi and Its Services
Google Fi (also known as Project Fi) is a mobile virtual network operator by Google. The telecommunication service provider offers phone services that include phone calls, SMS, and mobile broadband using cellular networks (T-Mobile and U.S. Cellular) and Wi-Fi.
To become a Google Fi customer, you can visit the company’s official website at fi.google.com, choose the plan that best fits your needs, and get a Google Fi phone. If you already have a phone that fits your needs, you can also bring your own device, however, it must be carrier-unlocked and compatible with Google’s services (check compatibility at fi.google.com/compatibility).
Once you become a Google Fi customer and receive a SIM card (and a phone), you can proceed to activate your account. Afterward, it’s a good idea to check your signal strength, connection stability, data speed, and picture messaging. If everything works well, congratulations are in order. However, if you are experiencing any issues in any of these areas, you may want to consider changing your Google Fi APN settings.
Why Do You Need the Right Google Fi APN Settings?
APN stands for Access Point Names. These are configuration settings and every mobile device has them to connect to a carrier’s network. A mobile device that makes a data connection must be configured with an APN to present to the carrier.
Now, why is it so important to have the right APN settings? Well, with the right APN settings, you will experience stronger signals, a steadier connection, better MMS picture messaging, and increased data speeds. If your APN settings are wrong, on the other hand, you may not be able to do some of those things, or the signal, connection, and speeds may be weaker and slower.
Just like all other carriers and MVNOs, Google Fi has a unique set of APN settings that are optimal to connect your phone to Google’s services and get the most out of them. While mobile devices that are purchased directly from Google Fi tend to come pre-installed with the right settings, phones that you bring to Google’s services from elsewhere (even if they are carrier-unlocked and compatible with Google) may not have the right settings.
In case your phone doesn’t have the right Google Fi APN settings, don’t worry! You can change them at any time. To do follow the steps described in the following sections (depending on which device you have and which settings you wish to focus on).
Google Fi APN Settings for Android Phones
If you have any type of Android phone (Samsung, Motorola, OnePlus, Google, Nokia, Sony, LG, etc.), these APN settings are the fastest for Google Fi.
To change them, take your phone and go to Settings, Mobile Network, Access Point Name, and press Add Access Point. Then, enter the following values and keep the rest unchanged:
- Name: Google-Fi-INTERNET
- APN: Internet
- Proxy: Not set/Blank
- Port: Not set/Blank
- Username: Not set/Blank
- Passwords: Not set/Blank
- Server: Not set/Blank
- MMSC: Not set/Blank
- MMS proxy: Not set/Blank
- MMS port: Not set/Blank
- MCC: Leave as default (470)
- MNC: Leave as default (02)
- Authentication type: Not set/None
- APN type: default,supl
- APN protocol: IPv4/IPv6
- APN roaming Protocol: IPv4/IPv6
- APN enable/disable: APN enabled
- Bearer: Unspecified
- MVNO type: None
- MVNO Value: N/A
- Mobile virtual network operator type: None
- Mobile virtual network operator value: Not set/Blank
Afterward, make sure to save the settings and restart your device.
Google Fi MMS Settings for Android Phones
While you are changing the rest of your APN settings on your Android phone, also make sure to reset your MMS settings, as these will enable the best picture messaging experience.
To configure MMS for Android, go to Settings, Mobile Network, Access Point Name, and press Add Access Point. Then, enter the following values and keep the rest unchanged:
- Name: Google-Fi-MMS
- APN: internet
- Proxy: Not set/Blank
- Port: Not set/Blank
- Username: Not set/Blank
- Passwords: Not set/Blank
- Server: Not set/Blank
- MMSC: default
- MMS proxy: default
- MMS port: default
- MCC: Leave as default (470)
- MNC: Leave as default (02)
- Authentication type: Not set/None
- APN type: mms
- APN protocol: IPv4/IPv6
- APN roaming Protocol: IPv4/IPv6
- APN enable/disable: APN enabled
- Bearer: Unspecified
- MVNO type: None
- MVNO Value: N/A
- Mobile virtual network operator type: None
- Mobile virtual network operator value: Not set/Blank
Make sure to save the settings and restart your phone afterward.
Google Fi APN Settings for iPhones
For the best Google Fi APN Settings on your iPhone (including iPhone 2 to 14, Pro, Pro Max, Mini, SE, S, etc.), make sure to follow the instructions in this section.
Go to Settings, (General, Network), Cellular Data or Mobile Data Options, Cellular Network or Mobile Data Network, and press APN. Choose to enter new values and key in the following:
Cellular Data/ Mobile Data
- APN: internet
- Username: Blank
- Passwords: Blank
LTE Setup (Optional)
- APN: internet
- Username: Blank
- Passwords: Blank
Afterward, save the settings and restart your phone.
Google Fi MMS Settings for iPhones
To enable MMS on your iPhone or iPad, go to Settings, (General, Network), Cellular Data or Mobile Data Options, Cellular Network or Mobile Data Network, and add APN. Scroll down to MMS and fill in the blanks as follows:
- APN: internet
- Username: Blank
- Passwords: Blank
- MMSC: unchanged
- MMS Proxy: unchanged
- MMS Message Size: unchanged
- MMS UA Prof URL: unchanged
Save the settings and restart your phone to confirm the entry.
Google Fi Personal Hotspot Settings for iPhones
Finally, to enable Google Fi personal hotspot on your iPhone, visit your phone’s Settings, (General, Network), Cellular Data or Mobile Data Options, Cellular Network or Mobile Data Network, and add APN. Then, enter these values:
- APN: internet
- Username: Blank
- Passwords: Blank
Again, save the values and restart your phone. If you have any questions, make sure to contact Google Fi’s customer support service.