HELP! Trying to activate my GoogleFi Data-Only Physical SIM Card in my Travel iPhone

Question

HELP! Trying to activate my GoogleFi Data-Only Physical SIM Card in my Travel iPhone

Hello friends!

I decided to buy a secondary phone to use when traveling internationally in case my primary was lost or stolen. I have GoogleFi cellular data on my primary phone with a phone number. You can also purchase a data-only SIM to insert and activate on your account to pull from your data. You don't have a phone number on the 2nd phone but you have access to all your apps and stuff you would have access to on Wi-Fi. Just no cellular texts or calls. Everything points to the fact that i should be able to use this SIM card in my Apple iPhone 11Pro. But my only option when I try to activate the Cellular by updating the settings is "Set Up Cellular" which is not what you want to do. I do not want to transfer my number to this phone. I have contacted GoogleFi support and they have confirmed everything is good to go on their end and my phone is compatible. There must be a setting that is off. I have searched articles. It also does not look like contacting apple support is an option for me. So hoping someone might have some advice.

Much appreciated in advance!

Cheers

Carrie

iPhone 11 Pro

Posted on Apr 18, 2023 7:10 PM

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Answer 1

LD150

Level 10

100,275 points

May 3, 2023 7:14 AM in response to Carrie Lee 01

Carrie Lee 01 wrote:

Thank you! I've already spoken to Google Support three times on the phone. I. was thinking outside the box and hoping I might find someone that has had the same issue. But doesn't look anyone has solved this yet that has read this. I may try them again.

If you insist on that data-only SIM, try initialising the new phone with another known good full service SIM then swap in the Data-Only SIM

Turn off Face Time, Imessage and anything used by cellular service.

Preferably get a full service SIM. I can put any full service SIM into my iphone anywhere in the world, but never tried data-only - why would I? Most SIMS are stingy with their data not their calls and texts.

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Answer 2

LD150

Level 10

100,275 points

May 2, 2023 12:58 AM in response to Carrie Lee 01

All troubleshooting advice is here https://support.google.com/fi/?hl=en#topic=6062059

All iphones with ios 13 up with a SIM tray are supported by GoogleFi but I still question the data-only status of the SIM in question if trying to activate an iphone.

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Answer 3

LD150

Level 10

100,275 points

Apr 20, 2023 11:27 AM in response to Carrie Lee 01

"...You can also purchase a data-only SIM to insert and activate on your account to pull from your data. You don't have a phone number on the 2nd phone but you have access to all your apps and stuff you would have access to on Wi-Fi. Just no cellular texts or calls..."

I think you may have been misled on that.

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Answer 4

May 1, 2023 11:41 AM in response to LD150

So I was traveling internationally recently and they have sim card machines all over that you can buy that have X amount of GB of data on them. So there is not way to use a googlefi or any other sort on physical SIM with an iPhone? Seems very strange.

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Answer 5

May 1, 2023 12:04 PM in response to KiltedTim

Yes GoogleFi is a supported service. I have it one my phone and it is great. I just traveled to two international countries outside US and my plan covers service there as part of my regular plan. It is super easy and flexible. I am loving it so far. Just trying to sort my extra/backup phone SIM situation.

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Answer 6

May 1, 2023 12:09 PM in response to Carrie Lee 01

If something doesn't work as expected with a 3rd party product, the place to go for technical support is the owner of the 3rd party product for help. You should work this out with GoogleFi. Apple has nothing to do with GoogleFi.

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Answer 7

May 1, 2023 12:13 PM in response to lobsterghost1

Everything is set on GoogleFi end. I have talked to support multiple times. They think it is a setting on the iPhone. I just can't figure out what it is. Regardless of if it is a googlefi SIM or not I think I should be able to use a SIM for data only and not forced to set up cellular service. So that leads me to belive it is not a googlefi think as they literally just sent me a data sim chip. I saw providers all over stores and airports that sell sims.

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Answer 8

May 1, 2023 12:29 PM in response to Carrie Lee 01

We are just users on this user to user only forum. I doubt many, if any here, have experience with GoogleFi. I am not aware of any data only sim working on iPhone.

You can certainly reach out to Apple directly, but I suspect they'll guide you back to GoogleFi for help with their product.

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Answer 9

May 1, 2023 2:41 PM in response to lobsterghost1

Yes totally get this is a forum and you all are just trying to help. Appreciate it! I may just stop in to the Apple Store. I am determined to get to the bottom of this.

My main reason for my "backup" phone is the bring with me when I travel internationally solo. If my "primary" phone were to be stolen, damaged, lost etc and you are in a non english speaking (like some places there are almost zero people that speak any english) it would be a huge challenge to buy a new phone and activate. I use my phone a ton for google maps, airline apps, airbnb etc. So ya that is the backstory on why I am even trying to do this. I have GoogleFi on my primary phone and it is awesome for traveling as the data/cellular is able to be used in 200+ countries. So no additional travel passes or charges.

And in theory my iPhone is supported (still need to get to the working stage lol) to use a physical SIM that you register with your GoogleFi account and it pulls the data from your plan. You don't have "cellular" but you can use all apps that would work on data like whatsapp, facebook/insta, google suite, email etc. So it would be handy and a lifesavor if primary phone is gonzo for whatever reason.

Anyway, thanks all for the thoughts :)

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Answer 10

KiltedTim

Level 10

225,348 points

May 1, 2023 4:38 PM in response to Carrie Lee 01

Carrie Lee 01 wrote:

And in theory my iPhone is supported (still need to get to the working stage lol) to use a physical SIM that you register with your GoogleFi account and it pulls the data from your plan.

No. It is NOT "supported" at all.

Here is a list of supported cellular carriers for the iPhone. Note that GoogleFi is nowhere to be found on it.

Wireless carrier support and features for iPhone in the United States and Canada - Apple Support

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Answer 11

May 1, 2023 6:23 PM in response to Carrie Lee 01

I may just stop in to the Apple Store. I am determined to get to the bottom of this.

The folks at the Apple Store will tell you that the iPhone does not support GoogleFi. That does not necessarily mean that it won't work......it means that Apple will not provide any help if you are having difficulty with this.

If GoogleFi is claiming that their service will work with an iPhone, then it's on Google to make things work.

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Answer 12

May 2, 2023 6:53 PM in response to LD150

Thank you! I've already spoken to Google Support three times on the phone. I. was thinking outside the box and hoping I might find someone that has had the same issue. But doesn't look anyone has solved this yet that has read this. I may try them again.

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Answer 13

KiltedTim

Level 10

225,348 points

May 3, 2023 5:07 AM in response to Carrie Lee 01

Carrie Lee 01 wrote:

GoogleFi is supported and has been working very successfully on my iPhone 13 Pro. It is my cell service on my phone. Working perfect in US as well as UK and EU.

No. It is NOT supported by Apple. If you bothered to check the list of supported carriers I linked to, you would know that. If Google says they support the iphone, that’s nice for them, but Apple does not support iphones used on GoogleFi.

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