Wondering why is Google Fi temporarily unavailable. We know why, so keep reading!
Not being able to use any of the Google Fi benefits usually means an issue with the service or that the provider is unavailable.
However, in this guide, we will dig deep to discover the cause and provide you with the best-working solutions to regain your Google Fi services in no time!
If Google Fi is unavailable on your mobile device, verify that the device recognizes the SIM first and then deactivate the WiFi to prevent overlap. If Google Fi is still elusive, correct the APN settings on your mobile device and reset the networking settings clean.
Let’s keep unwrapping the underlying details of the issue!
Why is Google Fi Temporarily Unavailable?
Many reasons could result in an issue with the Google Fi service installed on your phone or any other SIM-enabled device.
To address the problem adequately, you must uncover the potential causes that could result in an unavailable Google Fi service and then troubleshoot accordingly!
Here are all possible causes that could result in unavailable Google Fi service:
Google Fi Phone Service Temporarily Unavailable – Fixed!
Note: The steps only take 2 minutes to read!
1. Verify the Location Google Coverage!
Unfortunately, no Google-powered tool allows the Fi clients to check for an ongoing outage, but you could check how strong the coverage is in your current location.
Hence, you’ll be able to know whether the coverage in your area is unusually slow or entirely offline at this moment.
Follow these instructions to inspect the Google Fi coverage in your area:
- On a device connected to the internet, go to Fi.google.com.
- Navigate to the “About” section on the online web portal.
- Press on “Coverage” at the top-left corner of the screen.
- Type your current whereabouts at “Address or location.”
- Press the blue “Check coverage” button, and then wait.
- Once results are displayed, check for location coverage.
To get the most out of the tool, input your current area of residence or where you’re currently situated.
Therefore, any service outages will be reflected in the tool’s results database.
Note: Outages reported by Google Fi are usually resolved in 30 minutes up to an hour!
2. Deactivate your Phone’s WiFi
One of the reasons why the Google Fi cellular service is not available on your mobile device could be an activated WiFi feature.
You can use Google Fi on both cellular and WiFi, but when the WiFi is very slow, your phone may not automatically switch to your operator’s internet.
So, here’s how to disable your WiFi on most mobile phones:
- Open your mobile device’s “Settings” app.
- Navigate to “Wireless” and press “WiFi.”
- Alternatively, go to Network & Internet.
- Tap the slider to turn off the WiFi feature.
- Exit the settings tab and test Google Fi.
Alert: Wait to reactivate the WiFi until the issue with the Google Fi network is uncovered.
3. Reinsert the Google Fi SIM Card
When Google Fi is temporarily unavailable, you must reinsert the Google Fi SIM card.
The chip might have failed to connect with the SIM tray, or dust accumulation prevents the card from being adequately recognized by the reader in the SIM tray.
Follow these instructions to reinsert the Google Fi SIM on your mobile device:
- First, locate the SIM tray pinhole on your phone’s sides.
- Insert a paperclip or similar tool into the hole and press.
- Once the SIM tray pops out, eject the tray from the unit.
- Carefully lift off the SIM card from the device’s SIM tray.
How to Reset a Mobile e-SIM Card?
Follow these steps to reset the e-SIM of your mobile device:
- Open the “Settings” app on your mobile device.
- From the settings, tap “Cellular” or “Mobile Data.”
- Select the “Google Fi” plan to delete the eSIM.
- Press the “Delete eSIM” button at the bottom.
- Return to the “Mobile Data” page in the settings.
- Press “Set up new eSIM” and follow the steps.
Note: Resetting the eSIM must be done by removing it first and then setting it up again!
4. Re-Adjust the Mobile APN Settings
To connect with the Google Fi provider network, your mobile device must have the APN settings configured appropriately.
If the settings are incorrect, your mobile device will not have Google Fi service unless the options are re-configured.
Here’s how to access the APN settings configuration on different platforms:
- On Android, go to Settings > Mobile Networks > “Access Point Names” > “APN.”
- On iOS, navigate to Settings > Mobile > Mobile Data Network.
Correct Google Fi APN Settings Configuration
Make sure all of the following values are filled in your device’s APN options:
| APN Setting Name | Google Fi APN |
| APN Name | Google Fi |
| APN | h2g2 |
| MMSC | http://m.fi.goog/mms/wapenc |
| MCC | 310 |
| MNC | 260 |
| APN Protocol | IPv4/IPv6 |
| APN Roaming Protocol | IPv4/IPv6 |
The settings above are mandatory for establishing a connection with Google Fi.
Typically your mobile device sets them correctly, but sometimes faults happen.
For any other fields, feel free to leave them blank since they are unimportant, but all APN settings from the table must be added.
Note: Once all necessary APN settings are configured, don’t forget to “Save” the changes!
5. Unpair Your Device’s VPN Connection!
Info: VPN – Virtual Private Network.
If you’ve connected the mobile device to a remote VPN, the Google Fi network could fail to recognize the SIM card.
Adding a location-altering service to your mobile device could deny you access to many online platforms and even interfere with your provider’s network.
How to Identify External VPN Services?
VPN services can also be added and installed through third-party applications on your mobile device.
So, open the app manager on your device and search for an app with “VPN” in its name.
Tip: We recommend deactivating or uninstalling the VPN!
How to Identify In-Built VPN Services?
Some Android devices may also have an in-built VPN service that could be connected to many servers worldwide.
If you’ve connected the in-built VPN of your mobile device, you will have to deactivate it through the settings and then test the Google Fi service.
Go to Settings > Network & Internet > VPN > Always ON > Disable!
Note: Do not set up a VPN on your device until the issue with Google Fi is resolved!
6. Move Out of Cellular Dead Zones
Another reason why the Google Fi service is temporarily unavailable could be due to the dead signal zone where no internet or cellular data can reach you.
It’s well-known that Google Fi services will be temporarily unavailable if you’re in an area without cellular coverage.
Here are the potential locations that could be a dead zone to cellular signal:
- Rural areas are away from radio transmitting towers.
- High mountains and valleys with bad or no coverage.
- Underground areas such as tunnels and basements.
- Dense urban areas with tall buildings and structures.
- Remote highways and roads could also block signals.
To keep track of the cellular signal’s condition, pay attention to the SIM indicator on the top of your mobile device’s screen.
You need at least 2 bars to communicate with Google Fi appropriately through your mobile device.
7. Reset the Network Settings to Default
Google Fi might be unavailable if you’ve messed with the network settings configuration of your mobile device.
Altering essential network connectivity settings could result in a compatibility fault with Google Fi, resulting in the error message “Google Fi is temporarily unavailable.”
How to Reset Network Settings On Android?
- Open the “Settings” app on your device.
- Next, navigate to ‘System” > “Advanced.”
- Scroll down and select “Reset options.”
- After that, tap “Reset network settings.”
- When ready, press “RESET SETTINGS.”
How to Reset Network Settings On iOS?
- On your iPhone/iPad, open the Settings application.
- Navigate to “General” > “Transfer or Reset [Device].”
- Choose “Reset” and tap “Reset Network Settings.”
- Follow the on-screen instructions to finish the reset.
- Wait for all Bluetooth, WiFi, and Cellular data to reset.
Note: Your Google Fi SIM should automatically set up all settings when the reset is completed.
Quick Recap:
Hence, to address the “Google Fi temporarily unavailable” issue, start by rebooting your phone and deactivating the WiFi feature.
If the problem persists, inspect the SIM card, clean the SIM, re-configure the APN settings, and reset the network settings to default.
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Finn Wheatley holds a Master’s Degree in Computer Science from UCL, London. He helped small data science consultancy firms, helping large corporations to grow their data capabilities, deploy advanced machine learning-based analytics and troubleshoot tech-related issues. Check out more about him here.