Hello r/GoogleFi,
I know the support page clearly state that you must activate within the US but I am just wondering if anyone has a way around that or if it’s possible to have it acticated while abroad ? - I am overseas currently and unable to travel due to COVID restrictions but I need a service activated.
Thank you.
Yeahhh, you might just wanna get a local sim until you’re back in the States.
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Try using a WiFi connection, connect to a US server via VPN to see if that works.
100% correct. Use a VPN to activate. It works.
Have you tried using the search tool?
Hey have you had any luck? I’m in the same position. I had my family mail me the free SIM card cuz I thought that might make a difference.
I am using a VPN (ExpressVPN). I have it on my phone and laptop. If I use it on my phone I get the “Turn off VPN to activate. Google Fi can’t be activated over VPN. Please turn off your VPN then return here to complete activation. You can turn it back on once service is active. Code: B060”
So then I turned off the VPN on my phone and used the VPN on my laptop and made a hotspot from my laptop to my phone but then I get the “Can’t activate in your location. Code: B050.”
So I had the same issue. Make sure your phone is unblocked (normally the case once you paid it off comepletely). Remove the old sim. Download a VPN app (NordVPN). Access your wifi and log into US IP Address via NordVPN. Then activate the eSim (with a US Address) (only certain model phones allow eSim) Then manually select the carrier (remember to update Mobile Data Network info as per Google Fi prompt) It will not automatically find the network without you manually choosing it. I spent about 4 hours in circles with GoogleFi tech help and kept saying it’s impossible.
Hey this is easy. You have to create a free AWS Open VPN server. You can find a tutorial on YouTube. Than activate Google Fi over the OpenVPN server. Done.
As of now even if you are successful in activating outside US, International service will be suspended by default. It can be activated only by visiting US as per google.
Anyone have any idea on this? Is there anyway to bypass it?
Worked for me using a dedicated IP on NordVPN
Protocol: OpenVPN (TCP)
I believe using P2P connection should work as well
EDIT: This didn’t end up working in the end! It seemed like it was going to work but in the end, it did NOT work. They said you have to be in the US to start, meaning it has to hit a physical US tower.
I tried this. It didn’t work unfortunately. I used tunnel bear vpn.
Thank you. Would you recommend a particular VPN ?
Have you tried being helpful?
I didn’t have any luck yet unfortunately with the eSIM and VPN. I am currently waiting for the physical sim to arrive at the moment.
Thank you. I tried everything you listed above. Still won’t work. I tried both Tunnel Bear and NordVPN. The iPhone is 100% unlocked. I purchased it directly from the Apple Store, factory unlocked. I removed my old sim card. I connected to VPN. I deleted and re-installed the Google Fi app. I removed and re-added the eSIM. I followed the activation steps as per the app. I set the APN settings. I set the network to manual and manually chose a network. I also allowed it to automatically try and connect to a network, both did not work.
Hey, sorry, how/why do this? I tried doing over Private Internet Access VPN and it didn’t work because iPhone has VPN setting toggled I believe. Would realllllly appreciate help here.
This makes no sense, the plan offers full international data? If you activate it somehow, how would you get it suspended?
Thx for your tip! I was able to activate in Mexico using your P2P advice, but now I am unable to actually use data. Any advice?
p2p trick worked for me. thanks, you saved me a trip from VN → USA