Troubleshoot Google Fi activation

This article helps with Google Fi activation issues like SIM card problems, iPhone setup, and self-service error codes and messages.

How to fix SIM card issues for Google Fi

  • Double-check that you have a Google Fi SIM card.
  • Make sure your device is carrier-unlocked and compatible with Google Fi.
  • If you insert your SIM card and your phone displays “No SIM card:”
    1. Remove the SIM.
    2. Make sure the SIM is clean.
    3. Place it correctly in the tray.
    4. Restart your device.
      • To restart your device, for at least 30 seconds, press and hold the Power button.
  • Make sure that the tray closes completely.
  • For transfers from another carrier:
    • Insert your previous SIM card.
    • If your phone recognizes your previous card but not your Google Fi SIM, your phone might be carrier-locked.
    • Contact your previous carrier for more information.

How to fix network issues after you transfer iPhone service to Google Fi

If your new iPhone is on, but you don’t have service:

  1. On your old iPhone, remove Google Fi SIMs. Learn how to delete your eSIMs and pSIMs.
  2. On your new iPhone, remove Google Fi SIMs. Learn how to delete your eSIMs and pSIMs.
    • If you have the Google Fi app on your new iPhone, delete the app. You can keep the Google Fi app on your old iPhone.
  3. Download eSIM to your new iPhone.
    1. Follow instructions at fi.google.com.
    2. Under "To transfer an eSIM," complete steps 2–5.

      Tip: The inability to update network settings results in no connection

  4. Download the Google Fi app to your new iPhone.

Tip: When you download the app again from the App Store on your new iPhone, it guides you through the correct steps for eSIM activation. This includes port-in instructions and voicemail setup. Complete all steps of in-app activation.

How to check self-service error codes & messages in Google Fi

Learn why Google Fi doesn't support your device
  • To use Google Fi, you need an unlocked phone that's compatible with Google Fi. Check your phone's compatibility.
  • If you bought your Google Fi phone through Google Fi or the Google Store, your device is unlocked.
  • If you brought your own device to Google Fi, to make sure your phone is unlocked, contact your carrier.
  • Make sure you don't owe any payments on your device. To unlock your device, your carrier can also ask you to take other steps.
Learn why your Google Fi SIM card is missing or corrupt

Make sure that your phone is compatible with Google Fi. Check your phone's compatibility. Then, make sure you properly install your SIM card.

If you have a Pixel 2 and up, you can remove your physical SIM card and start your eSIM activation.

Learn why you're currently set up as a guest or additional user
Google Fi service can only be activated for the device owner. Learn how to delete, switch, or add users.
Learn about unexpected SIM notification or activation status

If you contact support because of unexpected SIM notifications or your device shows 2 active Google Fi SIMs, you must take the following steps:

  1. Remove any Google Fi physical SIM cards.
  2. Download the Google Fi app Fi.
  3. To activate or reactivate with an eSIM, complete the steps.
    • If unexpected SIM behavior persists after the physical SIM card is removed and reactivation is completed, reboot the device.
Learn about T144 or L144 error code
  • Restart your phone and retry activation.
  • For physical SIM card errors, insert the SIM card firmly. If that doesn’t work:
    • If the device is eSIM compatible, activate with eSIM.
    • To rule out SIM hardware issues, try the SIM card with another phone.
    • Get a new SIM card.
  • If you encounter this error with eSIM activation, the device may have issues with eSIM hardware. Try a physical SIM card instead.
Learn about B038 error code

Your sign up process isn’t complete. To complete the process:

  1. On your device’s browser, go to https://fi.google.com/signup.
  2. Complete the sign-up flow.
    • After you sign up, the browser redirects to the "Account Management" page.
Learn about B050 & T217 error code

You can’t activate Google Fi outside the US. Before you use Google Fi internationally, you must activate it within the US.

We grant exceptions for:

  • Active or reserve military who serve abroad.
  • State Department employees who serve abroad.
  • Dependents who are part of the same group plan.

If you’re in this category, verify your government status. After SheerID verifies you, you can activate Google Fi outside the US.

Learn about B002 error code

Check your device’s eligibility and go through the sign-up flow. Make sure to use the same Google Account that you use to sign up for Google Fi.

Learn about B027 or T065 error code
To work on the Google Fi network, a device needs LTE capabilities. Your device might not have the capabilities. Check if your device has LTE capabilities.
Learn about B031 error code

Check if your device can activate with eSIM. Check your phone's compatibility.

If compatible, you can remove your physical SIM card and start your eSIM activation.

If your device can’t use eSIM and you must replace your SIM card, order a replacement on your Google Fi account.

  1. On your device, sign in to Google Fi.
  2. Select Order SIM card.
    • Order a SIM card.
    • You can also buy a new SIM card through a retailer like Best Buy, Amazon, or Target, and get reimbursed up to $10 USD.
Learn about B034 error code

If you get this error code, the instructions should pop up on your device:

“To get Google Fi service on this device, first, remove the current SIM card, and replace it with one supported for this device. What SIMs are supported? If you ordered this device from Google Fi, use the SIM that we sent along with this device.”

If you don’t have the newest version of the SIM, pick one up at an authorized third-party provider or order a SIM card.

Learn about B044 error code

If you try to activate Google Fi too many times, as a security measure to protect your account, we temporarily block the process. You can try again in a few days.

Learn about B060 error code

Turn off your virtual private network (VPN) and try the activation steps again. After we activate your service, you can turn the VPN back on. Learn how to turn the VPN on or off.

Learn about B080 error code

If you reach the maximum of 6 members on your plan, you can’t add another one in the current billing cycle. Even if a previous member is removed, to add a different member, you need to wait until the end of the billing cycle.

Learn about L022 error code

Make sure your device has a Wi-Fi connection and try again. If the problem continues, contact support.

Learn about T014 error code

Close and reopen the Google Fi app.

Learn about T016 error code

If your phone can't connect to the internet, we can't turn on your Google Fi service. Check your internet connection and try again.

Update your device:

  1. On your device, go to the Play Store Play Store.
  2. Select the Google Fi app Fi.
  3. Install any available updates.
Learn about T017 error code

Troubleshoot the issue:

  1. Confirm that your device has a Wi-Fi connection.
  2. Try the activation process again.
  3. Confirm that your Google Fi app and Android don’t need any updates.
    • If they do, install any available updates.
  4. Restart your phone.
Learn about T021 error code

Turn off airplane mode:

  1. On your device, open Settings.
  2. Select Network & Internet.
  3. Turn off Airplane mode.
    • When the switch is to the left and appears gray, “Airplane mode” is off.
  4. Open the Google Fi app Google Fi.
  5. Try the activation steps again.
Learn about T022 error code

If a different Wi-Fi connection is available, try to connect to it.

When you connect to Wi-Fi:

  1. Open the Google Fi app Google Fi.
  2. Try the activation steps again.

If the problem continues, contact support.

Learn about T025 error code

Turn on mobile data:

  1. On your device, open Settings.
  2. Select Network & Internet and then Mobile network.
  3. Turn on Mobile data.
    • When the switch is to the right, “Mobile data” is on.
  4. Open the Google Fi app Google Fi.
  5. Try the activation steps again.
Learn about T205 error code

Restart your device and retry the activation process. If the problem continues, contact support.

Learn about T077 or B016 error code

For full connectivity, update your Google Fi app to the latest version.

  1. On your device, open the Play Store app Google Play.
  2. At the top right, tap your Profile picture or Initial and then Manage apps & data and then Updates available.
  3. On the list, find the Google Fi app Fi.
  4. Tap Update.
    • If you find "Open" instead of "Update" next to the app, the app is already up to date.

If you still have issues, contact a Google Fi agent.

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