Google Fi expanding VPN service from Android to iPhone

Google is using "Safer Internet Day" to announce an improvement to Google Fi VPN, by expanding access to the service to iPhone users.

Up until Tuesday, Apple had only provided its Project Fi VPN to Android users, despite the low-cost carrier Google Fi being available to use on iPhones since 2018. Now, Google is finally bringing the VPN to iOS.

"Everyone should have easy access to tools that protect their personal information," writes Google in a blog post announcing the expansion. The VPN will be available to iPhone users of the service starting in the spring.

At the same time, Google is bringing the Android variant of the VPN out of beta. Performance improvements are also being included to make the VPN work more effectively across apps and services on an Android device.

Android users are also benefiting from a new privacy and security hub within the Fi app. The hub will explain Fi's privacy and security features, as well as providing tool to manage them.

The Fi VPN has so far been a success for Google, with high usage by subscribers. Google claims the VPN (check VPN deals) secures over 226 TB of data each day, which the company approximates is enough data to stream video to one user for 107 years.

The last major change to Google Fi for iPhone users was in May 2020, when it enabled support for the eSIM included in newer generations of iPhones. The change enabled customers of the MVNO to free up the physical SIM slot on dual-SIM iPhones so they can use other services in tandem.

10 Comments

widmark 38 comments · 12 Years

About 3 years ago

“~~Apple~~ Google had only provided its Project Fi VPN to Android users”

Running all net traffic through a Google product is increasing security? Out of the pan and into the fire!

hmlongco 581 comments · 9 Years

"Everyone should have easy access to tools that protect their personal information"

They should. Which is why you shouldn't route all of your personal information through Google.

wood1208 2932 comments · 10 Years

Besides VPN; Similar to android wish Google Fi supports automatic switching of carrier on iPhone.

mrstep 523 comments · 15 Years

widmark said:

“~~Apple~~ Google had only provided its Project Fi VPN to Android users”

Running all net traffic through a Google product is increasing security? Out of the pan and into the fire!

No doubt. Aside from using the FaceBook VPN that got banned, I can't imagine a less appealing way of giving up all of my personal information.

gatorguy 24609 comments · 13 Years

mrstep said:

widmark said:

“~~Apple~~ Google had only provided its Project Fi VPN to Android users”

Running all net traffic through a Google product is increasing security? Out of the pan and into the fire!

No doubt. Aside from using the FaceBook VPN that got banned, I can't imagine a less appealing way of giving up all of my personal information.

AFACT You don't give up personal information while using ProjectFi.
https://support.google.com/fi/answer/10388412#zippy=%2Chow-the-fi-vpn-works%2Chow-we-protect-your-data%2Cyoure-in-control

I don't think anyone commenting up until now had bothered looking into Project F, how it works, and how it increases your privacy.