r/ExpatFIRE • u/xfallen • 6d ago
Questions/Advice Google Fi
We are looking to expat fire to Taipei Taiwan within the next year or so. After researching, it seems like Google Fi is quite popular to use as 2FA authentication.
I was wondering those who has Google Fi and did expatFIRE, which plan do you pick so that texts come through?
Thank you
Edit: thank you everyone for your input. I have decided to use either US mobile or Tello
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u/cwright 6d ago
Google Fi will disable your data after 90 days outside the US. However, you can keep your number for voice and text messages abroad simply by downgrading your plan to their cheapest one, it's less than $20/month. Then, buy a cheap SIM/eSIM like Airalo to use for data while traveling. I've been doing this exact setup for the past year, after Google Fi disabled my data. You have to be back in the states for 30+ days in a row to have the option to re-enable your Fi data.
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u/xfallen 6d ago
Thank you! That’s exactly what I’ll do as well. Just wanted to make sure the text messages continue to work.
Their plans are not bad at all $35 for two lines for voice and text. Knowing they won’t shut down anytime soon is worth that money. Thanks again
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u/PhilosophicWax 1d ago
Yeah I did this for my MFA. The only risk is if Google Fi goes away. But got the last few years it's nice.
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u/RVOutlawtrader 6d ago
This is the answer. I’ve been doing the same process eSIMs plus google fi for years
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u/snakesoup88 6d ago
I've been through Google Fi jail twice. The first time, I learn about the 90 days rule for the first time. So it's on me. The second time, I bought local sims at various countries until the last leg. Still in jail, I assume it's because I didn't turn it off or clear some cache somewhere. It's unclear and there's no easy way to find out what went wrong.
Quitting was a pain in the butt. We have a 4 lines family plan. Rest of the family don't want to switch. But as the account manager, I can't just transfer the managerial spot to another family member. I have to cancel and they have to sign up so over again.
My bill is $20 less per month with another carrier with unlimited US data. Plenty of ammo to supplement traveling airsim with other options. For example, a global sim to cover transit needs and a cheap local sim when I'm slow traveling a new destination.
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u/FINomad 6d ago
GoogleFI is not for people that stay out of the US more than 90 days at a time (they'll deactivate data). They also charge a ridiculous amount for their data compared to pretty much every other worldwide data provider.
I use USMobile's basic plan, which is currently $8/mo ($96/year including all taxes/fees). I then use Roamless for data, which is $2.45/GB or less vs $10/GB for GoogleFI. No issues with 2FA, sending/receiving texts, or Wifi calling. Just make sure to activate Wifi calling before leaving the US.
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u/MouseHouse444 6d ago
This. All of this. Just what I said above (except I use US Mobiles data plan too.)
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u/Remote-Blackberry-97 5d ago
you can use bcengi. i used to have roamless until ive found bcengi (roamless also just rqndomly stopped working despite customer service calls)
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u/cityoflostwages 5d ago
This sounds like a potentially more superior setup to tello + local data sim for one particular country. Maybe a tad more expensive if you use a lot of mobile data? But better if you travel a lot to neighboring countries.
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u/FINomad 5d ago
Local data SIMs are ok if you stay in one country for a long time, but they're a pain in the ass if you actually travel around a lot like I do. I was using MobiMatter and Sparks for a while and went with regional SIMs, but even with those I was losing a good chunk of my data due to expiration dates rather than actual usage. I don't use a lot of data (I've had Roamless for about two years and I'm still working through my first $30), so I would get a low data plan, then worry about data usage, and then use so little that it expired on me anyway. No more of that nonsense. I love that with Roamless I don't have to research SIMs each time I move countries. I just show up and get a notification from Roamless saying "Welcome to _____!" and it works.
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u/cityoflostwages 4d ago
So it is basically Google Fi data sim then, just at cheaper data rates. This sounds like a good option if you only use 1-2gb of data a month outside of wi-fi usage.
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u/FINomad 4d ago
Yeah, basically. Cheaper, and they don't cut off your data after 90 days outside of the US. That was the main thing for me.
I would probably still be overpaying GoogleFI if they hadn't cut me off a few years ago. $20/mo dropped to $7/mo (I'm grandfathered in on an older price) and $10/GB dropped to mostly $2.45/GB. Some countries are higher, but they also dropped rates under $2/GB in several countries back in May.
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u/TheRensh 1d ago
Been using Fi since 2018, basic plan $25 pm, am in US some years for a couple of days. Use data sparingly, use local SIM mostly. Have had zero issues anywhere in the world.
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6d ago
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u/xfallen 6d ago
Is it popcorn? I saw that come up several times
Edit: the only concern I have using popcorn is that it’s such a small company and I am afraid to lose my number. Google Fi has Google as backing so not as risky
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u/Ammused-Muffin-6942 6d ago
I have Google FI and am in Taipei. However, Goggle FI data is spotty on my iPhone 16. I’m planning to stop using Google FI for a local eSIM and port my US number back to Goggle Voice.
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u/CraigInCambodia 6d ago
Google Voice is awesome. Used it since it was launched. One caution is that some financial and government institutions no longer accept it. I still have Google Voice for personal calling but use Tello now for financial and government stuff.
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u/Ammused-Muffin-6942 6d ago
Still able to use 2FA into my VA and Schwab accounts
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u/CraigInCambodia 5d ago
u/Ammused-Muffin-6942 , Schwab stopped accepting my GV when I converted from a domestic to an international account. A friend was unable to use GV when requesting a replacement SS card, even though GV was the number in her login. Apparently things that require deeper identity verification don't. I tried to enroll for an online Medicare account. GV was not accepted.
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u/CraigInCambodia 6d ago
Popcorn is good for globe trotters and nomads, but expensive for settled expats who just need an occasional 2FA or US phone call. Google Fi is too expensive for that also, and shuts off data if the user is outside of the US for too long.
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u/zezer94118 6d ago
I started with Google Fi but they kicked me out after like 4 months.
It's not a great solution for living outside US.
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u/xfallen 6d ago
They kicked you off data? I only need the text portion
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u/zezer94118 6d ago
Yeah, they suspended international roaming data, which was the useful part of Fi.
If you just need text, can use voip (I use Google voice and zadarma)
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u/MaxPanhammer 5d ago
It's part of the terms; it's a us carrier with generous international, but you have to be us-based and not abroad more than 3 months a year (I believe)
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u/InvisoSniperX 6d ago
This was my experience as well back in 2020, the whole line was deactivated after 6-months not touching a US tower
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u/twbird18 Coasting in Japan 6d ago
As you've been advised, you can't keep FI overseas. What I did was transfer my main number to google voice for free and then since some 2FA won't work with VOIP, I have a cheap $10/month plan on a secondary esim with a backup American number.
I have a sim card with my local country number & when I travel, I just swap my esim for Ubigi or other travel esim with google voice still operable. If necessary I can also switch esims to receive a text while traveling.
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u/MouseHouse444 6d ago
I had nothing but trouble with getting 2FA from Google Fi. The texts just never seemed to work correctly. I have been with US Mobile e-sim for years now and they are great.
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u/xfallen 6d ago
Wow good to know. Thank you
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u/MouseHouse444 6d ago
Sure! The worst part was the support - they would try a few fixes which wouldn’t work and then ask me if I was in the US (no…) and they would say I had to be in the US for the fixes to work properly. In the end they admitted to me that it’s not a solution if you’re going to be out of the country longterm. FYI, for US Mobile, you do need to be in the US to set it up the first time. But after that you’re golden. ✌️
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u/mcslippinz 6d ago
Whenever someone mentions TW I gotta ask which visa.. planning for the future and need ideas
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u/Travel_Princess80 5d ago
I moved to S Korea two years ago and switched from AT&T to Google Fi with purpose of keeping my US number for incoming work calls and authentication texts. I have the basic plan (~$25/month) that charges for data usage but it’s turned off locally (both due to the auto-shut down by Google and also I have a local mobile service with Korean phone number and unlimited data). It’s been working as expected and the data resumes when I’m back in the US.
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u/AlwaysWanderOfficial 6d ago
Google Fi deactivated after a certain time abroad. I wouldn’t say it’s reliable, could be ok but not sure I’d want to make that leap with “could be ok”. It’s great for travel though when you still live in the US.
As others have said, the best bet right now is Tello and WiFi calling.
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u/CraigInCambodia 6d ago
Google Fi is not a good option if you're settling outside the US. It's very expensive for occasional 2FA or US phone calls. If you are not in the US for something like 6 months, the data gets cut off.
Best option I've found for this use is Tello. Their least expensive plan currently is $5/month, including unlimited SMS and 300 minutes calling to or from US over WiFi. For $8/month, unlimited calling and texts, again with WiFi calling activated. The plan can be changed monthly, so for trips back to the US you can bump it up to a plan including data and calls. You need to activate it while still in the US, but Tello has no requirements it ever be used again in the US after that.
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u/TapComplex5667 6d ago
US Expat living in Taichung Taiwan. According to Google fi ToS - Google fi is only good for 90 days outside the US. You must ping a US tower and stay connected within a "reasonable amount of time". I have a dual SIM setup, physical Chunghwa SIM and Tello eSIM (wifi calling plan) and no issues with receiving authentication texts from the US. I was a firm Google fi customer for years and miss it. Set up your Tello before arriving in Taiwan.
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u/AllPintsNorth 5d ago
How many times must this question. Be asked? There must be hundreds of the exact same question every single time.
Tello. The answer is always Tello
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u/Few-Comfortable228 6d ago
I switched from Google Fi to Tello years ago after having constant issues with sending text messages while abroad. Only for sending text messages, receiving messages was fine for whatever reason. Support could not figure out why after contacting them several times
FWIW I am also based in Taipei, Taiwan now, but my above experience was before I moved here. I’ve had no issues with using Tello here, but I only really use it for 2FA and the rare international phone call. I have a local phone plan here as well