I've got a grandfathered Unlimited Data Plan on Verizon (which they can pry from my cold dead hands!) but I also have a T-Mobile SIM I use for my overseas trips (love the free, but slow, 2G roaming!). My Project Fi invite should be arriving in 1-2 weeks, and my plan was to cancel my T-Mobile account and use the Fi SIM for overseas roaming. My question is, if I upgrade the phone to the Project Fi-only LVY48C build, will I be able to switch between my Fi and Verizon SIMs at will, without any loss of functionality? Has anyone on Verizon tried this yet?
Thanks for any help y'all can provide!
What are the benefits of the Project Fi build over the regular build?
I should be getting my Project Fi sim the next week or so also. I also plan on doing the same (US usage with VZ UDP, Int'l usage with Fi instead of T-Mo). I can attempt the LVY48C on my N6 as soon as VZ resolves some network issues associated with my line. I don't wont to complicate things right now...
Subscribed to this thread in case anyone can give a definitive answer in the mean-while.
@black7, what ROM did you settle on? Also, out of curiosity, do you have the Google Wi-Fi Assistant available to you? Check in "Google Settings" app-->Network-->"Use open Wi-Fi automatically".
I'm trying to figure out if this feature is triggered by the presence of a Fi SIM or specific Google accounts or the Fi ROM.
DA6030 said:
@black7, what ROM did you settle on? Also, out of curiosity, do you have the Google Wi-Fi Assistant available to you? Check in "Google Settings" app-->Network-->"Use open Wi-Fi automatically".
I'm trying to figure out if this feature is triggered by the presence of a Fi SIM or specific Google accounts or the Fi ROM.
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It's Fi sim specific
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
david279 said:
It's Fi sim specific
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Great! So, just to confirm, when you re-insert your non-Fi SIM from another carrier, you lose the Wi-Fi Assistant feature?
DA6030 said:
Great! So, just to confirm, when you re-insert your old SIM, you lose the feature, correct?
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Haven't gone back. But I was on the LMY47I build and it wasn't there then put in the fi sim and it was there.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
david279 said:
Haven't gone back. But I was on the LMY47I build and it wasn't there then put in the fi sim and it was there.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
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OK, that's helpful. I think this is a really cool feature, that I'd love to find a way to enable for everyone, but right now there's so many places this access bit could be stored (server-side vs. client-side; triggered by a handset having ever seen a Fi SIM vs. Google account with an active Fi subscription vs. phone with a Fi SIM currently inserted) that anything would help narrow down at this point. At the very least, you've helped me rule out the ROM as a factor!
I got my invite yesterday, so after I ordered my SIM I chatted with Fi support and asked about switching between my Fi and Verizon SIMs once my phone is on the Fi-specific build. She told me that I would have issues trying to use a non-Fi SIM and that I should only use the Fi build for Fi. I'm still going to try both once my SIM arrives, but that was not promising news. Guess I'll have to get a Moto X Style Pure Edition to use with Verizon....or a new Nexus in a few months.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
MadManMoon said:
I got my invite yesterday, so after I ordered my SIM I chatted with Fi support and asked about switching between my Fi and Verizon SIMs once my phone is on the Fi-specific build. She told me that I would have issues trying to use a non-Fi SIM and that I should only use the Fi build for Fi. I'm still going to try both once my SIM arrives, but that was not promising news. Guess I'll have to get a Moto X Style Pure Edition to use with Verizon....or a new Nexus in a few months.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
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I've switched back and forth a bunch of times, even while hot (while powered on) and it works most of the time. Takes about a minute for the radio to do its thing and get synced up.
One time I lost the ability to dial out with my Verizon sim (lost all APNs), but reflashing the radio got it working again.
Definitely worth trying.
I probably won't keep FI. The reality is Verizon works great for me and the new pricing structure brings it a little closer to that of FI.
You certainly don't want to use the "Fi specific" build on Verizon. But you also don't need the "Fi specific" build to join Fi. Any current build will work. By design, says Google.
If your Nexus 6 is already on Verizon, update your it to the current stock build, which I believe is would be LMY48I. Then join Fi and follow the instructions for BYOD devices here.
If you have any problems swapping SIMs between Fi and Verizon, it likely will be from Verizon's business rules that have nothing to do with device or build compatibility. Reportedly they often don't play nice with using the same IMEI that has been used on other carriers. (I have no experience with this. Verizon has never had its hooks into me.) And it is not clear to me if you also would be porting your phone number back and forth.
Interesting info, thanks! I will not be swapping numbers - I'm keeping my Verizon number, and using my existing Google Voice number for Fi. I'll keep the latest Verizon build, download the Fi app, and see what happens.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using Tapatalk
MadManMoon said:
Interesting info, thanks! I will not be swapping numbers - I'm keeping my Verizon number, and using my existing Google Voice number for Fi. I'll keep the latest Verizon build, download the Fi app, and see what happens.
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Be aware that there are issues porting your Google Voice number to Fi. As I understand it, you basically are abandoning it for Google Voice forever. See this Google Fi Help page.
All I want to keep doing with my existing Google Voice number is use it for my Verizon number's voicemail, and that will apparently still work. I don't use any of the Google Voice features that will be removed once I switch to Fi.
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boomerbubba said:
Be aware that there are issues porting your Google Voice number to Fi. As I understand it, you basically are abandoning it for Google Voice forever. See this Google Fi Help page.
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I ported my GV number over to Fi to give it a spin.
When I wasn't able to get the reception I needed I was able to port my GV number back to GV when I cancelled Fi.
Steve
@MadManMoon:
You might be interested in this thread at Reddit.
prbpci0 said:
I've switched back and forth a bunch of times, even while hot (while powered on) and it works most of the time. Takes about a minute for the radio to do its thing and get synced up.
One time I lost the ability to dial out with my Verizon sim (lost all APNs), but reflashing the radio got it working again.
Definitely worth trying.
I probably won't keep FI. The reality is Verizon works great for me and the new pricing structure brings it a little closer to that of FI.
Click to expand...
Click to collapse
Which Radio did you use? I never flashed mine, bought it unlocked from Google a little more than a year ago, but now, after using Fi for a couple of weeks, it looks like it might have updated the radio itself. Not sure how to force it back to the Verizon Radio...
prbpci0 said:
One time I lost the ability to dial out with my Verizon sim (lost all APNs), but reflashing the radio got it working again.
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Click to collapse
The solution is to go into the calls section of the dialer and disable the call assistant settings.
https://www.reddit.com/r/ProjectFi/...ing_between_verizon_and_project_fi_sim_cards/
Hey Guys, just a quick one for you.
My Contract for Verizon is up In November, I just received my Project Fi Invite today, which I am looking to try, however do not want to be subject to an ETF from Verizon since Im so close to being out of agreement.
Can I go through the Fi Application process via the Website, order my SIM and get everything together while i Wait, or will ordering a SIM cause my number to Port to Project FI, thereby incurring an ETF from VZW??
Specifically, does signing up via the Fi Invite automatically port your TN over, or can I get a Sim, Hold onto it for awhile, and then when im up with VZ, Activate it via the Android Project Fi Application to port?
You can hold onto it for a while. They aren't taking them away as far as I know.
Yes, you can order the project Fi welcome kit asap, you can also order just the sim if they're out of kits and wait for the kit to come later. You can activate Fi service when ever you want.
Sent from my Nexus 6 using XDA Free mobile app
I purchased a Nexus 6 off eBay new in box and used it with T-mobile without a problem for a while with no issues. After I received the Project Fi invite I ported my number but the phone is always on T-mobile. I called Fi team and they say the phone is still being used on Sprint network and attached to another number, I called Sprint and they won't release the phone as it's attached to another account. I tried to force it to Sprint and says it can't be activated.
Just wondering if is there is a way around this, so phone gets fully activated to on Fi to use both networks.
Appreciate any help.
remo74tg said:
I purchased a Nexus 6 off eBay new in box and used it with T-mobile without a problem for a while with no issues. After I received the Project Fi invite I ported my number but the phone is always on T-mobile. I called Fi team and they say the phone is still being used on Sprint network and attached to another number, I called Sprint and they won't release the phone as it's attached to another account. I tried to force it to Sprint and says it can't be activated.
Just wondering if is there is a way around this, so phone gets fully activated to on Fi to use both networks.
Appreciate any help.
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Based on your description, it sounds like it was under Sprint contract to the previous owner and he never paid off the device. I would suggest starting with the person you purchased it from, and ask him that question. If he doesn't respond, isn't helpful, or confirms that hypothesis, then file a claim with Paypal. Device "significantly not as described". You will get your money back, but it could take several weeks.
This would not have happened with a purchase from Swappa.com. They vet the IMEI number to verify that the phone is unencumbered with any carrier.
You are probably better off than if you could connect to Sprint. A lot of Fi users report that the N6 prefers a weak Sprint signal to a strong T-Mobile signal or even strong WiFi.
Sent from my VS985 4G using Tapatalk
I was having issues with activation Fi on the Sprint network so I contacted Google and they told me that my device was unsupported. I think they're wrong but the rep insisted that I couldn't use it. Does anyone on here know if I can use it?
https://fi.google.com/about/phones/
This page shows, toward the bottom, that you can 'bring your own' Moto X4 or the Android One Moto X4 . One would think this is enough evidence to show that ANY X4 will work.
Project fi uses Sprint towers... I'm currently connected to the fi network on 4g+ on Sprint tower... X4 Android One edition.
Poke01 said:
Project fi uses Sprint towers... I'm currently connected to the fi network on 4g+ on Sprint tower... X4 Android One edition.
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I was having a lot of issues with the network switching so I've switched to using my FI sim in an Honor 7x and just using the T-Mobile towers. It's actually working a lot better.
My understanding from the reddit/r/projectfi is it will work but you do not get network switching and wifi calling working. so it will run only on t-mobile.
Activated mine no problem. Got a sim from Fi and bought a Moto x4 unlocked from best buy. Unsure why others are saying that the phone won't work, or will only work on T-mobile. I've had both Sprint and Tmo signal working perfectly fine.
Just curious, but do you have the Project Fi app installed? Have you done anything to the phone (unlock bootloader/root/etc)?
got mine today from best buy. I asked them to price match and they did. so I got it for 249. went home and pulled out Fi sim card from nexus 6 and into the moto x4. let Fi app optimize the network and after that, I am connected with Sprint towers. All stock here. it just got the last update to android O 8.0. from 7.1.1
have not tested MMS , wifi calling, and tmobile towers but I am in Abilene TX and I don't know if there is any tmobile here. I move a lot for work so soon I should be able to test tmo or uscellular.
Can anyone verify that the moto x4 fi version wifi calling works on tmobile. Was going to get the special they have then switch back to tmobile.
mattyb132 said:
I was having a lot of issues with the network switching so I've switched to using my FI sim in an Honor 7x and just using the T-Mobile towers. It's actually working a lot better.
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Project fi switches between Sprint, TMobile, US Cellular, and Next networks all which use various different methods. Gsm,cdma, etc. Your phone does not have the ability to do that. So while it may work on one of the networks that Google fi uses, it will not switch carriers like a Google fi phone should. You might be fine with that, but if you travel, that's where Google fi comes in really handy. Google fi is not for everyone. But I can tell you my bill went from 135$ a month for 2 people to 58$ a month, with better service and faster connection than at&t.
Got a the new P5 and figured I would try out Google Fi for the first time. I know I have good Sprint coverage in most of my area and really good T-Mobile coverage in limited areas. At my home, I get no T-Mobile, but there is good Sprint coverage. The phone refuses to switch to Sprint, even when using the dial codes that is supposed to force it to Sprint (I get an error) I have been working with Google Fi support on this issue since 10/29 and they are now going to file "a ticket with our carrier partner to know the root cause of the services issue". I connected my Pixel 4xl to Fi and it worked as advertised, good LTE coverage at my house on using the Sprint network. Anyone else having that issue?
After two weeks of going back and forth with Google Fi support, the truth comes out. This it the quote from the email that they sent to me.
"I checked with our resources and I am afraid that Pixel 5 does not support Sprint network for talk and texts as of now however, the engineering team is working to fix it.
We do not have any ETA about when this will get fixed but you will be informed when Pixel 5 will support Sprint network. We understand that this is not the resolution you were hoping for, and while we strive to provide an exceptional support experience for all of our customers. You may consider dropping feedback from the Fi app. To do so, follow these steps:"