Use Google Fi with tablets & other compatible devices
- June 7, 2024
Table of Contents
Use Google Fi with tablets & other compatible devices
After you sign up for Google Fi and activate your phone, to use your mobile data on tablets and other compatible devices, add a data-only SIM card to your account
Important: If you have the Simply Unlimited plan, you can’t add a data- only SIM card. If you have a Flexible plan or Unlimited Plus plan, you can use a data-only SIM card.
What you need to know
- Eligibility : If you have service activated with Google Fi with the Flexible plan or Unlimited Plus plan, you can add another device with a data-only SIM.
- Cost: Cost depends on your Fi billing plan. Learn more about Fi plans. If you want to find out how much your data-only SIM uses, check your data usage. You can find a breakdown for each additional device.
- Tethering: Tethering from a device with a data-only SIM isn’t supported.
- Coverage: Data-only SIM cards provide coverage in 200+ countries and territories. Check our coverage map. You may notice some coverage differences from your main Fi phone. Coverage can also vary by device.
- Number of data-only SIMs: You can add up to 4 data-only SIM cards. You can also use the same data-only SIM card in multiple devices.
Add another device
To add a device, first check for compatibility. Next, order a data-only SIM, activate it, and get it set up on your tablet or other device.
1. Check compatible devices & SIM cards
Compatible tablets
Here’s a list of tablets that are verified to work with Google Fi. You can also use your own phone with Google Fi.
- Android tablets with 7.0 or higher and LTE bands 2 and 4 (US versions)
- iPads with iOS 12 or higher and LTE bands 2 and 4 (US versions)
- Samsung Galaxy Tabs S2 or newer (US versions)
- Nexus 9 LTE (US versions)
- Sony Xperia Z4 (US version)
Some devices need a nano SIM to micro SIM adapter. For more information, view “About SIM adapter.”
Other devices
Data-only SIMs may work with devices that aren’t on our list. Devices must be unlocked and work with T-Mobile (GSM radio). You can order a data-only SIM and test it out. However, we may not be able to help activate or troubleshoot these other devices.
Tip: If you set up a data-only SIM with a phone, you will have access to data, but you can’t make calls and texts across the mobile network.
2. Find out if you need a SIM card adapter
About SIM adapters
SIM cards come in a few different sizes. Google Fi uses a nano SIM card. If your device uses something different, you may need a SIM adapter. A SIM adapter helps your smaller nano SIM card fit into a larger SIM card tray on your device. You can purchase an adapter online or at many electronic retailers.
Find out what SIM card your device uses
Most manufacturers list the SIM card size for each device on their website so you can search to find out what size you need. For example, if your device uses a micro SIM you should buy a nano SIM to micro SIM adapter. If your device uses a nano SIM, you don’t need an adapter.
Verified compatible devices that don’t need an adapter:
- Pixel 2 and up (all versions)
- Pixel Model G-2PW4100 (North American version)
- Pixel XL Model G-2PW2100 (North American version)
- Android One Moto X4 (all versions)
- iPad Air 2 – Model A1567
- iPad mini 4 – Model A1550
- iPad Pro 2015 – Model A1652
- LG G7 ThinQ (unlocked North American versions sold by retailers)
- LG V35 ThinQ (unlocked North American versions sold by retailers)
- Moto G6 (unlocked North American versions sold by retailers)
- Moto G7 (unlocked North American versions sold by retailers)
- Moto G Play (unlocked North American versions sold by retailers)
- Moto G Power (2020 and 2021) (unlocked North American versions sold by retailers)
- Moto G Stylus (unlocked North American versions sold by retailers)
- Motorola One 5G Ace (unlocked North American versions sold by retailers)
- Nexus 5X Model LGH790 (North American version)
- Nexus 6P Model H1511 (North American version)
- Nexus 6 Model XT1103 (North American version)
- Nexus 9 0P82300 (US LTE)
- Samsung Galaxy A32 5G (unlocked North American versions sold by retailers)
- Samsung Galaxy A71 5G (unlocked North American versions sold by retailers)
- Samsung Galaxy Note20 5G and Note20 Ultra 5G (unlocked North American versions sold by retailers)
- Samsung Galaxy S20 5G, S20+ 5G, and S20 Ultra 5G (unlocked North American versions sold by retailers)
- Samsung Galaxy S21 5G, S21+ 5G, and S21 Ultra 5G (unlocked North American versions sold by retailers)
3. Order your data-only SIM
- Open fi.google.com/account.
- Select Manage Plan Add data-only SIM.
- To order your SIM, follow the on-screen steps.
View a tutorial on how to order a data-only SIM.
4. Once your SIM arrives, set up your device
Have your SIM card and compatible device ready.
1. Activate your data-only SIM
- Open fi.google.com/data.
- Enter the code found on the packaging of your SIM card.
2. Insert your SIM card
- For Fi devices: Learn how to insert your SIM.
- For all other devices: Check with your device’s manufacturer for instructions.
3. Set up your device
For Android devices:
Note: These instructions are based on Nexus tablets running Android 7.0 and above. Steps may vary for your particular device.
- Open the Settings app on your device.
- Tap Network & internet.
- Tap Mobile network Advanced Access Point Names.
- At the top of your screen, tap More .
- Tap Name and enter
Google Fi
. - Tap APN and enter
h2g2
. - Go back to the previous page.
- From the list, select Google Fi.
- If SIM setup is successful, at the top of your screen, you can find “Fi Network,” “Google Fi,” or “T-Mobile.”
F or iPhone and iPad devices:
Tip: Steps may vary for your particular device. Fi supports iOS 12 and up.
- On your device, open the Settings app.
- Tap Cellular Cellular Data Network.
- For Cellular Data APN, enter
h2g2
.
After your SIM setup is successful, at the top of your device’s home screen, you can find “Google Fi” or “T-Mobile.”