Google Fi’s VPN service launches on iPhone

Google Fi’s VPN service is hitting Apple’s iOS platform, protecting your security and privacy by encrypting network traffic via unsecured public Wi-Fi connections on iPhone and iPad.


STORY HIGHLIGHTS:

  • Google Fi subscribers on iOS can now use the built-in VPN feature.
  • VPN functionality requires Google Fi for iOS version 3.5.
  • The service has been available on Android since February 2021.

Google Fi VPN logo

Google Fi’s VPN service launches on iPhone

Originally announced as launching on the iOS platform his sprint, Google Fi’s built-in virtual private networking (VPN) feature is now launching for iPhone subscribers. This is a staggered release, according to a support document on the Google website, with VPN becoming widely available to iPhone owners “over the coming weeks.”

The VPN feature requires a Google Fi phone plan.

Google Fi’s VPN is currently available on iOS in Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US, US Minor Outlying Islands and Virgin Islands.

How to use Google Fi VPN on iPhone

After downloading Google Fi for iOS version 3.5 or higher from the App Store, enable the feature in your Google Fi phone settings found underneath the app’s “Account” section.

  • Open Google Fi version 3.5 or higher on your iPhone.
  • Hit the “Account” tab.
  • Select the section labeled “Phone Settings”.
  • Choose “Privacy and Security”.
  • Slide the switch next to “Protect your online activity” to turn ON the VPN.

With the feature enabled, you should see “VPN” in the iOS status bar.

How VPN boosts your security and privacy

A VPN helps protect your privacy and security by encrypting all traffic when sending and receiving data across shared or public networks, Google explains.

The Fi VPN helps you stream, browse and download on an encrypted, private connection. It prevents websites from using your IP address to track your location and helps shield you from hackers – even while you’re using unsecured networks.

In that regard, using a VPN is a must for those times when you must connect to an unsecured public Wi-Fi network. The App Store is home to lots of VPN apps from other developers. That said, however, be careful who you trust because some of these apps actually log and sell your traffic to data brokers which in turn use it to build advertising profiles on people.

I added Google Fi as a secondary carrier on my iPhone, and it was great

With iOS and iPadOS 15, Apple is strengthening user security with a new iCloud Private Relay feature. It encrypts the URL in Safari before sending it to a trusted partner which in turn connects you to the website, without your ISP, Apple or anyone else ever seeing the URL.