iPhone XS on Project Fi

I’ve tested Google Project Fi on my new iPhone XS.
Data services work great, voice service is functional (sans-WiFi / Data Calling).

SMS and MMS messaging seemed even more finicky than my iPhone 6 on project fi. At first, it appeared there was no SMS functionality at all iMessage wasn’t setting-up with the number and I couldn’t send or receive SMS messages. After restarting the phone, however, iMessage did register which indicates the phone was able to successfully send a background SMS message to Apple’s servers to confirm service. The SMS functionality remained, however, severely limited. SMS messages appear to send, however, they are never delivered to the recipient. MMS message functionality (as with any iPhone on FI) is completely gone.

The extra limited SMS functionality is quite odd as I am able to send/receive SMS messages on my iPhone 6 using Google Fi. I have attempted to troubleshoot this by adjusting the APN settings to h2g2 from the default of alpha as well as resetting the network settings. Unfortunately, this being an iPhone there just aren’t that many paths to troubleshooting an issue like this. As a side note, my Fi SIM card is pretty old so I will be ordering a replacement SIM just in case the newer SIM cards have better compatibility.

My original plan with this new phone was to use Verizon as the primary sim with Google Fi as a backup. Unfortunately, Apple does not yet support dual sim functionality, but it is anticipated it will be enabled with an update in November 2018. Upon availability, I will be using the built-in eSim for my Verizon service and I will use a pre-activated Project Fi SIM in the physical sim slot.

Update 2018-11-08: iOS 12.1 brought the availability of the eSIM to the iPhone XS & XS Max. Unfortunately, there is still no support for the eSIM tech by Verizon, AT&T, T-Mobile, or Google Fi (via QR Code, Fi Supports eSIM with the app). As soon as I catch word the major US carriers have QR code eSIM availability, I will be testing it out on my XS and reporting back here.

12 thoughts on “iPhone XS on Project Fi”

      • That seems like the best possible scenario. I have a Pixel 2 XL. I travel abroad extensively but don’t want to pay for data on Project Fi when I am in the States. I have a T-Mobile unlimited plan for that. So what I do now on the Pixel is use my T-Mobile card and forward the calls from the Project Fi number to the T-Mobile number. The only problem is that I have to use the Hangouts app to make calls from my Project Fi number and can’t ask Google Assistant to make calls because it uses the built-in dialer. So the iPhone Dual Sim Dual Standby setup would be perfect for me. I can have the calls come in on the physical SIM for the Project-Fi number as the primary number, use Hangouts for SMS and MMS for the Project Fi number and use the T-Mobile eSim for data in the States and switch over to the Project-Fi Sim abroad when I want faster data.

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  1. When will Verizon support eSIM with Dual SIM technology?

    Based on our discussions with Apple, we believe you should be able to add our great Verizon service on your eSIM before the end of the year. In the meantime, you can continue to use a physical SIM card to activate Verizon service on your device.

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  2. Has anybody had troubles with MMS and group messaging to NON iPhone users after switching back from Google fi SIM to carrier SIM?

    I have an iPhone XS and over the holidays traveled to Europe. We got Google Fi SIMs to use during our trip which worked fine. When we returned home, we switched out the SIM to the Verizon SIM and my MMS and group texting will not work when sending to non-iPhone users. I have both of those enabled, I’ve reset network settings, and today I wasted three hours (after troubleshooting with Verizon) and factory reset my phone to no avail. I can receive photos and group texts from non-iPhone users but I cannot send.

    Any ideas?? I’m desperate to get this fixed!

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    • This is a pretty odd issue. I would think it’s a problem with your current carrier (Verizon) SIM card. Have you asked for a replacement? If you visit a corporate store (NOT “Authorized Retailer”), they’ll provide a SIM for free. Otherwise, the crappy 3rd party authorized stores will charge you $10-15 for a sim.

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