Skip to main content

Google expands Project Fi roaming features to 170 countries

Image used with permission by copyright holder

Google’s Project Fi just keeps getting better and better. Only a few weeks ago, the company announced that it would cap how much you’ll pay for data — so if you use more than 6GB of data, you won’t have to pay for it. Now, Google is expanding the countries in which you’ll be able to use your Project Fi plan to a hefty 170.

Project Fi is known for being relatively inexpensive for those who travel a lot. While travelers will have to pay a per-minute fee for phone calls, they will still get data for the same $10 per 1GB rate, and in most countries text messages remain free. That’s a pretty sweet deal.

Notable new countries you can travel to with Project Fi include Belize and Myanmar, though a full list of countries can be found here.

Even more interesting is the fact that the Project Fi will be more forthcoming about letting you know when you’ll be covered. The app will pull information from your Gmail account — just like Google Assistant does — and it will show up with a notice telling you that you’ll be covered wherever you plan on going. The notifications will be enabled by default, but if you don’t want them to show up you can switch them off in your account settings.

In general, Project Fi is becoming a better and better choice for those who have or don’t mind buying a Project Fi-enabled phone. The company uses both the Sprint and T-Mobile networks, and hence offers pretty good coverage around the U.S. The real draw, however, is how Project Fi handles pricing. You’ll start by paying for the amount of data you think you will use. So, if you think you’ll use 2GB, you’ll pay a total of $40 — $20 for the base fee, then $10 per 1GB. If, however, you don’t use that data — say you only use 1.5GB — you’ll get reimbursed the extra $5, which can be used to pay for your next bill.

The catch is that there are only a few compatible phones. Apart from a few exceptions, you’re largely limited to phones built by Google — like Pixel or Nexus phones — though the Lenovo Moto X4 is also now included on the list.

Editors' Recommendations

Christian de Looper
Christian’s interest in technology began as a child in Australia, when he stumbled upon a computer at a garage sale that he…
Android 15 has two hidden features you’re going to love
The Android 15 logo on a smartphone.

Android 15 is this year's big Android update, and based on what we've seen so far, it's going to be pretty tame. Just like Android 14, Android 15 isn't trying to overhaul or reimagine Android. Instead, it's all about fine-tuning things.

However, that doesn't mean there's nothing cool going on. I've been playing with the Android 15 developer preview for a little while now, and in doing so, I've stumbled across two underrated features that I think a lot of people are going to love.
Notification cooldown is a lifesaver

Read more
Google Messages vs. Samsung Messages: Which app should you use?
Google messages versus samsung messages app icons side by side on Galaxy Z Fold 5.

Amid the rise of third-party messaging apps, texting remains a popular means of messaging in the U.S. If you own an Android phone, you've likely used or heard of Google Messages, which is positioned as the default text messaging app for Android. It is the culmination of Google's long history with multiple messaging platforms. Google has pursued smartphone companies to use its Dialer and Messages apps as their default since at least 2017 and now mandates them to use Google Messages as the default messaging app on all devices.

Meanwhile, if you have been a Samsung user in the past, you have likely also known and experienced the Samsung Messages app, which comes preinstalled on all Samsung phones and cannot be uninstalled. This is despite losing its spot as the default messaging app on Samsung Galaxy smartphones.

Read more
A big Google Pixel 9 feature just leaked, and it sounds impressive
Holding the Google Pixel 8 Pro in front of a bush.

Google introduced a “screen protector detector” service with the launch of Google Pixel 8 last year. It detects when you take a screen protector on or off to adjust the display's touch sensitivity. Google now seems to be building upon that and is aiming to release a new feature called “Adaptive Touch” with the next Pixel.

According to a report from Android Authority, Google is preparing to add this Adaptive Touch feature on the Google Pixel 9. In his teardown of Android 14 QPR3 Beta 1, Mishaal Rahman found the option under Settings > Display > Touch sensitivity. It is said to “automatically adjust to your environment, activities, and screen protector.”

Read more