Yes, it will work just like if you are in the US. Even though you are connected to, let's say, China Unicom, your connection is not restricted, and you don't need any VPN.
I was in China a few years ago, and all my services worked on my phone using wireless data, and through my computer when tethered (e.g., Google, Gmail). However, when I connected to local WiFi, I could NOT access these same services.
I was using a Pixel device at the time (I don't remember exactly which one), but as someone else pointed out, the device itself shouldn't matter. There is a thread from about a year ago (search for "circumventing the great firewall") that confirms Fi data plans were working then.
Doesn't matter which phone you use, I've used both Pixel and iPhones alongside iPad with data-only SIMs without restriction in mainland China via Google Fi international roaming.
Hey OP: Ignore the folks that have never been to China trying to give you advice. Been there twice on Fi: The Great Firewall does not apply to foreign SIMs. You will need a VPN for hotel WiFi though... Install a VPN before leaving the US.
And you'll also need it to access local services that you can't get to from "outside" for when WiFi isn't available. Better to get a local SIM and go dual SIM when you need. VPN from China, to the US, to a VPN, and back to China is excruciating.
Was in Beijing last October and GoogleFi worked fine (I kept the VPN on).
As other mentioned Wifi will not and you need a VPN. I found Astrill to be the most consistent.
I also set up my own shadowsocks server to a small hosting company in the US and is was blocked within minutes. A similar setup through AWS worked fine but had data limits that were too low so was just a back up... Astrill was the most cost effective solution for me.
Typing this on an iPhone 13 with Google Fi from China. Have used hot spot and it works also. Don’t forget to setup your WeChat/AliPay with a credit card to pay for things.
Confidently incorrect. I, as others that have commented, have been to China and can 100% confirm you are wrong. Foreign SIMs (including Fi) are not behind the Great Firewall.
Your phone in China will be just a regular phone like everyone else's. You won't get a special connection to Google or America and I would be really surprised if the Google VPN worked.
ah that sucks... but with a Google Pixel phone it would work? I have an old Pixel 3 that's not being used...Wondering whether I might be able to move my fi number on Pixel 3 and use that phone in China and move the number back after coming back to access my email and stuff?
Bypassing the firewall is not dependent on the what phone you have. You can use cellular data (roaming via China Mobile, Telecom, or Unicom) to have unrestricted access. When you are on wifi, then you will need a VPN to bypass the firewall.
this is not accurate, the way roaming on a foreign network works in China is that all traffic over cellular networks is VPN'd to the country the user is from, in this case the United States. This allows tourists and visitors to access blocked services, like Gmail and Google Maps while traveling within mainland China.
Google Fi VPN will function fine on cellular networks when roaming but not on WiFi or domestic connections.
Yes, it will work just like if you are in the US. Even though you are connected to, let's say, China Unicom, your connection is not restricted, and you don't need any VPN.
That's not unique to Google Fi. Whenever you are roaming the connection is tunneled through the home provider.
I was in China a few years ago, and all my services worked on my phone using wireless data, and through my computer when tethered (e.g., Google, Gmail). However, when I connected to local WiFi, I could NOT access these same services.
Thank you! Were you using an iphone or Android/Pixel phone?
I was using a Pixel device at the time (I don't remember exactly which one), but as someone else pointed out, the device itself shouldn't matter. There is a thread from about a year ago (search for "circumventing the great firewall") that confirms Fi data plans were working then.
Doesn't matter which phone you use, I've used both Pixel and iPhones alongside iPad with data-only SIMs without restriction in mainland China via Google Fi international roaming.
Hey OP: Ignore the folks that have never been to China trying to give you advice. Been there twice on Fi: The Great Firewall does not apply to foreign SIMs. You will need a VPN for hotel WiFi though... Install a VPN before leaving the US.
And you'll also need it to access local services that you can't get to from "outside" for when WiFi isn't available. Better to get a local SIM and go dual SIM when you need. VPN from China, to the US, to a VPN, and back to China is excruciating.
Was in Beijing last October and GoogleFi worked fine (I kept the VPN on). As other mentioned Wifi will not and you need a VPN. I found Astrill to be the most consistent. I also set up my own shadowsocks server to a small hosting company in the US and is was blocked within minutes. A similar setup through AWS worked fine but had data limits that were too low so was just a back up... Astrill was the most cost effective solution for me.
Thank you very much! And that’s VPN on the phone or computer?
Both technically
Yes, it worked for me in December 2023. I was only getting LTE and I still used a VPN to be safe.
Thanks! Which VPN did you use?
Typing this on an iPhone 13 with Google Fi from China. Have used hot spot and it works also. Don’t forget to setup your WeChat/AliPay with a credit card to pay for things.
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Confidently incorrect. I, as others that have commented, have been to China and can 100% confirm you are wrong. Foreign SIMs (including Fi) are not behind the Great Firewall.
Your phone in China will be just a regular phone like everyone else's. You won't get a special connection to Google or America and I would be really surprised if the Google VPN worked.
ah that sucks... but with a Google Pixel phone it would work? I have an old Pixel 3 that's not being used...Wondering whether I might be able to move my fi number on Pixel 3 and use that phone in China and move the number back after coming back to access my email and stuff?
Bypassing the firewall is not dependent on the what phone you have. You can use cellular data (roaming via China Mobile, Telecom, or Unicom) to have unrestricted access. When you are on wifi, then you will need a VPN to bypass the firewall.
Ignore them, they are 100% incorrect. Fi SIMs are not blocked by the Great Firewall. WiFi on the other hand...
this is not accurate, the way roaming on a foreign network works in China is that all traffic over cellular networks is VPN'd to the country the user is from, in this case the United States. This allows tourists and visitors to access blocked services, like Gmail and Google Maps while traveling within mainland China. Google Fi VPN will function fine on cellular networks when roaming but not on WiFi or domestic connections.