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by KirinDave 3949 days ago
"but that doesn’t change the fact that Google has produced a service that works, is easy to use, switches quickly between networks,"

I've had what can only be described as a hellish experience with Google's Fi service since I got it. My bugs include but are not limited to:

- SIM cards randomly not being associate with both networks, the fix for which is clearing the Fi app data, restarting the phone, and then re-running the app. With wifi, which is tricky when your car breaks down on highway 1.

- Interment and VERY poor data performance, but no interruption in voice service.

- Data service working fine, but all incoming and outgoing calls failing.

In the support category, Project Fi has also been a nightmare. None of the support staff know what to do when you encounter a problem. They don't know why my account (or my friend's account) are broken. They've suggested (just to me) and had me do the following things:

- Reboot the phone.

- Reseat the sim card while the phone is on.

- Factory reset the phone

- Factory reset the phone again without the sim card in.

- Buy a new SIM card. They gave me free shipping, at least?

- Flash the phone to a version of Shamu that is not compatible with other carriers.

- Remove all other user accounts from the phone.

I've been repeatedly asking to cancel my service and get my number ported back to google voice, and I've actually had service reps ignore me claiming they want to explain "[their] side of the story." I have a chat transcript explaining that.

And of course, let's not forget the weird callback system bugs. Like last night 4 hours after I scheduled a call they called me 2 times at 1am, and when I asked them not to call me I was told, "If you don't want us calling then don't schedule a service call!" When I said I didn't, they said, "Well that's odd because I see it right here" then hung up on me.

I still have not successfully cancelled my Fi service. The web form version 500s.

I do not think it is very easy to use, or ready. It seems pretty terrible to me.

6 comments

This does not match my experience. I've had Fi for a few months now and I have 0 complaints. I'm in NYC and switched from AT&T, but even when visiting New Hampshire I haven't been affected by dropped calls or bad service.
Did you have a pre-existing device, or did you buy a new one.

Most people I've talked to with pre-existing devices have had varying degrees of problems.

Yea I bought a Nexus 6 when I signed up. I thought that was the only supported device though.

edit: I also had no previous Google Voice account to transfer FWIW

I have no doubts that if you greenfield it, Google has that flow tested.

Many of us had pre-existing 6's and I think most people with troubles are there. Be thankful you haven't had to interact with support. Individually they're all nice and want to help, but collectively they have no agency and minimal education.

I switched to Fi and had a pre-existing N^ from Sprint. It has been rock solid except for the delays that were mentioned in the article.
I've been saying google declares victory at 80/20 for years now, and haven't fought with them for about 6 months. I wait until they fix it, or someone writes an Xposed app, or I just don't take the update. I'm still on KK4.4. After seeing many of my 'feedback' suggestions get implemented within 2 weeks/the next update, I don't do testing for them anymore. They can pay me to be a Consistency Czar, otherwise my efforts are better spent raising children and in relationships with people.
I haven't had any issues, it works really well for me. I got a new device and didn't switch an existing device.
Works great for me, I got the N6 with the service.
I had a similar experience, getting my GV back was a nightmare.
I am happy so far.