Google Fi VPN Starts Rolling Out to iPhone Users

Google has announced its is rolling out Google Fi's built-in VPN service to iPhone subscribers, giving iOS users another way to ensure that their connection is secure and private on a cellular or Wi-Fi network.


The rollout is a little later than expected, having previously been touted for release in the spring, and Google has said in a tweet that not all ‌iPhone‌ on Google Fi users will have immediate access to the VPN feature. However, the company says it should be widely available "over the coming weeks."

Using the VPN, users can stream, browse, and download over an encrypted, private connection, which is especially important for unsecured public Wi-Fi. As well as encrypting all traffic between a computer and the internet, VPNs also prevent websites from tracking a user's location by masking their IP address.

Google Fi's VPN rollout comes ahead of a new upcoming online privacy feature from Apple called Private Relay. Exclusive to paying iCloud+ subscribers, Private Relay is not being advertised as a VPN by Apple nor is it a like-for-like replacement for one, but it does encrypt Safari browser traffic and uses multiple relay "hops" or proxies to securely route that data and keep it private.

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Top Rated Comments

Apple Knowledge Navigator Avatar
59 months ago
A Google VPN?

Now there’s a contradiction if ever I heard one…
Score: 138 Votes (Like | Disagree)
jvaska Avatar
59 months ago
Yet another way for Google to track you. Just say No.
Score: 54 Votes (Like | Disagree)
Unggoy Murderer Avatar
59 months ago
Friendly reminder: Google is an advertising company, not a technology company.

If you even remotely care about your privacy, you won't use this service. This will just let them get all the traffic that they can't hoover up through your usage of Chrome.
Score: 53 Votes (Like | Disagree)
dsabathi Avatar
59 months ago

Is this free? If it’s not, then why wouldn’t I just pay another VPN service?
Nothing is free with google. You always pay with your data
Score: 31 Votes (Like | Disagree)
lyngo Avatar
59 months ago

A Google VPN?

Now there’s a contradiction if ever I heard one…
Was thinking the same thing!
Score: 24 Votes (Like | Disagree)
nothingtoseehere Avatar
59 months ago

A Google VPN?

Now there’s a contradiction if ever I heard one…
Indeed. "Google" and "Privacy" in one sentence? Mmmmh ?
Score: 19 Votes (Like | Disagree)