Google Fi's free VPN service is rolling out to iPhone users now

Iphone 12 5g (Image credit: Apple)

What you need to know

People using Google Fi on an iPhone can use the built-in VPN starting now.
Google says the feature is rolling out, but it might take a while for everyone to gain access.

Those who use Google Fi as their cellular provider on an iPhone can now take advantage of the built-in, free VPN offering. Or at least, they will be able to once the rollout finishes.

Starting today, we're expanding our built-in VPN to iPhone®. 🔐

With the Fi VPN, you get a private online connection and more protection from hackers included on all plans. Learn more → https://t.co/TABM9FSYFB pic.twitter.com/WVfTlcpTROStarting today, we're expanding our built-in VPN to iPhone®. 🔐

With the Fi VPN, you get a private online connection and more protection from hackers included on all plans. Learn more → https://t.co/TABM9FSYFB pic.twitter.com/WVfTlcpTRO— Google Fi (@googlefi) June 24, 2021 June 24, 2021

That rollout is underway right now but it could take a while for everyone to be brought on board. Once they are, Google Fi will hide their IP address from prying eyes. So long as you're in one of the supported countries, of course. Those countries make up a fairly long list though.

Austria, Belgium, Canada, Denmark, Faroe Islands, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, Norway, Portugal, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, UK, US, US Minor Outlying Islands, and Virgin Islands

Anyone on Google Fi who wants to take the new VPN for a spin should make sure they're using the latest version of the Google Fi app and tapping the Account and finding the Phone Settings section. A new Privacy & security area will allow you to disable and enable the new Protect your online activity setting.

You can find tons more information about the new built-in VPN functionality on the Google Fi website.

Need to grab a new iPhone before trying Google Fi? These are the best iPhone deals to go with your fancy new VPN!

Oliver Haslam has written about Apple and the wider technology business for more than a decade with bylines on How-To Geek, PC Mag, iDownloadBlog, and many more. He has also been published in print for Macworld, including cover stories. At iMore, Oliver is involved in daily news coverage and, not being short of opinions, has been known to 'explain' those thoughts in more detail, too. Having grown up using PCs and spending far too much money on graphics card and flashy RAM, Oliver switched to the Mac with a G5 iMac and hasn't looked back. Since then he's seen the growth of the smartphone world, backed by iPhone, and new product categories come and go. Current expertise includes iOS, macOS, streaming services, and pretty much anything that has a battery or plugs into a wall. Oliver also covers mobile gaming for iMore, with Apple Arcade a particular focus. He's been gaming since the Atari 2600 days and still struggles to comprehend the fact he can play console quality titles on his pocket computer.