UPDATE #2: I just randomly found myself on the Google Fi website looking at how much my plan was and decided to scroll through how much data I had used and I started wondering how much data is high speed with the Unlimited Plus plan. I started reading through a page on “data speed limits” https://support.google.com/fi/answer/9462101?sjid=104703736501591240-NA This shows that Google throttles certain types of data like video streaming to 480p. Although it says certain categories of data usage, it most definitely seems like its all data. I am nowhere near the 50 GB high speed cap either.
Important: If you have either Unlimited plan, certain categories of data usage like video may be managed at a particular speed or resolution, like DVD-quality (480p).
UPDATE: a user below suggested using the website fast.com which shows the media streaming speeds. I tested and was at 1.4 Mbps. They stated they use a VPN to get around this. I turned on the Google VPN that comes with the phone and my streaming speeds at over 600 Mbps now!
I am currently on a Pixel 8 Pro and have been using Google Fi for several years (starting back to when Project Fi was invite only.) I am losing my mind as to why my data speeds test perfectly fine but I can’t watch a video on my phone at 480p or higher without it buffering. It doesn’t matter if its using a app like Twitch or Youtube or going through Chrome directly to a website. Web pages also load slowly. Everything is perfectly fine on Wifi. I also have a Pixel 7 Pro with a data only sim and it does the exact same thing. I was thinking it might be the phones, so I switched the data only sim to my old Pixel 5 and the same exact issue occurs. When I ran the Pixel 5 full time as my main phone, this was never a problem. This happens everywhere I go with both devices and is not just isolated to one location. I am located in southeastern Massachusetts. The issue has been going on for months now and hasn’t really annoyed me much because I am usually always connected to wifi. Google Fi support has been useless with this. They gave me basic troubleshooting steps and then told me to wait 30 minutes and try them again. Today the response I was given is… “I have escalated your case to the higher team they will reach back to you via email within 24 hours.” Does anyone have any suggestions?! Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Speedtest app results
Google search results
Fast.net is owned by netflix. Most carriers have some sort of throttle arrangements against netflix and alikes, so your speed test will def show something slower than the real speed you can get
Testing on fast.com shows media speeds, which is 1.8Mbps. I use a VPN to circumvent this.
That sounds incredibly frustrating. Since you’ve ruled out the phones and the issue happens everywhere, it could be a problem with Google Fi’s network or how your account or SIM is configured. You might want to check if there are any regional network issues by looking at online forums or Google Fi’s status page to see if others in your area are experiencing similar problems.
Another step you could take is resetting your network settings on your Pixel 8 Pro. Go to Settings, then System, Advanced, Reset options, and choose “Reset Wi-Fi, mobile & Bluetooth.” Make sure your phone is also running the latest software updates, as outdated firmware can sometimes cause network issues.
If you have a spare SIM card from another carrier, you could test it to see if the problem persists. This might help determine if it’s a carrier-specific issue. Since Google Fi support hasn’t been helpful so far, try escalating the issue again and emphasize that it’s a problem across multiple devices and locations.
I have a similar issue with my S22Ultra on Google Fi. I tried getting a new sim but that did not fix it either
My girlfriend has a Pixel 8 Pro… All she does is watch Trump Videos and other conservative Garbage she never complains…
What I would do if I were you is Disconnect from the fi network and then try WiFi only and see if it still does that. She definitely doesn’t have this problem.
That seems to be insanely true. Using a VPN gets around it though. What’s crazy to me is they throttle it so much that sometimes 360p even buffers. Can’t scroll through Instagram because pictures don’t load fast enough if there are videos in-between. Facebook becomes almost impossible to scroll through. YouTube is hit or miss. Twitch app, forget about it. You might as well be looking at pictures instead of video.
Holy smokes I never knew this. I just tested mine on that site and it shows 1.4 Mbps download and 48 Mbps upload.
How does a VPN fix the issue? Which one do you use?
OMG I LOVE YOU. I literally just turned on the built in Google VPN and retested it through fast.com and the speeds went to over 600 Mbps. I immediately fired up the twitch app and watched a streamer at 1080p and there was no buffering. I literally can’t believe it after how long I’ve had this issue. Why the heck would Google Fi require a VPN to use the phone correctly.
Ive reset everything on my Pixel 8 Pro, wifi mobile and bluetooth. I’ve also factory reset the device and tested it with just the basic factory software loaded and the issue still persists. I don’t see any posts of other in the same area having the problem and I have driven a good distance away from my home and still have the issue. Last night I was a few towns away from my home doing laundry with a family member. They have a Pixel 6a on the Xfinity network. Her phone only had LTE signal and was testing at around 40 Mbps download. I was only able to get her phone to load Twitch streams at 780p but it was running flawlessly at that quality without buffering. I had a 5G signal and speedtests showed over 400 Mbps download and I couldn’t stream at more than 360p without buffering occuring.
Oh yikes I was thinking about skipping the pixel 9 and going back to Samsung but I’m thinking this is more of a network issue than a phone issue.
Wifi works perfectly. Another person just commented that they use fast.com to test media speeds and then they use a VPN. I turned on the Google VPN and my media speeds on fast.com went from 1.4 Mbps to over 600 Mbps. No more buffering!
Odd using Google’s VPN gets by Google FI throttling.
I suspect that my home Fi-optic plan is throttling both Hulu/Netflix and my work VPN but haven’t done troubleshooting to verify.
I was about to say I haven’t had issues with my phone at home, but on cellular at work I have noticed images and videos not loading. FI uses other carrier towers, so I suspect it’s the tower throttling data.
Late reply, but glad you found a workaround. For me, the buit-in Google VPN didn’t work, but I use a residential VPN provided my my ISP (Sonic), also have NordVPN - they both work I rather use Sonic since it’s local.
VPN basically encrypts (or “hides”) your traffic, that’s why Fi can’t detect what to throttle.
Where did you go to turn on the built in Google VPN?
I used to have Verizon through Xfinity mobile and never had connectivity issues. I have read some forums online and they said that some wire inside s22 ultra becomes loose. I am on WiFi calling most of the times so I am not motivated to root cause it and switch carriers.
TMOBILE is the one that throttles netflix. That’s why you can get around using Fi VPN. They tried putting net neutrality regulations shit a while back to address this issue, but some assholes in Washington reverted the course
That all makes sense now that I know that fi throttles video streaming and other types of data. Doesn’t make much sense to me why they do that when you pay for unlimited high speed up to 50 gigs.
Settings, network and internet, VPN. In that screen it should say VPN by Google. You may have to have Google One installed for it to show up because I think it’s part of that? It might also be available only for Google Fi and certain data plans. Not 100% sure on it.
I am on wifi myself most of the time. It only recently annoyed the heck out of me as I was out somewhere and needed a YouTube video to attempt to repair something and when I couldn’t watch it, I said enough is enough.
