I’ve noticed that my phone will show as being connected to the Google VPN service even if I’m offline - out in the middle of nowhere with no cell service, or in a plane 30 thousand feet over the Atlantic, it still says ‘Connected to Google Fi VPN’.
This makes me wonder how often I’m really connected at all, if it’s just going to say I’m connected regardless of whether I am or not. Is there a quick and easy way to see for sure that I really am connected to it?
You can check your IP address geolocation data and make sure your isp is listed as Google and the location is Mountain View.
I just have that disabled and switch manually with fiSwitch app. I’ve noticed that when trying to check download speeds, or even a certain bank app won’t run properly if it thinks you’re using a VPN. Just a round about way of letting them spy further into your info. I’d disable it through the Fi app in network tools if I were you. Says it uses 10% more data too, screw that.
this seems like a legit concern. I personally don’t use the VPN feature because I run my own IPSec/IKEv2 and OpenVPN servers on colocated server. I would contact Fi support through the Fi app and of you aren’t satisfied with the answer, post the chat transcript here and get more clarification from the Reddit Fi support team. that seems to be the way that it goes unfortunately.
Part of “Enhanced Networking” (which includes the VPN) is to provide a consistent IP address to your phone’s apps. This is especially helpful when you leave WiFi, the phone stays “connected” through the actual back end switch. Basically, the VPN is supposed to make apps think they are connected all the time so they don’t crash if the actual signal drops (due to being 30 thousand feet over the Atlantic OR more commonly, when switching carriers). 