Project Fi companion app adds real-time date usage alerts and updates

Following the addition of group plans earlier this month, Project Fi’s companion app now features improved real-time data usage updates. In the past, the Fi app was somewhat delayed listing how much data was used and in notifying users when they surpassed set usage amounts.

The new feature does not require an app update and retroactively work with versions going as far back as K.2.7.20 released in September. However, it requires that your primary Talk & Text device run Android 7.0 Nougat.

Data usage estimates within a billing cycle now update live in the Project Fi app as you use your cellular connection. The handy homescreen widget also gets refreshed immediately. A benefit of real-time usage means that data cap alert notifications and e-mails will be more immediate.

A Fi support page previously warned that it takes about a day for data usage to show up in the app and website. However, I’ve found that delay is much shorter, but still a few MB behind from when you actually surpassed your limit.

Another useful addition is a new per-app breakdown of data usage under “View details” in the main pane of the app for the current cycle and in the past under recent statements. This — along with your phone’s native usage meter — should better track runaway apps.

These updates are not yet live in the app, but will be coming over the next few days.