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Page contents

How to Use Verizon Smart Family™

Verizon Smart Family is a service that offers location services and parental controls for all of your family members' phones. Refer to the Verizon Smart Family FAQs for more information about this service.

You can manage Verizon Smart Family through My Verizon’s website or the Verizon Smart Family app.

    Sign up / Upgrade subscription

    1. Sign up for Verizon Smart Family

      2.

      You can sign up through the Verizon Smart Family app:

      1. Download the app in Google Play™ or the Apple® App Store®.

        Note: You can also sign up in My Verizon, but you must have the Verizon Smart Family app to benefit from all the features available with the service.
      2. Open the Verizon Smart Family app on your Android™ smartphone or iPhone®.
      3. Tap Get started.
      4. Enter your mobile number and My Verizon password, and tap Sign in.
      5. Select your desired Verizon Smart Family plan, and then tap Next.

        Note: Verizon Smart Family Premium™ includes location services.
      6. Tap Agree to provide parental consent for the Smart Family app to collect information from your child's phone in order to provide the Smart Family service to your and your family.
      7. Select the lines you'd like to add to Verizon Smart Family.

        Note: There's no additional cost to add lines. Your monthly fee covers your entire account.
      8. Name the lines you're adding (optional), and then tap Sign up.
      9. Tap OK.

      Now that you're signed up for Verizon Smart Family, you can download the Smart Family Companion app on your children's iPhone® and Android smartphones or Android tablets that have a line on your Verizon mobile account.

      Note: You can also upgrade to Verizon Smart Family Premium from the dashboard of the app when you first sign in.

    2. Upgrade to Verizon Smart Family Premium

      3.

      In the Verizon Smart Family app:

      1. Tap Upgrade to Premium on the dashboard.

      2. Tap Upgrade for $5 more per month.
      3. Tap OK

      You've successfully upgraded to Verizon Smart Family Premium.

    3. Cancel subscription to Verizon Smart Family

      4.

      The primary parent / Account Owner can unsubscribe from Verizon Smart Family in My Verizon. Click Remove and follow the onscreen instructions to cancel your subscription.

      Note: With the Just Kids plan, you can't unsubscribe or downgrade from Verizon Smart Family Premium because it’s included for free as part of the plan. To make changes to your subscription, you'll need to change your plan in My Verizon.

    Sign in / Sign out

    1. Sign in to an existing Verizon Smart Family account

      2.

      To sign in to the Verizon Smart Family app on your phone:

      1. Open the Verizon Smart Family app on your Android smartphone or iPhone.

        Note: If you don't have the app on your phone, you can download the Verizon Smart Family app in your phone's app store.

        You can also sign in and manage Verizon Smart Family through My Verizon. But you must have the Verizon Smart Family app on your phone to benefit from all the features available with the service.
      2. Tap Get started.
      3. Enter your mobile number and My Verizon password. Then tap Sign in.
      4. If prompted, tap Agree to accept the Terms and Conditions.

      You've successfully signed in to Verizon Smart Family.

    2. View dashboard

      3.

      The dashboard is the first screen you see when you sign in to the Verizon Smart Family app. It gives you quick access to:

      • Pause your child's internet use
      • See call and text activity
      • See web and app activity
      • Manage the controls you have set up
      • Locate your children’s phones (with Verizon Smart Family Premium)
      • View driving insights

    3. Sign out of the Verizon Smart Family app

      4.

      1. Tap the Settings icon in the top right corner of the screen.

      2. Tap Log out.

      You've successfully signed out of your Verizon Smart Family account.

    Contacts

    1. Block contacts / Block numbers

      2.

      Notes:

      • This isn't available for lines on the Just Kids plan. All numbers are blocked except for their trusted contacts.
      • Third-party apps that use Over the Top (OTT) data (e.g. iMessage®) have to be managed directly on your child's phone.
      • This isn't available for Verizon Android tablets on the Smart Family account. These devices can't make or receive calls or text messages.

      To block a number in the Verizon Smart Family app:

      1. Select the child at the top of the screen.
      2. Scroll down to the Manage controls section, and tap Contacts.
      3. Tap Blocked contacts.
      4. If desired, tap the Block private and restricted texts and calls switch to prevent private and restricted numbers from contacting your child.
      5. Tap Block a number.

        Note: You can also remove contacts from the blocked contacts list on this screen. Tap the Delete icon to the right of the number you want to unblock, and tap Remove.
      6. Enter the phone number (including area code) that you want blocked from contacting your child.
      7. Tap Save.

      You've successfully blocked a number from communicating with your child. Repeat steps 5 - 7 for each additional number you want to block. You can have up to 20 blocked contacts.

    2. Set trusted contacts

      3.

      In the Verizon Smart Family app:

      1. Select the child at the top of the screen.
      2. Scroll down to the Manage controls section, and tap Contacts.
      3. Tap Trusted contacts.
      4. Tap Trust a number.

        Note: You can also remove a number from the trusted contacts list on this screen. Tap the Delete icon to the right of the number you want to remove, and tap Remove.
      5. Enter the phone number (including the area code).

        Note: Your child will always be able to communicate with this number, even during time restrictions and after usage limits have been reached.
      6. Tap Save.

      You've successfully added a number to your child's trusted contacts list. Repeat steps 4 - 6 for each additional number you want to be a trusted contact. You can have up to 20 trusted contacts.

    3. View top contacts / Manage watchlist

      4.

      In the Verizon Smart Family app:

      1. Select the child at the top of the screen.
      2. Scroll down to the Manage controls section, and tap Contacts.
      3. Tap Top contacts. You'll see a list of contacts your child has been communicating with. Those with the most recent activity will be at the top.
      4. To receive alerts when your child communicates with a certain contact, select the contact.
      5. Under Contact alerts, tap Customize.
      6. Tap Watchlist.

        Note: To stop receiving alerts about the contact, tap None.
      7. Tap Save.

      You've successfully viewed your child's top contacts and managed their watchlist. Repeat steps 4 - 7 for each additional contact you want on the watchlist.

    Pause internet

    1. Pause child's internet

      2.

      You must be paired with your child's Smart Family Companion app to pause internet.

      In the Verizon Smart Family app:

      1. Select the child at the top of the screen.
      2. Tap Pause internet.
      3. Tap OK.

      You've successfully paused your child's internet.

    2. Unpause child's internet

      3.

      In the Verizon Smart Family app:

      1. Select the child at the top of the screen.
      2. Tap Unpause internet.

      You've successfully unpaused your child's internet.

    Map / Location

    1. Locate a child

      2.

      Note: You must have Verizon Smart Family Premium to use location services. You'll also need to pair your phone with the Smart Family Companion app on your child's phone for better location accuracy and to use certain location features. Additionally, Smart Family notifications must be enabled in your device settings to view any location of your child’s Verizon Android tablet.

      In the Verizon Smart Family app:

      1. Select the child at the top of the screen. The app will begin to locate their phone automatically. A successful result will display a halo showing the general area of the child's device.



      2. Tap the Map for more detail.

      Your child's location details and history will appear. You can tap an individual result for more detail.

    2. View location history

      3.

      Note: You must have Verizon Smart Family Premium to use location services.

      1. Locate your child and view the location details.
      2. Under the History section, tap an individual location result to view it in more detail and see the location on the map.

      The result will show on the map with the location details.

    3. Send location check-in from child's app

      4.

      Note: You must have Verizon Smart Family Premium to use location services.

      1. Open the Smart Family Companion app on the child's phone or Verizon Android tablet.
      2. Tap Check in.

      A location notification will be sent to the parent's phone.

    4. Request pick up from child's app

      5.

      Note: You must have Verizon Smart Family Premium to use location services.

      1. Open the Smart Family Companion app on the child's phone or Verizon Android tablet.
      2. Tap Pick me up.
      3. Confirm your location on the map.
      4. Select the parent you want to request a ride from.
      5. Tap Send request.

      A notification will be sent to the parent requesting a ride and stating the child's location. It will also give the parent the option to accept or decline the request. The child will receive a notification when the parent accepts or declines.

    Location alerts / Notifications

    1. Alerts and notifications

      2.

      You can set up alerts to notify you of your child's location. You can have these alerts sent when your child arrives at and leaves certain places, or you can be notified of your child's location at set times during the day.

      You can also receive daily and/or weekly notifications of important activities and communication with new and watchlist contacts.

      Note: You must have Verizon Smart Family Premium to use location services. You should also pair your phone with the Smart Family Companion app on your child's phone for more accurate results. To view any location for your child’s Verizon Android tablet, you must pair with the Smart Family Companion app on the tablet and have Smart Family notifications enabled in device settings.

    2. Set arrival and departure alerts

      3.

      In the Verizon Smart Family app:

      1. Select the child at the top of the screen.
      2. Scroll down to the Manage controls section, and tap Location alerts.
      3. Tap Places & alerts.
      4. Tap Add a place.

        Note: You can also delete a saved alert on this screen. Tap the alert you want to delete and tap Remove.
      5. Enter the name and address of the place you want to set an alert for.
      6. Tap the Arrival alert switch and/or the Departure alert switch to set when you want to receive alerts for this location.
      7. Tap Save.

      You've successfully set up arrival and departure alerts. Repeat these steps for each location you want to receive alerts for.

    3. Set scheduled alerts

      4.

      In the Verizon Smart Family app:

      1. Select the child at the top of the screen.
      2. Scroll down to the Manage controls section, and tap Location alerts.
      3. Tap Scheduled alerts.

        Note: You can also delete a set alert on this screen. Tap the alert you want to delete, and tap Remove.
      4. Tap Add an alert.
      5. Select the days and time when you want to be notified of your child's location.
      6. Tap Save.

      You've successfully set up a scheduled alert for your child. Repeat these steps to set up additional alerts you want to receive.

    4. Set notification preferences

      5.

      In the Verizon Smart Family app:

      1. Tap the Settings icon in the top right corner of the screen.

      2. Tap Notifications.
      3. Select the child you want to set notifications for.
      4. Adjust the notification settings as desired.

      You've successfully set your notification preferences. Repeat steps 3 and 4 for each line you want to set notifications for.

    Driving insights

    1. Set up driving insights

      2.

      Note: You must have Verizon Smart Family Premium to use driving insights and crash detection. You'll also need to pair your phone with the Smart Family Companion app on your child's phone. Additionally, Smart Family notifications must be enabled in your device settings to view any location of your child’s Verizon Android tablet.

      In the Verizon Smart Family app:

      1. Select the child at the top of the screen.
      2. Scroll down to the All trips report section and tap View more.

        Note: If you haven't paired with the child's phone yet, you'll be encouraged to initiate pairing. Follow the instructions provided to complete the process.

    2. View last 7 days of trips

      3.

      In the Verizon Smart Family app:

      1. Select the child at the top of the screen.
      2. Scroll down to the All trips report section and tap View more.
      3. Scroll down to see trips listed by days they were completed.

    3. View a single trip

      4.

      In the Verizon Smart Family app:

      1. Select the child at the top of the screen.
      2. Scroll down to the All trips report section and tap View more.
      3. Scroll down to see individual trips.
      4. Select a trip to see more details.

    4. Set child as a driver or passenger

      5.

      In the Verizon Smart Family app:

      Note: The child is set as the driver by default.

      1. Select the child at the top of the screen.
      2. Scroll down to the All trips report section and tap View more.
      3. Scroll down to see individual trips.
      4. Select the trip to see more details.
      5. Tap Driver in the circle at the top and choose Passenger if the child was a passenger for that trip.

    Content filters

    1. Set up content filters

      2.

      You must be paired with your child's Smart Family Companion app to use content filters.

      In the Verizon Smart Family app:

      1. Select the child at the top of the screen.
      2. Scroll down to the Manage controls section, and tap Content filters.

        Note: If you haven't paired with the child's phone yet, you'll be encouraged to initiate pairing. Follow the instructions provided to complete the process.
      3. Select a content category you want to block.

        Note: For additional details about what the category blocks, tap More info.
      4. Tap the switch for each filter you want to turn on or off. (The switch is black when it's on and white when it's off.)

        Note: To block all filters in a category, tap the All switch at the top of the screen.
      5. When you're done, tap Save.

      You've successfully set up a content filter. Repeat steps 3 - 5 for each category you want to set up.

      Note: If you didn't see something that you were looking for in a category, you can ask us to add it at the bottom of the category page. Tap Looking for something not listed? and fill out the survey.

    2. Manually block and unblock websites

      3.

      You must be paired with your child's Smart Family Companion app to use content filters.

      In the Verizon Smart Family app:

      1. Select the child at the top of the screen.
      2. Scroll down to the Manage controls section, and tap Content filters.
      3. Scroll down and tap Websites.
      4. Tap Trusted websites or Blocked websites, and enter the web address / URL you want to allow or block.
        • Trusted websites – Enter websites on this list that you want your child to be able to view, even though the default content filter blocks it.
        • Blocked websites – Enter websites on this list that you don't want your child to be able to visit and aren't currently blocked by the default content filter.

      You have successfully blocked or unblocked a website.

      Note: To remove a website on either of these lists, follow the steps above and tap the Delete icon next to the website, and then tap Remove.

    3. Remove all content filters

      4.

      In the Verizon Smart Family app:

      1. Select the child at the top of the screen.
      2. Scroll down to the Manage controls section, and tap Content filters.
      3. Tap the Remove all button in the top right corner of the screen.
      4. Tap Remove all content filters.
      5. Tap OK.

      You've successfully removed all content filters for your child.

    Time restrictions

    1. Set and remove time restrictions

      2.

      Time restrictions are specific times when you don't want your child to be able to call, text or use data or Wi-Fi (e.g., during school, after bedtime, etc.).

      Notes:

      • To block Wi-Fi, you must be paired with your child's Smart Family Companion app.
      • Time restrictions only limit data usage for lines on the Just Kids plan. Calling and texting are already limited to trusted contacts only.
      • Time restrictions only limit data usage for Verizon Android tablets on the Smart Family account. These devices are unable to make or receive calls and text messages.

      To set time restrictions in the Verizon Smart Family app:

      1. Select the child at the top of the screen.
      2. Scroll down to the Manage controls section, and tap Limits.
      3. Tap Time restrictions.
      4. You can quickly create school or night hours, or you can create custom time restrictions:
        • School or night hours - Tap School hours or Night hours, and adjust the recommended time restrictions as needed.
        • Custom time restrictions - Tap Add time restrictions. Choose the days and times you don’t want your child to be able to use the phone.
        Note: You can also remove a time restriction on this screen. Select the limit you'd like to remove, and tap Remove.
      5. Tap Save.
      6. Turn your child's phone off and on again to put the limit into immediate effect.

      You've successfully set time restrictions for your child.

    2. Set your time zone

      3.

      Any time restrictions set for your child will be activated based on the time zone entered in your Verizon Smart Family app.

      1. From the dashboard, tap the Settings icon in the top right corner of the screen.

      2. Tap Account details.
      3. Tap Time zone.
      4. Select the time zone you're in.
      5. Tap Save.

      You've successfully set your time zone.

    Usage limits

    1. Limit data usage / Remove data limit

      2.

      In the Verizon Smart Family app:

      1. Select the child at the top of the screen.
      2. Scroll down to the Manage controls section, and tap Limits.
      3. Tap Data target.
      4. Enter the amount of data (in GB) that you want your child to be able to use each month.

        Note: You can also remove an existing data target on this screen. Tap the data target you want to remove, and tap Remove.
      5. If you want your child to be able to continue using data after reaching the data target, tap the Don't block data, but alert me when the limit is reached box.

        Note: If you don't want your child to have data access after reaching the limit, leave this box unchecked.
      6. Tap Save.
      7. Turn your child's phone off and on again to put the limit into immediate effect.

      You've successfully set up a data target for your child.

    2. Block purchases / Remove purchase limit

      3.

      Purchase limits help you manage how much your child can bill to your Verizon account each month. Only purchases directly billed to your Verizon account using carrier billing are limited.

      In the Verizon Smart Family app:

      1. Select the child at the top of the screen.
      2. Scroll down to the Manage controls section, and tap Limits.
      3. Tap Purchase limit.
      4. Enter the maximum dollar amount you want your child to be able to bill to your Verizon account each month.

        Note: You can also remove an existing purchase limit on this screen. Tap the purchase limit you want to remove, and tap Remove.
      5. Tap Save.
      6. Turn your child's phone off and on again to put the purchase limit into immediate effect.

      You've successfully set a purchase limit for your child.

    3. Limit texting / Remove text limit

      4.

      Notes:

      • This isn't available for lines on the Just Kids plan, as their texting is always limited to trusted contacts only.
      • Third-party apps that use Over the Top (OTT) data (e.g. iMessage) have to be managed directly on the device.

      In the Verizon Smart Family app:

      1. Select the child at the top of the screen.
      2. Scroll down to the Manage controls section, and tap Limits.
      3. Tap Text limit.
      4. Enter the maximum number of text messages you want your child to send and receive each month.

        Note: You can also remove a text limit from this screen. Tap the text limit you want to delete, and tap Remove.
      5. Tap Save.
      6. Turn your child's phone off and on again to put the text limit into immediate effect.

      You've successfully set a text limit for your child.

    4. Set call restrictions / Remove call limit

      5.

      Note: This isn't available for lines on the Just Kids plan, as their calling is always limited to trusted contacts only.

      In the Verizon Smart Family app:

      1. Select the child at the top of the screen.
      2. Scroll down to the Manage controls section, and tap Limits.
      3. Tap Call limit.
      4. Enter the number of minutes you want your child to be able to spend on calls during each month.

        Note: You can also remove a call limit on this screen. Tap the call limit you want to delete, and tap Remove.
      5. Tap Save.
      6. Turn your child's phone off and on again to put the call limit into immediate effect.

      You've successfully set a call limit for your child's phone.

    Activity

    1. View child's call and text activity

      2.

      In the Verizon Smart Family app:

      1. Select the child at the top of the screen.
      2. Scroll down to the Activity & insights section, and tap View more.
      3. Select Calls or Texts at the top of the screen.

      You'll see a detailed view of your child's call and text activity for that day.

    2. View child's screen time

      3.

      This feature is currently only available for Android devices. You must be paired with your child's Smart Family Companion app to use this feature.

      In the Verizon Smart Family app:

      1. Select the child at the top of the screen. 
      2. Scroll down to the Screen time today section to see an overview of your child's screen time, which apps they used most and how long they spent on each app. 
      3. Tap View more. 

      You'll see a graph showing the amount of screen time for each hour of the day.

    3. View child's web and app activity

      4.

      You must be paired with your child's Smart Family Companion app to use this feature.

      In the Verizon Smart Family app:

      1. Select the child at the top of the screen.
      2. Scroll down to the Web & app activity today section to see a graph showing an overview of your child's online activity in general categories.
      3. Tap View more.

      You'll see a detailed view of the day's activities, including specific websites and apps visited in each category.

      Note: To view a different day, tap the left arrow or right arrow at the top of the screen.

    Add a line / Assign roles

    1. Add a line to Verizon Smart Family

      2.

      You can add a line to Verizon Smart Family through the My Verizon website. The Smart Family account can be used to manage all compatible devices on the same Verizon wireless account.

      Note: iPad® isn't currently supported. If you have an iPad on your Verizon wireless account, you’ll see it on the My Verizon website and be able to select "child" for it. However, this won’t actually add that line to Verizon Smart Family.

      Or follow these steps to add a line through the Verizon Smart Family app:

      1. Tap the Settings icon in the top right corner of the screen.

      2. Tap Family settings.
      3. Tap Add family member.
      4. Select the line(s) you want to add to Verizon Smart Family.
      5. If desired, enter the family member's name and icon for each line you're adding.
      6. Tap Add.

      You've successfully added a line to Verizon Smart Family.

    2. Assign roles

      3.

      When you add a line, the role of that family member will automatically be assigned based on their account role in My Verizon:

      • Account Owner / Account Manager – Parent
      • Account Member – Child

      To change a line's role from child to parent, you must add that line to the Account Manager list in My Verizon.

      To change a line's role from parent to child, you'll need to remove that line from the Account Manager list in My Verizon.

    3. Remove a line from Verizon Smart Family

      4.

      You can remove a line from Verizon Smart Family through the My Verizon website.

      Or follow these steps to remove a line through the Verizon Smart Family app:

      1. Tap the Settings icon in the top right corner of the screen.

      2. Tap Family settings.
      3. Select the line you want to remove.
      4. Tap Remove from Verizon Smart Family.
      5. Tap Remove.

      You've successfully removed a line from Verizon Smart Family.

    Child's app

    1. Pair with the child's app

      2.

      1. On your child’s device, download the Smart Family Companion app:
      2. On your device, open the Verizon Smart Family app, and tap the Settings icon in the top right corner of the screen.

      3. Tap Family settings.
      4. Tap the device you want to pair with.

        Note: If you don’t see the device you want, you need to add the device to Verizon Smart Family first:
        1. Tap Add family member.
        2. Tap the checkbox next to each device you want to add to Verizon Smart Family.
        3. If desired, enter the family members' name and icon for each line you're adding and tap Next.
        4. Tap Save.
      5. Tap Smart Family Companion.
      6. Tap Send invite.
        • If your child's device is an iPhone or Android smartphone, a link will be texted to the device.
        • If your child's device is a Verizon Android tablet, you must choose a messaging service (e.g., email, WhatsApp, etc.) that can be received and opened on your child's tablet.
      7. On your child's device: Open the message and tap on the link.
      8. If there are any Verizon Smart Family features you don't want to use, uncheck the box next to the feature, and tap Next.

        Note: All features are selected (checked) by default.

      9. Follow the verification prompts to allow all permission requests. Depending on the features you selected to use, we’ll ask for:
        • Permission to manage phone calls (Android only)
        • Location permission
        • Permission to collect web and app activity
        • Administrator permission (Android only)
      10. Set up the VPN connection:
        • Android – Set it to Always on.
        • iPhone – Set up and Allow the VPN profile.

      You'll get a message on your device to confirm the connection was successful.

    2. Prevent child’s app from being deleted on iPhone

      3.

      On your child’s iPhone:

      Note: For Android devices, the feature to prevent the child’s app from being deleted is included in the setup and pairing process.

      1. Open the Settings app.
      2. Scroll down and tap Screen Time.
      3. Scroll down and tap Content & Privacy Restrictions.
      4. Tap iTunes & App Store Purchases.
      5. Tap Deleting Apps.
      6. Tap Don’t Allow.

      With this setting selected on your child’s iPhone, you won’t see the Delete App option when you press and hold on an app.

    Unsubscribe

      You can remove Verizon Smart Family from your account through My Verizon.

      Note: With the Just Kids plan, you can't unsubscribe or downgrade from Verizon Smart Family Premium because it's included for free as part of the plan. To make changes to your subscription, you'll need to change your plan in My Verizon.

    1. Unsubscribe through the My Verizon app

      2.

      To remove Verizon Smart Family from your account:

      1. Go to the Add-ons and apps screen of the My Verizon app.
      2. Scroll to Smart Family.
      3. Tap Manage Enrollment.
      4. Select Remove Verizon Smart Family.

    2. Unsubscribe through the My Verizon website

      3.

      To remove Verizon Smart Family from your account: 

      1. Go to the Add-ons and apps page of the My Verizon website.
      2. Select Smart Family.
      3. Click Remove.

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