Call Filter FAQs

Call Filter is a service that helps you take control of your calls and gives you the tools to manage those calls as you choose.*

Spam Calls
If your device is eligible, Call Filter helps you better manage incoming spam calls with the following features:

• Detection: get real-time alerts on your incoming call screen with the following labels so you can better avoid spam calls:
  • Potential Spam**: Unwanted callers that may be calling indiscriminately or inappropriately to a large number of recipients.
  • Robo Caller: Automated caller with a pre-recorded message.
  • Potential Fraud: An entity likely pretending to be someone they're not with malicious intent.
• Blocking: set up your spam filter to send unsolicited callers straight to voicemail. How to set up your spam filter.
  • Beginning in May 2019, the spam filter will automatically be set to block high risk spam callers when new customers subscribe to Call Filter and Call Filter Plus. The spam filter may inadvertently block calls you may want to receive. To change this setting, visit our How to Use Guide for instructions.
• Reporting: report a phone number after they've called. This information helps us improve our spam detection service. How to report a number as spam.
• Personal spam list: take further control of your calls by adding other numbers to your own, custom spam list so you can be alerted when specific numbers attempt to call you in the future.
• Personal block list: add numbers to your own, custom block list so that calls from specific, unwanted numbers are automatically forwarded to voicemail.
• Spam risk meter: see each spam call’s level of risk so that you can learn more about the caller.
• Spam lookup: search our spam database to see if a number has already been identified as spam.

Calls from Unknown Numbers
Call Filter Plus, our premium subscription, identifies unknown numbers by name on the incoming call screen, call log, visual voicemail app and eligible messaging apps.

Easily add identified numbers to your contacts, spam or block list; and upload your own picture and name to share when calling other Call Filter subscribers who may not have your number saved.

If the caller has uploaded an image to their Call Filter profile and you are using an eligible device, you'll also see their picture.

* Call Filter is not available on all calls, on all equipment, or in all areas. Caller ID is not available for restricted or unlisted numbers. Call Filter cannot yet identify or automatically block spam calls that originate outside of the US, but customers with an eligible device can now block all incoming calls from international numbers if  they choose.
** All spam calls will be labeled as “Potential Spam” for customers enrolled in the free version of Call Filter.

Call Filter has two pricing tiers: get spam detection, blocking and reporting for free with Call Filter, or subscribe to Call Filter Plus for all that and more for $2.99/mo per line or $7.99/mo for accounts with 3 or more eligible lines. You may be eligible for a 10-day trial of Call Filter Plus. Data charges apply.

Call Filter, the free version of the service, offers spam detection, blocking and reporting, while Call Filter Plus, the premium version, offers all that and more. If you're a current Verizon Customer on an eligible postpaid plan with a compatible device or if you're activating a new compatible device, you will automatically be enrolled in Call Filter, the free version for free spam detection as well as high risk call blocking.

For $2.99/mo per line or $7.99/mo per account, Call Filter Plus (Single line) and Call Filter Plus (Multi-line) will identify unknown numbers by name so you know who’s calling, give you additional controls with the ability to create a personal spam and block list, plus provide access to additional insights like the spam risk meter and spam lookup feature.

View the detailed comparison.

If you're a current Verizon Customers on an eligible postpaid plan with a compatible device or if you're activating a new compatible device, you will automatically be enrolled in Call Filter, the free version for free spam detection as well as high risk call blocking.

If you subscribe three or more lines on an account to Call Filter Plus, all eligible lines on your account will be automatically enrolled in Call Filter Plus (Multi-line) at $7.99/mo per account. For customers on a business plan, please contact your account manager to add Call Filter Plus.

Visit Caller Filter's website for a complete list of all eligible devices and available features for each device.

Please note that Android™ bring your own devices are not currently compatibility with our service.

Updated Call Filter app (9.4.0+ on Android or 2.1.1+ on iOS) required for the full set of features.

The following devices are not compatible with the Call Filter app:

• Verizon LTE 4G Broadband Router with Voice
• Verizon SmartHub With Voice
• Wireless Home Phone T2000
• Home Phone Connect
• Basic Phones
• 3G only voice-capable devices
• Non-single SKU Bring Your Own Device Android Smartphones
• Android ODI (Open Development) devices
• Devices without a physical Verizon SIM on a dual-SIM/e-SIM capable device
• Data only/non-voice capable devices (eg: tablets, 4G LTE Broadband Routers, Jetpacks, MiFi Internet, hotspots)
• Smart accessories (eg: connected watches)

All Verizon Wireless customers who are not already subscribed to Call Filter, and who are on an eligible postpaid plan with a compatible device will be automatically enrolled in Call Filter for free spam detection as well as high risk blocking. If you have a compatible Android device your device will receive an update enrolling you in Call Filter. If you have an iPhone, you will receive a text message notifying you that you’re enrolled in Call Filter with a link to download the Call Filter app.

Accounts with three or more eligible lines can enroll in Call Filter Plus (Multi-line) to cover all eligible lines with premium features for $7.99/mo per account. Accounts with one or two lines can enroll each eligible line in Call Filter or Call Filter Plus (Single line) for $2.99/mo per line. Learn how to enroll and manage your subscription.

All Verizon Wireless customers who are not already subscribed to Call Filter, and who are on an eligible postpaid plan with a compatible device will be automatically enrolled in Call Filter for free spam detection as well as high risk blocking.  If you have a compatible Android device your device will receive an update enrolling you in Call Filter. If you have an iPhone, you will receive a text message notifying you that you’re enrolled in Call Filter with a link to download the Call Filter app.

You can also subscribe an individual line to the free version of Call Filter or Call Filter Plus  by logging in to My Verizon or enrolling in the Call Filter app. To enroll all the eligible lines on your account to Call Filter Plus, enroll in Call Filter Plus (Multi-line) by logging in to My Verizon.

Visit our Call Filter How to Use Guide to learn how to subscribe to Call Filter.

Spam alerts and Caller ID are available on eligible devices without the Call Filter app, but the app is required for all other spam protection features, including spam blocking.

The Call Filter app is pre-loaded on most Android and some BlackBerry® devices as well as available for download in the Apple® App Store®. If you sign-up for Call Filter Plus (Multi line), you'll need to download the app on each device on your account that you'd like to use advanced features on.

Please note that an updated version of the Call Filter app (9.4.0+ on Android or 2.1.1+ on iOS) is required for the full set of features.

You can find step-by-step instructions on how to use Call Filter in our online How to Use Guide. It tells you how to:

• Subscribe and get the app
• Upgrade to  Call Filter Plus
• Mark a number as spam
• Report a number as spam
• Automatically block spam calls with your spam filter
• Block a number
• Block all calls from international numbers
• Reverse number search
• Save identified numbers to contacts
• Customize your name
• Manage pictures
• Manage post-call push notifications
• Unsubscribe from Call Filter
• Downgrade to Call Filter

Call Filter uses analytics and databases that are constantly evolving to detect spam calls, including those that may be spoofed. You can help us improve the accuracy of the service by reporting spam numbers we may have missed. Verizon does not guarantee that all spam calls will be detected. If you disagree with how a number was categorized by the system, you can unmark the number as spam or add to your contacts.

Yes. Data charges apply to Android and BlackBerry devices to show the caller's name and picture. However, the data used by this service is less than visiting a single webpage. With the Call Filter app you can block all pictures to lower data usage.

Visit the Call Filter How to Use Guide for step-by-step instructions on how to block and report pictures.

Note: Because pictures are not available on incoming calls to iPhones, no data usage occurs on an iPhone.

Call Filter is available when your phone is roaming. However, service delivery depends on the roaming carrier's ability to provide the caller's name and picture. So not all features may be available while roaming. Data charges may apply.

To unsubscribe from Call Filter or Call Filter Plus you'll need to remove the service from your account. If you uninstall the app from your device you will still be subscribed and will still receive spam alerts until you remove the service from your account.

Learn how to unsubscribe from Call Filter.

Yes, you can try Call Filter risk-free for 10 days with each device purchase. Depending on your device, we may automatically enroll you in the trial when you activate your device and alert you when your trial is nearing its end. When the 10-day trial ends, you'll have the option to subscribe to Call Filter Plus. If you do not choose to subscribe to Call Filter Plus, you will be automatically enrolled in free spam detection as well as high risk call blocking.

Android and BlackBerry users can stop the 10-day trial at any time by opening the Call Filter app and going to Account Status, and tapping Stop Trial. For those with an iPhone, the trial will stop at the end of the 10-day trial period, but cannot be stopped earlier.

At the end of the 10-day trial, you'll be presented with an offer to subscribe to Call Filter Plus (Single Line) for $2.99/mo per line or to enroll in Call Filter. If you subscribe to Call Filter Plus, the service will be billed to your Verizon account and auto-renews on a monthly basis unless cancelled.  If you do not choose to subscribe to Call Filter Plus, you will be automatically enrolled in Call Filter for free spam detection as well as high risk call blocking.

If you have an eligible device, you can also subscribe to Call Filter or Call Filter Plus (Single line) at a later time through the Call Filter app on your device. Open the app, tap Account Status, and then tap Subscribe.

For more information on setting up the Call Filter service, visit our Call Filter page.

All Verizon Wireless customers who are not already subscribed to Call Filter, and who are on an eligible postpaid plan with a compatible device will be automatically enrolled in Call Filter for free spam detection as well as high risk blocking. If you have a compatible Android device your device will receive an update enrolling you in Call Filter. If you have an iPhone, you will receive a text message notifying you that you’re enrolled in Call Filter with a link to download the Call Filter app.

When you activate a new compatible device you will be automatically enrolled in free spam detection as well as high risk blocking by default.

Upgrade anytime by logging into My Verizon or in the Call Filter app. Upgrade to Call Filter Plus (Multi-line) by logging into My Verizon. Here's how.

It is possible that Call Filter mistakenly tags legitimate callers including those to whom you may have given consent to communicate with via your mobile number, or may inadvertently mislabel legitimate callers as potential spam, a robo caller or potential fraud. Calling parties and customers who believe a call has been mislabeled may provide feedback.

Call Filter cannot yet identify or automatically block spam calls that originate outside of the U.S. However, those with an eligible device can set up Call Filter to block all calls from international numbers.* Here's how. Additionally, customers can add an international number to their spam/block list, and Call Filter will identify or block the next time they attempt to reach out. Check back for updates soon, as we are continuously improving our Call Filter service.

* Note: Turning on the international call blocking will block calls from Puerto Rico and other U.S. territories. Calls you want may get blocked.

When you set up your spam filter, spam calls that correspond with your selected level of risk will automatically be forwarded to your voicemail if you have one set up. Calls you may want to receive may get caught in this filter. If you disagree with how a number was categorized by the system, you can add the number to contacts to avoid the spam filter on future calls.

Beginning in May 2019, the spam filter will automatically be set to block high risk spam callers when new customers subscribe to Call Filter or Call Filter Plus. To change this setting, visit our How to Use Guide for instructions.

Numbers blocked by the spam filter or your personal block list will automatically be forwarded to your voicemail if you have one set up. You can listen to a blocked caller's voice message if they leave one, and those with an eligible device will receive a notification of the blocked call.

Learn how to report and block a number as spam and more in our Call Filter How to Use Guide.