Call Filter FAQs

Call Filter, previously named Caller Name ID, is a service that helps you take control of your calls by identifying unknown numbers by name or as spam, and gives you the tools to manage those calls as you choose.*

Unknown Numbers (Caller ID)
Call Filter 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.

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.
• 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.

* 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.
** All spam calls will be labeled as “Potential Spam” for customers enrolled in the free version of Call Filter.

Get just the basics (spam detection, blocking and reporting) for free, or subscribe for all that and more for $2.99 per month, per line. You may be eligible for a 10-day trial of the full service. Data charges apply.

All Verizon Wireless customers on an eligible postpaid plan with a compatible device can subscribe to Call Filter.

Any Android, iPhone and some BlackBerry device are compatible. Features included vary by device. Visit the Eligibility: Caller Filter page for a complete list of all eligible devices and available features for each device.

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 free and premium feature set, and will begin rolling out over the next few weeks.

Some features like spam detection and Caller ID are available on eligible devices without the Call Filter app, but the app is required for all advanced 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®.

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 free and premium feature set, and will begin rolling out over the next few weeks.

You can subscribe to the free or paid versions of Call Filter by logging in to My Verizon or enrolling in the Call Filter App.

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

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

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

Yes, Caller ID Block and Call Filter are two different services. Caller ID Block will prevent your information from being displayed when you call others, but with Call Filter, you will still see the name, phone number, city, state, and picture* of who's calling you.

*Picture will only display for those callers who have uploaded a picture to their profile and if you are using an Android or BlackBerry device.

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 you'll need to remove the service from your account. If you uninstall the app from your device you will still be subscribed 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. We'll automatically enroll you when you activate your device and alert you when your trial is nearing its end. When the free trial ends, you won't be automatically signed up for Call Filter or charged any fees.

Android and BlackBerry users can stop the 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. Visit our Cancelling Free Trial - Call Filter page for more information.

At the end of the 10-day trial, you'll be presented with an offer to subscribe to Call Filter for $2.99/mo per line or enroll in the free version. If you subscribe, the service will be billed to your Verizon account and auto-renews on a monthly basis unless cancelled.

If you have an eligible device, you can also subscribe to Call Filter 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.

Please note that all the features may not be fully available until the Call Filter app is updated on your specific device. This can take up to 4 weeks.

You can enroll in the Call Filter app or by logging in to My Verizon.

The free version of the service offers just the basics (spam detection, blocking and reporting numbers) while the premium version offers all that and more. For $2.99/mo per line, Call Filter 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.

Upgrade anytime by logging into My Verizon or in the Call Filter app. 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 mislabeled 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.

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.

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.