Verizon Smart Family is the new and improved version of FamilyBase.
The new Verizon Smart Family gives you:
And with Verizon Smart Family Premium, you can also view:
What it costs:
Learn more and sign up for Verizon Smart Family.
I'm already subscribed to Verizon FamilyBase. What do I need to do in order to upgrade to Verizon Smart Family?
FamilyBase costs $4.99/month for your entire account. There are no additional text or data charges.
Note: Each phone on the account must have a Verizon Wireless data and text plan for FamilyBase to work properly.
You can sign up for Smart Family online in My Verizon, on the My Verizon app or with the Smart Family app.
Online:
My Verizon app:
Verizon Smart Family app:
To change your subscription from Verizon Smart Family Premium to Verizon Smart Family:
You've successfully downgraded your Verizon Smart Family subscription.
To unsubscribe from Verizon Smart Family:
Verizon Smart Family is compatible with most Verizon Wireless plans, including:
However, it can't be used with the following:
Don't know which plan you have? Sign in to My Verizon to find out if you have a compatible plan.
In order to use Verizon Smart Family, all compatible devices must run one of the following OS versions:
Visit the Operating System FAQs for more information.
Verizon Smart Family works with most Verizon Wireless 4G LTE and 3G mobile devices.
However, it's not compatible with:
Can I sign up for Smart Family if I have a prepaid line or use the service to monitor a prepaid line?
No, you can't sign up for Verizon Smart Family with a prepaid line, or to monitor a prepaid line.
If my child already has the FamilyBase Companion app on their phone, will I still need to download the new Smart Family Companion app on their phone?
Yes. To ensure that you have access to all Smart Family features, just download the new Smart Family Companion app on your child’s device.
Download the Smart Family Companion app from the Google Play Store or Apple App Store. Search for "Smart Family Companion" and update the app.
What Verizon Smart Family features are available without downloading the Smart Family Companion app on my child's device?
Even without the Verizon Smart Family Companion app installed on your child's device, you can:
However, you'll need to pair the Verizon Smart Family app on your device with the Verizon Smart Family Companion app on your child's device in order to:
The Verizon Smart Family Companion app requires the child to enter a specific code in order for it to be removed from their device. This code can only be retrieved from the Parent device.
If the Verizon Smart Family Companion app is removed, a tamper error will immediately be sent to the Parent as a text message and displayed on the child's Dashboard in the app.
Yes, you can use Verizon Smart Family if you only have one phone on your plan. If you're subscribed to Verizon Smart Family, you'll still be able to access the Controls and Contacts features. Also, if you're subscribed to Verizon Smart Family Premium, you'll have access to your own device’s location.
No, only members of your Verizon Wireless plan can be added as Child lines to your Verizon Smart Family account.
No, only members of your Verizon Wireless plan will be able to be added as Child lines to your Verizon Smart Family account.
Yes. If you change the phone number of your Parent device, your Verizon Smart Family account will be suspended and you'll need to re-register for the service.
If your child changes their phone number, they'll be removed from your Verizon Smart Family account. However, you can re-add them using the following steps from the Parent device:
You've successfully re-added a child's device to your Verizon Smart Family account.
If the child changes their device, you'll need to pair the Smart Family Companion app on the new device to your Verizon Smart Family account.
Yes, you can set up a second Parent device using the current Parent device.
You've successfully set up a second Parent device on your account.
You can send a text message to the Child device that includes a link they can open. The link includes instructions about how to install the Verizon Smart Family Companion app. When you're done, the Parent device will receive a confirmation text message.
You can view more details right from the Verizon Smart Family app. See the How to Use Guide: Verizon Smart Family under Verizon Smart Family Child App > Child App > iOS.
You can send a text message to the Child device that includes a link the child can open. The link will include instructions on how to install the Verizon Smart Family Companion app. When you're done, the Parent device will receive a confirmation text message.
More details are available right from the Verizon Smart Family app. See the How to Use Guide: Verizon Smart Family under Verizon Smart Family Child App > Pair Child App > Android.
You can manage your Verizon Smart Family account online in My Verizon, in the My Verizon app or the Verizon Smart Family app.
However, Verizon Smart Family Premium location features are only supported by the Verizon Smart Family app.
Once you've signed up for Verizon Smart Family, you can add Family Members using the Verizon Smart Family app on your device.
You've successfully added a Family Member to your account.
No, Verizon Smart Family doesn't have the ability to view the content of your child's text or multimedia (picture and video) messages.
No, Verizon Smart Family doesn't show messages from third party providers, such as Apple® iMessage.
No, FamilyBase doesn't include the ability to view the content of your child's text or multimedia (picture and video) messages.
To view your child's School or Night Hours activity:
You've successfully viewed your child's activity.
To set up a Time Limit:
Note: You can add School or Night Hours by tapping School Hours or Night Hours and adjusting the recommended Time Restrictions. To put the Time Restrictions into effect, tap Save.
Note: You can add custom Time Restrictions by tapping Add a Time Restriction. Choose the days and times you want the custom Time Limit to go into effect. To put the Time Limit into effect, tap Save.
For more details, please see the How to Use Guide: Verizon Smart Family under Verizon Smart Family Parent App > Controls > Set Time Restrictions.
To delete a Time Limit:
For more details, please see the How to Use Guide: Verizon Smart Family under Verizon Smart Family Parent App > Controls > Remove Time Restrictions.
During a Time Restriction, the child won’t be able to call, text or use cellular data. However, they can still use Wi-Fi.
For more details, navigate to Limits > Time Restrictions > More Info.
To set up a Data Target:
Note: To get notified when they child reaches the set Data Target, tap Don't block data, but alert me when the limit is reached.
For more details, please see the How to Use Guide: Verizon Smart Family under Verizon Smart Family Parent App > Controls > Set a Data Target.
To delete a Data Target:
For more details, please see the How to Use Guide: Verizon Smart Family under Verizon Smart Family Parent App > Controls > Remove a Data Target.
To set up a Purchase Limit:
You've successfully set up a Purchase Limit.
For more details, please see the How to Use Guide: Verizon Smart Family under Verizon Smart Family Parent App > Controls > Set a Purchase Limit.
Purchase Limits are measure in dollars per month.
To delete a Purchase Limit:
You've successfully deleted a Purchase Limit.
For more details, please see the How to Use Guide: Verizon Smart Family under Verizon Smart Family Parent App > Controls > Remove a Purchase Limit.
To set up a Call Limit:
You've successfully set up a Call Limit.
For more details, please see the How to Use Guide: Verizon Smart Family under Verizon Smart Family Parent App > Controls > Set a Call Limit.
Call Limits are measured in minutes per month.
To delete a Call Limit:
You've successfully deleted a Call Limit.
For more details, please see the How to Use Guide: Verizon Smart Family under Verizon Smart Family Parent App > Controls > Remove a Call Limit.
To set up a Text Limit:
You've successfully set up a Text Limit.
For more details, please see the How to Use Guide: Verizon Smart Family under Verizon Smart Family Parent App > Controls > Set a Text Limit.
Text Limits are measured in texts per month.
To delete a Text Limit:
You've successfully deleted a Text Limit.
For more details, please see the How to Use Guide: Verizon Smart Family under Verizon Smart Family Parent App > Controls > Remove a Text Limit.
To reset your account Content Filters:
You've successfully reset your account Content Filters.
To submit your Content Filters suggestions to Verizon Wireless:
You've successfully submitted your suggestions.
No, we currently don't offer the option for your child to request access to blocked content.
To manually block a website that's not included in a category:
You've successfully blocked a website.
You can quickly notify Verizon Wireless of an app that should be blocked but isn’t using the Verizon Smart Family app.
You've successfully notified us of an app that should be blocked.
To add a website to the Trusted Websites list:
You've successfully added a website to the Trusted Websites list.
To edit or delete a website from the Allowed Websites list:
Note: To edit a website on the Trusted list, tap the entry and edit as needed. To remove a website, tap the X next to the entry and then tap OK.
You've successfully edited or removed a website from the list.
To add a website to the Blocked Websites list:
You've successfully added a website to the list.
To edit or delete a website from the Blocked Websites list:
Note: To edit, tap on the entry and edit as needed. To remove, tap the X next to the entry and then tap OK.
You've successfully edited or removed a website from the list.
To pause your child's internet:
Note: The Child device must be paired in order to use this function.
You've successfully paused your child's internet.
To resume your child's internet:
Note: The Child device must be paired in order to use this function.
You've successfully unpaused your child's internet.
No, you won't be notified if the child attempts to access blocked content on their device.
The Top Contacts category shows you which contacts your child communicates with most frequently based on the number of calls and texts. Contact rankings are updated every 4 hours.
Trusted Contacts can include any of the following:
Note: Voicemail access is restricted after the voice limit is reached and during Time Restrictions. To have Voicemail access at all times, you may want to add your own mobile number to the Trusted Contacts list. However, because Voicemail usage is billable, this usage will be billed and won't be restricted if your mobile number or Voicemail access number is added to the Trusted Contacts list. Communication between Trusted Contacts is always allowed and could result in overage. All minutes, data and messaging usage will be billed in accordance with your applicable wireless plan, feature or package.
To add a Trusted Contact:
You've successfully added a Trusted Contact.
To remove a contact from the Trusted Contacts list:
You've successfully removed a contact from the Trusted Contacts list.
You can block up to 20 contacts from communicating with your child's device. All calls, text and multimedia messages to and from Blocked Contacts will be prevented.
You can block:
To block specific phone numbers or contacts, enter the phone number or email address as a Blocked Contact.
For more information about blocking telemarketing calls, visit the Federal Trade Commission's National Do Not Call Directory.
Yes, you can block all outgoing calls to 411, 1411, #411 and *411 directory assistance.
Yes. You're unable block 911, numbers that are within your own account or numbers currently added to the Trusted list.
To add a Blocked Contact:
You've successfully added a Blocked Contact.
If the caller has enabled Caller ID Blocking and the number is recognized by our network, a number on your Blocked Contacts list will still be blocked.
If you've chosen to block all Private, Restricted and Unavailable numbers on your child’s phone, any caller using Caller ID Blocking will be prohibited from contacting your child.
Learn more by visiting the Caller ID Blocking FAQs.
To remove a Blocked Contact:
You've successfully removed a contact from the Blocked Contacts list.
Yes, you'll need to have the Verizon Smart Family Companion app on the child's device in order to locate them.
No, your child won't know when you've located them using Verizon Smart Family.
To view your child's device location:
You've successfully located your child's device location.
If your child's device is paired with the Verizon Smart Family Companion app, the location results will indicate a street address and approximately how many yards away the device is from that location.
However, location accuracy depends on a number of factors, including:
We recommend you download the Verizon Smart Family Companion app onto your child's phone for better location accuracy.
It depends. Verizon Smart Family is designed to be used within Verizon coverage areas in the continental US and Hawaii, and some features maybe unavailable outside of this service area. Location accuracy also may vary based on device network connection.
If a child can't be located, the child's device may be off or the phone's GPS functionality is deactivated.
If the phone can't be located for an extended period of time, please attempt a few test locates with a phone in your possession. Be sure to check the phone's GPS functionality to ensure that it’s on before testing.
If the phone still can't be located after for 24+ hours (and the test locates with the phone in your possession have been unsuccessful), please contact Verizon Customer Care (800) 922-0204.
To save a Place:
You've successfully saved a Place.
To delete a Place:
You've successfully removed a Place.
To view Location history:
Note: The result will display on the map with the location details listed below.
You've successfully viewed the Location history.
Location history is automatically deleted after 7 day and isn't recoverable.
Your child will receive a notification every month notifying them that their Activity and/or Location can be tracked.
No, the monthly notification your child will receive is required. However, your child won't receive additional notifications.
To set up Location Alerts:
You've successfully set up Location Alerts.
To edit or remove Location Alerts:
Note: To edit, make the desired changes and then select Save. To remove, tap Remove.
You've successfully edited or removed Location Alerts.
To set up an Arrival Alert:
You've successfully set up an Arrival Alert.
To edit or remove an Arrival Alert:
Note: To edit, make the desired changes and then select Save. To remove, tap Remove.
You've successfully edited or removed an alert.
To set up a Departure Alert:
You've successfully set up a Departure Alert.
To edit or remove a Departure Alert:
Note: To edit, make the desired changes and then select Save. To remove, tap Remove.
You've successfully edited or removed a Departure Alert.
Arrival / Departure Alert notifications should occur close to the time they were triggered. However, we've seen them occasionally delayed for a variety of reasons, including Verizon Smart Family Companion pairing status, app status and network connectivity.
Family Members can't change roles. All Verizon Account Managers are assigned the Parent role, and all Account Members are assigned the Child role.
Only parents can change Location settings.
To change Location settings:
You've successfully changed your Location settings.
Only parents can change notification settings.
To change the notification settings:
You've successfully changed your notification settings.
Your child will see a page with the Verizon Smart Family Companion app's pairing status. If the Companion app is paired, the message will read: "Connected to Verizon Smart Family".
Yes, your child can locate your device's location after you change your Location sharing preferences. On your Parent device, go into your Settings and allow Location sharing.
No, a child can't view a Parent device's call and text activity.
You child can request the location of other Family Members from their Verizon Smart Family Companion app.
To locate another Family Member:
You've successfully located a Family Member.
Your child won't be able to access websites or use apps that use the internet. They’ll see an option to "Unpause internet" instead of "Pause internet".
A Mobile Device Management (MDM) profile is used on iPhones to support Parental Control features, such as Content Filters, app blocking and pausing the internet.
iPhone can be managed by only one MDM profile at a time. If you already have an MDM profile on a device, you’ll be prompted to uninstall your first MDM profile.
Click the Chat with us button at the bottom right corner of this page to contact one of our representatives.
Android is a trademark of Google, Inc.
iOS is a trademark or registered trademark of Cisco in the US and other countries and is used under license.
Apple, iPhone, App Store and iMessage are registered trademarks of Apple Inc. Amazon Appstore is a trademark of Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates.
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