Verizon Family FAQs

To manage your account, open the Verizon Family app.

For step-by-step instructions, refer to our How to use Verizon Family page. You can also watch our Verizon Family Overview video.

Keep in mind: If you’re having trouble signing into the Verizon Family app, visit the Troubleshooting section of our How to use Verizon Family page.

In the Verizon Family app, you can add family members in the Manage profiles section on the Family Profiles tab, or by tapping the More tab and selecting Profile management.

Get step-by-step instructions on our Verizon Family - Add, Edit or Remove Guardian / Dependent / Member Roles page.

Yes, you can assign roles to other lines on your account, including another guardian device role in the Verizon Family app. Visit Verizon Family - Add, Edit or Remove Guardian / Dependent / Member Roles for steps.

Keep in mind: Account Owners and Account Managers can only be assigned a guardian role. Account Members can be assigned a dependent, guardian or member role. Individuals not on your Verizon account can only be assigned a member role.

Yes. If you change the phone number of your guardian device, your Verizon Family account will be suspended. You'll need to re-subscribe to the service and set up all of your controls again.

If your dependent changes their phone number, all of their controls need to be reset.

If the dependent changes their device, you'll need to pair the Verizon Family Companion app on your dependent's new device.

If your dependents allow the companion app to be paired with their phone and the location permission is enabled, a map displays:

• The dependent's location
• Check-in and Pick me up buttons
• The location of other family members who are sharing location with the dependent

Good to know: If the Verizon Family Companion app isn't paired, a message displays reminding you to pair the phone with the app.

Yes, with Verizon Family, you can share your location with other guardian lines or all family members on the Verizon Family account.

Turn location sharing on and off by selecting More > Profile Management in the Verizon Family app. By default, your location sharing preferences are set to Not shared.

Keep in mind: If you allow location to be shared with others, and you turn off device location permissions, your approximate location from the wireless network will continue to be shared.

Learn more by visiting our Verizon Family - Locate a Family Member page.

No, Verizon Family doesn't collect, use or share this information for lines designated in Verizon Family as guardians or members.

Keep in mind: Your dependent can view their own web and app activity as you see it.

Notification differs based on the type of phone your dependent has.

When the Companion app is removed:

• Android
  • A text message immediately sends to the guardian and displays as a tamper error on the dependent's dashboard in the guardian's app.
  • Good to know: Guardians can install deletion protection on their dependents’ Android devices. This prevents them from removing the Companion app or uninstalling the VPN that monitors online activity, without a PIN provided by the guardian.
• Apple - Guardians receive a notification within 48 hours.

Learn how to pair and unpair devices:

• Verizon Family - Pair Guardian and Dependent Devices
• Verizon Family - Unpair Guardian and Dependent Devices

Deletion protection prevents dependents from removing the Companion app or uninstalling the VPN, which monitors online activity, without a PIN provided by the Guardian*.

Learn how to install or remove deletion protection on your dependent’s device:

• Verizon Family (Android) - Enable Deletion Protection
• Verizon Family (Android) - Remove Deletion Protection
• Verizon Family (iOS) - Enable Deletion Protection
• Verizon Family (iOS) - Remove Deletion Protection

*PIN does not apply to Apple iOS.

No, Verizon Family doesn't show messages sent within or calls made through some third-party apps (e.g., Apple iMessage, WhatsApp or social media services such as Facebook Messenger or Instagram Direct Messages).

With Verizon Family Plus, you can view screen time activity. Screentime shows you:

• An overview of how much time your dependent spent on their device each day.
• A breakdown of apps used and the amount of time spent on each.

You can also tap View more to see an hour-by-hour Screentime chart. Learn more about Screentime by visiting our Verizon Family - View Screentime* page.

Keep in mind: Screentime may not be available for all apps and may not reflect the actual time spent on the device or certain apps. Website and app activity may include both user generated activity and websites and apps that run in the background on the device and ads served on sites visited.

Web & App Activity is available with Verizon Family Plus. You see a graph that shows:

• General categories of content, such as social media, games or videos, and a ratio for how much your dependent engages in each category.
• A breakdown of which websites and apps they used within those categories and how much time spent on each individual website or app.

Learn more about viewing Web & App Activity by visiting our Verizon Family - View Activity page.

Keep in mind: Dependent lines receive a periodic text message (or push notification on tablets) telling them that their web and app activity is being monitored. Guardians should ensure that Verizon Family Notifications are enabled in the device settings for tablets.

You'll be informed of any noteworthy events by push notification. This includes:

• Visits to an objectionable website*
• Device usage during school hours
• Device usage during nighttime hours

Good to know: You can turn off all alerts regarding noteworthy events in your settings or specific alerts you don't want to receive in the Noteworthy events tab under each dependent's profile.

*You can view what categories fall under Objectionable in the Content Filters section of your Verizon Family app. You'll receive these alerts even if you don't have any content filters turned on, but you can turn off these alerts at anytime.

All online activity will be available in the Web & App Activity view, including while your dependent is on Wi-Fi.

Keep in mind: We aren't able to show your dependent's usage of apps that don't use internet services and run offline.

When setting up the Companion app on your dependent's phone, we will ask permission to establish a VPN profile on that phone through which all internet-related activity passes. If enabled, we use the VPN connection to provide you with these Verizon Family Plus features:

• Content filters
• Time restrictions
• Web and app activity monitoring

When setting up the Companion app on an Android or iOS device, you provide us with the Usage Access permission, which provides the apps accessed and time spent on the device.

No, the Web & App Activity feature is only available for lines designated as a dependent. They can't be used for guardian lines.

Only designated guardian lines on your Verizon Family account and any members that are granted permission by the guardian are able to view your dependent's web and app activity.

If you no longer want to view your dependent's web and app activity or screen time, you can disable the Verizon Family VPN from your dependent's device or uninstall the Companion app from your dependent's device.

During a time restriction, the dependent won't be able to:

• Use Verizon wireless calling or messaging services to call or text people who aren't included as trusted contacts*
• Use cellular data
• Use Wi-Fi (if the dependent's device is paired)

Note: With the Just Kids** plan, you can only limit data with time restrictions. Restricting calling and texting to trusted contacts only is already in place and can't be changed.

*For Verizon connected tablets, only data and Wi-Fi restrictions apply. These devices cannot make or receive calls and text messages. RCS is disabled during time restrictions or when the internet is paused on the device.
**No longer available to add to accounts.

Even if you set call and text restrictions through Verizon Family, your dependent can download and use OTT apps or use iMessage or RCS messaging. These apps and features can let your dependent call or message people who aren't trusted contacts.

To prevent use of these apps and features, you can:

• Disable iMessage or RCS messages directly on your dependent’s device
• Use Verizon Family to block the Google™ Play store, so your dependent can't install these services
• Use Verizon Family to block certain apps from using any data (if that app is listed in our content filter options)

You can set up content filters to block all websites and apps in a variety of content categories.

You can also allow websites in the content filters section of the Verizon Family app so that they are not otherwise blocked by a content filter.

You can't block an app that is not included in one of the content filter categories. However, on the Verizon Family app's* content filter screen, you can report an app that should be blocked. We take these reports into consideration for possible future Family updates.

You may also enter the URL of any online entity featuring content you don't want your dependent to view. Doing so will also block this content from any related apps.

No, you won't be notified if your dependent attempts to access blocked content or websites on their phone.

Learn how to remove content filters on our Verizon Family - Edit Content Filtering page.

When Verizon Family's content filters conflict with your router's content filters, your router's content filters will be given priority.

If you would like to use Verizon Family's content filters instead, you'll need to disable your router's content filters.

Some apps or websites may share resources with another one, which could cause your blocking of one to impact the other.

For example, if Facebook is blocked, you may not be able to sign in to Spotify using the Sign in through Facebook option.

We have done our best to limit these instances and continue to do so.

The Driving Insights feature lets guardians view their dependent's driving activity or their own driving activity. A driving score for each trip includes events such as:

• Speeding and rapid acceleration
• Phone usage while driving
• Hard braking based on the driving activity detected through the dependent's mobile device
• Hard cornering

An overall driving score is calculated based on these events, unless your dependent is designated as a passenger.

Learn more about Driving Insights by visiting our How to Use Verizon Family page.

To use Driving Insights, you need to:

• Have the Verizon Family and Verizon Family Companion apps installed and paired with your dependent's compatible device.
• Have your dependent provide permission* to access location, motion sensor data and phone usage data. This provides trip details and crash detection. You have the option to set your dependent as a Passenger or Driver for all trips or individual trips.

*Driving Insights is automatically enabled for guardians or members who have agreed to share their location and motion activity data. Exception: If you onboarded to Verizon Family before 5/19/25, you must enable Driving Insights in your profile.

The Companion app uses the motion sensors in your dependent’s phone to determine that they’re traveling in a vehicle. It records the corresponding data until it's detected that the trip has ended.

No. You have the option to set your dependent as a Passenger or Driver for all trips or individual trips. For trips where a dependent is designated as a passenger, only a trip driving score is available.

On a scale of 0-100, the driving score represents the frequency of risky behaviors that could contribute to unsafe driving practices, including:

• Hard acceleration
• Hard braking
• Hard cornering
• Speeding
• Phone usage

A lower score suggests frequent risky driving behaviors.

Each trip is scored and an overall driver score is presented. The overall score only includes trips where the dependent was a driver over the past 7 days.

Verizon Family* gathers data from mobile sensors and measures driving activity based on:

• Hard acceleration
• Hard braking
• Hard cornering
• Speeding
• Phone usage (screen is on/unlocked and phone is moving around) - not available for trips when dependent is designated as passenger

In the app, you can view your or your dependent's overall driving score, and individual trip scores for specific drives.

*Driving insights self view only is available with Verizon Family. Family view is available with Verizon Family Plus and Smart Family Premium.

During setup of the driving insights feature* on the dependent's device, the dependent has to allow permissions and turn on Driving insights in the Companion app in order to share the activity with other members on the Family account.

*Driving insights self view only is available with Verizon Family. Family view is available with Verizon Family Plus and Smart Family Premium.

Driving history is available for 7 days.*

*Driving insights self view only is available with Verizon Family. Family view is available with Verizon Family Plus and Smart Family Premium.

You won't be able to set any controls to prevent your dependent's phone usage specifically while driving.

Yes, drives can still be reported* if the dependent is using Android Auto™ or Apple CarPlay®.

*Driving insights self view only is available with Verizon Family. Family view is available with Verizon Family Plus and Smart Family Premium.

Yes, an internet connection can come from your cellular network or a Wi-Fi network.

If the device isn't connected to the internet when new trip data is acquired or newly scored trips are ready to be downloaded, the upload/download happens when the internet connection is re-established.

Yes, you (in guardian role) can view your own driving activity using Driving Insights available under your profile within the Verizon Family app. You can also disable Driving Insights under your profile.

In the Verizon Family app* on your or your dependent's device, go into Get driving insights located in the More menu, and turn off Driving Insights for that particular device.

*Driving insights self view only is available with Verizon Family. Family view is available with Verizon Family Plus and Smart Family Premium.

Verizon Family Crash Detection* will notify you by Verizon Family app notification if there's been a potential crash involving your dependent. Verizon Family* won't contact or dispatch 911 or other emergency services.

Note: You must have notifications from the Verizon Family app turned on in order to be alerted to crashes.

*Driving insights self view only is available with Verizon Family. Family view is available with Verizon Family Plus and Smart Family Premium.

Crash Detection is enabled once you turn on Driving Insights.

No, Verizon Family* is designed to notify you of moderate to severe crashes. You likely won't receive a notification for a minor vehicle crash (e.g., low speed impacts, potholes, curbs) or a crash while the vehicle is stationary.

Note: You must have notifications from the Verizon Family app on in order to be alerted to crashes.

*Driving insights self view only is available with Verizon Family. Family view is available with Verizon Family Plus and Smart Family Premium.

No, Verizon Family won't contact or dispatch 911 or other emergency services automatically. By using the service, you acknowledge your understanding that in the event a crash is detected, we won't send emergency help.

Roadside Assistance is included with Verizon Family Plus and is provided through third-party providers. Your membership allows up to 4 service claims per year for these common emergency situations:

• Battery jump starts
• Fuel delivery*
• Changing a flat tire
• Key lockout assistance
• Towing*

Learn more about your coverage on the Verizon Family Roadside Assistance terms of service page.

*Fuel delivery up to 3 gallons, you may be charged for the cost of fuel. Towing up to 10 miles.

Roadside Assistance is included with Verizon Family Plus. If you have Verizon Family Plus, visit Verizon Family Roadside Assistance - Enroll for Service.

Pre-registering your vehicle in the Verizon Family app is not required but is encouraged. Pre-registering makes it easier to request emergency roadside assistance services when you need them.

You can add up to 10 vehicles per Verizon Family account.

Guardians on the Verizon Family account can request service for themselves or someone else, even if the guardian is not with the car at the time. If requesting service, the guardian enters the information for the person needing assistance:

• Location
• Name
• Phone number
• Car details

The guardian must provide their Roadside Assistance Member ID to the person needing assistance (if the guardian is not present).

Verizon Family Roadside Assistance starts immediately after you enroll in the Verizon Family app. After enrollment, you receive notification that your enrollment is complete.

You can view your Roadside Assistance Member ID in the Roadside Assistance screen in the Verizon Family app. Once you have a Roadside Assistance Member ID, the service is enabled on your Verizon Family account.

Verizon Family Roadside Assistance doesn't cover these vehicle types:

• RVs
• Boats
• Trailers
• Vehicles with more than 2 axles
• Vehicles with more than 4 wheels
• Vehicles designed or modified for commercial or heavy-duty use (e.g., limousines, emergency vehicles)
• Vehicles exceeding 10,000 lbs gross vehicle weight

When a service provider arrives, you need your Verizon Family account's Roadside Assistance Member ID. Find your Member ID in the Roadside Assistance homescreen of the Verizon Family app.

For instructions to request Roadside Assistance using the Verizon Family app, visit Verizon Family Roadside Assistance - Request Towing Service.

As the person requesting service, you receive these in-app notifications:

• Request is submitted
• Service provider is confirmed
• Service provider is on their way
• Service provider's progress
• Service provider has arrived
• Service is completed

You can opt out of receiving text message notifications. You can have text message notifications sent to the person you designate as needing service.

Terms of service are within the Verizon Family app when you enable Roadside Assistance. Or visit the Verizon Family Roadside Assistance Terms of Service page.

The top contacts category shows you which contacts your dependent communicates with most frequently. This is based on the number of Verizon calls, texts, and RCS messages. Contact rankings are updated every 4 hours.

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 dependent’s phone, any caller using Caller ID Blocking will be prohibited from contacting your dependent.

Go to the Caller ID Blocking FAQs to learn more.

Yes, you can sync Verizon Family with your contacts and your dependent's contacts. Your dependent's call/text activity, top contacts and individual contacts profile will appear with contact names.

If a phone number is saved in both of your address books, it will be displayed as the name in yours. When the name is only saved on your dependent's device, it will be displayed with the dependent address book icon next to the name of the contact.

Once permission to sync with your dependent’s contacts is provided on your and your dependent's devices, contacts will be synced every 24 hours.