Is Verizon Family a scam?
The reviews do not show a classic money scam, but many recent reviewers describe the app as a frustrating forced replacement for GizmoHub, with some saying it feels like marketing, pushes permissions, or tracks features they thought were off. If you are installing it for child safety, the concern in reviews is less “fake app” and more whether it is reliable and respectful of privacy.
Nice try, Verizon. New app doesn't even function. Not happy with the app bait and switch. New app is just marketing trash. Will be canceling my kids' Gizmos, hopefully returning them for a full refund.
3
reviewers mentioned this in the last 60 days
Is Verizon Family legit?
Verizon Family appears to be a real Verizon service tied to Verizon accounts and Gizmo devices, and a few reviewers say it works after setup or support. However, many recent reviews say the app is unreliable for core safety features like login, location, messaging, and Gizmo watch management, so “legit” does not necessarily mean dependable for every family.
After learning that non-verizon users need to sign in via Apple or Google account and not with old Verizon credentials, I was able to get access. 4 stars for prompt support communication
1
reviewer mentioned this in the last 60 days
Does Verizon Family work well with Gizmo watches?
Recent Gizmo-related reviews are mostly negative. Many parents say they were forced to switch from GizmoHub or the Gizmo app and then had trouble with messaging, location, adding watches, guardians, or basic access. A few users report it works after setup, but the dominant recent complaint is that GizmoHub worked better.
I use this app for the gizmo watch and since the switch from Gizmo Hub to Verizon Family it has been horrible. Real time tracking is slow and often inaccurate. A lot of times it just says "estimated location" which ends up being about a mile from where the child actually is. Super disappointed in the switch from Gizmo Hub.
20
reviewers mentioned this in the last 60 days
Is Verizon Family location tracking accurate in real time?
Many reviewers say location tracking is delayed, inaccurate, or fails to update for hours, which is a serious issue for an app used to keep track of children or family members. Some reviews mention needing repeated refreshes or seeing an estimated location far from where the child actually is.
Locations don't update for several hours. As I type this review, 4 out of the 8 devices on my app are well within good cellular service and they have moved to different locations throughout the day yet have not updated on Verizon Family in 3-5 hours. This has been consistent since deciding to try the app several months ago. If you prefer to have an app that will show the current location of someone, don't bother with this one, it does not work.
5
reviewers mentioned this in the last 60 days
Why is Verizon Family stuck on Driving Insights?
A repeated recent complaint is that Verizon Family opens to Driving Insights and will not let users access other features such as messaging, calling, or location. Several reviewers say this happens even when driving insights are turned off, which makes the app unusable for the Gizmo or family safety features they actually need.
App is stuck on showing me driving insights and won't let me leave it so I can message my child or do anything else. Just pops the driving insights back up even after forced stop and restarting the phone. Only need for Gizmo watch and now I can't do anything.
8
reviewers mentioned this in the last 60 days
Why can’t I log in to Verizon Family?
Login problems are a major theme in recent reviews. Users report being logged out randomly, getting stuck on a spinning wheel, password resets not recognizing their account, or the app saying a number both is and is not associated with an account. For families using the app to contact a child, reviewers describe this as more than an inconvenience.
Logged me out after never before having been an issue. Try to log in/reset password: no account associated with that number. Try to set up new account: number already associated with an account. Basically impossible to use the app or resolve the issue. No, this app is certainly not making me and my family safer. As if I have nothing better to do then wrestle with this problem for hours just to use this app.
6
reviewers mentioned this in the last 60 days
Does Verizon Family crash or fail to load?
Several recent reviewers say the app crashes, freezes, loops through setup, or will not load past a spinner. These reports often mention that the failures block access to child messaging or location, especially for Gizmo watch users.
This app crashes constantly, so I cannot text my child on her watch. Bring back Gizmo app!!!
4
reviewers mentioned this in the last 60 days
Are Verizon Family notifications annoying or hard to control?
Yes, multiple reviewers complain about frequent or unfilterable notifications, including reminders, step alerts, watch-wearing alerts, ads, and permission prompts. Some say they cannot turn notifications off because they still need messages from their kids, which makes the notification problem harder to avoid.
Advertisements all the time. i only want to talk to my kids Gizmo watch, this app constantly bothers me. but I can't turn off notifications because I need to receive messages from the kids.
3
reviewers mentioned this in the last 60 days
Can Verizon Family add family members, guardians, or contacts easily?
Reviews suggest setup and contact management can be confusing or broken, especially after the GizmoHub switch. Users mention not being able to add a child, add a Gizmo watch, link another phone, assign guardians, or let grandparents and caregivers text a child’s watch without being added as fuller account members.
The switch from GizmoHub to Verizon Family ruined simple messaging permissions. You can no longer add non-family members (like babysitters, coaches, or grandparents) to text your child's watch. Unless you add them as an actual "Member" inside your main Verizon Family account, the app forces them into a voice-call-only contact. Forcing outside caregivers into a main account just to text "on my way" makes zero sense. Fix this.
5
reviewers mentioned this in the last 60 days
Answers above are generated from real Google Play reviews of Verizon Family, not editorial opinion.