Verizon Upgrades Family App with Safe Walk SOS and Parental Controls

Verizon has rolled out its revamped family-tracking tool, now known as the Verizon Family app, complete with new safety-oriented features. The app’s latest addition, Safe Walk SOS, lets users share their live location with emergency contacts, allowing family and friends to track their journey in real-time and receive notifications when they’ve safely reached their destination. The feature also includes a silent SOS button that discreetly alerts emergency contacts if the user needs help, providing an extra layer of security for families.

Replacing Verizon’s Smart Family service from 2019, the Verizon Family app keeps popular options from its predecessor, including the ability to track family member locations, monitor screen time, and set limits on phone usage. Parents can also access information about their child’s call and text activity (without reading message content), track driving habits of teenage drivers, and establish location alerts to stay updated on their family members’ whereabouts. While iPhones and Android devices offer certain similar capabilities, Verizon Family consolidates them all into a single, easy-to-use platform.

The basic Verizon Family app comes free with standard postpaid accounts. However, those seeking premium options can subscribe to additional features for $14.99 per month. This paid plan allows users to set multiple location alerts, manage screen time with parental controls, and even access roadside assistance, appealing to families in need of comprehensive monitoring and support.

Customers currently using the original Verizon Smart Family service, which was available for $4.99 per month, may keep their existing plans, though Verizon has stopped enrolling new users for that version. The new Verizon Family app also integrates with other Verizon family products, such as the Gizmo Watch 3 Adventure, a kid-friendly smartwatch designed to offer real-time GPS tracking. This updated app emphasizes Verizon’s focus on family safety and connectivity, presenting an all-in-one solution for peace of mind and parental oversight.

For more information, visit Verizon's website.

Source: TheVerge