Do you want to regain full control over your device's internet connection and bypass the restrictions imposed by Verizon Smart Family's VPN? Perhaps you're no longer using the service, or you're experiencing connectivity issues. Whatever your reason, this comprehensive guide will walk you through the process of turning off the Verizon Smart Family VPN, step by step, ensuring you understand each action and its implications.
Ready to take back control of your digital freedom? Let's dive in!
Understanding Verizon Smart Family VPN
Before we delve into the "how-to," it's crucial to understand what the Verizon Smart Family VPN is and why it's there. Verizon Smart Family (formerly FamilyBase) is a parental control service designed to help parents manage their children's mobile device usage. A key component of this service is a Virtual Private Network (VPN) that gets installed on the child's device.
This VPN acts as a gatekeeper, routing all internet traffic through Verizon's servers. This allows the Smart Family app to:
Filter content: Block access to inappropriate websites and apps.
Monitor web and app activity: Track Browse history and app usage.
Enforce time restrictions: Limit data usage during specific hours.
Track location: Provide real-time location updates.
When this VPN is active, it's essentially in control of your device's internet connection. Turning it off means the device will no longer be subject to these controls via the Smart Family VPN.
The Nuances of Disabling the VPN
It's important to note that if you're a child attempting to bypass parental controls, this action will likely notify the parent. Verizon Smart Family is designed to alert the guardian if the companion app is deleted or the VPN is disabled. While this guide focuses on the technical steps, be aware of the implications of your actions.
There are generally two main scenarios for turning off the Verizon Smart Family VPN:
From the parent's (guardian's) Verizon Smart Family app: This is the official and intended way to manage and disable the VPN.
Directly from the child's (dependent's) device settings: This method bypasses the Smart Family app's direct control, but as mentioned, it often triggers alerts to the guardian.
This guide will cover both approaches, starting with the recommended method.
Step 1: Accessing the Verizon Smart Family App (Guardian's Method)
This is the most straightforward and recommended way to turn off the VPN, as it's done through the primary control interface.
Sub-heading: Ensuring You Have the Right Access
First things first, you need to be the guardian or the account owner with access to the Verizon Smart Family app. If you're a dependent trying to do this without guardian permission, proceed with caution, as it will likely be detected.
Sub-heading: Logging In to the Smart Family App
Open the Verizon Smart Family app on your smartphone (the parent's phone).
If you're not already logged in, enter your My Verizon mobile number and password. Tap "Sign in."
If prompted, agree to any Terms and Conditions.
Step 2: Navigating to Device Controls
Once you're in the Smart Family app, you'll need to locate the specific child's device and their associated controls.
Sub-heading: Selecting the Child's Profile
At the top of the screen in the Smart Family app, you will see a list or display of the family members associated with the account.
Tap on the child's profile for whom you want to turn off the VPN. This will open up their individual control panel.
Sub-heading: Finding Content Filters or Management Controls
Scroll down the child's profile screen until you find a section titled something like "Manage controls" or "Content filters." The exact wording might vary slightly with app updates.
Tap on "Content filters."
Step 3: Disabling VPN-Related Filters and Features
The VPN within Verizon Smart Family is primarily used to enforce content filters and monitor activity. By removing these, you are effectively disabling the VPN's core function.
Sub-heading: Removing All Content Filters
Inside the "Content filters" section, look for an option to "Remove all" or similar. This button is often located in the top right corner of the screen.
Tap "Remove all."
You'll likely see a confirmation prompt. Tap "Remove all content filters" again to confirm.
Finally, tap "OK" to complete the process.
This action typically disables the VPN that enforces these content filters.
Sub-heading: Checking Other VPN-Dependent Features (Optional)
While removing content filters is the primary method, it's worth noting that other features like "Web and app activity monitoring" and "Time restrictions" (especially those that block Wi-Fi access) also rely on the VPN. If you want to ensure the VPN is completely inactive, you might also consider reviewing and disabling these features within the "Manage controls" section.
Go back to the "Manage controls" section for the child.
Look for options like "Web and App Activity" and "Limits" (which includes Time restrictions).
Review their settings and turn off any features that rely on the VPN for their functionality.
Step 4: Disabling the VPN from the Child's Device (Dependent's Method - Use with Caution)
If you are a dependent and have access to the device itself, you can attempt to disable the VPN directly through the device's settings. Be aware that this often triggers notifications to the guardian.
Sub-heading: For Android Devices
Go to your Android device's "Settings" app.
Search for "VPN" in the search bar, or navigate to "Network & internet" or "Connections" (the exact path may vary by Android model).
Tap on "VPN."
You should see a VPN connection listed, likely named something related to "Verizon Smart Family" or "Companion VPN."
Tap on the VPN connection.
You will usually see options like "Disconnect" or a toggle to turn it off. Tap "Disconnect" or toggle the switch to the off position.
Sub-heading: For iOS (iPhone/iPad) Devices
Open your iOS device's "Settings" app.
Navigate to "General."
Scroll down and tap on "VPN & Device Management."
Under the "VPN" section, you should see the Verizon Smart Family VPN configuration.
Tap on the VPN configuration.
You'll likely see a "Status" toggle or a button to "Disconnect." Toggle the switch to the off position or tap "Disconnect."
On some iOS versions, you might see a VPN icon in the status bar at the top of the screen. This indicates an active VPN. Turning it off from settings should make this icon disappear.
Step 5: Confirming the VPN is Off
After attempting to disable the VPN, it's a good idea to confirm that it's no longer active.
Sub-heading: Checking on the Child's Device
Look for the VPN icon: On most devices, an active VPN displays a small key or VPN icon in the status bar at the top of the screen. If this icon is gone, it's a good indication the VPN is off.
Test internet access: Try accessing websites or apps that were previously blocked by Smart Family. If you can access them, the VPN is likely off.
Check VPN settings again: Revisit the VPN settings on the device (as described in Step 4) to ensure the status shows as "Disconnected" or "Not Connected."
Sub-heading: Checking in the Smart Family App (Guardian)
From the guardian's Smart Family app, revisit the child's profile.
If content filters were removed, you should see that they are no longer active.
Keep an eye out for notifications: The Smart Family app is designed to notify guardians if the companion app is removed or if the VPN is turned off on the child's device. If you receive such a notification, it confirms the VPN has been disabled (though perhaps not by the intended method).
Important Considerations and Troubleshooting
Companion App: The Verizon Smart Family VPN relies heavily on the "Smart Family Companion app" being installed on the child's device. If this app is uninstalled, the VPN's functionality will cease. However, uninstalling the companion app will also trigger a notification to the guardian.
Device Reboot: Sometimes, a simple restart of the child's device after disabling the VPN can help ensure the changes take full effect.
Other VPNs: If another VPN app is installed and active on the device, it can interfere with or override the Verizon Smart Family VPN.
Subscription Status: If you wish to completely remove the Verizon Smart Family service, you may need to cancel your subscription through your My Verizon account. Keep in mind that some Verizon plans (like "Just Kids") include Smart Family Premium, so you might need to change your plan to truly remove it.
Persistent Issues: If you're still experiencing problems or the VPN seems to reactivate, contact Verizon customer support for assistance. Provide them with details of the steps you've taken and the specific issue you're facing.
10 Related FAQ Questions
How to remove a child's device from Verizon Smart Family entirely?
To remove a child's device from Verizon Smart Family, open the Verizon Smart Family app, tap the "Settings" icon (often a gear icon) in the top right, tap "Family settings," select the line you want to remove, and then tap "Remove from Verizon Smart Family" followed by "Remove."
How to stop Verizon Smart Family from tracking location?
To stop Verizon Smart Family from tracking location, the guardian needs to open the Smart Family app, select the child's profile, go to "Manage controls," tap "Location alerts" or "Location sharing," and then disable any location tracking features. Alternatively, disabling the companion app's location permissions on the child's device or turning off the VPN will also stop location tracking.
How to bypass Verizon Smart Family content filters?
Bypassing Verizon Smart Family content filters typically involves turning off the Companion VPN on the child's device (via device settings), or if you are the guardian, removing the content filters through the Smart Family app as described in this guide. Using a different VPN can also bypass the filters, but the Smart Family app will likely detect and notify the guardian of the new VPN activity.
How to uninstall the Verizon Smart Family Companion app?
To uninstall the Verizon Smart Family Companion app, simply long-press the app icon on the child's device and drag it to the uninstall option (Android) or delete it from the home screen (iOS). Be aware that uninstalling this app will send a notification to the guardian.
How to pause internet access using Verizon Smart Family?
To pause internet access, the guardian opens the Verizon Smart Family app, selects the child's profile at the top of the screen, and then taps the "Pause internet" button. Tap "OK" to confirm.
How to view web and app activity on Verizon Smart Family?
To view web and app activity, the guardian opens the Verizon Smart Family app, selects the child's profile, and navigates to the "Web and app activity" section within "Manage controls." This section will display a list of websites visited and apps used, along with the time spent on them.
How to set time restrictions with Verizon Smart Family?
To set time restrictions, the guardian opens the Verizon Smart Family app, selects the child's profile, scrolls down to "Manage controls," and taps "Limits" then "Time restrictions." From there, you can create school hours, night hours, or custom time restrictions.
How to stop Verizon Smart Family notifications?
As a guardian, you can manage notification settings within the Verizon Smart Family app itself or through your phone's general app notification settings. As a dependent, the notifications indicating that your activity is being monitored are generally part of the app's design and cannot be turned off without disabling the app's core functions or uninstalling it, which will notify the guardian.
How to troubleshoot Verizon Smart Family VPN blocking Wi-Fi?
If the Verizon Smart Family VPN is blocking Wi-Fi, try these troubleshooting steps:
Restart the child's device.
Toggle Wi-Fi off and on.
Clear the cache of the Smart Family Companion app on the child's device.
Temporarily disable the VPN (as per this guide) to see if Wi-Fi resumes.
If the issue persists, contact Verizon customer support, as there might be a specific software conflict or network issue.
How to prevent a child from turning off the Verizon Smart Family VPN?
Verizon Smart Family has a feature called "deletion protection" which, when enabled, requires a PIN from the guardian to uninstall the Companion app or disable the VPN. To enable this, the guardian needs to find this setting within the Smart Family app, typically under the child's profile settings or overall family settings. However, it's worth noting that tech-savvy kids may still find workarounds, so open communication and trust are often more effective long-term strategies.