What is Verizon Call Filter? Verizon Call Filter FAQs

Tired of getting spam and robocalls every other day? You're not alone. 

Luckily, if you're on a Verizon cell phone plan, you have access to an exclusive app built to help you fight back against these annoying calls. The service, Verizon Call Filter, gives you added control over who gets through to your phone by identifying spam, blocking unwanted numbers, and stopping spoofed calls from reaching you. 

In this article, we answer the question what is Verizon Call Filter, and explain how easy it is to set it up.

Verizon Call Filter: Explained

Simply put, Verizon Call Filter is a call screening and filtering tool that helps you manage nuisance calls.

There are two options to pick from: the non-paid version, Call Filter Free, and the paid version, Call Filter Plus. The free version includes a spam filter and basic call blocking, while the paid version adds more advanced features like a personal block list and a spam risk meter to assess calls as they come in. 

We'll discuss the extra features included in the paid version in the following sections.

Why Use Verizon Call Filter?

Here are a few reasons why you might want to try Verizon Call Filter:

• You’re experiencing a lot of calls from telemarketers or robocallers.
• You’ve been receiving suspicious calls that share your area code. 
• You’d like to preemptively bump up your protection against these types of calls, even if you haven’t been targeted just yet.

How Does Verizon Call Filter Block Spam Calls?

Verizon uses a Know Your Customer (KYC) scoring system to identify spam call networks and block their calls before they reach your phone. In 2023, the company said it blocked over 8.2 billion unwanted calls.

Verizon Call Filter can identify certain callers and place them in categories, including Telemarketer, Political, Survey, Nonprofit, and Survey calls. You can block many of these calls by selecting the categories within the app.

Blocked calls will either be sent to voicemail or stopped altogether based on your settings (by default, they go to voicemail).

One of Verizon Call Filter’s other standout features is the Neighborhood Filter, which blocks spoofed calls that look similar to your phone number. That’s because spammers often mimic local numbers to trick you into answering.

Is Verizon Call Filter Free?

Yes, Verizon offers a free version of Call Filter. While it doesn't have all the features of the paid version, it's still a solid choice if you want basic spam blocking. Here's what you get with the free version:

• Spam detection and alerts
• Call logs showing blocked or flagged numbers
• Neighborhood Filter for blocking spoofed local calls
• Spam reporting to help others avoid unwanted calls

If you just need basic spam protection, Call Filter Free may be enough for you. But if spam calls are a persistent problem, the extra features of Call Filter Plus could be a great upgrade.

What is Call Filter Plus on Verizon?

If you want extra control over your calls, for $3.99 per month (or $10.99 per month for three or more lines), you can unlock additional tools with Verizon Call Filter Plus, including:

• Spam risk meter: See how likely an incoming call is spam.
• Spam number lookup: Search for known spam numbers from Verizon's database.
• Custom block lists: Add numbers you want to block.
• Expanded call blocking: Stop telemarketing, political, and survey calls.

Call Filter Plus gives you more options to decide who can contact you. But how do you set it up?

How to Install Verizon Call Filter

As long as you’re a Verizon Wireless customer, Verizon Call Filter is simple to set up on your smartphone, whether you have an Apple iPhone or Android device.

On iPhone:

1. Open the App Store and search for Verizon Call Filter.
2. Tap Get to install the app.
3. Open the app and follow the setup instructions. 
4. You'll also need to enable filtering in Settings > Phone > Call Blocking & Identification.

On Android:

The app often comes pre-installed, but if it's not, you can find it in the Google Play Store.

1. Open the Play Store and search for Verizon Call Filter.
2. Install and open the app.
3. Follow the prompts to activate the service.

How to Turn Off Call Filter Verizon

If you no longer want to use Call Filter, it's easy to turn it off. Here's how:

On iPhone:

1. Open the Call Filter app.
2. Go to Settings.
3. Tap Manage Plan and select Turn Off Call Filter.

Alternatively, you can disable it from your iPhone's settings by going to Settings > Phone > Call Blocking & Identification and toggling off the Call Filter option.

On Android:

1. Open the Call Filter app (it might already be installed on your device).
2. Tap Account, then Manage Plan.
3. Follow the steps to disable Call Filter.

Troubleshooting: Fix Verizon Call Filter Issues

If the Verizon Call Filter app isn't working as expected, here are a few things you can try:

1. Make sure the app has all the necessary permissions from your device.
2. Update the app.
3. A quick restart of your phone can solve some minor glitches.
4. Go to the app's settings and make sure your filters are set up correctly.
5. If none of this works, Verizon's customer service can help troubleshoot the problem.

The Bottom Line

To sum it up, Verizon Call Filter is a screening tool to help Verizon customers manage spam, and you can choose from a free or paid version. 

So, if you're a Verizon customer tired of annoying spam and spoofed calls, there’s no reason not to at least give the Verizon Call Filter free version a try. 

As mentioned, the Verizon Call Filter app is only available to Verizon customers. If you’re interested in a Verizon plan, check out our breakdowns of Verizon Wireless plans, including Unlimited Welcome, Unlimited Plus, and Unlimited Ultimate. The carrier also offers add-ons through its Verizon myPlan service. 

For even more options, don’t forget to check out our free, unbiased Plan Finder below, which lets you find the best cell phone plan for your personal budget, data, hotspot, and add-on preferences. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Verizon have a Caller ID app?

Yes, Verizon has a Caller ID app called Verizon Call Filter that helps keep spam and robocalls in check. You can choose between a free version and a paid option for extra features like creating a custom block list and stopping spoofed numbers. It’s available for both iPhone and Android.

Is Verizon Call Filter really free?

Yes, the non-paid version of Verizon’s Call Filter comes at no additional cost. Though it isn’t as packed with features as the paid Call Filter Plus, it still provides great call-screening features like spam detection, call logging, and a Neighborhood Filter that blocks spoofed local calls. 

How do I unblock a number on the Verizon Call Filter app?

To unblock a number in the Verizon Call Filter app, go to the "Block" menu in the app’s settings, then tap "Blocked" at the top. Find the number you want to unblock, tap on it, select "Unblock number," and confirm.