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How do we get Samsung Smart Call?

Samsung Galaxy 8 is supposed to have a wonderful feature called smart call. It's just like Verizon's caller ID, and detect spam and such. All other carriers that provide S8 allow this feature, how come Verizon doesn't? Why are you making us pay for the caller ID in your own app? How do I get the FREE Samsung software that is supposed to come with my phone?

Smart Call | Apps – The Official Samsung Galaxy Site

Comments

rahn

I doubt Verizon will reply because like you said it competes with their paid service. This is a frustrating practice that all carriers do to one app or another. The practice should be outlawed in my opinion but doubt there is much more I can say here without getting a ban hammer. You could try side loading it or just replace it with another dialer. Google Phone is a good one but that too would need to be sideloaded since it is blocked for us in the Play Store.

Yourunclefats

thanks rahn

Yeah, figured nobody from verizon would comment. Just wanted to get this topic out there on a verizon forum so more people would know what else is out there, and what verizon is taking away from us, then trying to charge us for! ridiculous!

I messed around with side loading some older versions of samsung contacts, dialer, and even got the smart call apk to install but couldnt activate it through any of the options. Verizon has this disabled down deep in the code. I was able to sideload an older google phone apk non-nexus version (link below) and it works, just not as good as hiya or samsung smart call. Verizon offered to comp my account for the cost of their caller ID for a year, but then im stuck paying after that.

Ill keep my free google phone app for free and hold out smart call can find its way back on our phones.

Google Phone 7.0.140861421-nonnexus (noarch) (Android 6.0+) APK Download by Google Inc. - APKMirror

bkp100

You won't find Smart Call... a FREE service that comes w/ the Samsung S8, S8+, because Verizon wants you to pay for it, instead through THEIR service. This is the WORST sort of exploitation. And, btw, I had their ID service, and it's more or less IDENTICAL to the FREE Smart Call from Samsung.

I've just cancelled my Verizon ID Service, and my Cloud Service, due to this practice of theirs. They no longer offer the benefit of discounts on phone upgrades, every two years, and my contract has expired (paid full price for my Galaxy S8).

I'm finding it tougher and tougher to stay w/ Verizon w/ them dropping benefits like this, left and right... especially at their "luxury" plan prices.

And no, don't expect a response from Verizon on this topic.

Yourunclefats

Just commenting to bump it up, still waiting to hear from a Verizon representative. We want smart call!

jrh4054

Try Hiya.

usmaak

Just wanted to add that I'd love to be able to get this app. I found this thread because I was searching for some way to get it. I've been a long time customer and pay quite a bit for Verizon's service. Knowing that, it sucks to be nickel and dimed to death. Providing these types of service at no cost would generate a lot of good will, especially among their long time customers. They should keep in mind that it gets easier and easier to switch providers.

I tried Hiya. The thing that I didn't like about it is that blocked numbers still ring through once before being disconnected. With the amount of spam calls that I get, it was annoying. I've had this number for at least 10 years now and have only given it out to a small handful of friends and family. I'm not sure how I get all of these junk calls.

Momma23dogs

ATT phones don’t have this app either and ATT provides the service free. For non qualified phones (like prepaid) we recommend Hiya, which is the developer for the Free app ATT uses.

Mia_Berry

Open your dialer screen

Tap in the three dot menu, on top right corner

Select call settings

Scroll down to show caller information

Toggle/tap the switch

Its on.

cmtmcelroy

That isn't the same, I have a Verizon note 8 and an unlocked one. Verizon stripped the most useful features off their phone.

cmtmcelroy

Has anyone found a cure? I'm thinking of going back too the unlocked firmware, but hate to lose Wi-Fi calling.

Momma23dogs

Please READ about Hiya, which is Samsung smart call. Yes Verizon makes you pay for their version. You can add it FREE

Hiya: Caller ID, Call Blocker & Protection for a Better Phone Experience

Ive been using it for months. It works great on Spam, telemarketing, fraud and robo calls. It alerts on about half of spoofed calls.

keep in mind spoofed calls are valid numbers and may belong to an innocent user, but has been temporarily “spoofed” by a computer. If a number is “spoofed” and not in use, it will usually show up as “screened” and Hiya will give you the option to block the call in the future.

Between hiya and Call protect (by Hiya) I almost never get invalid calls anymore On either phone.

KCostilla

Ugh <<removed>> you Verizon. Disabling apps without my knowledge or consent just so you can try and sell me your <<removed>> was services. This is the last time I will ever get a phone with your services. <<removed>> you all and I hope you all get <<removed>>cancer in the brain.

<< Content removed to comply with Verizon Wireless Terms of Service >>

nycpigeon

Has no one found a solution yet? I really wish Verizon would address this issue. Especially because they don't have much else going for them right now.

I really hope that they catch on and realize that people like CHOICES in this day and age. I'm all for Verizon offering their paid service..as long as we have the choice to also choose the SAMSUNG smart call on our SAMSUNG smart phones.. The nerve...

Momma23dogs

nycpigeon

verizon did, at $3 a line you can use the subscription service.

However, you can use it free if you use Hiya. Hiya is the developer of Samsung Smartcall and ATT Call Protect, etc. check the link. Hiya: Caller ID, Call Blocker & Protection for a Better Phone Experience

Verizon_Support

nycpigeon,

We always want for you to be able to detect & filter out unwanted calls. I'm sorry that we don't offer a free version of what you are looking for. Our community members have provided a good option for a 3rd party app to try. That may have the features you are looking for. Additionally, we suggest that you sign up for the National Do Not Call Registry: http://bit.ly/2q0hgty I hope this information is beneficial.

AliciaS_VZW
Follow us on TWITTER @VZWSupport
If my response answered your question please click the _Correct Answer_ button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

nycpigeon

I am quite thankful for those 3rd party app suggestions.. but I guess I'm more curious as to why Verizon won't just let me use a feature SAMSUNG provides for the SAMSUNG phone that I purchased..

nycpigeon

By Verizon addressing "this issue," I meant enabling Smart Call, which is a Samsung feature, not a 3rd party app. Verizon's Caller ID $3 subscription availability is irrelevant to "this issue," being Samsung's Smart Call feature being enabled. I just don't think it makes sense that I would be able to download a 3rd party app to do something but can't download or enable a feature that is already supposed to come with my phone, made by the company that manufactured my phone; in this case, the S9 and Smart Call.

Momma23dogs

ATT allowed the feature for free.

Both ATT and Verizon are stopping spam, fraud and robo at the network level, which Samsung smartcall cannot do. Again Hiya is smartcall. Have you tried it?

sh290202

I've been a Verizon customer for nearly a decade. I've put up with the higher cost and miscellaneous fees that Verizon charges in exchange for their great service.

But this issue with Verizon blatantly blocking Smart Call has finally put me over the top. This is plain greed and laziness on the part of Verizon, given that (as others have mentioned) there are many free alternatives to Smart Call, and there is really no reason to block Smart Call, except as a lazy attempt at blocking competition.

This has really left with me a bitter taste, given that I payed EXTRA to buy a Verizon specific S8.

From now on, I'll be buying unbranded unlocked phones, and will be keeping an eye out for promotions from other carriers which might tempt me to switch.

Verizon_Support

Your decade of loyalty means the world to us, sh290202! I definitely wouldn't want you to leave the Verizon Wireless family. I apologize that we don't offer a free service such as SMART Call. Our community members have provided great alternative solutions, such as a third party app that provides similar features. If you are receiving many spam calls, please review our unlawful call assistance page for support: http://spr.ly/6583DZX1D .

Yourunclefats, I apologize that this Samsung app is not available. There are other alternative cost free solutions, such as third party apps that our community members have provided as suggestions. I have provided a link above that may be helpful to you as well. I also recommend if you are receiving unwanted calls to register and report them to the Do Not Call registry. Here is a link to the government site: http://spr.ly/6584DZX1E . I hope this information helps.

MarshallP_VZW

If my response answered your question please click the _Correct Answer_ button under my response. This ensures others can benefit from our conversation. Thanks in advance for your help with this!!

DAVTA91

I'm with sh290202- this is shady AF. Been a loyal Verizon customer since 2007 because of their network & coverage but this is just too much. Its not that they're "not offering" a "free service" - its beyond that. They're REMOVING a built in service by the phone manufacturer to increase their profits by exploiting their existing customers. I've been receiving 2-3 spam calls every morning from some chinese recording and all my friends receive the same. This is a needed service that Verizon is trying to add on as a subscription.

No fault to the Verizon reps that have been gracious enough to reply to this thread. This was a decision that was made by some product manager and approved by his/her greedy executives.

Momma23dogs

Despite the name, Smart call was not a Samsung product.

It was developed/programmed by Hiya.

Hiya as a separate app, is still FREE.

countrydirtride

I just installed Hiya and it looks pretty straightforward. It seemed to go back into my call log and tagged a few recent calls as potential spam or fraud. So far, so good.

Momma23dogs

Yeah, it’s funny. In some ways Hiya works better than ATT Call Protect, in others Call Protect is better.

But then when has ATT not messed with a good thing making it less of a good thing? (At least its free)

ME_Elocin

My wife switched from Samsung to Google Pixel 3 XL.

She has the Caller ID & Spam protection embedded in the phone app. And she is a VZW primary account holder.

So maybe VZW wised up and allows it in Android 9 which is pre-installed on my wife's phone as well.

So hopefully this will go away as a disabled app when the Galaxy S8+ gets Android 9

pcrightler

I use Call Blocker, it's free and it works, it only answers numbers in your list, and the others go to voicemail.....once every few weeks a call rings thru, but it has no name associated with it so I hang up.........I just don't want any calls that are not for me. and I have no trouble sending people to voicemail........no one has a problem with going to voice mail, Not the VA, not doctors, not the bank, not any businesses.....no one!!!!!!!

Rangerdavid1958

Hiya isn't free either

kintovere

This is the one reason I will never be Verizon customer. I have a Verizon phone only because I get it through my work, but my partner is on another provider. To actively take something away that is free and already a feature on a phone just so that customers are forced to pay for a similar service is wrong on so many levels.

BOBFOX321

Hiya seems pretty good on the first day.

Stay away from True Caller. Their self-promotion for you to upgrade is ridiculous and seems to be getting worse. What a shame. Must be from China

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