Long story short, I am due for a device upgrade in a few months. I have been happy with Verizon's coverage, but have been using a 3G phone for the past few months because I need the content filtering on it. Such content filtering does not appear to be available on the Razr M that I was using. From what I've been able to find out, content filtering is only available on 4G on certain phones. I'm ok with that. I can't seem to find a list of what models content filtering is available on and what models it isn't.
Content filtering is a service I absolutely need. I've been happy with Verizon's coverage and service, but I can't keep using a 3G phone forever and would like to move to 4G for obvious reasons so I need to find a phone that will work with content filtering on Verizon which is why I'm looking for a list of models that support content filtering. If I can't find a 4G model that supports content filtering I may have to switch providers. I really hate to do this for obvious reasons, but this is a service that is vital to me.
It would seem this web site will answer your question.
https://m-support.verizonwireless.com/support/terms/products/content_filtering.html
It makes note of Blackberry devices not compatable see note:
The service does not work on most Push To Talk devices, any device with a static Internet Protocol address or on search results provided through the Get It Now Search application. The Internet filtering capabilities of the service do not work on phones using WiFi, Mobile Web 1.0, BlackBerry devices or on devices that use Venturi Compression Software, including phones tethered to PCs or PC cards, unless the compression software is turned off. Internet filtering will not work on most advanced devices until you have turned the device off and back on after every Content Filter setting change. The music filtering capabilities of the service do not work on phones with Verizon Music v1.0 software. Call 800-922-0204 or 611 from your handset if you are on a corporate calling plan to determine eligibility to use the service and to activate the service.
Good Luck
To be honest, that article isn't particularly helpful. It does say Blackberries aren't compatible which is nice, but it says nothing about the iOS or Android devices. If I'm looking at a Galaxy S4 for example, how can I tell if content filtering will work or not? A friend of mine has a Razr M. We tried messing with it and couldn't get 4G content filtering to work. We could enable content filtering, but when we did so, it disabled all data service on his phone. You could reboot all day long and it made no difference. I don't see how that article is really helpful in determining if content filtering will work on a device.
The best way I would say at time of purchase to ask the sales person. However getting factual information from the Verizon people is hit or miss. You could also call *611 or 1-800-922-0204 and ask verizon.
Good Luck
Hi A_Nonymous. I hope this helps.
I'm aware of what the content filtering service has to offer. I have it turned on on the 3G phone I have. It's not the best content filter in the world, but it blocks what I need it to block and I'm happy with it. I need this same functionality on a 4G phone.
Is there a particular reason why you will not call customer service or go to a store instead of posting on a peer to peer forum which is not direct to Verizon support?
I've talked to Verizon in the past and got people were basically clueless and had no idea what I was talking about. Others knew what I was asking about, but had no idea what the answer was or where to find it. I had hopes some Verizon person might respond here with a definitive answer. Obviously the last thing I want to do is purchase a phone I can't use my data plan on. That would make no sense.
In which applications do you need content filtering? Perhaps that is a better way to look at the issue and to help the community members understand what you are trying to get from the device.
I'm most definitely NOT a VZW employee. If a post answered your question, please mark it as the answer.
Essentially I want to block porn on my device. Yes, there are any number of alternative browsers I can download that will do this, but this is really ineffective as all it takes is launching the default browser and someone can get to whatever they want. I could root the phone and change the DNS settings, but that's not very effective either as someone can easily change them back. Verizon solves this nicely with their content filtering services which work quite well. Those same services, for whatever reason, don't seem to work on 4g.
Does the Chrome browser support the filtering? You can set it up as the default browser and possibly even disable the original "Internet" Browser app to prevent others from using it instead.
I'm most definitely NOT a VZW employee. If a post answered your question, please mark it as the answer.
Actually this porn blocking is not totally possible unless you do DNS blocking. However there are companies that have programs that work in regular browsers if there is an app that performs the same function the play store would be the place to start. Or in the Apple store if using an iOS device.
Quite frankly no program can block porn sites. A person can go to any search engine and Google or Bing and others come up with a gazillion web sites. Since the original poster is looking to filter out porn it will not be 100% possible.
Porn sites use spoofed DNS resolving where you think its a play site for games and porn sites come up. However many ISP have blocking services of KNOWN porn sites which is usually another company that scours the net for them and sells the addresses or blocks to your ISP. As I said it is not fool proof.
You either disable or remove the browser to make sure its not being assessed to view porn sites.
Good Luck
You're right. It doesn't work unless you do DNS blocking. That is exactly what Verizon's content filtering does. It's a DNS level filtering system. Is it perfect? No. Does it do a good job? Yes. I'm happy with it. For whatever reason though they don't offer this service on all 4G phones. This is why I am wanting a list of which 4G phones support Verizon content filtering.
You would have to pick out the device first and then either try to see if its comparable for content blocking within the 14 days buyers remorse, or here is an idea if the devices you are available in the store see if any of the people that have them use content filtering. Sometimes the store personnel use the device you are looking at.
You could also go to forums that list the device you want and ask if the filtering is available for that device.
You don't want to call customer service, you don't like the links provided here, there is no visable lists of which 4G devices can use content filtering outside of the link I originally gave you which listed the device and the other criteria for content filtering.
I just would look at the device you want, call customer service if you cannot get content filtering on your device.
Good Luck
I've talked to people in the store before. They didn't know and had no idea where to find the answer (and I already said this). The link you provided listed no devices at all other than saying Blackberries don't work. I'm beyond frustrated at this point because Verizon seems to have no clue what devices actually support a service they offer other than that Blackberries don't.
Unfortunately you have asked a question which is not covered in their database. In retrospect if verizon is listing just blackberry devices and devices with the venturi compression program and feathered devices I would say any 4G devices not actually singled out like the Blackberry should be able to use the content filtering.
As I said get the device, go and place it on that device and if it works you have your problem solved. If it doesn't another 4G device would have to be exchanged for it.
You may want to ask this question on one of the android forums. These users may use the service and can tell you if it functions.
Good Luck
So, just to cap this off, I searched through the device forums of several current gen or near current gen devices (The S 4, the S 3, various Droid branded phones and the HTC One). It appears that Verizon currently does not support content filtering on 4G. I've been trying to get in touch with support to confirm this, but with no luck. Would've been nice if Verizon actually said that somewhere, but oh well. If Verizon confirms that they don't support content filtering on 4G, I'll probably go to Sprint. They claim that they do. That won't happen 'til my contract expires in May though.
Hi A_Nonymous,
The Galaxy S Mini is a fantastic device! The Galaxy S Mini is compatible with the Content filtering feature. I apologize, we don't have a list online that would show which 4GL LTE devices are compatible with this feature. You would have to send a private message via the community to a VZW representative and we are more than happy to assist.
Thanks,
PamelaF_VZW
Tweet us @vzwsupport
Based on your recommendation Pamela I went out and purchased the Galaxy S4 Mini. After activating it I found it was NOT compatible with the content filtering feature. This was more than a little disappointing to me as now I have to return the device and look for something else. I'm disappointed that the information I was given ended up being incorrect. Again, a list of some sort would be extremely helpful. I don't expect it to be accurate beyond the date it's actually posted, but having something to refer to would be extremely useful.
Did you really think you would get correct information from Verizon Wireless? They are selling you a device.
They get a $35 restocking fee for giving you wrong information. Multiply that by 100,1000, or 1,000,000 customers. It is gravy to their profit margin. A pity.
Good Luck
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