How do we get Samsung Smart Call?
Yourunclefats
Enthusiast - Level 2

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

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51 Replies
rahn
Enthusiast - Level 3

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
Enthusiast - Level 2

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

Yourunclefats
Enthusiast - Level 2

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

bkp100
Enthusiast - Level 1

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. 

jrh4054
Specialist - Level 3

Try Hiya.

BOBFOX321
Enthusiast - Level 1

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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usmaak
Enthusiast - Level 3

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.

mama23dogs
Legend

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
Enthusiast - Level 1

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
Enthusiast - Level 2

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
Enthusiast - Level 2

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

mama23dogs
Legend

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
Newbie

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 >>

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nycpigeon
Enthusiast - Level 2

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...

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mama23dogs
Legend

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

B044F6EE-0A5C-4EEB-8E61-E4D0B5F5F59D.png

nycpigeon
Enthusiast - Level 2

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.

mama23dogs
Legend

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?

nycpigeon
Enthusiast - Level 2

I understand that. I haven't tried Hiya yet but am planning to get it. Again, thanks for that suggestion. Smiley Happy

But, again, stating the fact that this is irrelevant to the subject of the post which is the fact that Verizon is intentionally blocking something that comes standard with the manufacturing of the phone and I am curious as to1. Why they do that (besides to promote their subscription service because they still allow 3rd party apps)and2. Why they don't provide an option to activate smart call. Regardless of whether people will use it or not - by principle.

mama23dogs
Legend

You mean other than trying to get $3 a line out of customers? 

If ATT weren’t giving it free, I might be easier on Verizon about charging a fee.  There must be some expense and effort to block calls at the network level, which the paid Verizon service and ATT Call Protect does do.  As opposed to Hiya and Samsung Smartcall which blocks or screens based only on Hiya’s data base and on the phone itself. 

Running both Hiya and Call Protect, I’ve seen changes over time.  Both improved as the data base expands.  Hiya allows users to add and comment on additions to the database.  Hiya often rings once, Call Protect does not.  Hiya keeps the logs, which is nice if an error is made, blocking a legit call.  Call Protect has no log of blocked calls.

As for carriers altering their branded phones,  it’s a fact of life, I’m not going to agonize.  Just not worth it.

I’ve used both versions of some models, there are benefits to both.   You have to weigh the options.  For example:  You give up Wifi calling to gain the original brand features Like Smartcall.   I can’t easily fix the Wifi calling, but I can use Hiya, so the branded phone wins. 

nycpigeon
Enthusiast - Level 2

I hear ya. But, again, the point of my question isn't a comparison of

options (which I can do).. I just don't get why Verizon doesn't just ALLOW

for the enabling of Smart Call (by principle.. like I've been saying) since

you can just download 3rd party apps to do it anyways - which I'm sure

Verizon is aware of.

Yes, they have the opportunity to get a $3 per line subscription, which is

no small money for the amount of people in their network, but I feel like

it's just going the extra mile to completely write off Smart Call (and

disallow it from being installed in any way) than it simply coming disabled

with the Verizon Call ID as the default.

Anyways, no need to continue on about how Smart Call isn't even the best

option available etc. because my issue wasn't with a feature not being

available so much as the principle behind a carrier "unnecessarily"

(because you can download 3rd party apps like Hiya anyways) burying a

feature.

Thank you though, @mama23dogs, your post really was extremely informative.

Smiley Happy

On Mon, Mar 26, 2018 at 10:35 AM, mama23dogs <forums@verizonwireless.com>