After days of trying to figure this out, the Smart Family Companion app, the VPN, and the associated certificate can all be deleted / removed as if nothing was standing in the way on my daughter's iPhone 6. I have spent hours on the phone and in chat with Verizon and they do not have a fix other than to refund me the monthly fees.
iOS 12 seems to make this an even SIMPLER process for her on her phone. Nice job, Verizon.
Is there a solution to this? Otherwise it is not worth the money.
JOHMIL71, please reach out to the web developers of that app via your playstore. Uppon selecting that app you will be able to view its "Description" and this is where you will find the information on how to contact the developers directly so that they can receive your feedback and implement the needed changes.
StephannieP_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!!
It is now 2020 and they still have not fixed the problem. My daughter can just delete the app and I can't control her phone. What is the purposeif she can just delete the app? The reason I purchased the app was because she can't control herself from her phone. you think she is just going to delete the app. It is unethical that they sell this app for $10 a month. Verizon level 2 support is no help. Very disappointment considering I spend over $500 a month on my Verizon bill.
BTW- she discovered a work around even if she does not delete the app. She turns off Wifi 2 minutes before it is set to go off for the night and then toggles airplane mode and Walla...cellular stays connected all night.
Thanks for sharing this tip!
We'll be happy to assist you with any concerns you have about this application and service feature. What questions or concerns do you have? ChristopherS_VZW
The concern !?!?!?! is that the Smart Family app is no good if the child can over ride the restrictions. What solutions do you suggest?
We are so sorry for any inconvenience. We can certainly take this feedback to management. At this time, this is not something that can be changed.
RosanneM_VZW
Which means at this time the app is worthless and everyone in the community should know. It wouldn't be worth the hassle if it was free.
They can:
1. Remove App
2. Keep App and disable VPN
And those ar ehe simple hacks.
Don't waste your money.
I'm reading through these replies etc. and notice that the Verizon responses are disingenuous at best. The Smart Family product is a total dud, and everyone should go get refunds.
TM2020, we totally understand where you are coming from. However, a refund would not be available, since the Smart Family service offers more than just restrictions on the phone. We will forward your feedback to our Leadership.
StevenG_VZW
Smart Family companion is a total fail. A child can delete the app like any other app on the iPhone! I just deleted the app from childs iPhone by holding finger on icon until it shakes and then hit the "x". Very disappointing product, thats why it has one star in the app store.
Same exact problem. The app is a waste of money. It took exactly 3 minutes for the kids to figure out how to turn the VPN off. I didn't even get a notification that they turned it off. So the only way the app works is if you trust the kid not to disable the VPN. Of course, if you trust the kid to do the right thing, you don't need the app. I will be getting a refund for this. What a fabulously dumb product. What's worse is that Verizon has to know this is an issue, but nowhere in the FAQs do they point this out.
We deeply apologize for this experience with our Smart Family app, TM2020. Due to restrictions that Apple places on what apps can do on their devices, there is no way to ensure the user of the phone will not be able to do this to the app.
Possibly in the future Apple will allow our apps to have more control on iOS devices.
StevenG_VZW
Start a new topic or ask questions in the open forum.
