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Family Locator

General Information

  1. What is Family Locator?

    Family Locator provides a convenient and valuable service to help you securely determine the location of your family members’ devices from the Family Locator website or the Family Locator Mobile website on your device (http://fl.vzw.com). Your Family Member's location information will be displayed as an approximate address and on a detailed map.

    Family Locator features Arrival & Departure update capabilities, which work based off of Locations that you define, such as school, home or work. When the Family Member carrying the Family Locator Family Member device arrives at or leaves a Location, you can be notified via Text Message or Email. In addition, you can also elect to receive Scheduled Updates at specific dates and times.

    Data charges apply.

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  2. What can Family Locator do?

    Life is hectic. But with Family Locator, you’ll never lose sight of what’s most important to you. Simply use your mobile device or the Internet to view the location of family members with Family Locator–capable devices. If you have VZ Navigator, you can even get turn-by-turn directions to the location of your family member’s device. And with arrival and departure updates you can set predetermined locations – like school, work, home and soccer practice – then get an instant update when your family members enter or leave the location. Visit the Family Locator website.

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  3. How much does Family Locator cost?

    Family Locator costs $9.99 per month per Locatee line. There is no charge for the Locator line(s). Airtime or data charges may apply for the application downloads. There is no charge for the Updates or locate attempts associated with Family Locator made from a PC at the Family Locator website or your device at http://fl.vzw.com.

    To access the mobile website from your device:

    1. Select VZW Today.
    2. Select My Verizon.
    3. Select My Services.
    4. Select Family Locator or Menu.
    5. Select the Settings & Tools menu.
    6. Select My Account.
    7. Select My Services.
    8. Select Family Locator.

     Airtime or data charges may apply.

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  4. Who can I locate with Family Locator?

    With Family Locator, you'll never lose sight of who is most important to you. Family Locator can locate any phone on your Family SharePlan® account.

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Configuring & Managing Family Locator

  1. Can the Family Locator service be used anywhere that Verizon Wireless offers coverage?

    Yes, except when roaming.

    However, the Family Locator Arrival & Departure Updates are limited to the Verizon Wireless National Enhanced Services Rate and Coverage Area.

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  2. I forgot my Family Locator password. How can I retrieve it?

    1. From the Family Locator website, click "Sign In."
    2. Click on the "Forgot your password?" link.
    3. Enter your 10-digit cell phone number (using ONLY numbers and NO dashes or spaces).
    4. Click "Done."
    5. Click "Close."
    6. Your password will be sent to your cell phone as a text message.

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  3. How do I find more details on setting up Arrival & Departure Updates on the Family Locator web site?

    Family Locator permits you to set up 10 Arrival & Departure Updates. To access the Arrival & Departure Update Wizard, go to the Family Locator website and select the "Updates" tab. Then click on the "Add Update" button.

    Within the Add Update Wizard, click on the “Add Arrival & Departure Update” button to be guided through the process to add an Update.

    Using a one mile boundary (options are 1/2, 1 or 2 mile) provides the most reliable notification results.

    Arrival and Departure Updates send location messages when the person carrying the Locatee cell phone arrives or departs from a Location that you specify.

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  4. Can I send messages using Family Locator?

    Yes, there are two ways to send messages using Family Locator:

    Family Messaging: You can easily send a text message to your Family from the Family Locator website or Family Locator Mobile Website application on your phone. There is no additional cost if you send the message to other Family SharePlan® lines on your account.

    VZ Navigator® Integration    : Need to find your way to a family member’s location? Send their location information to a Verizon Wireless phone. If the recipient has VZ Navigator, they’ll get turn by turn spoken directions.

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  5. How do I use Family Locator from my cell phone?

    Family Locator is available for use on your cell phone within My Verizon. Navigate to My Verizon, then click on "My Services," and select "Family Locator." This will launch http://fl.vzw.com from which you can locate your Family Members, send Place Messages, send messages and review your Family Locator settings.

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  6. What if I change my Locatee’s cell phone or Calling Plan after setting up Family Locator?

    Family Locator will not preserve your settings for a Calling Plan Change. If you change any Locatee cell phone, you will have to download the Family Locator Member application to the new phones. To continue to receive location & arrival updates as you did prior to your phone change, you will have to set up Arrival & Departure updates, Locations and Contacts again to continue to receive them.

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  7. Can anyone else track my Family Member’s phone? How secure is the Family Locator service?

    The account owner with access to account information and the other family members designated as “Locators,” will be able to access the Family Locator account, view location information and set up Locations for Updates to be sent to other individuals that they designate. The location information is only viewable through the Internet on a cell phone or PC. Locations can only be accessed by entering your account information including your password. It is very important that you keep this information private and not disclose your account information and/or password to others.

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  8. How accurate is the Family Locator service?

    The Location information provided by Verizon Wireless' location technology is generally capable of estimating locations within 50 to 150 meters in most cases but may be affected by terrain, satellite visibility or other conditions.

    The two minutes it takes to complete a Locate request is spent communicating with the Verizon Network.

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  9. How is it possible that the level of accuracy can differ (address, intersection, or city) when locating the Family Locator Family Member phone multiple times, even though the location of the cell phone has not changed?

    Even though the Family Locator Family Member cell phone has not changed locations, it is possible for the location results to differ when multiple searches are performed. For example, you may receive location results that display an address, intersection, or possibly just the city. The location information presented may differ due to many factors such as atmospheric, environmental and geographic conditions, satellite location or other factors associated with the use of satellites and satellite data, cell site location and information, or other network conditions.

    If you try to locate the cell phone again, it should provide the same or a similar location to one of the earlier attempts. If you are unsure or concerned about your Family Member's specific location, you should place a voice call directly to the cell phone to contact your Family Member.

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  10. What are the system requirements to use the Family Locator service?

    For website use, Internet Explorer browser versions 6.0 and higher as well as Safari and Firefox browsers are supported. For cell phone use, any mobile browser can be used to locate other phones by accessing http://fl.vzw.com. Only specific phones are configured to work as Locatee phones.

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  11. How long does it take to locate a cell phone through Family Locator?

    It typically takes 30 seconds to locate the Family Locator Family Member phone, however, the duration may vary due to other factors.

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  12. How do I find more details on setting up Scheduled Updates on the Family Locator website?

    Family Locator permits you to set up 10 Scheduled Updates. To access the Scheduled Update Wizard, go to the Family Locator website, select the "Updates" tab, and click on the "Add Update" button.

    Within the Add Update Wizard, click on the “Add Scheduled Update” button to be guided through the process to add an Update.

    Scheduled Updates send messages describing the location of the person carrying the Locatee mobile phone on the time and day(s) of your choosing.

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  13. Can I locate my Family Member through Family Locator automatically at certain times on certain days?

    Yes, you can create a Scheduled Update, which will allow you to set a day and time to automatically locate a family member. For example, you can set 4:00pm every weekday to make sure your child is home from school safely. Once you create a Scheduled Update, Family Locator will locate your family member and send you their location via email or text message.

    To create a Scheduled Update, go to the Family Locator website and select the "Updates" tab. Click on the "Add Update" button, and select the "Scheduled Update" button to be guided through the process of setting up the scheduled notification.

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  14. How do I sign into Family Locator on my cell phone?

    If you are subscribed to Family Locator as a Locator, then navigate to the Family Locator Mobile Website http://fl.vzw.com which can be accessed for free by visiting the Mobile Web, clicking "My Verizon," choosing "My Services," selecting "Family Locator" or the "Settings & Tools" menu, clicking "My Account," choosing "My Services," and selecting "Family Locator."

    Then use the cursor movement (arrow) keys to place the cursor in the "Cell Phone Number" field. Change your key entry mode to numbers and enter your cell phone number.

    Next, use the cursor movement keys to place the cursor in the "Password" field. Change your key entry mode to alpha-numeric and enter your password.

    Finally, use the cursor movement keys to place the focus upon the "Sign In" button and then press the center of the 5-way navigation pad to choose "OK."

    You will the be able to use the Family Locator Mobile Website.

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  15. Why am I getting an error when setting up an arrival & departure update through Family Locator?

    In order to set up an arrival & departure update, the family member you wish to locate must have their phone powered on, must be within the Verizon Wireless National Enhanced Services Rate and Coverage Area and cannot be on a voice call during these actions.

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  16. Can a Location be set up through Family Locator from a cell phone?

    No, to set up a Location, you must visit the Family Locator website.

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  17. How do I get the most accurate location of my Family Member through Family Locator?

    You must download and activate the Family Locator Member application in order to get refined location information. After you locate a family member’s phone you will be prompted to get more refined location information. Select the option and you will be guided to download and activate the Family Locator Member Application.

    Once activated, you will then achieve refined location information when the Locatee phone is in the Verizon Wireless National Enhanced Services Rate and Coverage Area and has a clear line of sight to GPS satellites. This occurs next to a window or outdoors.

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  18. Can Family Locator locate a lost phone?

    The phone must be on and not roaming for the phone to be located. The privacy setting would have to be set to always allow, as no one would be available to give permission to Family Locator to locate the phone if it is lost.

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  19. What can I do when a Family Member's phone is unavailable to be located through Family Locator?

    When a phone can’t be located, it is either roaming or powered off. Ensure these 2 requirements are resolved to obtain location results.

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  20. Are there any indications on the Family Locator Family Member phone that it is being located?

    • If the Locatee device DOES NOT have the downloaded Family Member Application resident on the device, then during the location attempt a free text message will be sent to the Family Member’s phone that is being located, informing them by whom and when the locate attempt was made.
    • If the Locatee device HAS the downloaded Family Member Application resident on the device, then during the location attempt (2 minutes or less), the phone will display “Locating.” No text message will be sent.

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  21. Is special equipment required to use Family Locator?

    You’ll need at least one Family Locator compatible phone. Any web capable device can be used by the Locator who wants to locate the Locatee device at http://fl.vzw.com.

    The website http://familylocator.vzw.comcan be additionally accessed from a PC to use the full set of Family Locator functionality.

    Handset Functions:

    • Locate
    • Review Recent Arrival & Departure Updates
    • Review Recent Scheduled Updates
    • Send Locations to VZ Navigator®
    • Send Messages to Family Members
    • Review Future Updates
    • Review Locations

    Additional PC Functions:

    • Set Up Contacts to Receive Location Updates
    • Set Up Arrival & Departure Updates
    • Set Up Scheduled Updates
    • Set Up Locations
    • Edit Family Member Profiles
    • Edit Family Member Privacy Settings
    • Search for points of interest using Bing™ local search
    • Provide directions to located family members using Bing directions

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  22. How do I confirm my device is not roaming?

    If you are roaming, the word "roaming" will appear at the top of the screen. Devices using a network extender cannot be located.

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  23. How long does the Family Locator History tab store locations I have requested?

    The locations you have requested are stored within the History tab for seven days.

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  24. How do I confirm that my cell phone is in the Verizon Wireless National Enhanced Services Rate and Coverage Area?

    You will know if you are in the coverage area by the appearance of the words "Verizon" at the top of the cell phones' screen. You will know if you are outside the coverage area by the appearance of the words “extended network” at the top of the cell phones’ screen. You can also review the Verizon Wireless National Enhanced Services Rate and Coverage Area map at the Verizon Wireless National Enhanced Services Rate and Coverage Area Locator. Using a "network extender" also prevents you from activating or locating the device using the "network extender".

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Getting Family Locator

  1. Where can I learn more about Family Locator?

    1. You can learn more about Family Locator at the Verizon Parental Control Center.
    2. You can also read the Family Locator User Guide.
    3. You can also learn How to Get Family Locator.

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  2. How can I get Family Locator?

    Step 1 - Verify that the family member you wish to locate has a Family Locatee Compatible Phone

    1. View Capable Locatee Phones

    Step 2 - Add Family Locator to your account

    You can visit vzw.com/familylocator to purchase Family Locator.

    1. Click on "Sign In" at the far right of the page.
    2. Enter your cell phone number and password and click "Sign In."
    3. You are now signed into Family Locator and can purchase the service by selecting the “Get Family Locator” button.

    Step 3 - Sign into Family Locator online

    1. Go to Family Locator's website.
    2. Click on "Sign In" at the far right of the page.

    Note: If you are not registered on My Verizon, click on the "Register Online" option in the information box.

    1. Enter your 10-digit Family Locator phone mobile number (using ONLY numbers and NO dashes or spaces) and enter your password.
    2. Click "Sign In."
    3. If this is your initial sign in, you will be prompted with the Terms & Conditions page. You must read and accept the Terms & Conditions by selecting "Accept" and "OK."
    4. You will then see the location of all Family Members whom you have designated as Locatees on a Bing™ Map, and you can begin using Family Locator.

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  3. How do I get refined location results through Family Locator while also being able to use Arrival & Departure updates?

      1. Download the Family Locator Member Application to Family Members' phones.
        • Refer to question "How do I download the Family Locator Member Application to my Locatee phones?" found below for detailed instructions.

    1. Location enable your phone.
      • Refer to question "How do I location enable my phones?" found below for detailed instructions.
    2. Sign in to the Family Locator webpage using your Verizon Wireless Locator mobile phone number and password.
    3. Select the "Edit Profile" link, then select the “Install the Family Locator client on your mobile phone” link.
      • Refer to question "How do I activate my Family Locator - Locatee phones?" found below for detailed instructions on installing the Family Locator client.

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  4. How do I activate my Family Locator - Locatee phones?

    Although the application download is no longer required for Family Locator, it is still available if you want to take advantage of refined location results and Arrival & Departure Updates.

    Make sure you first download the Family Locator Member application on the devices you wish to locate. Please refer to the FAQ “How do I download the optional Family Locator Member Application to my Locatee phones?” for help in downloading the application.

    Login to your Family Locator account at http://familylocator.vzw.com to activate the Family Member Locatee phones on your account and enjoy the peace of mind of locating your family anytime.

    Once logged in, click on the phone number of the phone you wish to activate on the left side of the screen.

    Select “Edit Profile” and then click on “Install the Family Locator client on your mobile phone.”

    An Activation Wizard will guide you through the following activation steps:

    Turn on the cell phone which you are activating.

    The cell phone must be turned on so that Family Locator Server can activate the phone. If you do not have the cell phone in your possession please contact the family member with the cell phone and ask them to turn it on and leave it idle.

    The cell phone must be turned on and not in use for a Call or any other use to permit the activation to complete which takes about two minutes. Check off the button indicating that you have completed this step in the activation wizard.

    Confirm that the cell phone you wish to activate is in Verizon Wireless National Enhanced Services Rate and Coverage Area.

    You will know if you are outside the coverage area by the appearance of the words “extended network” at the top of the cell phone's screen. You can also review the Verizon Wireless National Enhanced Services Rate and Coverage Area map at the Verizon Wireless National Enhanced Services Rate and Coverage Area Locator .

    To complete your Activation please ensure the following have been completed:

    1. The button indicating that the phone you wish to activate is on and idle is checked.
    2. The button indicating that the phone is in the Verizon Wireless National Enhanced Services Rate and Coverage Area is checked.
    3. The button indicating that you have downloaded the Family Locator Member application to your device is checked.
    4. The button indicating that you have set the Locatee phone’s Location setting to "On" is checked.
    5. Once all four buttons are checked, click the "Activate" button in the wizard.
    6. Wait for the activation to complete in about 2 minutes. While the cell phone is activating, the screen of the phone you are activating will light up momentarily.
    7. Once the Activation is complete, you can then use Family Locator Arrival & Departure Updates. (Please refer to the User Guide for complete step by step instructions for setting up Arrival & Departure Updates)

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  5. How do I change the Family Locator phone setting to "Location On"?

    Turning your phone setting to “Location On” and downloading the Family Locator Member Application on the device you wish to locate will not only provide optimal results when locating the device but will also allow you to use the Arrival & Departure Updates feature. Here’s how to enable “location on”:

      1. From the opening screen on the handset, press "OK."

    1. Select the “Settings & Tools” menu.
    2. Scroll down to "System" or “Phone Settings" (depending on phone model) and press "OK."

      Note: On some phones, the "Location" setting is located elsewhere; please refer to your User Guide for information on how to find this setting on your phone.
    3. Scroll down to "Location" and press "OK." Select "Location On" and press "OK."
    4. The “Location On” icon appears at the top of the screen to tell you the setting is active. Turning Location On does not allow just anyone to locate your phone (but it may enable other location-aware software, widgets and peripheral devices on your cell phone to access your location data). By altering the Family Locator profile and selecting the “Ask” setting under "Privacy Settings," the Locatee is always prompted prior to being located. Verizon Wireless strongly believes in protecting the user's privacy.

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  6. How do I download the optional Family Locator Member Application to my Locatee phones?

    To download the Family Locator Member application to your Locatee phones:

    1. Go to and select "Get It Now" or "Media Center."
    2. Choose "Get Going," "Tools on the Go" or "Browse & Download."
    3. Select "Get New Application," then "Featured Applications" (if not found under "Get New App").
    4. Select the "Family Locator Member" application to download the application.
    5. If you have an older phone, you may have already downloaded the “Chaperone® Child” application. This application remains compatible with Family Locator, and you do not need to download the Family Locator Member application.
    Find out more about how to download Family Locator: Family Locator Phone Setup.

    Note: You can locate family members and receive scheduled updates without the Family Locator Member Application.

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  7. How do I ensure the Family Locator Member Application is activated?

    The phone you wish to locate (your locatee device) must be turned on and idle so that Family Locator Server can activate the Family Locator Member Application. In addition, the device cannot be in use/on a call during the activation process which typically takes about 2 minutes.

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  8. What phones are Family Locatee capable?

    To use Family Locator, you will need a Family Locatee capable phone for the family member to be located.

    1. View Capable Locatee Phones
    Note: Any web-capable Verizon Wireless Device can be used to locate another family member. Please see the list of devices above to ensure the phone you want to locate is “locatee” capable as only specific devices have this capability.

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  9. Does my phone have to be turned on, in order to activate it to use Family Locator?

    Your Family Locator - Locatee cell phone must be turned on so that Family Locator Server can activate the phone. If you do not have the cell phone in your possession, please contact the family member with the cell phone and ask them to turn it on and leave it idle. Also, the cell phone must not be in use for a call or any other use to permit the activation to complete which takes about two minutes.

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  10. What Family Locator - Locatee phones do I need to purchase?

    Each Family Member to be located needs a Family Locator Compatible phone. Shop for Family Locator Phones.

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  11. Where can I purchase Family Locator?

    You can visit vzw.com/familylocator to purchase Family Locator.

    1. Click on "Sign In."
    2. Enter your cell phone number and password, and click "Sign In."
    3. You are now signed into Family Locator and can purchase the service by selecting the “Get Family Locator” button.

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  12. Where do I use Family Locator online?

    You can visit the Family Locator website to use Family Locator.

    1. Click on "Sign In."
    2. Enter your cell phone number and password, and click "Sign In."
    3. You are now signed into Family Locator and can locate your Family Members.

    Note: If you are not registered on My Verizon, click on the "Register Online" option in the information box.

    1. Enter your 10-digit Family Locator phone mobile number (using ONLY numbers and NO dashes or spaces) and enter your password.
    2. Click "Sign In."
    3. If this is your initial sign in, you will be prompted with the Terms & Conditions page. You must read and accept the Terms & Conditions by selecting "Accept" and "OK."
    4. First time users must activate Family Locator on each Locatee phone by clicking on "Activate" and following the Activation Wizard steps.

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Using Family Locator

  1. How do I locate a Family Member through Family Locator?

    There are 2 ways by which a Family Locator member phone can be located:

    1. Locating a Family Member by hitting the "Locate" button on the Family Locator website from your PC.
    2. Locating a Family Member by hitting the "Locate" button on the Family Locator mobile website from any Verizon Wireless cell phone.

    Locate your Family Member – From the Family Locator Website

    1. Navigate to the Family Locator website. Click "Sign In." Enter the Locator’s 10-digit mobile number and password to log in.
    2. Your family members will be automatically located upon sign-in.
    3. You can, later, select to locate any or all Locatees from the list of member phones in your group by clicking "Locate" next to their names.
    4. Receive a mapped location of your Family Member’s location.
    5. Zoom and pan to see the results better on the map.

    Locate your Family Member – From the phone

    1. In addition to using the Family Locator website, you can view the approximate location of a Locatee by visiting http://fl.vzw.com which can be accessed from the Mobile Web > My Verizon > My Services > Family Locator or Settings & Tools Menu > My Account > My Services > Family Locator.
    2. After logging in, your first listed family member will be automatically located upon sign-in.
    3. You can then select other Family Members you wish to locate. Once Family Locator has found the approximate location of the Locatee’s phone, location information can be viewed including the nearest address, the time they were located, and their speed. The location information in Family Locator is approximate, and accuracy may vary.
    4. On the map the Family Member’s phone location is represented as a colored transparent area when zoomed in close, and a smaller red dot when zoomed out. The accuracy of the phone location will vary and the actual location of the Family Member's phone could be anywhere within the colored transparent area.

    Please note that for the Locatee can be located only when their handset is:

    1. Turned on.
    2. Not Roming.
    3. Not on a call.

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  2. How do I view a Family Member's Location from a 3-D Bird's Eye View in Family Locator?

    • Navigate to the Family Locator website. Click "Sign In." Enter the Locator’s 10-digit mobile number and password to log in.
    • You can select to Locate any or all Locatees from the list of member phones in your service.
    • You will see a mapped location of each Family Member’s location.
    • Zoom and pan to see the results better on the map.
    • Then at the top of the map you will be able to click on "Road," "Aerial" and "Bird's Eye" views to appreciate the location of a Family Member from different perspectives.

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  3. What can I do with Family Locator?

    Securely locate a family member’s locatable device. Monitor their location from your PC or any web-capable device.

    1. Create locations (geographic areas with a 1/2, 1 or 2 mile radius).
    2. Receive free Arrival/Departure updates when your family member with the locatable device enters or leaves your designated locations.
    3. Get scheduled updates with location information at times of the day you choose.
    4. Get driving directions to a location or family member’s device.
    5. Send text messages to all your family members at the same time.

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  4. How do I create and view a Location in Family Locator?

    Alocationis used to notify a locator when a locatee’s phone arrives or leaves the vicinity of a particular location. Notifications are sent directly to the locator’s phone as Arrival & Departure updates.

    Creating a Location

    1. Sign into the Family Locator website.
    2. Click on the "Locations" tab.
    3. Click on the "Add Location" button.
    4. Select a location on the map or enter an address in the Street, City, State, Zip fields at the bottom of the screen and click the "Search" button.
    5. When the pop-up displays, click the "Save Location" button.
    6. If you close the pop-up display, click on the "red location-circle" to re-open the New Location Confirmation.
    7. Enter aName to label the location.
    8. Click the "Save" button.
    Viewing a Location

    After you configure a location, it will appear within the "Locations" tab of the Family Locator website.

    You can also review Locations from your handset.

    1. From the Family Locator sign in screen, enter the 10-digit mobile phone number and password, then press the center of the 5-way navigation pad to choose "OK."
    2. Select "View Locations," then press the center of the 5-way navigation pad to choose "OK."

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  5. How do I get driving directions to a Location or a Located Family Member through Family Locator?

    You can get driving directions to a location or a located family member from your PC or cell phone. A subscription to VZ Navigator® is required for use.

    1. After you have located a family member’s phone, click on their icon on the map.
    2. Select "Search Nearby" to find a point of interest to guide them to, such as an ATM or gas station, or select "Get Directions" straight away if you wish to receive directions to the located family member.
    3. In the "Directions" menu, you will see the point of interest or the family member's location pre-populated in the "directions from" or "directions to" field, which can be toggled back and forth.
    4. The directions can then be printed, emailed or sent via text message direct to any family member's Wireless Device.

    In addition, if your family member has VZ Navigator then they can receive the directions using that application:

    1. (Handset) Press the center of the 5-way navigation pad to choose "Send To VZ Navigator." You will be prompted to choose a contact to send the VZ Navigator Place Message to. If the recipient subscribes to VZ Navigator, they will receive a VZ Navigator Place Message which they can use to get directions to the Location using VZ Navigator. If they do not subscribe to VZ Navigator, they will receive a text message with the address. You can set up additional recipients in the "Contacts" tab on the Family Locator website.
    2. (PC) Select the "Send To VZ Navigator" button. You will be prompted to choose a contact to send the VZ Navigator Place Message to. If the recipient subscribes to VZ Navigator, they will receive a VZ Navigator Place Message which they can use to get directions to the location using VZ Navigator. If they do not subscribe to VZ Navigator, they will receive a text message with the address. You can set up additional recipients in the "Contacts" tab on the Family Locator website.

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  6. How do I set up Arrival & Departure Updates in Family Locator?

    An Arrival & Departure Update is sent to your cell phone when the designated Locatee arrives at or departs from a specified location.

    Note: You must first download a Family Locator Member application to the phone you wish to receive Arrival & Departure Updates for. You will be prompted to do this when you attempt to set up an Arrival & Departure Update.

    1. Launch the Automatic Location Update Creation Wizard by selecting "Add Update."
    2. Select "Create Arrival & Departure Update."
    3. Select which Locatee’s arrival and departure behavior this update concerns.
    4. Select contacts to receive notifications (VZW MDNs or any email addresses).
    5. Select a Location (created previously via "Add Location" under the "Locations" tab).
    6. Choose a boundary radius for the location (2, 1 or 1/2 of a mile).
    7. Give the Update a name.
    8. Select duration (until canceled, until first notification, for a period of time).
    Note: Locatee’s device must be powered on and not in use for a new arrival and departure update to take effect.

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  7. How do I add Contacts in Family Locator?

    A Contact is someone that you may want to send text messages or Location notifications to. New Contacts can be added within the "Contacts" tab of the Family Locator website.

    1. Click the "Add Contact" button.
    2. Enter a name, phone number and email address.
    3. Click on "Save" to add the Contact to your list of Contacts.

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  8. Where do I manage Family Locator settings?

    Family Locator  profile, privacy, location, update, and contact settings are all set on the Family Locator website.

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  9. How do I set up my Family Locator Account?

    Set up your account and easily control Family Locator settings online. You can sign into your account on the Family Locator website.

    Setting up your profiles online

    Manage your family's Family Locator settings using profiles and assign your family members nicknames and icons.

    1. Select the "Profile" link below the Family Members’ names in the top left of the screen. 
    2. Press on the appropriate Family Member’s button to make the “Profile” link reveal itself for that particular Family Member.
    3. Enter a Name (optional) in the field, for example: Brad.
    4. You can also select an image from the default Avatar gallery.
    5. You can also select their Time Zone so that the Scheduled Updates will fire at the correct time.
    6. You can also download and activate their Family Locator Member application which permits you to be notified of family member arrivals & departures from locations you define, using the Arrival & Departure Updates feature.
    7. Click on "Save" to save your settings.

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  10. How do I manage my privacy settings in Family Locator?

    Select whether or not your family members should be asked for their permission to be located. Navigate to your profile to manage your privacy settings:

      1. Select the "Profile" link below the Family Members names in the top left of the screen.

    1. Press on the appropriate Family Member’s Button to make the “Profile” link reveal itself for that particular Locatee.
    2. Privacy settings allow you to manage your family members control over how Family Locator can share their location. Choose from two options:

      1. Always Share My Location With Family - Means that your requests for location or the creation of an Arrival & Departure Update will automatically be allowed for that Locatee.
      2. Ask Before Sharing My Location With Family - Means that the locatee phone must first accept any Location or New Arrival & Departure Update request.
    3. Select the appropriate button under Privacy Settings. Click on "Save." The setting is now assigned to the Family Member’s cell phone.
    Note: In order to select privacy settings, the Family Locator Member Application must be downloaded on the device you wish to locate. You will be prompted to download the application when you attempt to select a privacy setting. Devices being located will be sent a text message every time they are located until the application is downloaded.

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  11. How do I set up contacts so I can use Family Messaging in Family Locator?

    To contact multiple Family Locator users at once, you can send a single text message to one or more family members at a time.

    1. On the Family Locator website, select the "Send a text message" link below the Family Member’s name in the top left of the screen.
    2. Press on the appropriate Family Member’s Button to make the “Profile” link reveal itself for that particular Family Member.
    3. Select "Family Members and Contacts."
    4. New contacts can be set up within the "Contacts" tab.
    5. Choose Recipients by using the Arrow Keys to move the desired recipients into the Recipients field.
    6. Enter a message of 160 characters or less.
    7. Click on "Send" to send your message.
    8. The message will be free to those members who are on your Family SharePlan®. Standard text messaging rates will apply for other recipients. 

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  12. I have a Migo device. How do I program the speed dial numbers through Family Locator?

    You can set up speed dial numbers for Locatee Migo cell phones. Migo Locatee cell phones have four speed dial buttons. You can assign phone numbers from the Family Locator website to four of the buttons. You can also enable or disable the child phone's emergency button used for dialing 911 in the event of an emergency.

    To assign phone numbers to locatee phone speed dial buttons:

    1. Select the "Edit Profile" link below the Family Member’s name in the top left of the screen.
    2. Press on the appropriate Family Member’s Button to make the “Profile” link reveal itself for that particular Family Member.
    3. Enter a name and numbers in each of the four speed dial locations.
    4. Click on "Save." The numbers will be saved to the locatee's Migo cell phone. The locatee's phone must be on or the numbers will not be saved.

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  13. What can cause a delay in receiving a Location Update or no Update through Family Locator once my Family Member has left a Location?

    Most often the phone has been turned off or is in on a call both of which prevent completion of location requests. Location information presented could also be delayed, inaccurate, interrupted or disrupted due to many factors such as atmospheric, environmental and geographic conditions, satellite location or other factors associated with use of satellites and satellite data, cell site location and information or other network conditions. Try to locate the cell phone again, it should provide the same or similar location to one of the earlier attempts. If you are unsure about your Family Member's location, you should place a call directly to the cell phone to contact your Family Member.

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  14. Does Family Locator work when I have Usage Control restriction?

    As of May 1, 2011, Family Locator will no longer work with the “Block All Data Services” feature or any Time of Day Usage Controls restrictions you have placed on your Family Locator phone numbers. In order to ensure you continue to receive all the benefits of Family Locator, you will need to turn off “Block All Data Services” or any Time of Day restrictions in your My Verizon account.

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