Tools for Monitoring Usage

There are four ways to monitor your voice, messaging and data usage:

  • Usage Alerts –  A free tool that helps you monitor your usage via text messages sent directly to your mobile device

  • My Verizon Usage Meters – A free Web service that allows you monitor your usage online

  • #MIN and #DATA – A free automated telephone service that provides usage information to you over the phone

  • Usage Controls – An online service that allows you to set usage limits and other restrictions on your device for a low monthly fee
  Usage Alerts         
My Verizon
Usage Meters		 #MIN and #DATA Usage Controls
Cost Free Free Free $4.99 per line monthly
Access Method • Text Messaging
• Email		 Online • Over the phone
• Text Messaging		 • Online
• Text Messaging
Automatic Notifications Yes No No Yes

Usage Alerts

Usage alerts are free and will automatically be sent to you by text message and email (if we have a valid email address).

  • Data Alerts: If you have usage based data pricing or a Share Everything® Plan, the alerts will be sent when you reach 50%, 75%, 90% and 100% of your monthly domestic allowance. In addition, we’ll alert you at 90% of each overage allowance.

  • Voice and Messaging Alerts: If you have usage based pricing for voice or messaging, the alerts will be sent when you reach 75%, 90%, 100% and 105% of your monthly domestic allowance.

    Note: Based on customer feedback, effective January 31, 2013 Verizon Wireless has turned off  the 50% alert it formerly sent for voice and messaging usage.

Each alert will contain a date and time stamp indicating when the usage information was most recently updated. Account Owners can also add up to three additional Verizon Wireless mobile numbers to receive text alerts and up to three additional email addresses to receive email alerts.

  • International Welcome Text Messages: Upon arrival at your international destination, you’ll receive welcome text messages. These free messages provide important information such as standard rates for voice, data and text messaging, as well as details on how to contact our 24/7 Global Support team.

  • International Roam Monitor Messages: If you are using data globally, we’ll send you a notification (by text message and email, if available) before you incur a significant overage charge.


How to Get It

Usage alerts are included with all usage based plans; no initial setup is required.

How to Use It

Follow the steps below to manage the frequency of usage alerts or to add additional alert recipients.

  1. Go to the Overview page in My Verizon.

  2. Click Minutes Used, Texts Used or Data Used under the My Usage section on the Home screen.

  3. Click the Manage Usage Alerts link.

  4. If you have multiple devices eligible for usage alerts, select the line you would like to manage.

    Note: If a line shares minutes, messages or data, you only need to set the threshold on one line.

  5. Review and select the alert threshold notifications and click the Save Alert Settings button.

  6. Review and manage who should receive alerts.

  7. Click Save after adding additional recipients.

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My Verizon Usage Meters

This tool allows you to monitor your usage online from your computer. In My Verizon, you can see your voice, messaging and data usage for the current bill cycle. The My Usage section of the Home screen provides visual usage meters, so you can track how your usage compares to the limits in your plan.  

If you’re not near a computer, the same tools are available through My Verizon Mobile. You can monitor usage and view usage meters directly from your device.

How to Get It

This tool is automatically included with your My Verizon account. 

How to Use It

  1. Go to the Overview page in My Verizon. 

  2. Under the My Usage section at the top of the screen, select the Minutes Used, Texts Used or Data Used sections to view each usage meter.

  3. Select a different line from the dropdown box under the My Device section to view usage for other lines, if applicable.

  4. You can also select the Usage Details link to see detailed usage information.

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#MIN and #DATA

These tools are short codes that you can dial from your mobile phone to receive voice, messaging and data usage information.

  • #MIN (#646):  If you dial #MIN, we will send you a free text message with an estimate of the domestic calling minutes you have used during your current bill cycle. If you stay on the line, we’ll also provide the information verbally.

    • Selecting Option 2 will provide messaging usage information.

    • Selecting Option 3 will provide data usage information.

  • #DATA (#3282):  If you dial #DATA, we will send you a free text message with an estimate of the amount of data and messaging you have used during your current bill cycle. If you stay on the line, we’ll also provide this information verbally.

How to Get It

These tools are included with a standard monthly plan.

How to Use It

  1. Dial #MIN (#646) or #DATA (#3282) from your mobile phone.

  2. You will receive a free text message with your usage information.

  3. Your usage information will also be provided to you verbally if you stay on the line. 

  4. Select other options using your dial pad to receive other usage information.

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Usage Controls

Usage Controls allows you to manage and control your family’s mobile device usage for a monthly fee of $4.99/line. Usage Controls has a number of features, including the alerting functions below, which provide free text alerts:

  • Usage Limits
  • Time Restrictions
  • Blocked Numbers
  • Trusted Numbers

For details on each of these control options, refer to the How to Use It section below.

To learn more about Usage Controls, visit our Usage Controls page.

How to Get It

  1. Go to Manage Verizon Family Safeguards & Controls page in My Verizon. 

  2. Select the View Details & Edit link to the right of Usage Controls, if you've already subscribed.

  3. Otherwise, select Add Now next to Usage Controls to subscribe to this tool.

  4. Once subscribed, you are ready to begin managing your Usage Control settings.

How to Use It

  1. In My Verizon, go to Manage Verizon Family Safeguards & Controls.

  2. Select View Details & Edit to the right of Usage Controls to access the Usage Controls page.

  3. Click on any of the following links to manage your Usage Controls:

    • Usage Limits- Set limits for data, minutes, messages and purchases that can be used during a bill cycle

    • Time Restrictions - Limit and control mobile device use during certain times of the day or days of the week

    • Blocked Numbers - Restrict calls and messages with phone numbers that you designate

    • Trusted Numbers - Establish phone numbers from which calls and messages are allowed, regardless of any other Usage Controls or restrictions

  4. Modify your Usage Controls as desired, and save your changes before leaving each tab.

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