GizmoHub icon
GizmoHub Review: Managing Your Child's Smartwatch with Precision

by Verizon Wireless

4.5
IOSLifestyle
Designed to help families stay connected, the GizmoHub app serves as the central command center for Verizon's Gizmo smartwatch. This platform provides parents with location tracking, contact management, and schedule controls from their iPhone. It offers a focused communication tool for children who aren't ready for a full smartphone.

Detailed Review

Positioned as a family-focused connectivity tool, Verizon's GizmoHub app pairs exclusively with the carrier's Gizmo-branded smartwatches for kids. The app functions as the necessary parental interface, transforming the wearable from a simple watch into a managed communication device. Its primary role is to give caregivers oversight and connection without the complexities and distractions of a standard smartphone, filling a specific niche in the family tech ecosystem. The app's core functionality revolves around three pillars: communication management, location services, and activity control. Parents can predefine an approved contact list, deciding exactly who the child can call or message. The location tracking feature provides real-time GPS positioning on a map, with options to set safe-place alerts for home or school. A notable feature is 'School Mode,' which can be scheduled to silence notifications and disable games during class hours directly from the parent's device. The interface also allows for managing watch faces, sound effects, and the voice changer tool that children enjoy. In practical use, the app facilitates specific scenarios like a child walking home from school alone, allowing a parent to monitor their progress, or a grandparent living in another state to receive photos and clear voice messages. The child's device maintains a simplified interface with large buttons for calling pre-approved contacts, sending quick texts, or using basic educational games. This separation of complexity—advanced controls in the parent's app, simplicity on the child's wrist—is a fundamental design strength. Setup is reported to be straightforward, linking the watch to a Verizon line and managing everything through the GizmoHub dashboard. User feedback, as seen in app store reviews, consistently highlights satisfaction with the sense of security and the quality of basic communication. One user notes, “I can control settings and school mode right from the app.” Another praises the call and photo quality with a grandchild. However, critiques emerge regarding technical performance. Several reviews point out that GPS accuracy can sometimes be unreliable, showing a child at a neighbor's house when they are actually at home. Battery life on the paired watch is another common concern, with the device often requiring a nightly charge. These are limitations of the hardware that the app itself cannot overcome. Overall, GizmoHub delivers a competent and focused management experience for its specific purpose. Its strengths lie in granular parental controls, reliable core communication features, and an interface that prioritizes oversight. The app’s value is intrinsically tied to the Gizmo watch hardware, inheriting both its child-friendly appeal and its physical limitations. For families seeking a starter communication device with strong parental boundaries, it represents a considered choice, albeit one where expectations regarding location precision and battery longevity should be tempered.

Key Features

  • Approved Contact Management: Parents curate a specific list of contacts the child can call or message, preventing communication with unknown numbers.
  • Scheduled School Mode: Allows remote silencing of calls, games, and notifications during set hours to minimize classroom distractions.
  • Real-Time Location Tracking: Provides GPS positioning on a map with geofencing alerts for designated safe places like home or school.
  • Two-Way Communication Hub: Manages voice calls, voice messages with fun effects, photo sharing, and even FaceTime audio from the watch.
  • Safety Feature Controls: Includes an 'I'm OK' quick message button and the ability for the child to call their safety contacts in sequence.
  • Remote Watch Settings: Parents can adjust watch faces, sounds, games, and activity timers directly from the phone app without handling the physical device.

Why Users Love It

Granular parental controls
Replaces a smartphone for young kids

Perfect for: Parents and guardians of elementary and middle school children seeking a first communication device with strong oversight.

Screenshots

GizmoHub screenshot 1GizmoHub screenshot 2GizmoHub screenshot 3GizmoHub screenshot 4GizmoHub screenshot 5GizmoHub screenshot 6

Ranking History

Track GizmoHub's performance in Lifestyle over the last 30 days

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Current Rank

#11

Best Rank

#11

All-time high

Average Rank

#11

30-day average

User Reviews

iwedee
Dec 23, 2025

Really love this device for my children so I can stay connected and check on them. The features were definitely created with parents in mine and safety. Absolutely love it Really love this device for my children so I can stay connected and check on them. The features were definitely created with parents in mine and safety.

Jersey_devils10
Dec 22, 2025

This watch is so kid friendly and looks not kiddy at all. The app makes it very easy to manage. The peace of mind knowing you are always in touch with your kid is fantastic! I have 2 in middle school and they both have one! Best Watch Ever! This watch is so kid friendly and looks not kiddy at all. The app makes it very easy to manage. The peace of mind knowing you are always in touch with your kid is fantastic! I have 2 in middle school and they both have one!

sanjoseian
Dec 22, 2025

My 6 year old son loves his watch. He likes the timer, the voice changer when he sends me a voice message, and the sound effects. I like that I can control settings and school mode right from the app. The only thing is the battery looses charge pretty quickly and the GPS sometimes is inaccurate. The monthly bill is affordable and it’s unlimited calls and text. I highly recommend because the watch stays on your child and phones can get lost and misplaced. Parents have full control over who their child can call and message. Great for kids My 6 year old son loves his watch. He likes the timer, the voice changer when he sends me a voice message, and the sound effects. I like that I can control settings and school mode right from the app. The only thing is the battery looses charge pretty quickly and the GPS sometimes is inaccurate. The monthly bill is affordable and it’s unlimited calls and text. I highly recommend because the watch stays on your child and phones can get lost and misplaced. Parents have full control over who their child can call and message.

B25bjp
Nov 28, 2025

I like to see what my granddaughter is doing at school & Home. It’s a great product. Granddaughter I like to see whatmy granddaughter is doing at school &Home. It’s a great product.

NE Adventurer
Nov 24, 2025

Great way to stay connected with granddaughter! It’s nice to see her location and know that that she is safely at home or in school. Also, a great way to communicate with quick texts and catch up on her day. She says; ”It’s also nice because I can walk around without an adult”. Great device Great way to stay connected with granddaughter! It’s nice to see her location and know that that she is safely at home or in school. Also, a great way to communicate with quick texts and catch up on her day.She says; ”It’s also nice because I can walk around without an adult”.

App Details

Developer

Verizon Wireless

Platform

ios

Rating

4.5

Last Updated

12/26/2025