Quick answer: if your child has a Gizmo Watch, the GizmoHub app is gone. Verizon retired it, with a shutdown date of September 23, 2026 on its Google Play listing, and moved everything into the free Verizon Family app. The primary guardian must set up Verizon Family first, then caregivers. Before you buy a Gizmo Watch now, know two things: Verizon says Gizmo watches can’t call 911, and when we checked, Verizon’s Gizmo page listed only accessories, not watches. If you’re shopping, compare the Gabb Watch 3e and Garmin Bounce 2 too.
Reader-supported: we may earn a commission from links on this page. As an Amazon Associate we earn from qualifying purchases.
Part of our Kids’ Online Safety guides: phones, watches, games and apps.
Table of Contents
Key Findings
- Most top results are out of date. Page 1 for “gizmo watch review” shows reviews from 2016, 2020 and 2021. None cover the move to Verizon Family.
- GizmoHub is retired. The Google Play listing says it would shut down on September 23, 2026.
- No 911. Verizon’s FAQ says Gizmo watches “aren’t compatible” with 911, and 911 can’t be added as a contact.
- Features depend on the model. Video calling works on the Gizmo Watch 3, 4 and Disney Edition; photo backup only on the 3 and 4.
- New watches are hard to find. When we checked on October 18, 2026, Verizon’s Gizmo page listed a watch band and pins, but no watches, and no Gizmo watch was sold on the store.
What Happened to GizmoHub?
GizmoHub was the parent app for locating, calling and messaging a Gizmo Watch. Verizon folded it into the Verizon Family app. According to Verizon, families should switch “at no extra cost as soon as possible to maintain your Gizmo Watch.” Without the app, Verizon says you can only call the watch; locating and messaging it need the app.
Warning from Verizon: don’t tap “Delete Gizmo” and don’t restart or reset the watch during the move. Deleting resets the watch and permanently removes its settings, data and photos.
How to Move Your Gizmo Watch to Verizon Family
- Primary guardian goes first. Download Verizon Family from the App Store or Google Play before any caregivers move over.
- Sign in with your existing Verizon account. Register with your mobile number, not the watch’s number.
- Follow the prompts to transfer watch settings, profiles and contacts.
- Tell caregivers and trusted contacts to download Verizon Family too.
- Not a Verizon customer? Verizon says to sign in with the same Apple ID or Google account you used for GizmoHub.
Some of Verizon’s feature FAQs still mention GizmoHub, so menus may change as the switch finishes. Check the Verizon FAQ if a step looks different.
Gizmo Watch Models Compared: 2, 3, 4 and Disney Edition
| Feature | GizmoWatch 2 | Gizmo Watch 3 | Gizmo Watch3 Adventure | Disney Edition | Gizmo Watch 4 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Contacts | Up to 10 | Up to 20 | Up to 20 | Not stated | Not stated |
| Video calling (3 min) | No | Yes | No | Yes | Yes |
| Group chat | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes |
| Photo backup | No | Yes | No | No | Yes |
| Water | Splash resistant | Splash resistant | Splash resistant | Splash resistant | Water tight to 50m for 30 min |
Guardians, Caregivers and Gizmo Buddies
Verizon Family uses four levels of access, per Verizon’s chart:
| Role | What they can do |
|---|---|
| Guardian | Everything, including watch settings and contacts |
| Caregiver | Everything except turning the watch off, changing settings and managing contacts |
| Gizmo Buddy | Calling, texting, group chat and video calling, but can’t locate the watch |
| Calling contact | Calling only |
Privacy tip: give location access only to the adults who need it. Grandparents and friends can be Gizmo Buddies or calling contacts instead.
The Plan, and the 911 Limit Most Parents Miss
- Plan: the watch needs its own Gizmo line. Verizon lists a Gizmo Unlimited plan with “no commitment” that you can cancel anytime. Check Verizon for the current price.
- 911: Verizon says Gizmo watches aren’t compatible with 911 or similar systems. Teach your child which trusted contact to call first in an emergency.
- If 911 matters to you: Bark says the Bark Watch can call 911, and Apple Watch with Family Setup supports Emergency SOS. See Bark Watch vs Gabb Watch.
Is the Gizmo Watch Still Worth It? How It Compares
If your child already has a working Gizmo Watch, moving to Verizon Family keeps it going. If you’re buying new, here’s how it compares:
| Watch | 911 | Location | Where to buy |
|---|---|---|---|
| Gizmo Watch | No, per Verizon | Boundary alerts in Verizon Family | Verizon (no watches listed when we checked) |
| Gabb Watch 3e | Calls a designated contact, per Bark’s comparison | About every 15 minutes, per Gabb | Gabb and the store |
| Garmin Bounce 2 | Alerts guardians, not 911, per Garmin | Live tracking, 7-day history | The store |
| Bark Watch | Yes, per Bark | Real time, per Bark | Bark’s website |
| Apple Watch (cellular) | Emergency SOS | Find My | Apple and carriers |
- Gabb Watch 3e: built for ages 5 to 12, per Gabb. About 870 store ratings, 3.4-star average. Check the current price
- Garmin Bounce 2: runs on Garmin’s own LTE subscription, so you don’t need a carrier line. About 230 store ratings, 3.3-star average. Check the current price
For all six watches side by side, see the best smart watches for kids. Ready for a phone? See the best phone for kids.
How We Did This
- We read Verizon’s Gizmo FAQs, Verizon’s Gizmo product page and the GizmoHub Google Play listing on October 18, 2026, and checked the store for Gizmo watches.
- We checked the search results for “gizmo watch,” “gizmo watch review” and “gizmohub app” and noted how old the top pages are.
- We did not test these watches. Verizon is still updating its instructions, so check its FAQ for the latest steps.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happened to the GizmoHub app?
Verizon retired GizmoHub and moved Gizmo Watch features into the free Verizon Family app. The Google Play listing gave September 23, 2026 as the shutdown date. Verizon says watch settings, profiles and contacts transfer when you sign in.
Can a Gizmo Watch call 911?
No. Verizon’s FAQ says 911 can’t be programmed as a contact and that Gizmo watches aren’t compatible with 911 or similar services. Your child can call the trusted contacts you add instead.
How many contacts can a Gizmo Watch have?
Verizon says the Gizmo Watch 3 and Gizmo Watch3 Adventure allow up to 20 contacts, including the primary guardian. Earlier models allow up to 10.
Does the Gizmo Watch 4 have video calling?
Yes. Verizon lists video calling on the Gizmo Watch 3, GizmoWatch Disney Edition and Gizmo Watch 4, with calls limited to 3 minutes. The Adventure model doesn’t support it.
Is the Gizmo Watch waterproof?
Verizon says most Gizmo models are splash and water resistant, but it doesn’t recommend submerging them. The exception is the Gizmo Watch 4, which Verizon says is water tight up to 50 meters for up to 30 minutes.
Do I need a Verizon plan for a Gizmo Watch?
Yes, the watch needs its own Gizmo line. Verizon lists a Gizmo Unlimited plan with no commitment that you can cancel anytime. Non-Verizon customers can manage the watch in Verizon Family by signing in with the Apple or Google account they used for GizmoHub.
Sources
- Verizon: Manage Gizmo watches with the Family app FAQs
- Google Play: GizmoHub (Retired)
- Verizon: Gizmo products
- Store listings for Gabb Watch 3e and Garmin Bounce 2, checked October 18, 2026
