Frequently Asked Questions

What is Haven Phone?

Haven Phone is a home phone service for families. It lets kids call friends and family from a real phone — without a smartphone. There are no apps, no social media, and no internet browsing. Just calls.

Who created Haven Phone?

Hi! I am Brandon Philips- a software engineer and parent. When our kids started to grow up we wanted them to have autonomy to call family and friends without using our smart phones or tablets. This lead me down a long rabbit hole of varying solutions but nothing quite fit our values of supporting families, reducing e-waste, and supporting open source. So, I decided to build Haven Phone.

What equipment do I need?

We send you all the necessary equipment. Please fill out our waitlist sign-up page to tell us about whether you want a corded or cordless phone.

How do I control who can call?

You manage an allow list from the Haven web dashboard. Only numbers on your list can ring through to the phone. Everyone else gets a polite message that the number isn’t available.

Can I set calling hours?

Yes. The dashboard lets you set a schedule so the phone won’t ring during bedtime, school hours, dinner, or any other time you choose.

What about outgoing calls?

Kids can dial any number, but you can optionally restrict outgoing calls to the allow list as well — so they can only call people you’ve approved.

How much does it cost?

Haven is a yearly subscription. Currently Haven is in closed beta and the subscription fee is $0. Once we take public subscriptions it will likely cost $100/yr. To sign-up for the beta visit the sign-up page.

Do I need a landline or cable plan?

No. Haven runs over your existing home internet connection. You don’t need a separate phone line from your ISP.

What happens if the internet goes down?

Calls require an active internet connection. If your internet is down, the phone won’t work until it’s restored.

Can grandparents or relatives call in?

Yes — add their numbers to the allow list and they’ll ring straight through, just like any other approved caller.

How do I return the equipment?

We use standard phone equipment that can be returned to us when you’re done. Contact us at support@havenphone.com and we’ll arrange the return.

I have another question.

Email us at support@havenphone.com and we’ll get back to you.