Not only do we offer full location tracking, we also have a location alerts feature. No more having to open a map app to see where your kid is — we'll automatically alert you when they arrive at or leave a location you've added!
Set locations for alerts
Open up your parent app.
Tap
Map.
If on mobile, tap the ^ arrow. If on desktop, skip this step.
Tap Favorite locations.
Tap the ➕ plus button at the top right.
Enter in the address or name.
Choose the correct address from the dropdown that appears:
(optional) Drag the pin and radius slider to fine-tune the location.
(optional) Click on the location to set what kids will send you a push notification for that place:
Changes will take a few minutes to take effect.
💡 Tip: You can speed that along by asking your child to tap the check-in button in their Bark Kids app.
Set up location tracking on your kid's device
My kid has Bark Watch
On the Watch, location alerts and tracking already come set up!
My kid has Bark Phone
No matter your data plan, location alerts and tracking already come set up on the Bark Phone!
Here's how to double check their GPS is calibrated.
Then, have your kid open the Bark Kids app and tap Check In.
All set! You are ready to add any location alert using the process listed above.
My kid has Android
Update the
Bark Kids app on your kid's Android.
Slide your finger down from the top of their screen twice.
Turn on Location:
Open up their ⚙ Settings app.
Tap Apps.
Tap Bark Kids.
Enter a device codewhen prompted.
Tap Permissions.
Tap Location.
Tap Allow all the time.
Turn on Use precise location.
Tap < back twice (until you see the Bark Kids app Mobile data & Wi-Fi setting).
Tap on Mobile data usage (name may vary slightly).
Turn on Background data.
Turn on Unrestricted data usage.
📶 Using a "Wi-Fi Only" phone? Then, Bark will only be able to get location information whenever it's connected to a Wi-Fi network.
Tap < back.
Tap App battery usage (name may vary slightly).
Turn on Allow background usage (name may vary slightly).
Then, open up the
Bark Kids app.
Tap Check In.
To prevent your kid from changing their location settings, use Google Family Link:
On your parent phone, open the
Family Link parent app.
Tap Location > Set up location.
(If "Set up location" doesn't display, select the child you want to set up location for and turn on location sharing.)If you have multiple children, select which ones you want to turn on location sharing for.
Tap Turn on.
Then, tap < back.
Select your kid.
On the "Apps installed" card, tap More.
On the "Allowed" list, tap on Bark.
Tap App permissions.
Ensure location is always turned on for Bark.
That's it! They can no longer make changes to location settings without your approval through the Family Link parent app.
My kid has iPhone
Update the
Bark Kids app on your kid's iPhone.
Open up the
Settings app.
Tap Privacy & Security.
Tap Location Services.
Turn on Location Services.
Open up the
Settings app again.
Scroll down and tap on
Bark. If on iOS 18+, tap Apps > Bark.
Tap Location.
Tap Always.
Turn on Precise Location.
Tab < back.
Turn on Background App Refresh.
Turn on Cellular Data.
📶 Using a "Wi-Fi Only" phone? Then, Bark will only be able to get location information whenever it's connected to a Wi-Fi network.
Then, open up the
Bark Kids app.
Tap Check In.
To prevent your kid from changing their location settings, use Apple Screen Time:
On your kid's iPhone or iPad, open
Settings.
Tap Screen Time.
Turn it on, if applicable.
Set a PIN only you (the parent) knows.
Under Screen Time, tap Content and Privacy Restrictions.
Tap Location Services.
Tap Don't Allow Changes.
Tap < back.
Tap iTunes & App Store Purchases.
Tap Deleting Apps.
Tap Don't Allow.
That's it! They can no longer make changes to location settings nor delete the app without your parent PIN.
Review location alerts and tracking
On your parent app / dashboard, you'll see a family map that includes all of your children's locations. Click into one to see a 1 week history of a particular child's location.
We also send you location alerts via push notification on the parent app. Double check your Alert Settings.
Inaccurate location alerts and tracking
It sounds like your kid's GPS needs to be recalibrated. Learn more:
FAQs
What do the icons on the map represent?
Sometimes, we record a "trip" on the map, while other times we record particular points that were visited. In general, this is what those icons represent:
Child profile picture: Current location
Green checkmark: A "check-in"
Colored pin: Locations you've set to be alerted to, along with circles showing you their boundaries
Black lines: This is where they traveled during a "trip"
Green dot: This is the start of a "trip"
Checkered dot: This is the end of a "trip"
What is the difference between "location alerts" and "check-ins"?
Both check-ins and location alerts are part of Bark's location features but each serve a distinct purpose.
Check-ins are initiated by the child within their Bark Kids app and give you a one-time location confirmation notification.
Location alerts are notifications automatically triggered whenever your child leaves or arrives at a pre-set location ("Favorite locations").
Can the Location Services setting be locked down?
On the Bark Phone and Watch, the Location setting is already locked down!
On other devices, you can use Apple Screen Time and Google Family Link to prevent your child from being able to change their Location Services setting:
Apple Screen Time instructions
On your kid's iPhone or iPad, open
Settings.
Tap Screen Time.
Turn it on, if applicable.
Set a PIN only you (the parent) knows.
Under Screen Time, tap Content and Privacy Restrictions.
Tap Location Services.
Tap Don't Allow Changes.
That's it! They can no longer make changes to location settings without your parent PIN.
Google Family Link instructions
On your parent phone, open the
Family Link parent app.
Tap your child's profile > Controls.
Scroll down and tap Signed-in devices.
Tap your child's device.
Tap Location sharing.
Allow Location access and Location accuracy.
Then, tap < back.
Tap App permissions.
Tap Location.
Under Bark Kids (sometimes mislabeled by Google as Bark for Chromebooks), toggle on Location.
That's it! They can no longer make changes to location settings without your approval through the Family Link parent app.
How long does it take to get an alert after a child changes locations?
Alerts will come through within a few minutes. Any delays should be minimal and are based on how often the phone pings location in the background, so things like phone reception, data saver settings, sleep settings, and battery optimization settings can be factors.
If your child uses a Bark Phone, one setting worth knowing about is Power Saving Mode. When it's turned on, the device shares location approximately once per minute rather than in real time. This is intentional — it keeps location updates running while extending battery life, so you're not left without a way to reach your child or know where they are because their phone died. To turn it off, swipe down to open the Quick Panel or go to Settings > Battery.
Can the map automatically follow my child's location?
Yes! On the Map tab, opening the drawer and selecting a child will lock the map onto them, meaning it will automatically re-center as they move.
To try it:
Open the Map tab on your parent dashboard.
If on mobile, tap the ^ arrow. If on desktop, skip this step.
Tap your child's name.
Watch the map re-center automatically as they move.
📍 Note:Manually touching the map after selecting a child will exit this mode and return manual control to you.