With the Bark Home or a router with Bark built-in, you can block the internet to apps and websites, and schedule screen time routines for every internet-connected device in your home, including smart TVs, gaming consoles, computers, and tablets.

You can apply different rules for different devices, at different times of day, and for school nights versus weekends. You can even exclude specific devices you'd prefer not to filter.

What devices are covered?

Any device connected to your home Wi-Fi, including:

Smart TVs
Gaming consoles (Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo)
Tablets
Computers
Cell phones

All browsers are covered, including Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.

Do I need both a Bark Home and a router with Bark built-in?

No, you just need one. Here's the difference:

Bark Home: A small white box you connect to your existing router. With a Bark Premium subscription, it can also monitor texts, photos, and videos on iPhones and iPads.
Router with Bark built-in: Some routers come with Bark's filtering software built in, so you don't need a separate device. This also makes it less likely your children will unplug it, since it will take down all the internet if they do.

How does the Bark Home work?

Once paired with your account, the Bark Home tells every device on your Wi-Fi network to check in with it before loading anything. This lets it block or allow apps and sites across your whole home network.

With Bark Home you can:

Block apps and sites on any device connected to your home Wi-Fi
Keep blocking apps even if you get a new compatible router from your ISP
Maintain high speeds with a 1Gbps ethernet port

⚡ With a Bark Premium subscription, you also get monitoring of text messages on iPhones, iPads, and Androids.

Do I have to buy a Bark Home to use Bark?

No. You only need a Bark Home if you want to manage home devices like TVs, gaming consoles, and laptops.

The Bark Premium and Jr subscriptions, on the other hand, are primarily for cell phones and tablets that are on the go. They let you monitor content, track location, create screen time schedules, and block apps/websites on mobile devices. Bark Phone and Bark Watch subscriptions come with Bark Premium bundled in.

Does the Bark Home work on any router?

The Bark Home works with most routers. Check if your router is compatible. If it's not listed, it will most likely still work.

If your router isn't compatible, you can still manage screen time and block websites on mobile devices with a Bark Premium, Jr, Bark Phone, or Bark Watch subscription. You can also look into routers with Bark built-in.

What routers come with Bark built-in?

Review the list of compatible routers. We're working to expand this list over time.

How do I set up the Bark Home or a Bark router for the first time?

First-time setup for Bark Home — includes a video walkthrough.
First-time setup for routers with Bark built-in.

After setup, identify and rename your devices, then set your schedules for app and site access.

Where do I manage app blocking and screen time schedules?

Will Bark Home slow down my internet?

Download speeds are unaffected. There may be a slight impact on upload speeds, but when properly configured it should be imperceptible. If you notice a slowdown, check out this guide for help. For more technical details, read this letter from our CTO.

Can I use the Bark Home alongside other parental controls?

Many parental controls work alongside the Bark Home, like Apple Screen Time, Google Family Link, and Microsoft Family Safety. Some services may interfere with Bark Home's filtering. If you run into issues, contact us for help identifying the cause.

Will in-home filtering block phone calls?

No. The Bark Home only filters web activity. Phone calls, texts, iMessages, and FaceTime run over cellular networks and are not affected.

Note that pausing the internet will block all internet-based communication like Skype calls and Wi-Fi calling, but not cellular calls and texts.

If you want to block calls and texts from unapproved contacts, consider a Bark Phone or Bark Watch.

Can the Bark Home power off a TV or gaming console?

No. Bark Home can pause internet access and set app schedules, but it can't power devices off. Check the device's own settings for a "Downtime" or auto-off feature.