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Troubleshoot the texting app on the Bark Phone

Fix issues with Bark Phone texting.

Choose your issue to get the steps to solve it:

I can't change the default text app

On Bark Phones, we created the Bark Messages app to support contact approvals and prevent deleted texts. Kids cannot switch to a different texting app on a Bark Phone.

The Messages app is grayed out

If you've blocked texting, the orange messages app.png Messages app is grayed out and won't work.

If the Built-In Apps category or Messages app has reached its time limit, the app will also become greyed out and inaccessible.

My kid can’t send or receive text messages

Here are a few things to double-check if your kid is having trouble sending texts:

  • Is it a video?
    If so, check that the video attachment is under 25MB (learn more).

  • Check whether the contact is blocked in Bark
    Tap your child's profile and check their contacts.

  • Check whether the contact is blocked in the orange messages app.png Messages app
    You can find this on the Bark Phone by opening the Messages app > tap on top > Manage blocked numbers.

  • Restart the phone
    This can really help!

  • Check the cell signal 📶
    If there are only 1-2 bars of signal, texting can be affected. Find a location with better signal or turn on Wi-Fi Calling and Texting.

  • Confirm whether the number is linked to iMessage or RCS
    Here's how to deregister the phone number from iMessage and deregister the number from RCS chats.

  • Check for updates to the Samsung operating system
    You can find this on the Bark Phone by opening the ⚙ Settings app > scroll down to Software Update > update if applicable.

  • Ensure that Mobile Data is enabled
    You can find this on the Bark Phone by sliding your finger down from the top of the screen twice and making sure Mobile Data is blue, as seen below.

Text app rules changes are delayed

Rule changes may take a few minutes to take effect. If they're taking longer than expected, check out the guide below:

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