If your child cannot send texts or make calls on the Bark Watch, work through the checks below in order. A few steps differ by watch model, and those are marked.
What you might see
Red ❌ symbol near the cell signal
Error message: "Mobile network not available"
Messages app is gray, says "Contact a parent," or says "Disabled"
Texts won't send or receive
Calls don't work
Checks to try
⚠️ Don't factory reset the watch. This can cause more problems.
1. Restart the watch. Turn it off, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. To force a restart:
Samsung model: press and hold the Home button and the Back button for about 7 seconds.
Schok model: press and hold the top side button for about 20 seconds.
2. Check the signal. Since the Bark Watch needs cellular service for calls and texts to work, swipe down from the watch face for the signal indicator. What do you see?
📶 Signal bars = The watch has service. Good!
Note: In rural areas, deep inside buildings, or underground, signal strength may drop to 1–2 bars or cut out entirely. The Bark Watch has a smaller antenna than a phone, so it may show weaker signal than a phone in the same location. If the watch shows fewer than two bars, try moving somewhere with better reception, like outdoors.❌ No bars or "Mobile network not available" = No service. Your child should go outside or find a spot with better signal.
3. Make sure Airplane mode is off. Swipe down from the watch face to open the Quick Access panel and check that the 
Airplane mode icon is off.
On the Samsung model, Bark cannot block Airplane mode, so a child could accidentally turn it on and cut off calls and texts.
On the Schok model, you can block Airplane mode in your parent app.
4. Messages app is gray, says "Contact a parent," or says "Disabled." This means texting is turned off. This could be due to...
The routines you've set for blocking or allowing texting
Pause being enabled
5. Check that the contact is approved. If Contact Approval is on, your child can only text and call approved and emergency contacts. Add or approve the contact in your dashboard.
6. Is it a group text? On the Samsung model, group texts work. On the Schok model, group texts are not supported.
7. Can't hear the caller
Check for mute or Bluetooth connections
Ensure the call isn't muted on the watch and that no Bluetooth headphones are connected that aren't being used.
Inspect the speaker
Check the small speaker opening on the side of the watch for lint, dirt, or moisture. If the watch was recently exposed to water, gently shake it or let it dry before testing again.
Still stuck?
Run these test texts, then send Bark Support the results:
Send a text from the watch to your parent phone.
Send a text from your parent phone to the watch.
Send a text from the watch to a phone with the opposite operating system (Android or iPhone).
Send a text from a phone with the opposite operating system (Android or iPhone) to the watch.
Reach out to us with the results and any additional information that may help.