iOS device not detected over Wi-Fi

Interactive Troubleshooter

Text Instructions

Here's what to do if your child's iOS device is not being detected by Bark over Wi-Fi.

If using a computer or Bark Home

Start with the first step below and follow the steps in order.

Test if Bark can detect your child's iOS device over Wi-Fi

1. Double check your home computer (or Bark Home) is turned on.
2. If using the computer method, ensure it's awake.
3. On your kid's iOS device, open the Settings app.
4. Turn off Personal Hotspot, if present.
5. Then, tap Wi-Fi.
6. Tap the Wi-Fi name of your home network.
7. Double check that your computer or Bark Home are connected to the same network as your kid's iPhone or iPad. (If you have a 5GHz and 2.4GHz option, try having both on the same one)
8. Then, open up your parent app / dashboard.
9. Tap on your child > Devices.

10. Select their iPhone or iPad in the list.

    Not seeing their iOS device on the list? Get it set up.
11. You should see Connected to your home computer (or Bark Home). You may have to refresh the page.
12. If it's still not being detected over Wi-Fi, move on down to the next step.

Check for a VPN or configuration profile on your child's device

1. On your kid's iOS device, open the Settings app again.
2. Tap General.
3. Tap VPN and Device Management (may also be named "VPN" or "Profiles & Device Management").

4. Check for a third-party VPN or configuration profile. If a non-Bark one is present, delete it. Below are examples of third party profiles you can delete:

5. After making those changes, refresh your parent app / dashboard.
6. If it's still not being detected over Wi-Fi, move on down to the next step.

If you're using a VPN or work computer, try a personal computer instead

1. If you use a VPN on your home computer or Wi-Fi network, turn it off.
2. If it's your work computer, it may have special security that prevents Bark from working. We recommend using your personal computer.
3. After making those changes, refresh your parent app / dashboard.
4. If it's still not being detected over Wi-Fi, move on down to the next step.

If on MacOS 15.5+, adjust these settings

1. Open System settings.
2. Click Privacy and security.
3. Click on local network.
4. Enable Bark.
5. After making those changes, refresh your parent app / dashboard.
6. If it's still not being detected over Wi-Fi, move on down to the next step.

Make sure the device is connected by plugging it in

Plugging it in for a little bit may re-pair the device with Bark and fix the Wi-Fi detection issue.

1. Plug in your kid's iOS device to the computer (or Bark Home).
2. Unlock their device, and tap Trust Computer, if prompted. If there is no prompt to tap Trust, you may have granted it already.
3. Then, refresh your parent app / dashboard.
4. Look for Connected to your home computer (or Bark Home). You may have to wait a few minutes.
5. Then, unplug the device.
6. Next, click on Connected to your home computer (or Bark Home) and then on Analyze.
7. Leave it alone or stick around to watch the progress.
8. If it's still not detected over Wi-Fi, move on down to the next step.

Add Bark as an exception in your firewall

Firewalls help your devices keep out unwanted apps — but you want Bark! Here's how to fix it.

1. Here's how to allow Bark through your firewall.
2. After making those changes, refresh your parent app / dashboard.
3. If it's still not being detected over Wi-Fi, move on down to the next step.

Check for software updates

Are you running the most current version of your software? If not, Bark may encounter issues.

1. We can walk you through how to install software updates on your devices.
2. After making those changes, refresh your parent app / dashboard.
3. If it's still not being detected over Wi-Fi, move on down to the next step.

Check iTunes or Finder settings

These settings help your kid's iOS device communicate with your computer or Bark Home sometimes. Depending on the computer you're using, you'll use iTunes or Finder.

• All Windows PCs and some older Macs follow the iTunes steps below.
• Newer Macs follow the Finder steps below.

Check iTunes settings

1. Open iTunes.
2. Plug in your child's iOS device.
3. Unlock their iOS device and tap Trust Computer, if prompted. If there is no prompt to tap Trust, you may have granted it already.
4. If you see a welcome screen, select Set up as new iPhone/iPad/iPod.
   (If you don't see this, move on to the next step.)
5. Click the 📱 phone on the top left:
   
6. Scroll down to Options.
7. Check Sync with this iPhone over Wi-Fi:
    
8. Click Apply on the bottom right (no need to click Sync).
9. After it's done, unplug your child's iOS device.
10. Are you still seeing the 📱 phone icon on the top left of iTunes?
    • If you are, that's a great sign! Check whether Bark can detect your kid's iOS device over Wi-Fi now.
    • If you are not, it means the device isn't being detected by your computer at all, not just Bark.

Check Finder settings

1. Open Finder.
2. Plug in your child's iOS device.
3. Unlock their iOS device and tap Trust Computer, if prompted. If there is no prompt to tap Trust, you may have granted it already.
4. Click on your child's iOS device on the left column of Finder (under Locations).
5. If applicable, click Trust on Finder.
6. If you see the Welcome screen below, select Set up as new iPhone/iPad/iPod.
   (If you don't see this, skip to the next step.)
7. Scroll down and ☑ checkmark the option Show this [iPhone, iPad, or iPod] when on Wi-Fi.
8. Click Apply on the bottom right (no need to click Sync).
9. After it's done, unplug your child's iOS device.
10. Are you still seeing your child's iOS device under Locations on the left of Finder?
    • If you are, that's a great sign! Check whether Bark can detect your kid's iOS device over Wi-Fi now.
    • If you are not, it means the device isn't being detected by your computer at all, not just Bark.

If using Bark Sync

Want to check if the Bark Sync is online and your child's device is connected? Here's how:

1. Open up your parent app / dashboard.
2. Tap on your child > Devices.

3. Select their iPhone or iPad in the list to review the current status of the Bark Sync, the current status of your child's iOS device, and whether Bark has analyzed your child's device recently. It will include steps to fix any Wi-Fi connectivity issues.

   Not seeing their iOS device on the list? Get it set up.
4. If you don't see it connected:
   • Verify the Bark Sync's LED light is solid blue.
   • Verify you're using the provided Bark cable.
   • Verify the Bark Kids app is set up on your child's device.
   • Unplug the cable from both ends and plug it in again.

Still no luck?

Check to see if it's one of these common errors.