👋 Get to know Bark
New to Bark, Start here!
87 articles
Beginner's guides
These guides provide helpful tips on getting started with your subscription.
- Sign in to your accountHow to log in to Bark.
- Get started with BarkIn this article, you'll learn how to start using Bark to block apps and sites, get alerts about potential issues, and more.
- Find your Device CodesUse it to authenticate Bark.
- Reviewing alertsLearn how Bark notifies you about issues.
- Get insights into your child's activityAn overview of the Insights and Trends sections in the parent app.
- How to do a Bark account health checkMake sure your family's accounts and devices are covered.
- How to add a promo, referral, or gift card codeApply discount codes or promotions during signup.
- Ask the Bark AssistantLearn how to quickly fix rules and settings on your kid's profiles.
FAQs
Find answers to commonly asked questions about Bark.
- All of Bark's features and how they work on different devicesA comprehensive list of Bark's features.
- What sets Bark’s monitoring feature apart?Learn how Bark's AI-powered monitoring works and how it differs from other services.
- Introduction to the Bark PhoneAn overview of the Bark Phone's built-in parental controls, and what's included with your order.
- Do the Bark Phone and Bark Watch come with a phone number?They sure do.
- Bark Talk and Text Service CoverageHow to check if Bark's cellular service is available in your area.
- Does the Bark Phone have expandable memory?Yes, it does! Learn how to add an SD card.
- Uninstall ProtectionHow Bark prevents its apps from being deleted or tampered with across Android, iPhone, Bark Phone, and Bark Watch.
- Time to Set UpEstimates of how long it takes to get up and running.
- PricingLearn about our subscriptions and hardware.
- Bark Kids App Data Usage on iOS and AndroidHow the Bark Kids app uses cellular data.
- Do you offer phone support?It depends on what Bark product you have.
- Do you offer live chat support?You can connect with us on a live chat by following this guide.
- What are your support hours?Hours for our call, live chat, and email support teams.
- Submit feedbackHow to send Bark a feature request or other feedback.
- Setting Up Bark for Blended and Co-Parenting FamiliesTips for setting up and managing Bark across two households, including shared account access, app blocking, and device monitoring.
- I want to use Bark but I can’t afford it — can you help?
- CompatibilityLearn which iOS, Android, Windows, Mac, Chromebook, and Amazon Fire devices are compatible with Bark.
- Does Bark work if I have an iPhone and my child has an Android device?You can use Bark even if you and your child have different devices.
- Do I need to jailbreak or root my kid's device?
- Will my child know that Bark is installed?
- How do I talk to my child about using Bark?Get tips on the tough but important conversation.
- Security and privacyLearn how Bark protects your data.
- Children's Online Privacy Protection ActBark must have verifiable parental consent before monitoring a child under 13, as required by federal law.
- What does Bark's monitoring do vs. screen time & filtering?Monitoring analyzes your child's activity and alerts you to issues, while screen time and filtering lets you block or allow apps and websites.
- International availabilityBark is currently available in the U.S., Australia, and South Africa.
- Are Bark devices waterproof?Learn about each Bark device's water and dust resistance.
- Is the Bark Phone compatible with hearing aid technology?Bark Phone devices are HAC-rated for GSM, LTE, and UMTS, but some newer wireless technologies may not have been tested yet.
- Drive-A-Logue cardsA set of conversation-starter cards for families.
- Affiliate & Service Provider ProgramEarn revenue by promoting Bark to families in your community.
- Is my iOS device compatible with Bark?
- Is my Android device compatible with Bark?
- Is my Mac compatible with the Bark Desktop App?
- Is my Windows PC compatible with the Bark Desktop App?
- Is my Chromebook compatible with the Bark Desktop App?
- Is my kid's Chromebook compatible with Bark?Most Chromebooks from 2019 or later are fully supported. Older models may have limited compatibility.
- Is my kid's Apple Watch compatible with Bark?Bark can monitor iPhone content that appears on Apple Watches, but doesn't monitor the watch directly.
- Can you connect smartwatches to the Bark Phone?You can connect most Bluetooth-based devices to the Bark Phone.
- Is my child's Amazon Fire compatible with Bark?
- Can I monitor adults?Bark monitoring is limited to legal dependents under 18, with some exceptions for court-appointed guardianships.
- What apps come pre-installed on the Bark Phone?
- Does my Bark Phone data plan let me add a cellular (or LTE) smartwatch?
- Can I enable a hotspot on the Bark Phone?
- Can I order a new SIM card?Bark devices come with SIM cards pre-installed. You don't need to order one separately, and you should never swap it out.
- Introduction to the Bark WatchThe Bark Watch is a standalone kids' smartwatch with LTE, GPS, and monitoring built in. No phone required.
- Do you sell SD cards?
- TalkspaceBark customers get Talkspace Go for free and $100 off Talkspace Therapy.
- Router LimitsRouter Limits users can switch to Bark Home for the same screen time and filtering features.
- What does the button on the Bark Sync do?
- Can I use any charging cable with the Bark Sync?Use the cable that came with your Bark Sync for guaranteed functionality (it has the Bark logo on the connector).
- Do I need an SD card to use the Bark Sync?The Bark Sync has a microSD card slot, but it isn't used and no SD card is required.
- What is the QR code on the bottom of the Bark Sync for?
- Can I set up multiple Bark Syncs?Each child can share one Bark Sync or have their own — each one needs to be paired separately in the Bark Kids app.
- MomentsWeekly conversation starters designed to help you connect.
Monitoring
Bark scans your kid’s online activities for potential issues like bullying, suicidal ideation, sexting, and more.
- What Bark Monitors on Social MediaLearn what types of social media activity will be scanned for issues.
- What Bark Monitors on EmailBark monitors sent and received emails, image attachments, and new account confirmations across major email providers.
- What Bark Monitors on Online Storage PlatformsBark can scan documents, images, and videos stored in Dropbox, Google Drive, and OneDrive.
- Add a device or account for monitoringMonitoring alerts about issues in your child's texts and more.
- How does monitoring work?Bark uses advanced AI to scan your child's connected accounts and alert you to potential issues like bullying, self-harm, and predatory behavior.
- FAQ: Detecting new accounts and appsLearn when your kid downloads new apps or creates new accounts.
- FAQ: Photos & Videos
- FAQ: Text Messages
- Alert accuracyOur AI has been improving since 2015, but you can adjust sensitivity settings and contact support if something doesn't look right.
- Supported languagesOur system analyzes your kid's English, Spanish, and Afrikaans.
- How to Connect an AOL Email AccountYou'll need to generate an app password in AOL's account settings before connecting to Bark.
- How to Connect an iCloud Email AccountYou'll need to generate an app password in your child's Apple ID settings before connecting to Bark.
- How to Connect a Yahoo Email AccountYou'll need to generate an app password in Yahoo's account settings before connecting to Bark.
- FAQ: Apps from unknown sourcesAndroid requires you to allow apps from unknown sources before installing the Bark Kids app on a non-Bark device.
Screen time and filtering
Create custom schedules that manage what your kid can access on their devices, including what’s blocked and what’s allowed.
- Introduction to Bark's screen time & web filtering featuresBlock apps and sites and set schedules for internet access.
- How to set up mobile screen time controlsMobile screen time controls work on iPhones, Androids, Bark Phones, Bark Watches, and Chromebooks.
- Can I set screen time limits on iPhones and Androids?
- Can I set screen time limits on computers?
- How to set up app blocking and location tracking on iPhone and iPadiOS setup | Install the Bark Kids app to block apps and sites, set screen time schedules, and enable location tracking.
- SafeSearch & YouTube Restricted ModeLock SafeSearch and YouTube Restricted Mode across your child's devices from the Bark dashboard.
Location Tracking
We make location sharing simple with three different ways to keep track of your child — a real-time map, customizable location alerts, and check-ins.
- Location alerts and trackingAn overview of location alerts and tracking.
- Adjust the radius of a locationHow to adjust the boundaries of what is considered a location.
- Check-ins (legacy feature)Available only to users who were actively using check-ins before newer location features replaced it.
- Get directions to your kid's location
- Get a driving summary for your kidHow to get a summary of your child's driving activity.
- Prevent phone usage while driving with the Bark PhoneTurn on the "Lock While Driving" feature.