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Troubleshooting the Bark Phone

Find solutions for monitoring and filtering Bark Phones.

50 articles
Troubleshooting the Bark PhoneFix issues with the Bark Phone.
"Sorry, we can't activate the device" error when setting up Bark PhoneSomething is preventing you from setting up the Bark Phone.
Stuck During Bark Phone SetupHave you run into an issue setting up your Bark Phone? We’ve got answers to some common issues. How do I know when it's set up? You ...
Why does it say "Sign in with your work account" on a Bark Phone?There's no need to worry that it says "work account." When opening a Google app like the Play Store for the first time, Google asks your k...
Bark Phone stuck on "Activate Family Link Parental Controls"The Bark Phone doesn't support Google Family Link parental controls, so that's why you may be experiencing this message consistently (e.g....
Bark Phone says "Google Play services account action required"If your child’s Bark Phone displays a notification like this: Google Play ServicesAccount action required Device isn't readyTap to fini...
Can I use Google Family Link to supervise a Bark Phone?The short answer is no, but that’s okay! Bark’s built-in features cover everything you would receive via Google Family Link and so much mo...
Bark Phone can't make callsInteractive Troubleshooter Text Instructions If you’re experiencing calling issues on your kid's Bark Phone, you may be seeing “Service ...
Why are my contacts, emails, and events showing up on my child's Bark Phone?It seems you signed into your child's phone with your Google account and enabled syncing. Don't worry, it's an easy fix! On your kid's Ba...
Why does it say "This device belongs to your organization" on a Bark Phone?Don't worry! The message "This device belongs to your organization" is normal. It shows up because Bark's software is built into the phone...
Can't install Bark Kids app on a Bark PhoneThe Bark Kids app comes pre-installed on a Bark Phone! Here's how to make sure it's all set up: How to set up the Bark Phone
Google Play Store is missing from the Bark PhoneIf your child's Google Play Store app is missing from their Bark Phone, it's an easy fix. On your parent app / dashboard, enable the App ...
Manage settings app access for the Bark PhoneBecause of changes Samsung made to their operating system, you can't block the Settings app on a Bark Phone.However, restricted settings w...
Unable to sign into Google Play Store or Google servicesInteractive Troubleshooter Text Instructions If you enable the App Store for your child, it will ask that your kid sign in with a Google...
Error on Google Play: "Problem communicating with Google servers"This message means you can't sign into Google because of a spotty internet connection. On your kid's phone, slide your finger down from...
Error on Google Play: "This app won't work for your device"This message means that the app's developers have marked it as "incompatible" with your kid's device. Instructions Sometimes, you can fix...
Can't find an app in the Google Play Store of the Bark PhoneThe Google Play Store is the app store on the Bark Phone. If your kid searches for an app and only sees the "kids" version or gets the mes...
Google Play app downloads and updates stuck "pending" or "Waiting for Wi-Fi"The Google Play Store app is used to download apps on Android devices like the Bark Phone. Sometimes, Google gets stuck trying to download...
"Already used ICCID" error when setting up Bark PhoneSomething is blocking the setup of the Bark Phone.
"Message not sent. Touch to retry" Error on a Bark PhoneThere's an issue with the cell reception, SIM card, or billing. ...
"Couldn't send message, service unavailable" Error on a Bark PhoneThere's an issue with the cell reception, SIM card, or billing.
"Message Blocking is Active" Error on a Bark PhoneThere's a billing issue with your child's phone or with the other person they're texting.
"Not Registered on Network" Error on a Bark PhoneThere's an issue with the SIM card or with billing. 
"SIM1 not provisioned" Error on a Bark PhoneThere's an issue with the SIM card or with billing.
"Emergency calls only" Error on a Bark PhoneThere's an issue with the SIM card or with billing.
"The subscriber you have dialed is not in service" when calling a Bark PhoneThere's an issue with the Bark Phone's SIM card or billing. 
Important Bark Phone Setting Has Been DisabledThis means tamper protections have kicked in.
Screen turns off while using the Bark PhoneIf your Bark Phone's screen turns off too quickly while you’re using it, it is likely because of your screen timeout settings. Follow the ...
Screen time protection has been disrupted on the Bark PhoneIf screen time protection has been disrupted on your child's Bark Phone, get connected again by following this guide! Interactive Troubles...
Forgot Bark Phone lock screen password or PINIf your kid forgot their lock screen PIN, password, or pattern for the Bark Phone, please contact us for next steps.Then, watch this video...
"Action not allowed" message on a Bark PhoneIf you're seeing "Action not allowed | Contact your parent for access" on your child's Bark Phone, it could mean one of the following: Yo...
How to check the SIM/MicroSD slot on a Bark PhoneHere's how to check the SIM/MicroSD slot on a Bark Phone.What you need 📱 The Bark Phone An ejector pin: you can purchase one online or ...
All Bark Phone apps are grayed out or blockedLearn how to get apps back to normal.
Unapproved numbers can call or text the Bark PhoneIf your kid is getting calls or texts from unapproved contacts, let's check a few settings on your Bark parent app before checking some se...
Bark Phone rule changes are slow to updateLearn why rule changes may be slow to update.
Troubleshooting the texting app on the Bark PhoneInteractive Troubleshooter Text InstructionsI can't change the default text appOn Bark Phones, we created the Bark Messages app to support...
How do I save photos from texts on a Bark Phone?Your kid can save images from their texts on the the Bark Messages app that comes built into the Bark Phone. Just tap and hold over the m...
Troubleshooting the Camera App on the Bark PhoneI can't find the camera app You may have accidentally blocked the camera app. Here's how to un-block it. A blocked camera app means that: ...
Bark Phone Message Attachment Size Exceeds Max MMS LimitThe Messages app on the Bark Phone is used for texts, including picture and video attachments.  To save valuable cellular data, Bark will...
Storage access is disabled in Bark PhoneThe Bark Phone needs Storage Access enabled in your kid's settings to be fully set up. On your kid's Bark Phone, open the ⚙ Settings app....
Bark Phone won't automatically connect to Wi-FiHere's how to make your kid's Bark Phone connect to your home Wi-Fi network automatically: On your kid's Bark Phone, open the âš™ Settings ...
The Bark Phone button disappeared from the dashboardWhenever you set up a Bark Phone, you'll see a Bark Phone button under your kid on your parent app / dashboard: The Bark Phone button wil...
"No app found to open URL" error on Bark PhoneThis error indicates that web browsing is currently blocked on the Bark Phone. Please follow this guide to enable web browsing again. Note...
"Subscriber not found" error when updating E-911 address for Bark PhonePlease reach out for more help.
Cannot turn on Airplane ModeAirplane Mode is disabled by default on Bark Phone and Bark Watch. This is to ensure that the settings you set as a parent get deployed to...
Move a Bark Phone or Watch to a different kidLearn how to get the transfer process started.
Samsung NewsSamsung News (previously known as "Samsung Free") is an entertainment and news app that comes pre-installed on Samsung smartphones and tab...
Samsung KidsSamsung Kids is a built-in feature on newer Samsung Phones that is aimed at very young children. When enabled, it changes the home screen,...
Samsung Smart Switch AppSamsung Smart Switch is an app available for both Android and iOS that helps transfer messages, contacts, photos, and more between an old ...
Google One AppGoogle One is an app available for both Android and iOS that can set up automatic Google backups. Because of the permissions it requires, ...