Interactive Troubleshooter
Text Instructions
The Messages app is grayed out
If you've blocked texting, the Messages app is grayed out and won't work. To manage this setting from your dashboard, go to the Bark Phone tile > Texts.
If the Built-In Apps category or Messages app has reached its time limit, the app will also become greyed out and inaccessible. To manage this setting from your dashboard, go to the Bark Phone tile > Time Limits.
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:
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Check that the photo or video attachment is under 800KB
Learn more. -
Check whether the contact is blocked in Bark
Tap the Bark Phone tile > Contacts. -
Check whether the contact is blocked in the Messages app
You can find this on the Bark Phone by opening theMessages app > tap ⚙ on top > Manage blocked numbers.
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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. -
Did you port in your kid's number?
If so, deregister the phone number from iMessage (if ported over from iPhone) or deregister the number from RCS chats (if ported over from Android). -
Check for updates to carrier services
You can find this on the Bark Phone by opening thePlay Store app > search
Carrier Services > update if applicable.
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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.
When you unblock texting...
This is considered a rule change.
Rules may take a few minutes to take effect.
If they're taking longer than expected, check out the guide below: