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"Message Blocking is Active" Error on a Bark Phone

Updated
Paola Rivera

If your kid's Bark Phone is getting the automated text message below, it usually means there's a billing issue with either your child's Bark Phone service or with whomever they're communicating.

message blocking is active.png

("Free Msg: Receiver [phone number] unable to receive message - Message Blocking is active.")

First, let's check if your billing is up to date. After that, we'll check some things on your kid's Bark Phone.

On your parent app / dashboard

  1. On your own device, open up your parent app / dashboard.
    • If you're seeing that your account subscription is paused, that explains the error. If you'd like to remove the pause from your subscription, please reach out to us.
  2. Tap ☰ More (mobile) or v menu (desktop).
  3. Tap Account.
    • If you're seeing an error about your credit card, that could be the reason for the original error. Go ahead and update your card.
    • If you're not seeing an error related to updating your card, move on to the steps below.

On your kid's Bark Phone

  1. Turn the Bark Phone off, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on. Then, see if the issue is resolved.
  2. If the issue continues, let's swipe down from the top of the screen twice. Make sure Mobile Data is turned on.
  3. If the issue persists, let's check the SIM card:
    • On your kid's Bark Phone, open the Settings app.
    • Tap Connections.
    • Tap SIM Manager.
    • Look for Bark SIM in the SIM1 slot.
      • If it's in the SIM2 slot, that explains the issue! Remove the SIM card tray and insert the SIM card into the SIM1 slot instead.
      • If it's in the SIM1 slot and shows the correct phone number, please contact us with a picture of these settings and a brief description of what you've tried.