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How to Identify Devices for In-Home Filtering

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Paola
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Once the Bark Home™ or a Bark router is set up, it will detect all new devices connected to your home Wi-Fi and automatically drop them into the Unmanaged profile on your dashboard.

While sometimes we can display the device name (e.g. Renee's iPhone), other times we may only detect a generic manufacturer name (e.g. Apple Inc), or be unable to detect any name at all (e.g. Unknown Device).

The good news is, we've empowered you with tools to identify your in-home devices and rename them.

We show you two important pieces of information that will help you identify your devices: their MAC Address and Device Name. There's two methods to using this information.

METHOD 1

This method allows you to visit a URL on each device that tells you that device's MAC Address and Device Name. 

  • Visit me.bark.us on each device in your home.
    NOTE: If it loads a blank page, try an incognito browser window.
  • It will then display that device's MAC Address and Device Nickame (see example below).
  • You can quickly rename the device from this page, allowing you to more easily assign it to a profile in your app / dashboard.
    NOTE: You will need to refresh your app/dashboard to see the device nickname change.
  • After you're done, you can simply close out of the page and set that device aside.
  • Repeat for each device in your home.
  • If a device does not have a web browser (such as a smart thermostat), you can use Method 2 instead.

mebarkus-cropped.png

METHOD 2

Universally, you can find the MAC Address of a device by going to that device's network settings. Sometimes, there will also be a label on the device that shows their MAC Address. Below, we include information on how to find those settings on many devices so that you can match them up with the unknown devices that Bark Home detected:

iPhone/iPad/iPod Touch

If the device is on iOS 14+, disable Private Address by following this guide.

Then, open Settings > General > Click About > Look for the Wi-Fi Address. This is what they call the MAC Address. 

Android Devices

If the device is on Android 10+, disable Randomized MAC by following this guide.

Then, open Settings > About Phone > Status > Look for the Wi-Fi MAC address.

Windows Computers

  • If the device is on Windows 10+, you may have to disable Randomized MAC by following this guide. If your Windows computer doesn't have that option, move on to the next step below.
  • Click on the Start menu in the bottom-left corner of your computer Windows logo - Free logo icons . 
  • Select Run or type cmd into the search bar at the bottom of the Start menu to bring up the Command Prompt.
  • Type ipconfig /all (note the space between the g and /all).
  • The MAC address is listed as series of 12 digits, listed as the Physical Address (00:1A:C2:7B:00:47, for example).  
    NOTE: Each network adapter (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, etc.) on the computer has a separate MAC address. This means that each one may appear as a separate device in Bark until merged.

Mac Computers

  • Click the Apple icon on the top left.
  • Select System Preferences... > Network > Select Wi-Fi or Ethernet > Advanced > Hardware > Look for MAC Address.
    NOTE: Each network adapter (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, etc.) on the computer has a separate MAC address. This means that each one may appear as a separate device in Bark until merged.

Chromebooks

  • If you haven't yet, sign in to the Chromebook.
  • At the bottom right, select the time.
  • Select the Wi-Fi network .
  • At the top of the box, select Information .
  • You'll see your Chromebook's IP address and IPv6 address. Your MAC address is labeled "Wi-Fi."
    NOTE: Each network adapter (Wi-Fi, Ethernet, etc.) on the computer has a separate MAC address. This means that each one may appear as a separate device in Bark until merged.

Xbox One

  1. On the Xbox Dashboard screen, select Settings.
  2. Select General > Network Settings > Advanced Settings > IP Settings.
  3. You should now see the MAC Address listed for Wired (Ethernet) and a different MAC Address listed for Wireless (Wi-Fi).
    NOTE: This means that each one may appear as a separate device in Bark until merged.

Xbox 360

  1. Go the Xbox 360 Dashboard and navigate all the way to the right most tab labeled My Xbox and select the System Settings option.
  2. Select Network Settings then Configure Network
  3. Go to the Additional Settings Tab and select the Advanced Settings. In the next window you should see the MAC Address listed.

PlayStation 4

  1. Go to Settings in the main menu (looks like a toolbox).
  2. Scroll down and select System. Then select System Information.
  3. You should now see the MAC Address listed for LAN (Ethernet) and a different MAC Address listed for Wireless (Wi-Fi).
    NOTE: This means that each one may appear as a separate device in Bark until merged.

PlayStation 3

  1. Go to Settings in the main menu (looks like a toolbox).
  2. In settings, go to System, then scroll down to System Information. Your MAC Address will be listed here.

Nintendo Switch

  1. On the Home Menu, go to System Settings.
  2. In the menu on the left side, select Internet. The MAC Address will be under System MAC Address.

Wii U

  1. On the Wii U menu screen, select to the System Settings Icon
  2. Go to the Internet menu and select it. Then select the View MAC Address icon. The MAC address will be listed here.

Wii

  1. From the Wii Channel Menu, select the Wii Settings button the in the bottom left hand corner
  2. Navigate the settings menu to Internet, and the Console Settings. The MAC Address will be listed there.

Nintendo 3DS

  1. On the 3DS Home Screen, select System Settings. Then select Internet Settings.
  2. In the Internet Settings, select Other Information and then Confirm MAC Address. The MAC Address will be listed here.

Modems, Routers, and other Network Devices

Modems, routers, and other networking devices usually have a sticker on the bottom that states the MAC address. These types of devices should always be assigned to the Ignored profile.

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Other Devices

Other devices not listed here could include TVs, DVD/Blu-Ray players, and gaming systems. Whatever the device is, it usually displays the MAC Address in the Settings > Network menu.

 

Need help or have additional questions?

We are happy to assist! Reach out to Bark Support, and we'll help every step of the way.