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Identify and Rename Devices for In-Home Filtering

Updated
Paola Rivera

With Bark's in-home filtering, you can block apps and sites on devices connected to your home Wi-Fi. When a new device joins your network, Bark assigns them to the Unmanaged profile.

Unknown Devices

While sometimes we can detect 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).

Quickly Identify Devices

Follow these tips to rename unknown devices in Bark to names that you recognize. This will help you better manage your in-home devices.

  1. Visit me.bark.us on the device in question.

    Loading a blank page or getting an error? Try an incognito browser window. Make sure it's connected to your home Wi-Fi.
    Device doesn't have a web browser? Use the advanced method instead.
  2. Rename the device to something you recognize.mebarkus-cropped.png
    Not seeing an "Edit" button?
    That means you’ve already edited the name on this page. To prevent confusion caused by frequent renaming, we remove the 'Edit' button after the initial edit. The good news is, you can still modify the name by using the advanced method of identifying devices available on your parent app / dashboard.
  3. Close out of the browser.
  4. Set that device aside.
  5. Repeat these steps for each device in your home.
  6. Once you're done, assign them to profiles.
  7. Customize rules for each profile.

Advanced Method

At Bark, we identify devices using their MAC address. Think of it like a device's fingerprint!

Check out our instructions below on how to locate the MAC address for popular devices, rename them in Bark, and assign them to profiles.


iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch

  1. If on iOS 14+, disable Private Address. 
  2. Open up ⚙ Settings.
  3. Tap on General and then on About.
  4. Look for the Wi-Fi Address. This is what they call the MAC address. 
  5. On your dashboard or app, click into the devices under Screen Time or Unmanaged:
    click_into_screen_time_device.png
  6. Scroll down to MAC Address. Does it match the MAC address you see on the iPhone or iPad?
  7. If it does not, continue searching in Bark for the device matching that MAC address.
  8. If it does, rename it to something you recognize! 
    Click on Edit next to the Device nickname.
    rename a device 
  9. Then, assign the device to the correct profile.
    Click on Edit next to Belongs to.
    device belongs to a profile

Androids

  1. If on Android 10+, disable Randomized MAC. 
  2. Open up ⚙ Settings.
  3. Tap on About Phone and then on Status.
  4. Look for the Wi-Fi MAC address.
  5. On your dashboard or app, click into the devices under Screen Time or Unmanaged:
    click into screen time device
  6. Scroll down to MAC Address. Does it match the MAC address you see on the Android?
  7. If it does not, continue searching in Bark for the device matching that MAC address.
  8. If it does, rename it to something you recognize! 
    Click on Edit next to the Device nickname.
    find_and_rename_device.png 
  9. Then, assign the device to the correct profile.
    Click on Edit next to Belongs to.
    belongs_to_device.png

Windows Computers

  1. If on Windows 10+, disable Randomized MAC. If your PC doesn't have that option, skip this step.
  2. Click on 🔎 search on your taskbar.
  3. Search for Command Prompt, and click on Run as Administrator.command_prompt_app.png
  4. Type ipconfig /all (note the space between the g and /all).
  5. Find the Physical Address (00:1A:C2:7B:00:47, for example). This is what they call the MAC Address.  
    Seeing multiple? 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.
  6. On your dashboard or app, click into the devices under Screen Time or Unmanaged:
    click_into_screen_time_device.png
  7. Scroll down to MAC Address. Does it match the MAC address you see on the PC?
  8. If it does not, continue searching in Bark for the device matching that MAC address.
  9. If it does, rename it to something you recognize! 
    Click on Edit next to the Device nickname.
    find_and_rename_device.png 
  10. Then, assign the device to the correct profile.
    Click on Edit next to Belongs to.
    belongs_to_device.png

Mac Computers

  1. Click on the apple.svg apple on the top left.
  2. Select System Preferences.
  3. Click on Network and then on Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
  4. Select Advanced and click on Hardware.
  5. Find the MAC Address.
    Seeing multiple? 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.
  6. On your dashboard or app, click into the devices under Screen Time or Unmanaged:
    click_into_screen_time_device.png
  7. Scroll down to MAC Address. Does it match the MAC address you see on the Mac?
  8. If it does not, continue searching in Bark for the device matching that MAC address.
  9. If it does, rename it to something you recognize! 
    Click on Edit next to the Device nickname.
    find_and_rename_device.png 
  10. Then, assign the device to the correct profile.
    Click on Edit next to Belongs to.
    belongs_to_device.png

Chromebooks

  1. If you haven't yet, sign in to the Chromebook.
  2. At the bottom right, select the time.
  3. Select the  Wi-Fi network.
  4. At the top of the box, select info_button.png Information.
  5. You'll see your Chromebook's IP address and IPv6 address. Your MAC address is labeled "Wi-Fi."
    Seeing multiple? 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.
  6. On your dashboard or app, click into the devices under Screen Time or Unmanaged:
    click_into_screen_time_device.png
  7. Scroll down to MAC Address. Does it match the MAC address you see on the Chromebook?
  8. If it does not, continue searching in Bark for the device matching that MAC address.
  9. If it does, rename it to something you recognize! 
    Click on Edit next to the Device nickname.
    find_and_rename_device.png 
  10. Then, assign the device to the correct profile.
    Click on Edit next to Belongs to.
    belongs_to_device.png

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.
  4. On your dashboard or app, click into the devices under Screen Time or Unmanaged:
    click_into_screen_time_device.png
  5. Scroll down to MAC Address. Does it match one of the MAC addresses you see on the Xbox?
  6. If it does not, continue searching in Bark for the device matching that MAC address.
  7. If it does, rename it to something you recognize! 
    Click on Edit next to the Device nickname.
    find_and_rename_device.png 
  8. Then, assign the device to the correct profile.
    Click on Edit next to Belongs to.
    belongs_to_device.png

Xbox 360

  1. Go to the Xbox 360 Dashboard.
  2. Navigate to the tab all the way to the right that is labeled My Xbox.
  3. Select System Settings.
  4. Select Network Settings then Configure Network
  5. Go to the Additional Settings tab and select Advanced Settings. 
  6. Now you should see the MAC Address listed.
  7. On your dashboard or app, click into the devices under Screen Time or Unmanaged:
    click_into_screen_time_device.png
  8. Scroll down to MAC Address. Does it match one of the MAC addresses you see on the Xbox?
  9. If it does not, continue searching in Bark for the device matching that MAC address.
  10. If it does, rename it to something you recognize! 
    Click on Edit next to the Device nickname.
    find_and_rename_device.png 
  11. Then, assign the device to the correct profile.
    Click on Edit next to Belongs to.
    belongs_to_device.png

PlayStation 4

  1. Go to Settings in the main menu.
  2. Scroll down and select System.
  3. Select System Information.
  4. 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.
  5. On your dashboard or app, click into the devices under Screen Time or Unmanaged:
    click_into_screen_time_device.png
  6. Scroll down to MAC Address. Does it match one of the MAC addresses you see on the PlayStation?
  7. If it does not, continue searching in Bark for the device matching that MAC address.
  8. If it does, rename it to something you recognize! 
    Click on Edit next to the Device nickname.
    find_and_rename_device.png 
  9. Then, assign the device to the correct profile.
    Click on Edit next to Belongs to.
    belongs_to_device.png

PlayStation 3

  1. Go to Settings in the main menu.
  2. Click on System.
  3. Under System Information, you will see the MAC Address.
  4. On your dashboard or app, click into the devices under Screen Time or Unmanaged:
    click_into_screen_time_device.png
  5. Scroll down to MAC Address. Does it match one of the MAC addresses you see on the PlayStation?
  6. If it does not, continue searching in Bark for the device matching that MAC address.
  7. If it does, rename it to something you recognize! 
    Click on Edit next to the Device nickname.
    find_and_rename_device.png 
  8. Then, assign the device to the correct profile.
    Click on Edit next to Belongs to.
    belongs_to_device.png

Nintendo Switch

  1. On the Home Menu, go to System Settings.
  2. In the menu on the left side, select Internet.
  3. Under System MAC Address, you will see the MAC Address.
  4. On your dashboard or app, click into the devices under Screen Time or Unmanaged:
    click_into_screen_time_device.png
  5. Scroll down to MAC Address. Does it match one of the MAC addresses you see on the Switch?
  6. If it does not, continue searching in Bark for the device matching that MAC address.
  7. If it does, rename it to something you recognize! 
    Click on Edit next to the Device nickname.
    find_and_rename_device.png 
  8. Then, assign the device to the correct profile.
    Click on Edit next to Belongs to.
    belongs_to_device.png

Wii U

  1. On the Wii U menu screen, select System Settings.
  2. Select Internet.
  3. Then, select View MAC Address.
  4. On your dashboard or app, click into the devices under Screen Time or Unmanaged:
    click_into_screen_time_device.png
  5. Scroll down to MAC Address. Does it match one of the MAC addresses you see on the Wii U?
  6. If it does not, continue searching in Bark for the device matching that MAC address.
  7. If it does, rename it to something you recognize! 
    Click on Edit next to the Device nickname.
    find_and_rename_device.png 
  8. Then, assign the device to the correct profile.
    Click on Edit next to Belongs to.
    belongs_to_device.png

Wii

  1. From the Wii Channel Menu, select the Wii Settings button on the bottom left.
  2. Navigate to Internet. 
  3. Click into Console Settings.
  4. Find the MAC Address.
  5. On your dashboard or app, click into the devices under Screen Time or Unmanaged:
    click_into_screen_time_device.png
  6. Scroll down to MAC Address. Does it match one of the MAC addresses you see on the Wii?
  7. If it does not, continue searching in Bark for the device matching that MAC address.
  8. If it does, rename it to something you recognize! 
    Click on Edit next to the Device nickname.
    find_and_rename_device.png 
  9. Then, assign the device to the correct profile.
    Click on Edit next to Belongs to.
    belongs_to_device.png

Nintendo 3DS

  1. On the 3DS Home Screen, select System Settings.
  2. Click on Internet Settings.
  3. Select Other Information.
  4. Click on Confirm MAC Address.
  5. On your dashboard or app, click into the devices under Screen Time or Unmanaged:
    click_into_screen_time_device.png
  6. Scroll down to MAC Address. Does it match one of the MAC addresses you see on the 3DS?
  7. If it does not, continue searching in Bark for the device matching that MAC address.
  8. If it does, rename it to something you recognize! 
    Click on Edit next to the Device nickname.
    find_and_rename_device.png 
  9. Then, assign the device to the correct profile.
    Click on Edit next to Belongs to.
    belongs_to_device.png

Modems, Routers, and Networking 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.

linksys_router_example.png


Other Devices

Other devices not listed here could include TVs, DVD/Blu-Ray players, and gaming systems. 

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.