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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 network. When a new device connects to 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 http://thisdevice.network on the device in question.
    Loading a blank page or getting an error? Make sure typed http (not https) in the URL. 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 so each device belongs to a specific person or group.
  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 General and then About.
  4. Look for the Wi-Fi Address and note it. This is what they call the MAC address. 
  5. On your dashboard or app, tap bark home profile at top.svg In-home Wi-Fi.
  6. Scroll down to Unmanaged.
  7. Search the MAC address. 
  8. Then, assign the device to the correct profile.

Androids

  1. If on Android 10+, disable Randomized MAC. 
  2. Open up ⚙ Settings.
  3. Tap About Phone and then Status.
  4. Look for the Wi-Fi MAC address and note it.
  5. On your dashboard or app, tap bark home profile at top.svg In-home Wi-Fi.
  6. Scroll down to Unmanaged.
  7. Search the MAC address. 
  8. Then, assign the device to the correct profile.

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, tap bark home profile at top.svg In-home Wi-Fi.
  7. Scroll down to Unmanaged.
  8. Search the MAC address. 
  9. Then, assign the device to the correct profile.

Mac Computers

  1. Click the apple.svg apple in the top left.
  2. Select System Preferences.
  3. Click Network and then Wi-Fi or Ethernet.
  4. Select Advanced and click 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, tap bark home profile at top.svg In-home Wi-Fi.
  7. Scroll down to Unmanaged.
  8. Search the MAC address. 
  9. Then, assign the device to the correct profile.


Chromebooks

  1. If you haven't yet, sign in to the Chromebook.
  2. At the bottom right, click on the clock.
  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, tap bark home profile at top.svg In-home Wi-Fi.
  7. Scroll down to Unmanaged.
  8. Search the MAC address. 
  9. Then, assign the device to the correct profile.


Meta Quest

  1. Press  Meta button /  Oculus button on your right controller to open the universal menu.
  2. Select the clock on the left side of the universal menu to open Quick settings.
  3. Select Settings in the top right, then select  General.
  4. Select About. Your MAC address will be listed under Network.
  5. On your dashboard or app, tap bark home profile at top.svg In-home Wi-Fi.
  6. Scroll down to Unmanaged.
  7. Search the MAC address. 
  8. Then, assign the device to the correct profile.

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, tap bark home profile at top.svg In-home Wi-Fi.
  5. Scroll down to Unmanaged.
  6. Search each MAC address. 
  7. Then, assign them to the correct profile.

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, tap bark home profile at top.svg In-home Wi-Fi.
  8. Scroll down to Unmanaged.
  9. Search the MAC address. 
  10. Then, assign the device to the correct profile.

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, tap bark home profile at top.svg In-home Wi-Fi.
  6. Scroll down to Unmanaged.
  7. Search each MAC address. 
  8. Then, assign them to the correct profile.

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, tap bark home profile at top.svg In-home Wi-Fi.
  5. Scroll down to Unmanaged.
  6. Search the MAC address. 
  7. Then, assign the device to the correct profile.

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, tap bark home profile at top.svg In-home Wi-Fi.
  5. Scroll down to Unmanaged.
  6. Search the MAC address. 
  7. Then, assign the device to the correct profile.

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, tap bark home profile at top.svg In-home Wi-Fi.
  5. Scroll down to Unmanaged.
  6. Search the MAC address. 
  7. Then, assign the device to the correct profile.

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, tap bark home profile at top.svg In-home Wi-Fi.
  6. Scroll down to Unmanaged.
  7. Search the MAC address. 
  8. Then, assign the device to the correct profile.

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, tap bark home profile at top.svg In-home Wi-Fi.
  6. Scroll down to Unmanaged.
  7. Search the MAC address. 
  8. Then, assign the device to the correct profile.

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.