How to Set Up Screen Time on iOS

Updated May 04, 2023 19:10

Paola

To learn more about Bark's screen time & filtering features, click here.

Watch this video to learn how to set up screen time & filtering on an iOS device. If you'd like some additional tips — or if the video doesn't play — follow the step-by-step instructions written below.

NOTE: If you're on the Bark Premium subscription, you also need to follow additional steps to monitor your child's iOS device texts, photos, videos, and more.

Get Started

STEP 1: Install the Bark Kids app on your child's iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch. It looks like this:

NOTE: If it's a different icon, it may be the wrong app!

STEP 2: Set the child's device aside. On your parent device, navigate to your Bark Account Settings. Scroll down and tap on Get a device code.

STEP 3: Grab the child's device, open the Bark Kids app, enter in the device code, and tap Get Started.

bark kids app device code login.png

NOTE: If you are getting an error logging in, check that your child's device is connected to the internet and try again. If still no luck, go to your parent/guardian device to reset your Bark password.

STEP 4: When asked about Location permissions, tap Always Allow or Allow While Using App.

STEP 5: When asked about installing a VPN, tap Allow. You may be asked to enter your child's lockscreen passcode.

STEP 6: Consider enabling location alerts.

Our optional location alerts feature allows you to get a push notification every time your child arrives or departs a set location. In order to take advantage of this feature, you'll need to follow this guide:

Location Alerts

NOTE: Do not log out of the Bark Kids app or screen time & web filtering will be impacted.

Congratulations! 🎉

From your Bark dashboard, you will now see the device under the child's profile by going to Screen Time > Devices:

NOTE: If you're on the Bark Premium subscription, you also need to follow additional steps to monitor your child's iOS device texts, photos, videos, and more. Doing so will lead to a green checkmark under the device when visiting Monitoring > Devices & Apps under the child.

Best Practices

Consider talking to your child about Bark and why the Bark Kids app / VPN needs to remain installed. Don't worry, if we detect the app or VPN stops working, we'll notify you via email, text, and/or the parent app.

If you'd like to be proactive and prevent the Bark Kids app from being uninstalled, you can use Apple's Screen Time to do so! Grab your child's iOS device and navigate to...

Settings app > Screen Time > Content & Privacy Restrictions > iTunes and App Store Purchases > Deleting Apps > Don’t Allow

NOTE: If you haven’t set up iOS Screen Time, click here for instructions. Make sure to set an iOS Screen Time passcode that only you know.

Managing Screen Time & Web Filtering Rules

Manage web filters, block apps, and more from your dashboard. Click here for more information on managing your child's Screen Time & Web Filtering:

Set Rules & Limits

NOTE: Please allow some time for the web filter and content monitoring to sync up with your child's device for the first time. Web activity gets cached or queued and this is why it can take some time for the web filtering to get settled on your child's device.

How do I monitor the texts, photos, videos for worrisome content?

If you are on Bark Premium, you need to follow some additional steps to get your child's iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch texts and photos monitored. Click the button below for a guide and help video:

Set Up Monitoring of Child's iOS Device

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.

Get Started

Congratulations! 🎉

Best Practices

Managing Screen Time & Web Filtering Rules

How do I monitor the texts, photos, videos for worrisome content?

Need help or have additional questions?

Get in touch