How to Monitor an Android Device & Enable Screen Time

Set up your kid's Android

Watch this video to learn how to monitor an Android device and enable app blocking. If you'd like some additional tips — or if the video doesn't play — follow the step-by-step instructions written below.

1. On your kid's Android, open up a browser app (like Chrome).
2. Go to bark.us/android.
3. Tap Download for Bark Kids.
4. When it’s finished downloading, tap Open.
   
   
   Don't see "File downloaded"? Find the file in the browser app's Downloads or in their Files app. You can also slide your finger down from the top of the screen and tap on the downloaded file that way.
5. Next, you may see a pop-up warning you about unknown apps. Don’t worry — the Bark for Kids app is perfectly safe! But you’ll need to allow this for Bark to work.
6. Tap Settings.
   
7. Toggle on Allow from this source.
   
8. If you're using Google Family Link, follow these additional steps on your parent phone to install Bark. Then, come back to this guide.
9. On your kid's Android, tap back.
   
10. You can now tap Install.
    
    
    Don't see the install prompt? Look for bark-for-kids.apk in the browser app's Downloads or in the device's Files app. You can also try downloading it again.
11. Open up the Bark Kids app from their home screen or apps list.
    
    Different app icon? You may have installed the wrong app!
12. Set your kid's Android aside for now.
13. Open up the Bark parent app / dashboard on your own device.
14. Tap on the v menu (desktop) or ☰ More (mobile).
15. Tap Device code.
16. Use this code to log into the Bark Kids app on your kid's Android.
    
    Getting a login error? Double check that your kid's Android is connected to the internet and try again.
17. Tap While using the app on the Location permission.
    
18. Tap Allow on all prompts.
    
19. If you see the message below on your kid's Android, tap Open Settings.
    
    
    • Tap Advanced.
    • Tap Private DNS.
    • Turn off Private DNS.
      
    • Tap the Home button (usually a square or circle at the bottom).
    • Open the Bark Kids app again.
20. Tap Allow for notifications.
    
21. Tap OK on the VPN request.
    
22. If you see the message below, tap Start now.
     
23. Tap Open Settings to turn on Accessibility.
    
24. Tap Bark under the Services or Installed Services.
25. Toggle on Bark Accessibility.
    
    
    Getting an error? On Android 13 devices, you have to do this first: open up Settings > tap Apps > Bark > three dots > Allow restricted settings. Then, go back to the Bark Kids app.
26. Tap Check In.
27. Go back to the home screen or apps list on your kid's Android.
28. Open up the Chrome app.
    • Tap the three-line menu.
    • Tap Settings.
    • Tap Privacy.
    • Tap Use secure DNS.
    • Toggle off secure DNS.
      
      Don't see this option? Then, move on to the next step. 
29. Consider enabling location alerts on your kid's Android by following this guide:
    
    Location Alerts
    
    
30. On your parent app / dashboard, double check your time zone.
    • Tap on the v menu (desktop) or ☰ More (mobile).
    • Tap Account settings.
    • Adjust your time zone if needed.

How do I know it's working?

Open up your parent app / dashboard, and tap on Monitoring under your kid.  

Remember to also connect your child's other social media and email accounts for comprehensive coverage.

Need help?

Check out our Android troubleshooting guide. Our customer support team is also here for you! Please reach out to us if you need additional assistance.