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How to Monitor an Android Device & Enable Screen Time

Updated
Paola Rivera

Set up your kid's Android phone or tablet

If your kid has an Android device like a Samsung, Pixel, Motorola, or Nokia, you'll install the Bark Kids app from our site to get set up.

📱 Setting up a Bark Phone? Then, this guide doesn't apply to you! The Bark Kids app comes pre-installed on Bark Phones. Instead, click here to set up a Bark Phone.
  1. On your kid's Android, open up a browser app (like Chrome or Firefox).
  2. Go to bark.us/android.
  3. Tap Download for Bark Kids.
  4. When it’s finished downloading, tap Open.
    A picture of an Android notification showing an underlined checkmark and text that says File downloaded next to an Open button
    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.
  5. If you get a "File might be harmful" warning, tap Download anyway. Don’t worry — the Bark for Kids app is perfectly safe! But you’ll need to allow this for Bark to work.
    File might be harmful - Download anyway.png
  6. If you're using Family Link flag icon Google Family Link, follow these additional steps on your parent phone to install Bark. Then, come back to this guide.
  7. Next, you may see a pop-up warning you about unknown apps. If you do, tap Settings.
    A picture of an Android notification showing a Chrome icon at the top followed by text saying For your security, yout phone is not allowed to install unknown apps from this source. There is a Cancel button and a Settings button.
  8. Toggle on Allow from this source.
    A picture of a section of Android settings with text saying Install unknown apps at the top, a Chrome icon in the middle with a version number, and a setting called Allow from this source that has a toggle button next to it.
  9. You can now tap Install.
    A picture of an Android notification with a Bark dog icon at the top, Bark text, followed by text saying Do you want to install this application? followed by a Cancel button and an Install button.
    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.
    Getting a "Harmful app blocked" error on your kid's device? Tap on "More details" and then tap "Install anyway."
    Getting a "Package Installer Error" on your kid's Pixel?     Follow these additional steps to install Bark. Then, come back to this guide.
  10. Open up the Bark Kids app icon depicts a white barking dog on a multicolored background Bark Kids app from their home screen or apps list.
    Different app icon? You may have installed the wrong app!
  11. Set your kid's Android aside for now.
  12. Open up your parent app / dashboard.
    • Classic UI: Tap on the ☰ More menu or v menu > Get device code.
    • New UI: Tap on new UI - account icon.pngAccount > Device codes.
  13. 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.
  14. Tap Next on the disclosure screens.
  15. On the Get Started screen, tap each checklist item one by one to grant Bark the permissions it needs to protect your kid's device.
    New Android permission screen checklist Get Started.png
  16. Tap While using the app or Allow all the time on the Location permission.
    A picture of an Android notification that says Allow Bark to access this device's location? Followed by a While using the app button, a Only this time button, and a Don't allow button.
  17. Tap Bark under the Services or Installed Services to enable Accessibility permission.
  18. Toggle on Bark Accessibility.
    A picture of an Android setting that says Accessibility, a sub-heading that says Downloaded apps, and below that is Bark showing it's on
    Getting an error? On Android 13+ devices, you have to do this first: open up Settings > tap Apps > Bark > tap three dots on top right > Allow restricted settings. Then, go back to the Bark Kids app to allow permissions.
  19. Tap Allow on all other prompts (Media, SMS & MMS, Contacts, Notifications).
    A picture of an Android notification that says Allow Bark to access photos, videos, music, and audio on this device? Followed by an Allow button and a Don't allow button.
  20. Tap Open Settings > Permissions > Location > Allow all the time on the Background Location permission.
  21. Tap OK on the VPN request. 
  22. Tap Check In.
  23. Go back to the home screen or apps list on your kid's Android.
  24. 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? Just move on to the next step. 
  25. Open up the Settings app.
    • Tap the search bar.
    • Search for private dns (if not found, then skip this step!)
    • Make sure Private DNS is turned off.
  26. Lastly, prevent Bark from being affected by battery optimization and data saver settings.

How do I know it's working?


New UI

Open up your parent app / dashboard, tap your child's profile > Devices at the top.  
new UI BP battery.png


Classic UI

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

A picture that depicts the status of an Android device in the Bark parent app or dashboard. It has a header labeled Devices and the example device depicted is named Coolest Pixel 3. It has a green checkmark underneath along with text that says it was Last analyzed February 9, 4:19pm.

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.