FAQs

Does Bark monitor text messages?

Absolutely! Customers on the Bark Premium plan can monitor text messages, including pictures, audio, and video attached to a text message.

If Bark finds a phrasing or media in text messages that you as a parent/guardian would want to be aware of, we are able to alert you to that via email, text message, or in-app along with a snippet of the issue.

What platforms does Bark analyze text messages on?

Bark monitors text messages on iOS and Android devices. 

Is Bark compatible with iMessage?

Yes! Bark will monitor iMessages on iOS devices. To monitor iMessages on an iPhone, iPad, or iPod Touch, follow these steps.

What text apps does the monitoring include?

Bark can monitor text messages sent or received via the default text messaging apps on Android and iOS devices. This includes the Apple Messages app, the Google Messages app, and the Messages app we have pre-installed on the Bark Phone.

Does Bark allow me to see all text messages and pictures on my child's device immediately or in a list?

No. Parents/guardians don’t get access to every single message a child sends — only to activities that may require a conversation or intervention. Here’s some tips on how to talk to your child about Bark.

Bark uses advanced machine learning and statistical analysis techniques to recognize potential problems. When you've set up a device for monitoring, Bark will alert you to any issues found in the content of your device's text messages, such as bullying, violence, suicidal ideation, and more. This includes a copy of the alarming content, as well as recommended actions to help you handle the situation.

Due to the large volume of data the algorithms are analyzing, not just for keywords, but actual conversational context, the analysis is not instantaneous. However, because of this conversational context, it is more sensitive and much more likely to catch risky behavior! Learn more about what makes Bark different.

Is Bark able to analyze deleted text messages?

In some cases, yes. Again, Bark will not show all deleted text messages in a list for you. However, the content of some deleted texts may be available for Bark to analyze and alert you to any issues contained in them. Because Android is a more flexible operating system for app developers, our chances of analyzing deleted texts is much higher on monitored Android devices.

In addition, you may wish to consider the Bark Phone™, which doesn't allow the child to delete text messages at all!

Will Bark allow me to recover deleted text messages from a phone?

No. In many cases, Bark can analyze deleted text messages for concerning material and alert you to that but Bark is not a text message recovery tool. Because Android is a more flexible operating system for app developers, our chances of analyzing deleted texts is much higher on monitored Android devices.

In addition, you may wish to consider the Bark Phone™, which doesn't allow the child to delete text messages at all!

Does Bark allow me to block text messages, block contacts, or block phone calls?

On the Bark Phone™, yes! Learn more here.

On other devices, no. While Bark allows you to block many apps and sites with our screen time/web filtering features, Bark cannot block text messages, contacts, or phone calls on those other devices. Text messages and phone calls use a different technology that can't be filtered by Bark on those other devices at this time. 

If your child's text messages are being blocked on your child's device (and it's not a Bark Phone), it could be due to a couple of reasons. Learn more here!

Also, did you know that you can set communication limits through Apple Screen Time? These free features from Apple allow you to set limits on what contacts can text or call your child on their iOS device. Click here for more information!

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.