Troubleshooting iOS Monitoring

Check to see if monitoring is working

1. Open up your parent app / dashboard.
2. Tap your child's profile.
3. Tap Devices at the top.

4. Review the device status:

   ❗ Not reporting to Bark

   ✅ Reporting to Bark

How to fix monitoring

Check if Bark detects your kid's iOS device over Wi-Fi

If using Bark Sync method

Want to check if the Bark Sync is online and your child's device is connected? Here's how:

1. Open up your parent app / dashboard.
2. Tap on your child > Devices.

3. Select their iPhone or iPad in the list to review the current status of the Bark Sync, the current status of your child's iOS device, and whether Bark has analyzed your child's device recently. It will include steps to fix any Wi-Fi connectivity issues.

   Not seeing their iOS device on the list? Get it set up.

If using computer or Bark Home method

Want to check if your Bark Desktop App or Bark Home detect the device over Wi-Fi? Here's how:

1. Ensure that your child's iPhone or iPad is connected to your home Wi-Fi network.
2. Double check your home computer (or Bark Home) is turned on and awake.
3. Then, open up your parent app / dashboard.
4. Tap on your child > Devices.

5. Select their iPhone or iPad in the list.

   Not seeing their iOS device on the list? Get it set up.
6. You should see Connected to your home computer (or Bark Home). 
7. Not showing the device is connected?
   
   Fix Wi-Fi Detection
    

Check if Bark detects your kid's iOS device while plugged in

If using Bark Sync method

Want to check if the Bark Sync is online and your child's device is connected? Here's how:

1. Open up your parent app / dashboard.
2. Tap on your child > Devices.

3. Select their iPhone or iPad in the list to review the current status of the Bark Sync.

   Not seeing their iOS device on the list? Get it set up.
4. If you don't see it connected:
   • Verify the Bark Sync's LED light is solid blue.
   • Verify you're using the provided Bark cable.
   • Verify the Bark Kids app is set up on your child's device.
   • Unplug the cable from both ends and plug it in again.

If using computer or Bark Home method

Want to check if your Bark Desktop App or Bark Home detect the device over USB? Here's how:

1. Plug in your kid's iPhone or iPad into your computer (or Bark Home) with a charging cable.
2. Check your kid's iOS device screen for a "Trust" prompt and tap Trust if present. If there is no "Trust" prompt, you may have granted it already.
3. Double check your home computer (or Bark Home) is turned on and awake.
4. Then, open up your parent app / dashboard.
5. Tap on your child > Devices.

6. Select their iPhone or iPad in the list.

   Not seeing their iOS device on the list? Get it set up.
7. You should see Connected to your home computer (or Bark Home).
8. Not showing the device is connected?
   
   Fix USB Detection

"Please clear up some space" error

Low storage can interfere with iOS monitoring. If you're using the computer method, check that your computer has enough free space. If you're using any iOS monitoring method (including the Bark Sync or Bark Home), also check your child's device for available storage.

Learn more and free up space:

Check Available Storage Space

"Not Paired" error

iOS devices are known for their security. Periodically, an iOS device may revoke its trust of Bark due to an update, a reset, or due to the length of time since it last connected to Bark.

If this happens, we'll let you know that the device needs to be paired with Bark again. Then, follow these steps:

Fix Pairing

"Data is encrypted" error

A setting or third party app may be encrypting the data on your kid's iOS device. No worries — it's an easy fix. Click here to take care of it:

Disable Encryption

"There was a problem analyzing the iOS device" error

Usually this error message appears when Bark loses connection to your child's device mid-scan. If you still need help, let's tackle it together with this guide:

Fix the Analysis

"The application is not responding" error

If the computer app is not responding to your clicks, it's good practice to completely quit Bark — close it out completely.

Note Simply clicking X may not be enough. 

Mac

1. Click on Bark at the top (by the time).
2. Select Quit Bark.
3. Click on Finder.
4. Select Applications. 
5. Double-click on Bark to re-open it.

Windows

1. Click the ^ symbol at the bottom (by the time).
2. Click on Bark.
3. Select Exit.
4. Re-open Bark from your desktop or apps list.

"Update iTunes" alert

When you see a message or alert asking you to install Apple software like iTunes, go ahead and click the link to get it installed. Then, restart your computer. This helps Bark better monitor your kid's iPhone or iPad.

Learn more below:

Update Apple Software on Mac

Update Apple Software on Windows

My Bark Desktop App is not opening. 

Mac

What this looks like:

• App doesn't open, or opens for a second and immediately disappears.
• A pop-up saying, "Bark can't be opened because it was not downloaded from the App Store."
• A pop-up saying, "Bark can't be opened because Apple cannot check it for malicious software."

Find solutions here:

Open Bark Desktop App on Mac

Windows

What this looks like:

• App doesn't open, or opens for a second and immediately disappears.
• App opens as a blank screen.
• A pop-up saying, "Your PC's settings only let it install verified apps from the Store."

Find solutions here:

Open Bark Desktop App on Windows

Check-in requests don't send push notifications

If you or your children are not receiving a particular push notification, then there are a few potential reasons why. Learn more: 

Fix Push Notifications

Location alerts are showing the wrong address or not triggering

Bark's location features rely on the accuracy of the device's GPS. There are a number of things that can temporarily throw off the GPS on your child's device, leading to a check-in or location alert that seems to be slightly off from the child's true location.

Check out our guide for more information:

Calibrate Location on iOS

FAQs

Does the Bark Kids app monitor text messages?

The Bark Kids app only blocks apps and sites and tracks location. We monitor texts, iMessages, photos, and more on iPhones, iPads, and iPods with the help of the Bark Sync (2-in-1 charger/analyzer), Bark Desktop App (computer application), or the Bark Home (router add-on).

Does Bark monitor iOS via iCloud or Apple ID?

Because of Apple's security over their iCloud and Apple ID system, we do not monitor your child's iOS device from iCloud backups. Instead, we monitor iPhones, iPads, and iPods with the help of the Bark Sync (2-in-1 charger/analyzer), Bark Desktop App (computer application), or the Bark Home (router add-on).

Will I have to plug in my child's device every time?

If using Bark Sync method

Yes, but it's quick and easy. The Bark Sync automatically scans the device when it's plugged in to charge, and even enters in the lock screen passcode automatically so monitoring isn't interrupted. Plugging in the device each night is a great way to keep monitoring consistent.

Want to run a scan right away? Just plug in the device to the Sync and tap Scan in the Bark parent app (child's profile > Devices > select device) or in the Bark Kids app under the Sync tab.  If it's been more than 3 hours since the last scan, it'll start automatically as soon as you plug it in—no button needed.

If using computer or Bark Home method

No, scans happen automatically and wirelessly whenever your child's device is on the same Wi-Fi network as your computer or Bark Home, as long as it's been at least 6 hours since the last scan.

Want to run a scan right away? Just tap Scan in the Bark parent app (child's profile > Devices > select device).

Do I need to leave my computer on to monitor iOS?

If you're using the Bark Desktop App method, yes. If you're using the other methods, no! 

Learn more:

Do I need to leave my computer on to monitor iOS?

My computer is connected via ethernet — can the Bark Desktop App still monitor my child's iOS device wirelessly?

Yes! As long as your child's device is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your computer, the Bark Desktop App can detect it wirelessly — even if your computer is plugged into the router via ethernet.