Block apps and sites on all internet-connected devices in your home
With the the Bark Home or a router with Bark built-in, you can block apps and websites, schedule screen time, and apply web filtering to all internet-connected devices within your home.
You can apply different rules for different devices, for different times of the day, and for school nights versus weekends. You can even ignore devices that you'd prefer not be filtered.
Unlike Bark Premium/Jr, which offers these features exclusively for iPhones, Androids, Bark Phones, and Chromebooks, our in-home filtering extends its capabilities to a wider range of devices.
Add a Bark Home to your existing account today!
What kind of devices are covered?
- Smart TVs
- Gaming consoles (Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo)
- Tablets
- Computers
- Cell phones
What kind of browsers are covered?
All browsers are covered, like Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge.
Do I need both the Bark Home and a router with Bark built-in?
You just need one! If you can't decide which one to use, here's a breakdown:
- The Bark Home is a little white box that you connect to your existing Wi-Fi router to block apps and sites on in-home devices. Coupled with a Bark Premium subscription, it can also be used to monitor texts, photos, and videos on iPhones and iPads.
- Some routers you can buy come with Bark's web filtering software built into them directly, meaning you won't need to purchase a separate Bark device.
How does the Bark Home work?
Once paired with your account, Bark Home works by telling all the devices connected to your Wi-Fi network that it’s actually your router. It basically says to the devices (phones, TVs, Xboxes): “Hey, I’m the router, check in with me before you allow or block anything.”
With Bark Home, you can...
- Block apps and sites on any device connected to your home Wi-Fi
- Keep blocking apps even if you get a new compatible router from your ISP
- Maintain high speeds with a 1Gbps ethernet port
Am I required to buy a Bark Home or a Bark router to use Bark?
You only need a Bark Home if you want to manage internet-connected devices in your home like TVs, gaming consoles, and laptops — things that don’t really leave the house.
The Bark Premium and Jr subscriptions, on the other hand, are primarily for cell phones and tablets that are on the go. It lets you monitor content, track location, create screen time schedules, and block apps/websites on mobile devices.
Does the Bark Home work on any router?
The Bark Home will most likely be compatible with your router. Because Bark Home works very closely with the router's decision-making settings, some routers are not compatible with Bark Home or may need settings adjusted so that the two products can work well together.
Click here to check to see if your router is compatible. If your router is not listed, it will most likely be compatible!
If the Bark Home is incompatible with your existing router, you can still manage screen time and block websites on your child’s mobile devices with a Bark Premium or Jr subscription. You can also look into routers that come with Bark built-in.
How do I set up the Bark Home for the first time?
Check out our first-time setup instructions. We even have a video walking you through it step by step!
Then, identify and rename your devices before setting screen time schedules.
What routers come with Bark built-in?
Review this list of routers that come with Bark built-in. We're working to get Bark's filtering into more routers in the future!
How do I set up a router with Bark built-in?
Review this first-time setup guide for Bark routers.
Then, identify and rename your devices before setting screen time schedules.
Where do I go to block apps and set screen time schedules?
We've got these guides to help you manage your app blocking rules like a pro:
Will the Bark Home slow down our internet?
This is a great question. While the Bark Home may have a slight impact on your upload speeds, rest assured that your download speeds will remain unaffected. In fact, when properly configured, any effects on upload speeds are imperceptible. It's only when there's a problem with the configuration that you'd see otherwise.
If you experience a perceptible decrease in your internet speeds, check out this guide for help.
For more details on the Bark Home's potential impact on speeds, read this letter from our CTO.
Can I combine the Bark Home with other parental controls?
While many parental controls will work alongside the Bark Home (like Apple Screen Time, Google Family Link, and Microsoft Family Safety), there's other services that may prevent the Bark Home from doing its job.
If you need assistance in identifying whether any problems are related to a specific third-party service, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.
Will this block phone calls?
No, it won't. The Bark Home (and routers with Bark built-in) focus solely on filtering web activity. Since phone calls, texts, iMessages, and FaceTime occur over cellular networks, they remain unaffected by the in-home filtering technology. Plus, you likely want access to those means of communication in an emergency!
That being said, if you've paused the internet for a child's devices, that will stop all internet access on their devices, which would include things like Skype calls, Wi-Fi calling, etc.
If you're looking for a smartphone that allows you to block calls and texts from unapproved contacts, we suggest ordering a Bark Phone!
Does the Bark Home power off a gaming console or a TV?
While you can pause the internet or set times that devices can access particular apps, games, and sites, the Bark Home technology has no way of powering off devices. Look into that device's official documentation to see if they have a "Downtime" or auto-turn off feature.
How do I troubleshoot issues with app blocking and filtering?
If you are running into an unexpected block, or if you are getting access to an app or site that should be blocked, check out our troubleshooting guide for tips on addressing the issue.
Does the Bark Home support iOS monitoring?
If you are on the Bark Premium subscription plan, then yes, you can use your Bark Home device to monitor your children's iPhones, iPads, or iPods!
Learn more here: