How to allow an app or website

Got an app that is unexpectedly blocked or slow? This article will show you how to allow apps or sites on your child's device.

Before we get started, make sure that you've set up mobile or in-home screen time & filtering on your kid's devices. 


child_profile_avatar.png Child profiles

These are the kids you've added to Bark. 

How to allow apps and sites 

  1. From your parent app / dashboard, tap on the profile you'd like to manage.
  2. Tap new UI edit rules.png the pencil under the appropriate routine.
  3. Tap Apps & websites at the top.
  4. Look at the categories and click the v dropdown to expand them if applicable.
  5. If you find the app under one of the categories, allow it. If you don't find the app under one of the categories, it's likely covered by a category rule like blocking Social Media or Games. You can add a URL exception for this specific app as well.
  6. Wait a few minutes for changes to take effect.
  7. Didn't work?
    • Allow Uncategorized Apps & Sites.
    • Allow Unidentifiable Traffic
    • Wait a few minutes or restart the device.
    • Try again!
  8. Issue remains?

How to add URL exceptions

If you don't see a toggle for a particular app or site, it's likely covered by a category rule like blocking Social Media or Games. You can add a URL exception for a specific app as well.

  1. From your parent app / dashboard, tap your child's profile.
  2. Tap new UI edit rules.png the pencil under the appropriate routine.
  3. Tap Custom content at the top.
  4. Tap Enable access to add allowed URLs of sites / apps that would normally be blocked by your other rules.
  5. Wait a few minutes for changes to take effect.
  6. If you need to remove a URL exception, just click X next to it.

How to allow recently blocked activity

  1. From your parent app / dashboard, tap your child's profile.
  2. Tap Allow access to recently blocked websites and apps.
  3. Tap Details under the recently blocked activity in question to see why it was blocked and tap Allow to allow it:
  4. Select whether you want to allow it for other routines and tap Update routines.
  5. Wait a few minutes for changes to take effect.

home_profile_avatar.png Home profiles

Home profiles are found under the Bark Home on your parent app / dashboard with a 👋 or 🏠:

How to allow apps and sites

  1. From your parent app / dashboard, tap on the profile you'd like to manage.
  2. Tap new UI edit rules.png the pencil under the appropriate routine.
  3. Tap Apps & websites at the top.
  4. Look at the categories and click the v dropdown to expand them if applicable.
  5. If you find the app under one of the categories, allow it. If you don't find the app under one of the categories, it's likely covered by a category rule like blocking Social Media or Games. You can add a URL exception for this specific app as well.
  6. Wait a few minutes for changes to take effect.
  7. Didn't work?
    • Allow Uncategorized Apps & Sites.
    • Allow Unidentifiable Traffic
    • Wait a few minutes or restart the device.
    • Try again!
  8. Issue remains? Check recently blocked activity.

How to add URL exceptions

If you don't see a toggle for a particular app or site, it's likely covered by a category rule like blocking Social Media or Games. You can add a URL exception for a specific app as well.

  1. From your parent app / dashboard, tap your child's profile.
  2. Tap new UI edit rules.png the pencil under the appropriate routine.
  3. Tap Custom content at the top.
  4. Tap Enable access to add allowed URLs of sites / apps that would normally be blocked by your other rules.
  5. Wait a few minutes for changes to take effect.
  6. If you need to remove a URL exception, just click X next to it.

Allow recently blocked activity

Review the text instructions below to allow an app or site that is reflecting as blocked in the Exceptions section of home profiles.

  1. From your parent app / dashboard, tap your child's profile.
  2. Tap Allow access to recently blocked websites and apps.
  3. Tap Details under the recently blocked activity in question to see why it was blocked and tap Allow to allow it:
  4. Select whether you want to allow it for other routines and tap Update routines.
  5. Wait a few minutes for changes to take effect.

Need additional assistance?

Check out our screen time troubleshooting guide. If you still need help, don't hesitate to reach out to us!