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Calibrate Location on Android

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Paola
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Android  Android

To calibrate the GPS on your child's Android device, please see the instructions below:

Calibrate GPS on Android (using Google Maps)

NOTE: If your child's device does not have cellular data, Bark will only be able to get location information whenever it's connected to a Wi-Fi network.

After doing that, make sure that you've got Location Services on the child's device set to its most accurate mode. While the accuracy setting may vary from device to device, the setting is generally is found by doing the following:

  1. On your child's Android phone or tablet, open the Settings app ⚙.
  2. Tap Location.
  3. At the top, switch location on.
  4. Tap Mode > High accuracy.
  5. If present, enable Google Location Accuracy. In that section, there's also Wi-Fi scanning and Bluetooth scanning that you should enable.

Next, let's make sure Bark for Kids has permission to use Location Services on your child's device. While these instructions may vary slightly, the location permissions for Bark for Kids are generally found by doing the following:

  1. On your child's Android phone or tablet, open the Settings app ⚙.
  2. Tap Apps & Notifications.
  3. Select Bark. You may need to enter your Bark parent password if prompted.
  4. Tap on Permissions > Location > Allow all the time or Allow only while using the app. We recommend choosing "Allow all the time" to take advantage of our location alerts. If available, select Use precise location as well.

locationsettings-android.png

📌 Tired of adjusting location permissions for Bark?
You can ensure the location settings you've set on your child's Android device remain by using Google Family Link to lock them down. First, turn on Location for the child in Family Link by following these steps. Then, open the Family Link parent app > select the child > on the "Apps installed" card, tap More > On the "Allowed" list, tap on Bark > Tap App permissions > Switch the Location permission to be turned on always for Bark.

Now let's see if Bark is allowed to use cellular data and run in the background. While these instructions may vary slightly, these settings for Bark for Kids are generally found by doing the following:

  1. On your child's phone or tablet, open the Settings ⚙ app.
  2. Under Apps, tap on the Bark Kids app.
  3. Enter parent password if prompted.
  4. Select Mobile data & Wi-Fi.
  5. Turn on Background Data + Unrestricted Data Usage.

Alternate Method:

  • On your child's phone or tablet, open the Settings app ⚙. 
  • Tap Network & Internet > Data Saver > Unrestricted data > turn on Bark for Kids app so that it can still run in the background while Data Saver is on.

Lastly, let's check the battery optimization settings for Bark. While these instructions may vary slightly, the battery optimization settings for Bark for Kids are generally found by doing the following: 

If you'd like some additional tips — or if the video doesn't play — follow the step-by-step instructions written below.

  • Settings app ⚙ >  Apps & Notifications > Bark (enter your Bark password if prompted) > Advanced > Battery > Optimize Battery Usage or Battery Optimization > tap on All Apps from the drop-down list > scroll down and select Bark > choose Don’t Optimize.
  • There may be another special option in Settings app ⚙ > Apps & Notifications > Bark > Advanced > Battery > Background restrictions or Background limitations that you also want to disable to ensure Bark will run in the background.
  • Does your child use Samsung? They have even more battery optimization settings to check. In this guide, we walk you through it! Battery Optimization on Samsung Devices

 

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.