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  3. Location Tracking

Location alerts and tracking

Updated
Paola Rivera

Not only do we offer full location tracking, we also have a location alerts feature. No more having to open a map app to see where your kid is — we’ll automatically alert you when they arrive at or leave a location you’ve added! 

Set locations for alerts

  1. Open up your parent app.
    📥 Don't have it installed? Download it on your iPhone or Android from the app store.
  2. Tap new UI Family map.png(new UI) / Map or Pin icon Map (classic UI).
  3. If on mobile, tap the gray bar. If on desktop, skip this step.
    tap this gray bar if viewing family map on mobile
  4. Tap Manage locations.
  5. Tap +Add new location.
    Example Work and School locations on the parent app / dashboard
  6. Enter in the address or name.
  7. Choose the correct address from the dropdown that appears:
    the text input box with a Google Maps dropdown to select correct address.
  8. (optional) Drag the pin and radius slider to fine-tune the location.
  9. (optional) Click on the location to set what kids will send you a push notification for that place:
    Green location pin with an apple inside it. John Malcom Elementary School is the text to the right of it. Under that are a Map button, Delete button, and an Edit button. Beneath that is text that says Send me alerts for... and a list of the example kids. Each kid has a toggle next to their name and profile picture that is turned on, indicating the user will get location alerts whenever those children enter or depart that place.
  10. Changes will take a few minutes to take effect.
    💡 Tip: You can speed that along by asking your child to tap the check-in button in their Bark Kids app.

Set up location tracking on your kid's device


My kid has Bark Phone

No matter your data plan, location alerts and tracking already come set up!

Here's how to double check their GPS is calibrated.

Then, have your kid open the 003.png Bark Kids app and tap Check In.

All set! You are ready to add any location alert using the process listed above.


My kid has Android

  1. Update the 003.png Bark Kids app on your kid's Android.
  2. Slide your finger down from the top of their screen twice.
  3. Turn on Location:
    samsung pixel
  4. Open up their ⚙ Settings app.
  5. Tap Apps.
  6. Tap Bark Kids.
  7. Enter a device code when prompted.
  8. Tap Permissions.
  9. Tap Location.
  10. Tap Allow all the time.
  11. Turn on Use precise location.
    Screenshot__Dec_14__2021_11_03_13_AM_.png
  12. Tap < back twice (until you see the Bark Kids app Mobile data & Wi-Fi setting).
    bark
  13. Tap on Mobile data usage (name may vary slightly).
  14. Turn on Background data.
  15. Turn on Unrestricted data usage.
    mobile
    📶 Using a "Wi-Fi Only" phone? Then, Bark will only be able to get location information whenever it's connected to a Wi-Fi network.
  16. Tap < back.
  17. Tap App battery usage (name may vary slightly).
  18. Turn on Allow background usage (name may vary slightly).
    android 14 app battery usage - allow background usage setting.png
  19. Then, open up the 003.png Bark Kids app.
  20. Tap Check In.
  21. To prevent your kid from changing their location settings, use Google Family Link:
    • On your parent phone, open the family Family Link parent app.
    • Tap Location > Set up location.
      (If “Set up location” doesn’t display, select the child you want to set up location for and turn on location sharing.)
    • If you have multiple children, select which ones you want to turn on location sharing for.
    • Tap Turn on.
    • Then, tap < back.
    • Select your kid.
    • On the "Apps installed" card, tap More.
    • On the "Allowed" list, tap on Bark.
    • Tap App permissions.
    • Ensure location is always turned on for Bark.
    • That's it! They can no longer make changes to location settings without your approval through the Family Link parent app.

My kid has iPhone

  1. Update the 003.png Bark Kids app on your kid's iPhone.
  2. Open up the ios Settings app. 
  3. Tap Privacy & Security.
  4. Tap Location Services.
  5. Turn on Location Services.
  6. Open up the ios Settings app again.
  7. Scroll down and tap on 003.png Bark. If on iOS 18+, tap Apps > Bark.
  8. Tap Location.
  9. Tap Always.
  10. Turn on Precise Location.
    ios
  11. Tab < back.
  12. Turn on Background App Refresh.
  13. Turn on Cellular Data.
    ios
    📶 Using a "Wi-Fi Only" phone? Then, Bark will only be able to get location information whenever it's connected to a Wi-Fi network.
  14. Then, open up the 003.png Bark Kids app.
  15. Tap Check In.
  16. To prevent your kid from changing their location settings, use Apple Screen Time:
    • On your kid's iPhone or iPad, open ios Settings.
    • Tap Screen Time.
    • Turn it on, if applicable.
    • Set a PIN only you (the parent) knows.
    • Under Screen Time, tap Content and Privacy Restrictions.
    • Tap Location Services.
    • Tap Don't Allow Changes. 
    • Tap < Back.
    • Tap iTunes & App Store Purchases.
    • Tap Deleting Apps.
    • Tap Don't Allow.
    • That's it! They can no longer make changes to location settings nor delete the app without your parent PIN.

Review location alerts and tracking

On your parent app / dashboard, you'll see a family map that includes all of your children's locations. Click into one to see a 1 week history of a particular child's location.

We also send you location alerts via push notification on the parent app. Double check your Alert Settings.

Inaccurate location alerts and tracking

It sounds like your kid's GPS needs to be recalibrated. Learn more:

Calibrate Location

FAQs

What do the icons on the map represent?
Sometimes, we record a "trip" on the map seen in the Location tile, while other times we record particular points that were visited. In general, this is what those icons represent:
  • Child profile picture: Current location
  • Green checkmark: A "check-in"
  • Colored pin: Locations you've set to be alerted to, along with circles showing you their boundaries
  • Blue dots: These are "breadcrumbs" of where they traveled during a "trip"
  • Green dot: This is the start of a "trip"
  • Checkered dot: This is the end of a "trip"

bark map example with all icons.png

What is the difference between "location alerts" and "check-ins"?

Both check-ins and location alerts are part of Bark's location features but each serve a distinct purpose.

  • Check-ins are initiated by the child for immediate location updates.
  • Location alerts are notifications triggered whenever your child leaves or arrives at a pre-set location.
Can the Location Services setting be locked down?

On the Bark Phone, the Location setting is already locked down!

On other devices, you can use Apple Screen Time and Google Family Link to prevent your child from being able to change their Location Services setting:

Apple Screen Time instructions

  1. On your kid's iPhone or iPad, open ios Settings.
  2. Tap Screen Time.
  3. Turn it on, if applicable.
  4. Set a PIN only you (the parent) knows.
  5. Under Screen Time, tap Content and Privacy Restrictions.
  6. Tap Location Services.
  7. Tap Don't Allow Changes. 
  8. That's it! They can no longer make changes to location settings without your parent PIN.

Google Family Link instructions

  1. On your parent phone, open the family Family Link parent app.
  2. Tap Location > Set up location.
    💡 Tip: If “Set up location” doesn’t display, select the child you want to set up location for and turn on location sharing.
  3. If you have multiple children, select which ones you want to turn on location sharing for.
  4. Tap Turn on.
  5. Then, tap < back.
  6. Select your kid.
  7. On the "Apps installed" card, tap More.
  8. On the "Allowed" list, tap on Bark.
  9. Tap App permissions.
  10. Ensure location is always turned on for Bark.
  11. That's it! They can no longer make changes to location settings without your approval through the Family Link parent app.
How long does it take to get an alert after a child changes locations?

Alerts will come through within a few minutes. Any delays should be minimal and are based on how often the phone pings location in the background, so things like phone reception, data saver settings, sleep settings, and battery optimization settings can be factors.