Android Bark Activation Guide

Step 1: Account Setup

Upon confirmation of your Bark subscription, you will receive an email. Click the "set up my account" link within this email. This action will direct you to the Bark home screen, where you can proceed to add your children and the devices you wish to monitor.

The initial email may contain a welcome message from Brandon Hilkert, CTO of Bark, expressing gratitude for entrusting Bark with child safety and highlighting the partnership with Cellcom to provide digital safety for families.

Step 2: Select Concerns

Once the Bark welcome page loads in your browser, you will be prompted to select the issues you are most concerned about regarding your child's online activity. Choose all applicable concerns from the list, which may include topics like self-harm, violence, cyberbullying, screen time, drugs, alcohol, pornography, sexual predators, location alerts, gaming, sexting, and others. After making your selections, click the "Next" button.

Step 3: Create Child Profile

Next, you will create a profile for your child. This involves entering their first name or nickname, and their birth month and year. After filling in these details, click the "Create profile" button. Your Bark subscription allows for the creation of unlimited child profiles and the monitoring of unlimited devices.

Following profile creation, a confirmation screen will appear, indicating that your child (e.g., "Andrew") has been added. You will then have the option to add another child or indicate that you are done adding children.

Step 4: Select Devices

After creating all necessary child profiles, you will be asked to specify the devices your first child profile uses. Select all relevant device types from the provided list, which may include options such as iPhone, iPad, iPod, Android phone or tablet, Amazon Fire, Chromebook, Computer/Laptop, or Gaming console. Once you have selected all applicable devices, click "Next".

Step 5: Select Email Accounts

Following the device selection, you will be prompted to identify which email accounts your child uses. Please select all that apply from the list, which might include services like Gmail, iCloud, Outlook, Yahoo, AOL, or Comcast. If your child does not use any of these, you can select "None of these". Click "Next" to proceed.

Step 6: Select Apps

After specifying email accounts, you will be presented with a list of popular applications. Select all the apps that your child uses and that you wish to have monitored. This list can include platforms like Instagram, Snapchat, YouTube, Twitter/X, Spotify, Discord, Skype, Kik, WhatsApp, Messenger Kids, TikTok, Steam, VSCO, HOLLA, Google Drive, OneDrive, Dropbox, Pinterest, GroupMe, Slack, Reddit, Tumblr, Flickr, Roblox, Facebook, Clash of Clans, and Fortnite. After selecting the relevant apps, click "Next".

Step 7: Configure Alerts

In this step, you will set up how you wish to be notified when a potential issue is detected. You can add multiple contact methods, such as text messages and email addresses. To add a contact, navigate to the "Add another contact" section, enter the phone number or email address, and click "Add". Once you have configured your preferred notification contacts, click "Next".

Step 8: Connect Accounts

You will now be prompted to connect your child's email and application accounts. This involves providing the username and password for services like Gmail and YouTube. Some accounts may allow connection without requiring the password, directly from the child's device. You will have options to connect via the child's device, by entering the password, or by having the child connect the account themselves.

Step 9: Handle Missing Login Information

If you do not have the necessary login information for an account at the moment, you can choose the "I'll do this later" option. This allows you to proceed with the setup and provide the details when you have access to them.

Step 10: Enter Credentials

If you are connecting an account using the child's password, a sign-in screen (e.g., Google Sign-in) will appear. You will need to enter the child's email address followed by their password. After entering the credentials, click "Next".

Step 11: Google Family Link Settings

Once you have logged into your child's accounts, you may be asked about your use of Google Family Link on the child's device. If you are using Google Family Link, you will need to make a specific adjustment: navigate to your Family Link parent app, go to 'controls', tap on your child's device, and then enable the option to 'allow apps from unknown sources'. Ensure that 'add or remove users' and 'developer mode' are both turned off. If you utilize Google Family Link's time limits, configure the Bark Kids app (sometimes referred to as Bark for Chromebook) to be allowed at all times.

Step 12: Install Bark Kids App

A QR code will be generated on the screen. Use your child's device to scan this QR code to begin downloading the Bark Kids app. Alternatively, you can navigate directly to bark.us/android on your child's device to install the app. After successfully scanning the QR code or initiating the download, click "Next".

Step 13: Google Play Store Prompt

You might encounter a prompt that asks, "Why isn't Bark for Kids in the Google Play store?". This prompt explains that Google does not permit apps that monitor children's texts, even those designed for safety like Bark. After reading the explanation, click the "Got it" button.

Step 14: Download and Install App

A warning may appear stating that the file may be harmful. Rest assured, the Bark app is perfectly safe; click "Download anyway". On your child's device, navigate to their downloaded files, tap the downloaded file, and then click "Open". Follow any subsequent Chrome prompts and tap "Install Bark app". After completing these steps, click "Next".

Step 15: Handle Security Warnings

You may see a prompt indicating "Harmful app blocked" by Google Play Protect. This is a standard security measure, and the Bark app is safe. Click "Install anyway" and then "Got it" to proceed with the installation.

Step 16: Verify Device

The next step is to verify your child's device. On the child's device, open the newly downloaded Bark for Kids app. Enter the secure device code that was displayed on your parent device. Once the code is entered, click "I've entered the code" to advance to the next step.

Step 17: Finalize Setup

The final step involves deciding how to proceed with the setup. You can choose to send setup instructions to your child or opt to finish connecting later. If you choose to send instructions, your child will need to open the Bark Kids app on their device and enter a device code generated from your parent dashboard. During this process, your child might be prompted to grant Bark permissions to access their location, contacts, media, and other device functionalities. The level of your child's involvement in connecting social media and email accounts may vary depending on the chosen connection method.