iOS Bark Activation Guide

Step 1: Account Setup

Upon receiving a Bark Subscription confirmation email, click the "set up my account" link. This action will launch the Bark home screen, where you will be prompted to add your children and the devices you wish to monitor.

Message from Bark CTO: "I'm Brandon Hilkert, CTO here at Bark, and I'd like to thank you for entrusting us to help keep your child safe online. It means a lot, and we take this responsibility seriously. As a Cellcom customer, you're taking advantage of an exclusive offer that includes Bark's award-winning parental controls service. Our partnership aims to bring a digital safety net to all families so parents can rest easier when their kids are using their devices. To get started, click the button below:"

[Set up my account button]

Bark is dedicated to helping kids stay safe online and in real life, and we look forward to joining our family.

Step 2: Select Concerns

Once the Welcome page opens in your browser, select all issues you are concerned about regarding your child's online activity. After checking your concerns, click "Next".

Concerns include:

• Self-harm / Suicide
• Violence
• Anxiety / Depression
• Screen time & app limits
• Drugs, Alcohol, & Tobacco
• Pornography
• Sexual predators
• Cyberbullying
• Location alerts
• Gaming
• Sexting
• Other

Step 3: Create Child Profile

Create your child's Bark profile by entering their First name (or nickname) and Birth Month and Year. Click "Create profile". Your Bark subscription includes unlimited devices and child profiles.

After creation, a confirmation screen will appear, indicating that the child has been added. You will have the option to add another child or indicate you are done adding children.

Step 4: Select Devices

After creating all child profiles, you will be asked to select the devices your first child profile uses. Select all devices you would like Bark to monitor.

Bark monitors text messages (iOS and Android), photos, videos, and web browsing on your child's device.

Click "Next" after selecting the devices.

Step 5: Select Email Accounts

Next, you will be asked which email accounts your child uses. Please select all that apply. Bark will monitor your child's sent and received emails, including attachments.

Click "Next" or "None of these" if applicable.

Email accounts to select from:

• Gmail
• iCloud
• Outlook
• Yahoo
• AOL
• Comcast

Step 6: Select Apps

After entering email information, you will be asked to select the apps your child uses. Please select all that apply. Click "Next" after selection.

Apps to select from:

• 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
• Fortnite

Step 7: Log In and Download App

After adding your children, navigate to www.bark.us on your home computer and click "Log In". After logging in, click the "+" icon. You should also download the Bark app from the Welcome email for your child's iOS device, or for an Android device if applicable.

Step 8: Set Up Monitoring

Select the child's name for whom you are setting up monitoring. Choose "Select Set up Monitoring" and then "Select Apple/iOS".

Bark monitors text messages, email, and social media accounts for potential issues like cyberbullying, sexual content, and suicidal ideation. It also monitors desktop browsers.

Step 9: iOS Monitoring Setup

A prompt will appear explaining that iOS devices require more steps to connect due to Apple's limitations. Bark can monitor these devices when connected to the Bark Desktop App installed on a home computer. Once set up, Bark will analyze the device over Wi-Fi as long as the child's device is connected to the same Wi-Fi network as the computer.

Click "Next".

Step 10: Home Computer Setup

The initial scan can take up to 45 minutes as it analyzes the child's device over the past 60 days. Future scans will be faster. Ensure you have approximately one hour for the first scan.

You will need: the child's device, a charging cord, and a computer that resides at your home.

Click "Next".

Step 11: Install Bark Desktop App

Click "Download for Mac" or "Download for Windows" depending on your computer type. A prompt will ask, "Do you want to allow downloads from 'bark.us' and 'www.bark.us'?" Click "Allow".

How to install Bark on your computer:

1. Wait for the download to complete.
2. Open the downloaded file (e.g., Bark-8.4.1-x64.dmg).
3. Double-click the Bark icon.
4. Click "Connect to your account".

Step 12: Connect to Account

After downloading, you may be asked a security question. Once answered, the "Welcome to the Bark Desktop App" screen will appear. If this is your first time setting up the app, click "Setting up the first time", then click "Connect to your account".

You will be prompted to select how you are currently using the Bark parent app: "On your phone?" (enter pairing code) or "On a web browser?".

Step 13: Trust Computer Connection

Plug your child's iOS device into your home computer. Unlock the device and tap "Trust" the computer when the prompt appears on the device. You may need to tap "Trust" multiple times.

On Mac computers, you might also need to open Finder and trust the computer there. Check both your child's iOS device and your computer. If no prompt appears, trust may have already been granted.

Step 14: Device Detection and Scan

After Bark detects the device, it will appear on the screen. Click "Select" next to the child's device (e.g., "Select Malamute's device").

At this stage, you may need to enter the device's passcode again to start the analysis. If not, proceed, but continue to check periodically. The scan will then begin.

You can now set up the Bark app on the child's device to manage screen time limits.

iOS Device Best Practices

For continuous monitoring, ensure the Bark desktop app on your computer is running as often as possible.

• On Mac: Go to System Preferences > Battery Settings. Uncheck "Put hard disks to sleep when possible" and double-check power adapter settings.
• On Windows: Search for sleep settings. Go into power & sleep settings and ensure the computer does not go to sleep too quickly.

Ensure your child connects to the home Wi-Fi when they arrive home. They may need to enter their passcode when prompted, which allows Bark to scan their device.