Bark is marketed as a “parental control app families trust”, offering plenty of cell phone, tablet, and Chromebook tracking features to ensure a safe and secure online environment for your kiddo. The Bark app is promoted as a solution for every parent who wants to scan their kids’ phones for dangers like predators, suicidal ideation, violence, and more. While it promises to notify you if something concerning is detected, you might want to question its effectiveness in providing comprehensive protection.
In this review, we’ve put Bark to the test against other top parental control apps, revealing the limitations and flaws that might make it less than the solution you’re hoping for. Keep reading this Bark app review to find out if it is really worth trusting with your child’s safety or if it simply doesn’t live up to the hype.
How Does the Bark App Work?
Before you get started with the Bark app, you should know what it offers. So, what is Bark app as a parental control?
Well, how does the Bark app work? Is it a complicated process, and what steps are required to follow? Here’s a short guide on how to use Bark app:
Step 1: Go to the Bark website and click “Get Started”. Select “Bark App” to start using the parental control app, and create an account.
Step 2: Enter your child’s details (Bark only allows profiles for children under 18).
Step 3: Choose what cell phone activities you want to track on your kid’s phone and click “Next”. Then, create your child’s Bark profile and choose what device your kid uses. Note: Although Bark offers a free trial, you must enter your credit card details to access it.
Step 4: Download the Bark app on your child’s device and follow the on-screen instructions for setup.
Step 5: Log into your dashboard and let Bark app review your kid’s phone activity data.
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Track with uMobixBark App Reviews from Real Users
People who have used Bark can tell a lot about the app’s reliability and functionality. So, what do real Bark app reviews on Trustpilot reveal? What is Bark app for those who have tried it?
Currently, the Bark app holds a 2.9 out of 5-star rating on Trustpilot, based on 34 customer reviews. While 21% of Bark app reviews are 5-star rated, 70% are negative, making complaints three times more common than positive feedback.
Here’s one of the negative Bark app reviews we’ve found on Trustpilot. In this Bark app review, a user describes Bark as frustrating and ineffective due to delayed alerts, lack of live customer support, and easy restrictions bypassing. They highlight that waiting 3-5 days for notifications is unacceptable and mention difficulties reinstalling the app, as it incorrectly downloads the parent version instead of the child version.
In another Bark app review, a user praises the Bark Watch as a great solution to stay in touch with their 8-year-old without giving them a phone. They are generally satisfied with its functionality but mention that battery life is a drawback.
Bark Main Features: What Can You Do with This App?
Bark and any parental control app were designed to help parents feel at ease as their kids learn to navigate sites, social media, online games, and the responsibility of having a phone. However, the question remains: “Can you truly rely on Bark for complete safety?” While it promises to monitor online activity, many parents doubt its effectiveness in catching all threats. So, what are the core Bark features you should know about, and how should you use the Bark app? What does the Bark app do?
Social Media and Apps Tracking
Like any parental control app, Bark also allows its users to monitor their target’s social media activities remotely. So, what social media apps does Bark app monitor? In short, it depends on the device your kid uses.
YouTube content is growing fast, and younger kids are getting phones and internet access earlier. Bark helps parents keep kids safe online by monitoring content, scanning messages for inappropriate material, and setting screen time and website limits. Parents can control which websites their kids visit by blocking specific sites, blacklisting harmful content, and getting alerts if their child tries to access restricted pages. But is that enough to protect them from everything they might go through online?
Location Tracking
What does the Bark app do as a location tracker? It claims it can track your kid’s whereabouts in real-time, constantly get alerts, and find out where they are and if they’re “walking, biking, or driving, including how fast”. You can set up location alerts for frequently visited places (such as school, dance classes, home, etc.) and receive notifications when your child arrives or leaves. However, the app doesn’t offer any history of past locations, making it difficult to track patterns of behavior or intervene when necessary.
Content Monitoring
What does Bark app review as a content tracker? When using Bark, you will get:
- Alerts if your child is exposed to potential risks, including cyberbullying, explicit content, drug-related discussions, or online predators.
- Insights into your child’s online activity across messages, emails, and social media.
- Notifications for concerning language or emojis, based on Bark’s AI detection system.
But how regularly does the obtained data update? Will you get the information as soon as a warning sign appears? Unclear.
Block Websites and Apps
Once installed on your kid’s device, the Bark app can help protect them from inappropriate, explicit, and distracting content. You can block entire categories or specific websites and apps that you find suspicious or harmful. Additionally, if your child spends too much time on certain sites or apps like YouTube or Fortnite during school hours or after bedtime, the Bark app makes it easy to restrict or block access remotely. However, with its inability to monitor newer or less-known apps, there’s a chance it won’t catch all risks, leaving your child vulnerable.
Compatibility with Multiple Devices
Whether you need to track a phone, tablet, or Chromebook – Bark provides support across various platforms. The app is compatible with Android and iOS phones, tablets, and Kindle Fire, guaranteeing you can install it to help protect your kid. However, compared with other monitored tools like uMobix, you cannot check the app’s compatibility with the target device before installation.
Email Monitoring
What else does Bark app review? Bark can monitor several email platforms, regardless of the device being tracked. Supported platforms include:
- AOL Mail
- Comcast
- Gmail
- Outlook
- Yahoo! Mail
- iCloud Email
This feature allows you to view sent and received messages, including image attachments. But what about the deleted data? No info.
Web Browsers Tracking
When kids have questions they might not want to ask their parents, they often turn to search engines. Bark helps parents monitor web activity across various browsers:
Note: Bark does not support Opera or Internet Explorer.
Bark App Pros and Cons
Although the Bark app offers many device tracking features, there are drawbacks associated with its use that cannot be ignored. So, what are the Bark app pros and cons?
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Demo App Version
Unlike Bark, uMobix lets you explore its full functionality with a demo version before committing. The app does not hide anything and shows how it works inside. Everything is clear and transparent. In this section of the Bark app review, uMobix wins the battle.
Operates in Stealth Mode
uMobix operates in complete invisibility, running undetectable on the target phone. In contrast, Bark is visible and can easily be found in the phone’s settings or home screen, making it easy to disable or remove.
Quick and Easy Installation
uMobix offers a smooth and quick setup process, ensuring hassle-free installation even for non-tech-savvy users. Regardless of your kid’s phone or tablet OS, you will get a detailed step-by-step manual and an on-screen wizard for quick and easy app installation that won’t take more than 5 minutes. Bark, in contrast, has a difficult and confusing app setup process. Worse still, you won’t get a quick response if you experience any difficulties during the app download or installation. Their customer support is provided via email, and their working hours are specific, which can lead to lengthy wait times.
Phone Number Location Tracker
uMobix allows you to track a phone’s location using just its number without requiring app installation. Can the Bark app review your target person’s location using their phone number? Unfortunately, no, it cannot.
Full Access to IG and FB for iOS
Unlike Bark, which has limited tracking and does not even support Instagram activity tracking on iOS, uMobix grants full access to Instagram and Facebook on iOS, so you can manage your monitored user profile as if it were yours: answer their messages and comments, post stories, etc.
Limited Cell Phone Tracking on iOS
uMobix offers unlimited cell phone tracking on iOS, giving you full access to all features without restrictions. In contrast, Bark has limitations, as it does not support monitoring Instagram, Discord, TikTok, and Snapchat. So, if you’re looking for comprehensive tracking across all platforms, uMobix is the better choice.
Why Choose uMobix as Your Cell Phone Tracker
Looking for a simple, reliable, and discreet phone tracker? uMobix offers everything you need to monitor your child, spouse, close relative, friend or colleague activities with ease and peace of mind. Here’s why it’s the best choice:
- Stress-free and anonymous activities tracking: uMobix provides unlimited tracking across all activities on both Android and iOS devices, including calls, messages, social media, and more – without limitations.
- Full access to social media: Unlike competitors like Bark, uMobix offers full access to Instagram and Facebook on iOS devices, ensuring you can track all interactions. Moreover, it supports over 30 social media platforms and IM apps, enabling you to access Android or iPhone text messages (sent, received, or deleted).
- Phone number location tracker: Track a phone’s location using just the phone number without installing an app on the target device.
- Stealth mode: uMobix operates in stealth mode, ensuring the monitored phone remains undetectable. Your kid won’t be able to detect it installed on their device, nor get any notifications, ensuring your tracking experience is anonymous.
- Easy installation: uMobix offers a user-friendly, stress-free setup process, saving you time and hassle compared to other apps with complicated installation.
- Live support: With uMobix, you get real-time live chat, email support, premium support by phone, and an on-site contact form, making help just a click away whenever you need it.
- No rooting or jailbreaking: Monitor devices without the need to root or jailbreak, keeping your target’s phone secure and intact.
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Conclusion
So, in this Bark app review, you’ve learned everything about this parental control app. When comparing Bark to uMobix, the latter is at the top in multiple areas. uMobix offers a great, safe, and reliable tracking solution. With full access to social media, unlimited tracking on iOS, call monitoring, real-time location tracking, and instant support, uMobix outshines the competition.
