Bark Phone
Phones
Updated

Bark PhonePrice, Plans, Parental Controls & Specs

Bark Phone

Release date

Bark Phone has been on sale since November 2022, paid for in device payments over 24 months. The Starter plan has no games, browsers or social media, and the Advanced plan works on the same phone. It has a 6.7-inch screen, a 5000mAh battery, a 50MP triple camera, 4GB of RAM and an IP54 rating.

Bark Phone review

Read the full review

If you want to give your child a smartphone with real limits they can't undo, the Bark Phone does that job well. Just be ready for some lag.

Love it

Meh

  • Blocks unknown numbers
  • Instant alerts on risky searches
  • Kids can't remove controls or add a VPN
  • Reliable location tracking
  • Long battery life
  • Laggy performance
  • US only

Where it shines

  1. Kids and family

    A real Samsung phone for a child, with every app and contact approved by a parent and controls the child cannot remove.

Quick answers

Quick answers

How much does the Bark Phone cost?
The phone is $15 a month for 24 months. A Bark plan is required on top of that, from $29 a month for the Starter plan. The plan includes Bark Premium for the whole family, the parental controls and unlimited talk and text.
Does the Bark Phone need a plan?
Yes. A Bark wireless plan is required to activate it, and the plan is separate from the device payment.
What plans does Bark offer for the Bark Phone?
Starter is $29 a month for unlimited talk and text with no internet, app store or games. The Advanced plans add apps and browsers: $39 a month on Wi-Fi only, $49 with 4GB of data, $59 with 8GB and $79 with unlimited data.

Top questions

What phone is the Bark Phone?
A Samsung A16. Bark picked it because it looks like a regular smartphone, not a kid phone. There is no Bark branding on the outside.
What is the difference between the Bark Phone and the Bark Phone Pro?
The Pro is a Samsung A37 at $25 a month for 24 months. It has 6GB of RAM against 4GB, 45W charging against 25W, and an IP68 rating against IP54. Both have the same parental controls and work with any Bark plan.
Can my child delete Bark from the phone?
No. Bark is built into the phone and cannot be deleted, so the rules you set stay in place.
Can I manage the Bark Phone from an iPhone?
Yes. Parents manage the Bark Phone from their own Android or iOS device.
Can my child FaceTime on a Bark Phone?
Yes, by link. If a trusted contact with an iPhone on iOS 15 or newer creates a FaceTime call link, your child can open it in the phone's browser and join. Zoom and Google Meet work too, with your approval.
What comes in the box?
A USB-C charging cord and a quick start guide. Every Bark Phone also comes with unlimited talk and text and Bark Premium for the whole family.
Is the Bark Phone waterproof?
No. The Bark Phone is rated IP54, which covers splashes. The Bark Phone Pro is rated IP68.
Can I switch plans later without a new phone?
Yes. You can move from Starter to an Advanced plan, or back, from the parent app and keep the same phone. Changes take effect in a few minutes.
Is the Bark Phone sold outside the US?
No. It is only available to families in the U.S.
What is the return policy?
Bought from bark.us, you have 60 days to return it for a refund of the device cost. Monthly plan payments are not refunded.
Can I keep my child's current phone number?
Yes. Bark transfers an existing number from another carrier at no extra cost.
What happens if my child goes over the data limit?
You are not charged. Data slows down for the rest of the month instead, and the account never upgrades itself.

Using it

How big is the screen?
The screen measures 6.7 inches.
Do I need a subscription?
Yes, you need a subscription.
How much storage does it have?
It comes with 128GB of storage.
How good is the camera?
It shoots on a 50MP main camera, one of 3 rear cameras.
How thick is it?
It is 7.9mm thick.
How much memory does it have?
It has 4GB of RAM.
What software does it run?
It runs Android.

Sizing and fit

What sizes does it come in?
Storage: Storage 128GB 128GB.

Battery and charging

How fast does it charge?
It charges at up to 25W over the cable. No official minutes-to-percent figure is published for it.
How big is the battery?
The battery is 5000 mAh.

Water

Can it get wet (shower, pool, swimming)?
Yes for sweat and rain, but not for the shower. Its rating is IP54. It is rated for splashes, not immersion.

Price and models

When did the Bark Phone come out?
It went on sale in November 2022.
Is there a newer one?
No. The Bark Phone is the current model.

Returns and warranty

How long do I have to return it?
60-day returns
Is there a restocking fee?
Restocking fee: not stated by Bark
Who pays return shipping?
Who pays return shipping: not stated by Bark
Can I return it if I opened or wore it?
Condition rules: not stated by Bark

In the box

What's in the box?
USB-C charging cord, Quick start guide.

Works with

Does the Bark Phone support Phone required?
Yes, with limits. Setup means scanning a QR code with a parent's phone. Some features missing
Does the Bark Phone work with Windows PC?
Yes, with limits. Parents can manage it from any web browser. Some features missing

The basics

What it works with

Bark Phone: what's in the box, works with

Bark Phone
USB-C charging cord
Quick start guide
  • iPhoneSome features missing
  • Android phonesSome features missing
  • MacSome features missing
  • Windows PCSome features missing
Returns and warranty

Returns and warranty

Returns
60-day returns

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Your phone

Works with iPhone and Android, with some limits.

iPhone

Does the Bark Phone work with iPhone?

Yes, with limits. Parents can manage it from iOS.

Android

Does the Bark Phone work with Android?

Yes, with limits. Parents can manage it from Android.

Other devices

Does the Bark Phone work with Mac?

Yes, with limits. Parents can manage it from any web browser.

Does the Bark Phone work with Windows PC?

Yes, with limits. Parents can manage it from any web browser.

Apps, accounts and services

Does the Bark Phone work with Account and subscription?

Yes, with limits. It needs a Bark account and a Bark wireless plan, from $29 a month, which includes Bark Premium for the family.

Does the Bark Phone work with Companion app?

Yes, with limits. The Bark Parent app is optional. You can manage the phone without it.

What it can do

Does the Bark Phone support Phone required?

Yes, with limits. Setup means scanning a QR code with a parent's phone.

Ask about anything else

At a glance

Bark PhoneTHIS PRODUCTBark PhoneSamsung Galaxy A17 5GCOMPARE WITHSamsung Galaxy A17 5G
Display
6.7-inch
6.7-inchFHD+ Super AMOLED, up to 90Hz
Battery
5,000mAh
5,000mAh
Software
Android, on a Samsung phone
One UI 8 (Android), with six OS upgrades and six years of security updates
Price
$15a month for 24 months for the phone, plus a Bark plan from $29 a month
From $269.99
Rear camera
50MPtriple lens
50MPmain with OIS, 5MP ultrawide, 2MP macro
Storage
128GB
128GB, plus microSD up to 2TB (card sold separately)
Water resistance
IP54
IP54: dust and sprayed waternot for beach or pool use
Show 6 more specs
Sound
Unknown
No stereo support
Unlock
Unknown
Side fingerprint sensor
Design
Unknown
Gorilla Glass Victus front, glass fiber reinforced polymer back, plastic frame7.5mm thin
Front camera
Unknown
13MP
Memory
4GB RAM
4GB RAM
Video
Unknown
1080p at 30fps
Technical specs
Processor
Unknown
Exynos 1330, 2.4 GHz octa-core
Charging
25Wfast charge
25W Super Fast Charging, up to 50% in 30 minutes
Size
6.47 × 3.07 × 0.31 inches
164.4 × 77.9 × 7.5mm, 192g