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Bark Watch can't send texts or make calls

Updated
Paola Rivera

If your child's Bark Watch is having trouble with texting or calls, this guide will help you fix it. 

What you might see

  • Red ❌ symbol near the cell signal 
  • Error message: "Mobile network not available"
  • Messages app is gray or says "Contact a parent"
  • Texts won't send or receive
  • Calls don't work

What to do

1. Check the cellular signal

Since the Bark Watch needs cellular service to work (not just Wi-Fi), let's look at the top of the watch screen to find the signal or reception. What do you see?

  • 📶 Signal bars = The watch has service. Good!
    Note: If you're in a rural area, deep inside a building, or underground, your signal strength might be reduced to 1-2 bars or even cut off, which affect calls and texts.
  • ❌ OR "Mobile network not available" = No service. Your child needs to go outside or find a spot with better signal. The watch needs cellular service for calls and texts to work.
2. Messages app is gray or says "Contact a parent"

This means texting is turned off. This could be due to...

3. Texts won't send or receive
  • Is it a group text?
    Group texts don't work on the Bark Watch yet. We're working on it!
  • Turn off the Bark Watch and turn it back on
    This can really help! Turn the Bark Watch off, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on.
  • Test direction
    1. Short-press the top side button of the watch to open the home screen.
    2. Swipe from left to right.
    3. Tap Contacts.
    4. Send a text from the watch to your parent phone.
    5. Send a text from your parent phone to the watch.
    6. Send a text from the watch to a phone with the opposite operating system (Android or iPhone).
    7. Send a text from a phone with the opposite operating system (Android or iPhone) to the watch.
    8. Reach out to us with the results and any additional information that may help.
4. Calls won't work
  • Turn off the Bark Watch and turn it back on
    This can really help! Turn the Bark Watch off, wait 30 seconds, and turn it back on.
  • Test direction
    1. Short-press the top side button of the watch to open the home screen.
    2. Swipe from left to right.
    3. Tap Contacts.
    4. Make a call from the watch to your parent phone.
    5. Make a call from your parent phone to the watch.
    6. Make a call from the watch to a phone with the opposite operating system (Android or iPhone).
    7. Make a call from a phone with the opposite operating system (Android or iPhone) to the watch.
    8. Reach out to us with the results and any additional information that may help.

⚠️ Don't reset the watch. This can cause more problems.