Bark Watch vs Google Pixel Watch 4

Features
Text monitoring
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Bark
Bark’s advanced technology scans your child’s text messages for potential dangers, including slang and emojis.
Google
The Google Pixel watch will not scan texts for inappropriate content.
Photo & video monitoring
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Bark
Bark scans saved photos and videos to your child’s camera roll for potential dangers across 29 categories.
Google
The watch doesn’t have a camera feature.
Alerts for potential dangers
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Bark
Get notifications for issues like cyberbullying, sexual content, online predators, suicidal ideation, profanity, and more.
Google
Parents will not receive alerts for potential dangers their child encounters on the watch.
Approve all contacts
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Bark
You as a parent decide exactly who can message or call your child — everyone else is blocked.
Google
Parents can block contacts when using Family Link, but they cannot proactively stop people from contacting the child.
GPS location tracking
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Bark
Track your kid’s location 24/7 with the Bark Watch, including check-ins and location alerts.
Google
Parents can use Find My Device to track the watch, but this feature is limited.
SOS emergency feature
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Bark
The Bark Watch SOS button will let your child quietly and discreetly dial 911.
Google
Users can press the crown 5 times in a row then touch the screen for 3 seconds to contact emergency services or your designated emergency contact instead.
Unlimited Bark Premium access for the entire family
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Bark
When you buy a Bark Watch, you get a free subscription to Bark Premium to help protect all of your family’s other devices.
Google
Google Pixel doesn't come with a free online safety monitoring app for all your family's devices.
Water-resistant
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Bark
The Bark Watch has an IP68 rating, which means it’s water-resistant in fresh water to a maximum depth of 1.5 meters for up to 30 minutes.
Google
The watch is water resistant up to 50 meters.

Text, video & photo monitoring

Talk & text with LTE connectivity

24/7 GPS location tracking

Manage all contacts

SOS emergency feature

Designed for safety.

Built for fun.

Protection, not distraction

The Bark Watch is designed to give kids independence — without giving them the internet.

No games

No social media

No browsers

SAMSUNG GALAXY WATCH8

New watch – same award-winning technology

CONTENT MONITORING

Get alerts for potential dangers — automatically

LOCATION TRACKING

Always know where they are

CONTACT MANAGEMENT

Every contact, parent-approved

WATER RESISTANT

Splash-proof for adventures

BARK ASSISTANT

Manage everything effortlessly

FITNESS

Healthy habits at their fingertips

SPEECH TO TEXT

Communication made simple

Plans & Pricing

The Bark Watch monthly plan includes parental controls and cell service.

  • Bark Watch with charging cable
  • Family subscription to Bark Premium that lets you manage other devices like phones and tablets ($14/mo value)
  • Free transfer of your kid's phone number to the Bark Watch
  • Talk and text
  • Free shipping
  • 60-day money back guarantee
$ 15 /mo USD

+ device

Device protection that keeps up with your kid

Get comprehensive protection for cracked screens, water damage, loss, and more for just $4/mo.

Specifications

Samsung Galaxy Watch 8

Model

Up to 3,000 nits

Display Brightness

3 nm, 5 Core

Processor

L1+L5 Dual-Frequency

GPS

2 GB / 32 GB

Memory / Storage

325 mAh

Battery Life

5ATM + IP68

Durability

Armor Aluminum

Material

Bluetooth + LTE

Connectivity

SOS Emergency

Safety & Emergency

More details
Model
Samsung Galaxy Watch8
Display Brightness
Up to 3,000 nits
Processor
3 nm Processor, 5 Core
GPS
L1+L5 Dual-Frequency
Memory / Storage
2 GB RAM / 32 GB Storage
Battery
325 mAh — Up to 30 hrs (Always On Display)
Durability
5ATM + IP68 / MIL-STD-810H
Material
Armor Aluminum
Safety
SOS Emergency Feature
Size
40 mm
Color
Graphite
Display
1.34" (438x438), 327ppi, Sapphire Crystal Glass
Physical User Interface
2 button + digital bezel
Health
Step Count, Heart Rate Monitoring, Activity Goals

Frequently asked questions

What type of watch is the Bark Watch?

The Bark Watch is a Samsung Galaxy Watch8, a round, sleek smartwatch designed with kids in mind. It runs Samsung's watch OS and comes loaded with Bark's built-in parental controls, so parents get peace of mind while kids get a little more independence. It's made with Armor Aluminum, water-resistant, durable, and ready for whatever the day brings.

How is the Bark watch different from other kids’ smart watches?

The Bark Watch stands out from other watches because of our advanced content monitoring that comes built-in. Our software automatically scans texts, photos, and videos for dangers and sends you an alert if something concerning is found.

What does the Bark Watch come with?

Every Bark Watch comes with a charging cable and a Bark Premium subscription for all of your family's devices. Device protection is also available as an add-on for $4/month.

How much does the Bark Watch cost?

The Bark Watch is paid for monthly over 24 months. This monthly cost covers the device only. A Bark service plan is required to activate your Bark Watch.

Device payment:

  • $10/month for 24 months. You can pay it off early — just contact us!

Your $15/month service plan is separate from your device payment and includes:

  • Cell service and parental controls
  • A Bark Premium subscription for the entire family, covering unlimited kids and devices, including phones and tablets you already own
Is the Bark Watch available outside the U.S.?

Right now, the Bark Watch for kids is only available for families located in the U.S.

Tell us what country you'd like us to bring the Bark Watch to next.

How does the SOS emergency feature work?

If your child ever needs help, they can hold the top right button on the Bark Watch to bring up an "Emergency call" option, which lets them quickly call 911. 

Does a Bark Watch have to be connected to a Bark Phone to work?

Nope! The Bark Watch is a standalone device with its own phone number, talk & text, and other features. There's no need to purchase a Bark Phone when you’re buying the Bark Watch.

Is it water-resistant?

Yes! The Bark Watch is water-resistant with a 5ATM + IP68 rating, meaning it can handle up to 5 feet of freshwater for up to 30 minutes. It hasn't been tested in salt water, chlorinated pools, or high-pressure situations like diving.

Before swimming or getting the watch wet, turn on Water Lock. This locks the screen so it doesn't respond to water touches. It also turns on automatically when your child starts a Swimming Workout in the Samsung Health app on the watch.

When they're done, turn off Water Lock. The watch will vibrate to push out any leftover water. Rinse off any residue and dry the watch before wearing it again.

Does the Bark Watch take photos and video?

The Bark Watch does not have a camera, so your child can't take photos or record video with it. That said, Bark's content monitoring still covers photos and videos that are sent or received on the watch, so you'll get an alert if something concerning comes through.

Can I transfer over an existing phone number to the Bark Watch?

You sure can! Bark lets you transfer an existing number from another carrier — known as "porting" — at no additional cost! Check out this help article for step-by-step instructions.

Will I have to download a special app to text my child with the Bark Watch?

Nope! We aim to make things easy with the Bark Watch — your family and friends can text them easily straight from their own phone.

Is there a limit to the number of contacts I can add to the Bark Watch?

Nope! You can add as many contacts as you'd like to the Bark Watch. And if you choose, your child can reach any contact without needing prior approval — though parents can still require approval if that's what works best for their family.

What carrier does the Bark Watch use for cell service?

Data and coverage is provided by Bark.

What is the Bark Watch return policy?

If you cancel your Bark Watch subscription more than 60 days after purchase, you'll need to pay off what remains of the total cost of the watch. After that, the watch is yours to keep. The amount you owe depends on when you cancel. Your Bark Watch will remain fully functional until the end of your billing period, after which all apps on the Bark Watch will be grayed out.

For more information on returns, including damaged or defective watches, check out our help article.

Is there a warranty or insurance available for the Bark devices?

Yes, we offer optional device protection plans with AKKO that cover accidental damage, loss, and more — because life happens. Learn more here.

How do I contact Bark with questions?

You can reach out to our customer support team — they’re standing by ready to help!

What apps come on the Bark Watch?

The Bark Watch comes with a focused set of apps that keep kids connected without the distractions of a full smartphone. The watch includes:

  • Alarm
  • Calculator
  • Compass
  • Contacts
  • Gallery
  • Health
  • Phone
  • Messages
  • Reminder
  • Settings
  • Stopwatch
  • Timer
  • Voice Recorder
  • Bark app
  • Samsung Knox

There are no games, browsers, or social media apps on the watch, so kids can stay connected without the usual distractions.

Does the Bark Watch have a camera?

No, the Bark Watch does not have a camera. It's designed to keep kids connected through calls and texts. Bark's content monitoring still covers photos and videos sent or received on the watch.

What's new with the Bark Watch?

Quite a bit! Here's a quick rundown of what's improved:

  • A more capable device. The Bark Watch is now built on the Samsung Galaxy Watch8, with a round face, Armor Aluminum casing, and a 5ATM + IP68 durability rating.
  • More ways to communicate. Group texting and speech-to-text are all now supported.
  • Smarter health tracking. Full fitness tracking through Samsung Health, including step count, heart rate monitoring, and activity goals.
  • More flexible contact management. Kids can now reach any contact without needing prior approval, if that's what you choose. Parents who prefer to approve contacts first can still do that.
Are there games on the Bark Watch?

No, the Bark Watch doesn't include games. We keep the watch intentionally distraction-free so kids can stay connected without getting pulled into screen time. It's built for communication and safety, not gaming.

Can the Bark Watch be paired with the Samsung Wear app?

No, the Bark Watch does not support phone pairing. It operates as a standalone device, which means your child's watch experience is fully managed through the Bark parent app rather than through Samsung's Wear app.

Does the Bark Watch work with Samsung Health?

Yes! The Bark Watch has Samsung Health built in, so it can track your child's fitness activity, heart rate, step count, and more, all in one place.

Can the Bark Watch be paired with a Bark Phone?

Not currently. The Bark Watch and Bark Phone operate as separate devices. If your family has both, each will have its own number and plan.