Ace 3 won't sync

[hailtonothing]

Having been a fitbit user since the Charge HR, I figured what better tracker to get for my kid than the Ace 3? Well the answer might be "literally any other tracker".

It won't sync. It just won't. I've tried:
turning bluetooth off/on
force quitting the app
restarting phone
restarting ace 3
manually pairing in bluetooth -> pair new device
...and various combinations of these actions I've since lost track of

I was able to set up the family account, and it did an initial sync in the setup when I had to put the numbers from the screen in, then said it needed an update. I ran that and it said to look at the device screen for progress - there was nothing on the device screen except the usual default rocket face.
Now there's a warning across the top of the app that I need to link the device but every time I try, it's "taking longer than usual" until it fails and I get the option to try again.

I don't think I've ever had a more frustrating experience with a bluetooth device in my life. And now reading here, searching the problem online, I can see I'm one of hundreds if not thousands of people.

Is there an actual solution to this problem, or should I just get my money back and go get a Garmin or something?

[UpsetParent90]

I have been trying to setup an Ace 2 for my son for the past two hours...this is literally the worst piece of garbage tech I have ever used in my life. Return it, get your money back and stay far away from this awful company.

[Ace3bug]

Did have same problem. Got replacement device and still issues with Bluetooth pairing 

[kazzamarama]

I'm the same done all the troubleshooting and still can't get my son's ace 3 to connect to my phone, have even tried on my hubby's phone thinking it was my Fitbit that was interfering with the Bluetooth connection. 

[Aoibh2016]

I've got the same problem with my daughter's new Ace 3.

It was fine for the first 2 weeks, syncing every few nights. Then it just stopped syncing, and the pairing with my phone failed. Tried everything like reboot the watch, reboot the phone, re-add the device to the app, re-install the app. Nothing works. The phone can see the watch but the watch will not pair with the phone to sync. 

Checked the android software is up to date, and the app is the latest version. Still not working. 

Since many others have the same issue, I'm guessing a replacement device may not solve the issue?

[Ace3bug]

I doubt Fitbit Inc even cares about these problems. Giving new ranks to community won't solve the issue.

[Resa83]

My Son has had his Fitbit Ace 3 for 2 years and we never had a problem, It went flat so we charged it and went in to sync it as the time was wrong, It made me attach it to my google account and since then it won't sync!I have tried every single suggestion on here but it just won't work!

So mad!

[dsdrage]

same issue here - has been happening since mid-august. just received the replacement today and the same thing is happening. It gets to the point where it lets me enter the code, and then times out on the final pairing. it also says it needs to install a software update on the ace 3, but then can't find the thing to install it. Been on the phone with google support but they haven't been able to offer any advice other than everything i've already tried. 

UPDATE: A new security update came out on my phone (Pixel 7) yesterday. It was only about 28 MB but took about 45 mins to install. After this I was able to immediately pair, update and sync the Ace 3 again. 

[MrsSugar]

I had the same problem for the longest time.  I changed the clock face and then it started working again!  I know it sounds strange, but it worked!  I hope it works for you.

[hailtonothing]

Thanks for tip, but I can't change the clock face because I can't even do the initial sync, so those options are completely unavailable to me. I saw this as a possible solution but it assumes you have been able to link/sync previously, which I cannot do in the first place.

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My phone's (pixel 6) last update was 5th of Sept so I just did a check for updates and nothing new since then, so sounds like I'm out of luck until Google decides to fix it. Thanks.