How to set up Charge 6 for 13 year old in the UK with Google Family Link?

[Chrg6uk]

 I mistakenly bought a Charge 6 for my 13 year old (in the UK), unaware they aren't old enough to use the device.

The only way I can get it to work is to create a second (adult) Google/Fitbit account, stop using Google Family Link to supervise the phone, and then sign into the Fitbit app using the second Google account.

I then tried to turn parental supervision in Google Family Link and it removed the second Google/Fitbit account from the phone and Fitbit app.

I still want to use Google Family Link on the phone (to set screen time limits etc) but my only options seem to be:

1. Leave phone unsupervised and use Fitbit app
2. Keep phone supervised and don't use Fitbit app

Is there another way around this?

When buying the Fitbit Charge 6 from Amazon in the UK, there was no mention of it not being suitable for people of a certain age.

I guess I could use a different app, such as Bark or Qustodio, to manage screen time and app useage etc instead of Google Family Link. Anyone tried that?

This is what I've tried so far:

1. Remove supervision via Google Family for the 13 year olds Google account.
2. Create a new (adult) Google account.
3. Add that new Google account to the phone (alongside the original account).
4. Use that new Google account to sign up/log into the Fitbit app and connect the Fitbit Charge 6.
5. This all seemed to work well.
6. Then, re-enable supervision of the phone with Google Family Link.
7. Google Family Link then seems to remove the new Google account from the phone and logs out of the Fitbit app.
8. Now I cannot access the FItbit app unless I go back to step 1.

Thanks for reading.

[Goldsgirl]

Hi,

Could you return the Charge 6 and get an Ace3?

Just a thought and gets round the whole Google Family/phone supervision question.

Best wishes!

[Chrg6uk · Accepted solution]

Thanks. It's a bit late now as I already gifted the Charge 6. Plus the Charge 6 has the built-in GPS feature which I don't think the Ace3 has, which is what the device will be used for.

After speaking to Fitbit support, I found out it was possible to add the Charge 6 to the 13+ account if supervision by Google Family Link was disabled/removed.

Then, after adding the Charge 6 to the phone/Fitbit app, I could re-enable supervision by Google Family Link.

The second account wasn't needed.

Problem solved!

[LZeeW]

@Chrg6uk   Sorry things didn't work out for you and you gifted the Charge 6.  But thank you for sharing that Support said you can re-enable supervision after setting it up.  There are posts from other parents like you.  They want the additional safety from Family Link supervision.  It looks like an unintended consequence of Family Link.  Your 13 year old would be VERY unhappy with an Ace.