Sync Charge 3 without Bluetooth pairing

[BarryMW]

I was completely unable to Sync my Charge 3.
Here is what I did to workaround the issue on MY Charge 3

Please read all the way to to the end. By avoiding the Pairing process you will be giving up functionallity until the Fitbit fix becomes available
I was most interested in Syncing for my sleep scores and that I have reliably achieved.

I have the Charge 3 connected to both an iPad and an iPhone. I don't know if all of these steps are required, I'm simply detailing what worked for me.
I have now been able to Sync without issue for 3 days, even if I can only Sync on one device (iPhone).

1. iPad - Settings Bluetooth - Delete Paired Charge3 and disable Bluetooth.
2. iPad delete FitBit app from iPad
3. iPhone - Settings - Bluetooth - Delete paired Charge 3 and Disable Bluetooth
4. iPhone - delete Fitbit App
5. Reset the Charge 3 (don't wipe, just a reboot)
6. Install Fitbit App on iPhone.
7. iPhone enable Bluetooth
8. Reinstall the Fitbit App on the iPhone. Run the Fitbit App - NOTE: should you be asked to Pair the Charge 3.... DECLINE.

Syncing a non-Paired Charge 3 has proven to be completely reliable on one device.
DO NOT attempt o reinstall the App on the iPad, it wont sync and might kill the sync to the iPhone.

WHAT YOU WON't Get
the "All Day Sync" function appears to require the Charge 3 to be Paired. Don't pair it
The GPS on the phone for tracking exercise appears to required the Charge 3 to be Paired... Don't pair it
iPhone Notifications appear to require the Charge 3 to be Paired. Don't pair it.

And befoe you ask... Yes Bluetooth WILL function with both Paired and non-Paired devices, you just don't get all of the functions.

Like I said, I wanted Sleep Scores and the regular data... Steps, Heart, ect.

Follow this at your own risk.

Your Mileage May Vary

All the best

Barry

Moderator edit: Subject for clarity 

[RicardoFitbit]

Hi @BarryMW, it's nice to see you again participating here in the Community Forums! 

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts and personal experience with your Fitbit device, I understand your situation and how frustrating this matter can be for you. I'd like to let you know that we are always striving to improve the Fitbit experience with our products and services, therefore, the feedback that's shared here in the Community Forums is appreciated. 

I'm happy to know that you resolved your issue taking the steps that were shared in your post, seems odd that you had syncing difficulties with your iOS devices. Even though your issue was resolved, keep in mind that we always recommend our users to follow the proper steps to connect the Fitbit devices with their accounts and pair them with the Bluetooth settings, process described on our help article: How do I set up my Fitbit device?.

Please do not hesitate to contact me back if you require further assistance or if you have any additional questions.

[BarryMW]

RicardoFitbit,

you/Fitbit currently have a known and acknowledged issue with syncing IOS devices. 
Have you tried to count the number of Current posts indicating that your/Fitbit canned “How To” instructions do not currently work. 

I, and many others, are at the limit of our patience. 
If you’d like to assist, can you please locate an ETA for the actual and final solution to the outage. 

Thanks

Barry

[Rich_Laue]

Fitbit uses the low energy bluetooth,  a user should not be able to manually  pair a tracker to their phone. The tracker should reject the pair attempt. If the user was able to pair to the phones bluetooth, then the Fitbit app will not be able to connect to the tracker.

This pair needs to be done through the Fitbit app.

As for syncing through 2 different devices, like any other bluetooth device, your tracker will only connect to one device at a time. Have you tried to play music from your iPad and phone through the same speaker simultaneously? This is a limitation of bluetooth. 

The fix is to turn the bluetooth off on the device you do not want to sync through.

[BarryMW]

Rich,

There in lies the rub!

You can pair it. Oh and it don’t work if you do.
My Charge 3 is Syncing, first try every time to my iPhone 10. 
The Charge3 does not appear in the iPhone Bluetooth setup Screen. 
when it did appear in the Bluetooth screen, it would not sync for love nor money. 

But, I might have mentioned that (multiple times)

Barry

[Rich_Laue]

Here is the problem, the Charge 3, or any fitbit tracker should not be able to be paired through the phones bluetooth.

The only time it will show up is after the Fitbit app has paired the tracker. The user can not pair the tracker. 

When you first got any Fitbit device the complete setup process was done through the Fitbit app, there was nothing you did through the phones bluetooth.

The Charge 3 doesnt even need to be paired to sync.

Steps that may help include

Restart tracker

Restart phone

Shut phone off-guard back on

Turn bluetooth off on any other device that the tracker may have synced through

Clear the phones cache 

Stop the Fitbit app

Etc