Allow siblings as contacts on the Fitbit Ace LTE

[Supatyke]

While setting up Fitbit Ace LTE watches for our two kids I added my wife and I as contacts. I also wanted to have the kids be able to contact each other but couldn't send an invite to their Gmail address. I assume this is because they are supervised accounts?

Moderator Edit: Updated label

[sgsx3]

Yes! Please do this! With my children in different schools because of their ages, it would be great for siblings to be able to communicate with each other!

[Scottoalltrades]

I was also going to add this as a suggestion. I believe it's because the older sibling I am trying to add is also on a supervised account.

[tmillet]

Absolutely. We got this for our 10 year old in part so that our 13 year old and 16 year old contact her via txt/call and hopefully (maybe too much to ask) see where she is on google maps (we all share our location with each other in the family). 

This seems counterintuitive that siblings and friends with a supervised account can't contact/connect with each other. Especially because the txts are text only, no pictures or GIFs allowed on the FitBit Ace LTE, so the possibility for inappropriate content is low-ish (limited to text/voice only, which is why the parents are setup as gatekeepers).

Would love it if this feature were rolled out ASAP. I don't own anything Apple at present but the Apple Watch is the only other option that I've explored that would allow me to do a lot of what we'd like to be able to do. Would suck to have to buy an Apple Watch and a cheap iphone just to set it up :barf_emoji:

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @Supatyke, and thanks for taking the time to share this product feedback about allowing siblings as contacts on the Fitbit Ace LTE with us. We rely on feedback like yours to help us develop products and features that we know our community wants to see. If this product feedback receives votes from other customers and gains popularity, it will be shared internally with various teams at Fitbit. To learn more about how Fitbit decides what product feedback is developed, visit our FAQs.

Watch this space for status updates. In the meantime, try visiting Health & Wellness to talk with other members about all things health and fitness.

[danielapina]

I bought two watches for my two kids. Turns out they can call the adults via app but they can't call or message each other's fitbit. This is a basic feature I was expecting when buying the watches. Please add it.
Additionally, supervised google accounts cannot be added as contacts.

[Litton]

100% agree here, I'm disappointed this wasn't included! We like everything the watch has to offer, but I can't recommend it to any of our friends if this feature isn't added. We will likely need to move to another device as well.

[Kodros]

This is absolutely a requirement.  It's crazy that we can't add contacts that aren't adults.  My kids need to be able to communicate with each other.  

[dma528]

I'm in the same situation. My kids are at different schools due to age and we want to have them contact each other. 

[Hcistu]

Same. Wish I had seen and understood this limitations. Still within 30 days so likely to return. Doesn't do my son much good if he can't contact siblings or add friends whio don't have gmail accounts.

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @danielapina, thanks for taking the time to share this product feedback about allowing Ace LTE siblings to message or call each other with us. I noticed this product feedback was already requested on this board, so I’ve moved your post here. Please support this product feedback by adding your vote, this helps our developers to keep tracking its popularity and demand over time.

[mikeysal]

This is CRAZY! Why would I not want my 12 year old son not to be able to contact his 8 year old brother? Did anyone with kids beta test this product at all? Lots of misses so far. 

[Hcistu]

A parent should be able to add ANY contact, whether another child account or non-gmail account. They should at least be able to text, email, and call if approved. (As in communication profiles per approved contact)

[ipeleg]

Yes, this a must feature!

[shaklee3]

Agree. Absolute must

[CurtisL]

• This is the main reason why I'll likely not get a second or 3rd watch. 

[Dilagable]

Please add this feature ASAP. Completely mind boggling that this is not a feature on launch of this device. What is the point of up to 20 contacts when they all have to be adults. I feel like it was purposefully advertised in a way to make it seem like you can add siblings and your child's friends but can't. Bait and switch. Very disappointed. 

[Tnpadgett]

Please add this feature. We bought this for our son and went to add his big sister's who assist in transportation but couldn't. It is important they are able to communicate. Obviously all of our children have supervised accounts. Even though it says up to 20 contacts that consist of caregivers and people over the age of 13 that is not entirely accurate. Extremely frustrating. I don't think I would have purchased the watch had I known this. Definitely not the way it was advertised. 

[Litton]

We have given up and I'm not happy we have had to compromise. I've made one of the sibling's google accounts non-supervised so they can communicate with each other.

I unfortunately bought the 1 year deal for fitbit ace pass, but unless this is fixed soon, we will be not be renewing the ace pass and will be selling the device to the next sucker... at least they won't be bait and switched.

[Orteped]

I concur with everyone else here. The ability to allow supervised accounts in the same family group to communicate is absolutely essential.  This not clearly communicated in the purchase process, and I cannot understand what liability would be involved to not include it. I'm going to give this a few days to see if they really like this watch, otherwise it's going back and reviews will be posted. 

[Swoll78]

Absolutely asinine. My 8 year old needs to be able to contact my 12 year old who has a phone. So my 12 year old needs a watch in order to communicate with her little brother?!?! What a miss! They attend different schools and need to meet up to walk home. This is one of the main reasons we got the watch. I never would have guessed, that with a device that is 100% moderated by the parents, I still can't add any person I want as a contact that can message, call, etc. I also thought it would come with a phone number. Frustrating product. It angers me more and more each day.

[shaklee3]

@Swoll78 not quite. Even if your 12yo had a watch it STILL can't communicate with the 8yo! They need an adult gmail account to communicate with the watch, and nothing else works.

[mauidream85]

PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE add this feature. There should be a way for me, as a parent, to decide what contacts I allow my child to interact with - and at least allow me as a parent to approve the contact via Family Link - where my children are supervised - so that they can communicate with each other. Especially since one will be in high school and one in elementary school - in a SMALL School District where they share the same bus route, and connect before and after school. I need my elementary aged child to be able to communicate with my high schooler via a WATCH instead of giving her a PHONE (she's not old enough in my opinion)! Bring this feature up and build it out - and as quick as possible please.

[Gene82]

This is unfortunate. I have 3 watches on Amazon order and because of this they will all be returned. I suggested this watch to a family friend and they informed me that they are not interested as their children won't be able to communicate with their siblings and friends from school. I wholeheartedly agree with my family friend and will be returning all 3 watches and cannot recommend to anyone else moving forward unless this is rectified. 

Please let us know ASAP if this is a function you are going to change so I don't have to start the return process. This was going to be a gift for the upcoming school year. Google, what are your plans??? Please let us know.

[Gene82]

I am really hoping this gets addressed before the start of the school year so I may take advantage of the recent price drop during Amazon Prime days. Many parents in my school district were willing to purchase this watch but will not do so until children are able to communicate with each other, including siblings and their friends. Please make this possible well before the start of the next school year. 

Please understand the urgency of this weeks prior to the start of the school year. Many students begin in late August. 

Sincerely,

Gene Antunes

[shaklee3]

@LizzyFitbit can you please let us know when this feature is expected?