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Gabb Watch 3/3e Troubleshooting

The following information is applicable to both Gabb Watch 3 and Gabb Watch 3e. Convert your Gabb Watch 3 to a Gabb Watch 3e by following the steps in this article.

Having issues with your Gabb Watch 3/3e? We can help! This article will cover system updates, setup issues, GPS location issues, and more.

Update your Gabb Watch 3/3e

Many issues with your Gabb Watch 3/3e can be solved by taking the following steps:

Update the MyGabb app on the parent’s smartphone

Update the MyGabb app on the parent’s smartphone in the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).

Update system on your Watch
  1. Connect your Watch to WiFi.
  2. Place your Watch on its charger. Your Watch must be charged to at least 30% before updating.
  3. Open the Check for Updates app and tap the Update button. The watch will automatically restart when finished.
Update apps on your Watch
  1. Connect your Watch to WiFi.
  2. Open the Gabb ID app on your Watch and select Update Apps. Your Watch will restart when finished.
    Gabb Watch 3 Software Update

If you’re still having issues with your watch after trying these steps, look for your specific issue below.

Gabb Watch 3/3e won’t turn on

Start here ▶️

The Gabb Watch 3/3e has a normal usage of 14-18 hours. This includes activities such as voice calls, texting, gaming, Gabb Move activities, notifications, & Safe Zones.

Your Watch must have at least three bars of cell service to meet the 14-18 battery hour life. Consistent low cell service (1-2 bars) may result in faster battery drain because the watch spends more energy searching for a signal.

The standby battery life of the Gabb Watch 3/3e is 36-48 hours. Standby is when the watch is in the same spot and not actively in use, but is still powered on. The Watch conserves energy when in standby, allowing it to stay functional while using minimal power.

Gabb Watch won’t turn on

Gabb Watch 3/3e won’t turn on? Try these steps:

  1. Leave your Gabb Watch 3/3e on the charger for 24 hours.
  2. Hold the power button (bottom button) down for five seconds.

If your Gabb Watch 3/3e still won’t turn on, please contact Gabb Support

How to maximize the battery life of your Gabb Watch 3/3e 🔋📈

1. Update system
Shown at the beginning of this article.

2. Toggle Bluetooth off

Gabb Watch 3 Bluetooth Toggle

3. Decrease screen brightness
Swipe down from the top of the screen to open the Quick Settings page. Adjust the brightness slider to decrease the brightness of the screen.

4. Turn off raise to wake
Swipe to the Settings page. Scroll down and select the Raise to Wake icon. Turn off raise to wake.

raise to wake icon

5. Change wallpaper to static wallpaper
Swipe to the Settings page, then select the Wallpaper icon. Select a static wallpaper from the list.


6. Ensure a Gabb Move activity isn’t running in the background
Swipe to the Apps page, then select the Gabb Move icon. If there is an active activity, select Pause, then Finish.



7. Ensure Stopwatch isn’t running in the background
Swipe to the Apps page, then select the Stopwatch icon. If the Stopwatch is running, select Pause, then Reset.

stopwatch icon

8. Ensure Timer isn’t running in the background
Swipe to the Apps page, then select the Timer icon. If the Timer is running, select Pause, then Reset.

timer icon

9. Close all apps running in the background
Go to the Home Page of your Watch. Double tap the power button (bottom button) to bring up the Multitasking pane, which shows all of the apps currently running. Select Close All.

Gabb Watch 3/3e activation & setup

Start here ▶️

Follow this list, one at a time, to solve your setup issue. If you’re still having problems after you try all of these steps, keep reading for more information about your specific issue.

The Gabb Watch 3/3e can only be linked to the MyGabb app via Bluetooth. Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your smartphone.

  1. Make sure you have an active Gabb service plan. Click here to go to our Activation site
  2. Update the parent’s MyGabb app in the Apple App Store or Google Play Store.
  3. Turn the watch off & back on:
    • Press & hold the power button (bottom button) for four seconds, then select the Power Off icon.
    • Wait 15 seconds, then press & hold the power button for four seconds to turn the watch back on.
  4. Press the back button (top button).
  5. Link your Watch again via Bluetooth.
WiFi issues

Situation:

WiFi network not listed on Gabb Watch 3/3e

Solution:
The Gabb Watch only works on 2.4gHZ networks. Your network may only support 5gHZ. Contact your internet provider & ask them to configure your network to support 2.4gHZ. After your network has been re-configured, try connecting your Gabb Watch 3/3e to your wireless network again.

Bluetooth issues

Situation:
Bluetooth times out when trying to link Gabb Watch 3/3e to MyGabb app. If you’re on the Connect to WiFi screen in the MyGabb app, & the Watch has been on the Connected screen for more than 30 seconds, Bluetooth has timed out. 

Solution:
Tap the Retry button.

Unlink / reset

Situation:
Your Gabb Watch 3/3e needs to be unlinked from the MyGabb app and reset

Solution:

  1. Log in to the MyGabb app from the parent’s smartphone.
  2. Select Profile next to the Watch you want to unlink and reset.
  3. Scroll to the bottom, then select Remove Device.
  4. Select Remove and Reset. This will unlink and reset your Gabb Watch 3/3e.

Unlinking & resetting your Watch will wipe all the information from it, including messages, contacts, history, Gabb Go, etc.

Not receiving texts or calls

Gabb Watch 3/3e can’t make or receive calls

Make sure that the contact you’re trying to call is added as an approved contact in the parent’s MyGabb app. Here’s how to add a contact:

  1. Log in to your MyGabb app.
  2. Select the Devices tab.
  3. Select Profile next to your Gabb Watch 3/3e.
  4. Scroll down, then select Manage in the Contacts section.
  5. Review your contacts to make sure the number is approved for the Gabb Watch 3/3e.
    • If the contact is in the Contacts list, go to the next step.
    • If the contact is not in the Contacts list, add the contact:
      • Select the blue plus sign in the bottom-right corner.
      • Select Create Contact.
      • Enter the contact information, then scroll to the bottom and select Save.
  6. Double check the contact’s phone number to make sure it’s correct.
  7. On the Watch, swipe to the Contacts screen and verify that the contact shows up.
Add approved contact for Gabb watch

Finally:

  • Log in to the parent MyGabb app and select Play Sound.
  • Press and hold the power button (bottom button) for 10 seconds to restart the Watch.

If your Gabb Watch 3/3e still can’t make or receive calls, please contact Gabb Support by chatting in live Monday-Friday from 7:00 a.m.-6:30 p.m. MT, Saturday from 7:00 a.m.-3:00 p.m. MT.

Black screen & hardware issues

Black, blue, or flickering screen

Situation:
The screen on the Gabb Watch 3/3e is black when the Watch is powered on

Solution:

  1. Go to an area where you were previously connected to WiFi.
  2. Restart your Gabb Watch 3/3e by pressing and holding the power button (bottom button) for 10 seconds.
  3. Wait five minutes, then press the power button once.
  4. Follow these steps if that does not resolve the issue:
    • Unlink your Watch from the parent’s MyGabb app:
      • Log in to the MyGabb app from the parent’s phone.
      • Select Profile next to the Watch you want to unlink.
      • Scroll to the bottom, then select Remove Device.
      • Select Remove and Reset. This will unlink and reset your Gabb Watch 3/3e.
    • Link the Watch to your MyGabb app again as shown here

If this still does not resolve your issue, perform a factory reset on your Watch:

  1. Put your Gabb Watch 3/3e on the charger.
  2. Press the back button (top button) 10 times quickly.
  3. Select the check mark ✔️ to reset the Watch.

Unlinking & resetting your Watch will wipe all the information from it, including messages, contacts, history, Gabb Go, etc.

Ringer or sound not working

Make sure the volume is turned up on the Watch. There are two ways to adjust the volume: directly on the Watch, or from the parent’s MyGabb app.

On the Gabb Watch 3/3e:

  1. Swipe down from the top of the Watch to open the Quick Settings menu.
  2. Use the volume slider to adjust the volume.

Adjust Volume Gabb Watch 3

From the MyGabb app

  1. Log in to the parent’s MyGabb app
  2. Select the Devices tab.
  3. Select Volume Control under your Gabb Watch 3/3e.
  4. Select Reset Volume.
  5. Use the slider to adjust the volume, then select Apply Volume.
  6. Select Override.
Watch needs to cool down
  1. Turn the Watch off:
    • Press & hold the power button (bottom button) for four seconds.
    • Select the power off icon.
  2. Wait 10 minutes, then feel the watch to see if it has cooled down.
    • If the watch feels cool, proceed to the next step.
    • If the watch still feels hot, wait until the Watch has cooled down before proceeding to the next step.
  3. Press and hold the power button for four seconds to turn the Watch back on.

Location not working

GPS or Safe Zone location tracking is delayed

This can happen for a few reasons:

  • The Gabb Watch 3/3e is turned off
  • The Watch has a dead battery
  • The Watch has a low cell signal

GPS location updates automatically every 15 minutes. You can manually locate by selecting the device, tapping Profile, and tap Locate.

Follow these steps if the GPS location on your Gabb Watch 3/3e isn’t updating in the specified timeframe:

  1. Make sure that your Watch is turned on, charged, and has at least three bars of cell service. 
  2. Log in to the MyGabb app from the parent’s smartphone.
  3. Select the Devices tab.
  4. Select Profile next to the device.
  5. Select Locate to update the GPS location.

Error messages

Stuck on Gabb bootup screen
  1. Wait for the Watch to run out of battery, then charge it all the way and turn it on again.
  2. Follow these steps if turning the Watch back on doesn’t resolve your issue:
    • Unlink your Watch from the parent’s MyGabb app:
      1. Log in to the MyGabb app from the parent’s smartphone. 
      2. Select Profile next to the Watch you want to unlink. 
      3. Scroll to the bottom, then select Remove Device.
      4. Select Remove and Reset. This will unlink and reset your Gabb Watch 3/3e. 
    • Link the Watch to your MyGabb app again as shown here

If this still does not resolve your issue, perform a factory reset on your Watch:

  1. Put your Gabb Watch 3/3e on the charger.
  2. Press the back button (top button) 10 times quickly.
  3. Select the check mark ✔️ to reset the Watch.

Unlinking & resetting your Watch will wipe all the information from it, including messages, contacts, history, Gabb Go, etc.

Stuck on Android recovery screen

Situation:
Black Android recovery screen displays on Gabb Watch 3/3e

Android Recovery Screen on Gabb Watch 3

Solution:

  1. Press the power button (bottom button) once to select Try again.
  2. Follow these steps if that does not resolve the issue:
    • Unlink your Watch from the parent’s MyGabb app:
      • Log in to the MyGabb app from the parent’s smartphone.
      • Select Profile next to the Watch you want to unlink.
      • Scroll to the bottom, then select Remove Device.
      • Select Remove and Reset. This will unlink and reset your Gabb Watch 3/3e 
  3. Link the Watch to your MyGabb app again as shown here

If this still does not resolve your issue, perform a factory reset on your Watch:

  1. Put your Gabb Watch 3/3e on the charger.
  2. Press the back button (top button) 10 times quickly.
  3. Select the check mark ✔️ to reset the Watch.

Unlinking & resetting your Watch will wipe all the information from it, including messages, contacts, history, Gabb Go, etc.


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