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Inspiring
December 22, 2025
Solved

Cannot pair with the meta quest app - same 5 digit code

So i got a refurb meta quest 3 from the meta store on ebay. 

When it arrived, i tried to set it up - however, i am stuck on the screen where it asks to enter the code on my mobile app.

 

I can see a 5 digit code on the quest - but entering that on the app shows 'couldn't pair with your headset'. 

So i tried several times, logged in and out the app, reinstalled the app, reset network settings on my iphone, tried a different phone - all failed.

The strangest thing is, I have even reset the quest to factory settings over 5 times - and each time, the 5 digit code that shows up is always the same. 

This seems odd - as i would expect a new one each time. 

Has anyone else faced the same issue - and if so, what did you do?

Thanks!

Inspiring
December 23, 2025

Just an update - after several emails back and forth, meta confirmed the device was stolen/lost so had been blocked. 
So meta sold me a barred device - however after fighting a battle, they agreed to replace it. 

so if anyone has this issue in the future, at-least we have a resolution or know why this happens! The key is if the 5 digit code remains the same even after a factory reset. 

16 replies

New Participant
December 22, 2025

If not then idk

New Participant
December 22, 2025

Make sure the previous owners are no longer logged in on their meta horizon app 

Inspiring
December 22, 2025

Hmm that’s tricky as it was a refurb from the meta store through eBay. The eBay support don’t really help with that stuff. I have reached out to meta. But just wondering how long they will take to respond/resolve. 

Choleni
Honored Contributor
December 22, 2025

Hi mineshp100​ 🙂

Maybe try the solution from this thread

Brand new Meta Quest 3S not pairing | Meta Community Forums - 1355227

Inspiring
December 22, 2025

ThanksCholeni​  I tried this just now. No luck. Same issue :( seems like defo something meta need to do on their end. I have a strong feeling, they haven’t released the device from their end (still registered to them). I assume they can just erase all owners and it will suddenly work. Let’s see what they say…

Choleni
Honored Contributor
December 22, 2025

Not sure, if Meta can release the device when the previous owner haven't deleted it from their account.🤷‍♀️

Good luck🤞

mineshp100AuthorAnswer
Inspiring
December 23, 2025

Just an update - after several emails back and forth, meta confirmed the device was stolen/lost so had been blocked. 
So meta sold me a barred device - however after fighting a battle, they agreed to replace it. 

so if anyone has this issue in the future, at-least we have a resolution or know why this happens! The key is if the 5 digit code remains the same even after a factory reset. 

Choleni
Honored Contributor
December 23, 2025

Thanks for the update.

mineshp100 wrote:

meta confirmed the device was stolen/lost so had been blocked.

That definitely should not happen.

Glad you won the battle⚔️👍😂

Have fun with your new device.

New Participant
December 25, 2025

I have exactly the same issue here, I purchased this quest 3 refurbed from the  uk meta eBay store and it’s generating the same 5 digit code after a factory reset. As you

can imagine I have a very upset young child here who’s Christmas has been ruined by meta selling me a stolen device.

at this point I don’t feel that having to send this back for a replacement is really good enough. This was his main present and it’s been a total disaster. I think the press needs to hear about this

Choleni
Honored Contributor
December 25, 2025

BananaBoy1066​ 

BananaBoy1066 wrote:

it’s generating the same 5 digit code after a factory reset

This is actually not an indicator that the device is stolen. The pairing code remains the same for a particular device, even after a factory reset.