Android 9.0 (Pie) not able to sync

[AlessFitbit]

Fitbit Update: 3/6/19

Hello everyone! 

We have some updated troubleshooting suggestions we'd like for all of you on Android Pie (9.0) to try. 

First, turn off Background Restrictions/Limitations: Phone settings > Apps & Notifications > Fitbit app > Background restrictions or Background limits.

Then, disable battery limitations:

1. Go to Settings > Apps > Fitbit app > Advanced > Battery > Battery optimization
2. Change view to All apps
3. Search for Fitbit app
4. Choose Not optimized

Please give the steps above a try to improve syncing with your Fitbit device and Android 9.0 OS. We're still researching and testing out long-term solutions to this ongoing syncing issue. We thank you for all your patience while we continue to work on this effort.

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Fitbit Update: 2/14/19

Hi everyone!

Thanks for all your reports and patience with these Android 9.0 syncing difficulties. We’re aware of this ongoing issue and have been working to identify a resolution as quickly as possible. 

We're sorry for any trouble. We appreciate your patience and look forward to getting you back on track as soon as possible. 

I'll let you know if I receive any additional information on this matter. 

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Fitbit Update: 10/3/18 

Hey Everyone!

Our team is still working on implementing a longterm fix for syncing with Android devices on Pie (9.0). 

For the background syncing issue, I have posted an update in the other floated thread which you can find here. 

We released Fitbit for Android version 2.80 today which contains improvements for that syncing issue. 

I'll make sure to keep you all updated with more information, as soon as I have it available. We're still working on this and I really appreciate everyone's patience. 

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Fitbit Update: 9/26/18

Hey everyone! 

Thanks so much for your patience and cooperation. We are aware of the issue and working with Google on a solution.

I will continue to provide updates here, so keep an eye on this thread. 

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Fitbit Update: 9/10/18 

Hi, everybody! 

Thanks for your patience while our team continues to work on improving syncing for those on Android Pie (9.0). They are actively working on this and for the time being, I recommend you keep the Fitbit app updated on the latest version for best syncing results. Right now that is version 2.78, so if you're not on this version please update! Also, another troubleshoot we recommend is performing a restart on your phone. 

When there are more improvements made in the future I'll announce them here. Stay tuned and subscribed to this thread. 

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Fitbit Update: 8/19/18

We have escalated these syncing issues for those who are now using Android Pie (9.0) to our team for investigation. There aren't any updates at the moment, but rest assured we will keep you informed in this thread when more information is available.

Thanks for your patience! 

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Fitbit Update: 8/11/18 

Hi, everyone! Thanks for stopping by the Community Forums. 

Seems like many of you who updated to Android Pie (9.0) are now having trouble syncing your Fitbit trackers. I'm going to escalate this to our team so they can look into it.

In the meantime, please update the Fitbit app to version 2.76.1 if you haven't yet. Let me know if that changes the syncing behavior. Please follow this thread for updates. I'll keep you all posted here! 

[Jari80]

@Rich_Laue  yes i have been contact to customer service, but same help is coming from there that has been given here. And when you read this forum you see that this is not only me and couple more who have same kind of problems.

There is major problems with fitbit devices to sync and work with android pie phones like it is adverdised. I am not programmer but i have a feeling that problems are so bad that they cannot fix it because it is not done already cause This has been around over a year now? Problems can also be on android itself or fitbit has done something "little different" outside of standards with bluetooth hardware what is now causing problems.  But those are only my own thoughts about this.

[AndreaFitbit]

Hi there, I apologize for the delayed response and thank you for your feedback regarding syncing your Fitbit devices

Fitbit is aware of the syncing issues experienced after updating to Android 9, and they're working to identify a resolution as quickly as possible. I'm sorry that you've gone through this situation, and appreciate your efforts while troubleshooting your devices. While I don't have a time frame when this will be resolved, I'll update this thread once I have more details.

To make sure your Fitbit device syncs and receives notifications from your Android phone, open the Settings app on your phone and confirm or adjust the following settings:

• Turn off background restrictions or limitations:
  1. Go to Apps & Notifications > Fitbit app. 
  2. Tap Background restrictions or Background limits to turn off the setting.
• Turn off battery limitations:
  1. Go to Apps > Fitbit app > Advanced > Battery > Battery optimization.
  2. Change the view to All apps.
  3. Search for the Fitbit app and choose Not optimized.
• Turn on location services and allow the Fitbit app to access your location. For more information, see Why is the Fitbit app prompting me to turn on location services?

Thanks for your help @Rich_Laue.

Keep on visiting the forums. 

[ZINZIN]

In the immortal words of John McEnroe, "YOU CANNOT BE SERIOUS?!"

You've discontinued the zip, the replacement you sent the battery case
won't open and I have nothing.

[Acid0057]

I totally get your frustration @ZINZIN 

I just wanted to add my two cents in here. No disrespect meant by it. 

I have a Google Pixel XL and a Fitbit Versa (Original, not special edition)

Versions:

Pixel XL: Android 9.0 Pie on August 1st, 2019 Security Patch Level

Fitbit App: 3.3.1

Fitbit Versa Firmware: 32.33.1.30

Ever since I posted that Bluetooth LE was not working on the Google Product Forums I got some action from Google's end to work on Android ASOP to get it working (I had more than one Bluetooth LE device not working) On the May 2019 Security Patches the Google Rep confirmed that the fix had been merged. I updated and to my surprise, my Versa started syncing after almost a year of just using the Desktop App to sync. Fast forward to today and my Versa sync's reliably without me forcing it to update in the app, notifications work, and I can add apps and update my watch face without any warnings or errors. I also haven't got the warning to try and restart Bluetooth for about a month now.

I hate to say it but I would imagine the real fix for other Android 9 devices is to wait for them to update past the May 2019 security patches. I know this isn't realistic for most and some manufacturers might not even bother to update some older devices that just got the base Android 9 when it released almost a year ago.

Again just my two cents observations on my own devices.

[NancyN]

I don't know if this setting has been mentioned but I had to turn off "Adaptive Battery" (under Settings->Battery) on my Moto G6 to get it to connect reliably with my Fitbit.

It took me a several weeks to figure out where to put the blame. My phone got upgraded to Android 9.0 (Pie) the same day (or the day before) my Versa Lite arrived. So, I didn't know whether the problem was the new Fitbit (since I hadn't been seeing the same sorts of problems with my Charge 2) or the new operating system. It was very frustrating - it wouldn't connect reliably when I went for a walk, when I tried to sync it almost always said "Device not found", etc. I was ready to throw something (phone, Fitbit or both) in the trash! I should have just switched back to the Charge 2 - I'm sure the problems would have persisted and then I would have known to blame the phone operating system.

[Solrcg]

So Several Months later I still never got notifications to work between my Nokia 6 and Charge 2 HR, but at least it was working with my phone and PC to track sleep, workouts, steps, heart rate.  

I risked getting a Versa Lite from Prime Day and so far the Versa Lite is working perfect with my Nokia 6.  Notifications and everything.  🙂  

I gave my Charge 2HR to my daughter who has a Samsung J7 (2017) and she had no issues with syncing and her notifications work.  I still have to check her android version, it could be 7 or 8.

[Cmdr]

Regarding battery optimization, please...

It barely works on my Windows 10 laptop, even less with my Android 9 Phone. This is the last device I ever bought with the brand fitbit.

Cannot really understand how it can be so hard to make Bluetooth handshake and connectivity work. My Versa won't even sync time correctly now, so its not even functioning as a watch anymore...

[Jari80]

It "would" be almost fine, if they give some kind of info what is going on than this usually bs that tell. Even that would be fine that notifications wont work if there were good info about fixing process. But thats not fine that i cannot use fitbit app with my phone if i want other bluetooth devices to work correctly. 

How about warranty? My device is still in warranty perioid.

[itsasecret6915]

Any new information on this? I just got a versa not realizing that it wouldn't stay synced. It will sync quite easily but won't stay that way. This is rather annoying since I depend on my watch to alert me of texts and calls. 

[MDensmore]

You will still receive texts and calls on your Versa, you will just have to go through additional steps to get the steps to sync to the app.  Mine works sometimes on its own and sometimes (more often than the automatic sync) I have to go through the steps to make it sync.  I've unfortunately become used to it and it only takes me a few minutes, if that, to get it done.  I usually only do it a few times a day, so, it's not too bad.  It's ridiculous that we have to go through that, but, I'm not giving up my Versa anytime soon.

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi everyone. I'm glad to see you visiting the Community Forums. I'm sorry for the delayed response.

@Acid0057 and @NancyN, thanks for your insights and the information provided. I see where are you coming from and I'm sorry about the issues that you've experienced with the Fitbit app on your Android 9 devices. While I don't have a time frame when a fix will come, our team will keep working on this situation to bring a solution to all of you.

For the ones that haven't done it yet, please check the information posted above by @AndreaFitbit. Also, make sure to keep the Fitbit app and your Fitbit devices updated to the latest version. Be sure that our team will not take your comments for granted.

@ZINZIN, thanks for bringing this to my attention. I understand your point and since the battery door isn't opening on your replacement, I've contacted our Support Team so they can create a new case and give you a hand. Keep an eye on your inbox.

See you around!

[Snoopster]

Hi Fitbit support team.

I have done a few test and found that when the android and fitbit are on a wireless connection on a home broadband then there doesn't seem to be a syncing issue.

The problem looks like the connection to the gprs \ 3g \ 4g or 5g . I am not sure if this will help them fix it , but I thought it would be worth mentioning.
I am not sure if anyone else has found the same thing.

Thanks

[reggert]

I am on a home wireless broadband network now and not working. Hasnt worked since android v9 installed on my phone in april.

[Snoopster]

HI thank you for your response.

I  am sorry its not working for you.

It's soething I have noticed on my fiance fitbit.

So thought it could help Fitbit

Thanks

[reggert]

Lizzy i am having a real hard time believing anyone is working on this. I would be shocked if this ever gets fixed. I would like for you to being Jeff Marshall into this conversation along with every developer and have them explain what specifically they are doing to resolve. Please let us all know if you can make that happen. 

[Acid0057]

@reggert I totally get your frustration. I think there's some bigger issues of Android Fragmentation that's rearing its ugly head here. On my Google Pixel XL 1 its been working fine since Fitbit did some app updates and Google pushed some code fixes to Bluetooth LE on the Android 9 Pie ASOP code (The code push was included in our Pixel, May 2019 security patches for reference). 

So I suspect here that we have to wait till those code patches trickle down to Samsung, Motorola/Lenovo, Blu, Oppo, etc phones. And then that's assuming they rebuilt the entire codebase along with the monthly security updates. And if you're phone is on Android 9 with monthly security lower than May 5th, 2019 then I'd also suspect very little chance that the fixed BLE code is running on your phone.

Hope this information helps you, other people on this thread and Fitbit. 

Again since the May 5th, 2019 update to my Pixel everything is working fine, notifications, auto-sync, manual sync, apps, watch faces and updating those through the Fitbit app on my phone for my Versa. Also my Fitbit Flex (I use it when working construction) it is also syncing fine but only manually (Which I expect since my phone is usually far away when working, far enough BLE won't work)

[ZINZIN]

RETURN IMMEDIATELY!
DO NOT WAIT PAST THE 45 DAYS
THEY WILL NOT REFUND AFTER 45 DAYS!

[reggert]

Thank you for your feedback really appreciate it. Honestly i am hesitant to say a whole lot more, seems like anything i post just gets deleted for violating community standards. 

[Snoopster]

When did you buy yours?

We returned ours a few days before the 45 days and bought another one , we  will continue to do this until the issue is fixed 🙂

I think its really bad for Fitbit to do this , if there is an issue they should change their policy and give the users 5 days after the issue has been fixed to test it and see if they happy.

Fitbit hope you are taking note as this is really bad business practice

\

[Snoopster]

@reggert  and @Acid0057  I think you are right , it would just be more appreciated by the community if FITBITR came out and said something, the fact they are burrying their heads in the sand is not doing them any favours. Not sure about you guys , but I would prefer honesty over bad practice