Android App Correcting Swim Distance Bug

[AubsUK]

Pixel Watch 2, Pixel 8 Pro phone (both patched to latest versions and all apps updated)

I've set my units to meters on the watch and in the Fitbit app. I've set my pool to be 25 meters. I always start at one end and finish at the same end, so always an even number of lengths. The watch normally picks up the right number of lengths. Today it didn't, so I went in to change it.

Original readings:
Distance: 975 m
Number of laps 39

Changed it to 1000 m and pressed save.
New readings:
Distance: 914 m
Number of laps 38

Changed it to 1020 m and pressed save.
New readings:
Distance: 933 m
Number of laps 38

Changed it to 1050 m and pressed save.
New readings:
Distance: 960 m
Number of laps 36

Changed it to 1100 m and pressed save.
New readings:
Distance: 1006 m
Number of laps 34

This has happened before, but I didn't capture it. Something is wrong, I suspect it's a conversion between feet and meters, but it's not right, and this was my first 1000 m total swim, and it's messed it up !!!

I suspect it's something to do with YARDS and METERS conversions, but something is messing up when doing it.

There is a strong indication that the bug is a flawed conversion. It appears that the app is taking my input in metres and incorrectly applying a yards-to-metres conversion factor (1 yard ≈0.9144 metres) when it saves the activity. This happens even when my app and watch are set to metres, which makes it a very clear and frustrating software bug.

I contacted support, they asked me lots of questions, recommended I check the hight/weight/gender setting, because that depicts stride, tried to tell me it's all about GPS tracking, and when I redirected them to "laps" in "swimming", they asked me to force close the app, sign out, sign in, asked for the version number, but still no help.  Apparently, it's been escalated, but I've not received an email yet.

The last screenshot after following the instructions now only allows me to edit the distance.  This is awful.  Looks like it's been happening for years.

@Julie987 in 2022 - https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Android-App/Swim-editing-not-working-properly/td-p/5099002

@DmacG in 2024 - https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Android-App/Manually-entered-swim-distance-changed-by-app/td-p/56100...

[MarioSFitbit]

Hi @AubsUK and welcome to the community! 

Thanks for letting us know about this issue. We’re aware of it and are working to identify a resolution. We appreciate your patience and look forward to getting you back on track.

[AubsUK]

Thanks Mario.

Is there any timeline for a resolution?

I had also raised a support inquiry on the same day I posted this thread, and they replied on 1st September about a completely unrelated issue that I'm not experiencing:

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Thanks for reaching out to the Google Customer Care Team.

Sorry for the long wait. After reviewing your case with our senior support team, we would like to inform you that:

Please restart your Google Pixel Watch 3 to begin.

1. On Google Pixel Watch, press and hold the crown for 3 seconds.
2. Scroll down and tap Restart.
3. If your watch screen is still unresponsive after a restart, perform a hard reset. Long press the crown and side button for about 35 seconds (may take longer) until the "G" logo appears. The watch should restart and be usable again once the restart completes.

After the restart, you can try swimming with one of these four common strokes:

• Freestyle
• Backstroke
• Breaststroke
• Butterfly

For the most accurate results, we recommend using the freestyle stroke. It's also important that you do not change your stroke in the middle of a swimming session.

For your reference, your case number is 7-2222000039031. If you need more help, you can contact us again and reference this case number, or reply to this email to reopen your case.

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I replied with:

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I think you've replied to the wrong issue.

1. I've not got a Google Pixel Watch 3, I have a Google Pixel Watch 2.

2. The issue has nothing to do with the watch freezing or identifying the stroke I'm doing, or mostly logging of the distance.

3. The issue is solely about correcting minor mistakes when they arise.

I've raised a post on the FitBit Community page -  https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Android-App/Android-App-Correcting-Swim-Distance-Bug/td-p/5778781

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[AubsUK]

I had another update yesterday (9th Sept 2025) asking "After reaching out with my team please make sure your Fitbit app is updated or please confirm if the app is on 4.51version.".  Confirmed I was (it was last updated 5 days prior) and gave some more screenshots on a 10 lap recording to test it.  It would be so much easier if they just let you change the number of 'laps' instead of the distance.

They replied tonight (10th Sept 2025) to say "Our higher team is currently working on your case and we will message you once an update is available."