Android Oreo GPS Issue

[jdvp]

On Android Oreo, 8.0.0, I have an issue using GPS tracking for walks and runs with my Charge 2. Syncing seems to work and I can see the connection icon on my fitbit when I start the app. However, when I lock the device, the charge shows the phone not available icon and only recconnects to GPS when I unlock and open the app

[G.Shaunus]

That's unusual. I'll try an uninstall and reinstall.

[SunsetRunner]

Received version 2.58 this morning and it seemed to work for a one mile walk just now. I don't want to hold my breath because I already ate crow once about an update that I thought worked.

[SunsetRunner]

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@SunsetRunner wrote:

Received version 2.58 this morning and it seemed to work for a one mile walk just now. I don't want to hold my breath because I already ate crow once about an update that I thought worked.

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Never mind, that didn't work. Nice try, Fitbit. Another thing that is odd is that for me it works once after an update and then not after that.

[G.Shaunus]

Snap. Went for a run this evening, lost GPS before I even hit half a mile. It seems to have gotten worse!!

[emiller213]

I'm on version 2.58 and the GPS tracking via GPS assist is still broken.  The only way to get accutrate GPS information on my runs right now is to start a new exercise directly from the app and not initiate it by using the watch.

[RaviDeo]

Happy to note that issue for me is resolved with 2.58 update for app which is out for week now.

I had same issue with my pixel and charge 2. Since pixel got updated to Android 8, charge 2 was not getting gps and was not connecting to phone during run. Sync was okay. 

Make sure Fitbit runs in background and notification is turned on. Android will show what apps are running in background.

I did remove and add my charge2 back from bluetooth devices as well.

Hope it helps. Enjoy your workouts.

[forgettoclick]

Hey could someone say where the setting is for "runs in background" as RaviDeo says here?

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@RaviDeo wrote:

Make sure Fitbit runs in background and notification is turned on. Android will show what apps are running in background.

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[Rizzek]

Since I'm finally done with being ill I went for a run today.
.58 seems to have fixed the issue for me. I ran 7km and so far it did track the whole route.

I'm having a Nexus 5X running Android Oreo coupled with a Surge 2. I did not reset the bluetooth connection.

[SunsetRunner]

Yes please, I would love for this to work the way it was promised.

[forgettoclick]

Sadly it's not working for me. I have the latest 2.58, I rebooted the phone just to be safe.

Here's the test steps I suggest to test this bug:

1. In the fitbit app, see that it's keeping up with your stepcount, just to verify that bluetooth is working

2. Start your music or whatever, and then turn off the phone's screen. This bug has to do with GPS not working when the screen is off.

3. Use the button on your fitbit to start your run or whatever

When exercise is done, the bug is that the map track is very inaccurate, since it's only getting a reading every 3 minutes or whatever. This also causes the distance and speed records to be inaccurate. If your run is a straight line, it can be hard to see the problem. Look for points where you turned or reversed.

Workaround: having inaccurate data in there is worse than no data. To get no data, the easiest step I found was to turn off "location" in the android quick setting screen. Then you can start/stop your run normally without the bugus data. Turn location back on after your run, so weather etc work right.

Hey fitibit:it's just a bug. It would be super if you could just post a quick acknowledgement here that it's not working, so we're not wasting our time running around every time there's a new release. When it's actually fixed, post a followup note here and I'm sure many people on this thread will test it for you and report back. There's no point in a private beta, since the bug is out in the field now. Just push a fix attempt and we'll try it.

[SWill]

My GPS on my blaze having same issue ever since I updated to Oreo...I no longer see maps on my walks and it's not recording distance correctly (I walk the same route often and know how far it actually is)

[Jim1988]

I too am experiencing issues with my Charge 2 when using the GPS. When running I need to open the fitbit app every 3 minutes or so and re-sync my device otherwise it keeps dropping the connection. No idea if this is a bluetooth issue or GPS.

Anyone got a fix yet?

[solowoniuk]

Went for a run with my non Oreo phone,  just to see if Oreo is the problem. Charge 2 locked onto GPS, completed 5 mile run, device  gave time/distance/average pace/elevation after I finished.  Synced data to Fitbit app. Results .2mile run at 25hr mile pace. No GPS data. I updated firmware on Friday this is obviously a charge 2/fitbit problem and fitbit should come clean. 

[GST49]

Well before Android upgraded to Oreo, the Android team posted the code
changes that would be needed to maintain the GPS connection once Oreo was
released. If Android Fitbit app software engineers even have the work on
their list of bugs to fix, it seems to be lower priority than what ever has
been released in the last few weeks. They made a choice to not be proactive
in addressing this up front even when they knew it was coming. I have not
seen any reference to a fix being underway.

[emiller213]

I attempted to turn off battery optimization for the fitbit app hoping for
a temporary work-around until a fix could be pushed out, but that didn't
work either.

[solowoniuk]

Well that's craptastic. I like the Fitbit app, and all that goes with it; challenges/friends/forums etc. I can't say the same for the hardware. I can't justify EVER making a purchase from Fitbit again. Fitbit doesn't seem to give much thought to keeping it's current customer base happy. I am in the market for an upgrade as I'm beginning to get serious about my running but will not even entertain the idea of the iconic.

[GST49]

Although it is not as clean, you can successfully track your running just
using the Fitbit app even on an Oreo phone, until Fitbit software engineers
fix the GPS connection defect. It will allow you track all your times,
distances, routes, speeds, etc in the same place.

>From main Fitbit app screen, click on the "Track exercise" tile. In the
upper right corner of the "Exercise" screen there is a Stopwatch icon.
Click on that icon and it will open GPS and locate your position. You can
then click on "Run" and you are on your way.

[emiller213]

Thanks! Yea that's what i've been doing lately. Really hope they fix this
soon.

[solowoniuk]

Thanks much, yes I was aware of this.  I signed  a up for a strava premium membership for some extra features, it's the same concept.  It's not as clean for sure, and looking at your phone is combersome as all hell ESP when your running stairs and intervals. 

[SunsetRunner]

Will this still capture my heart rate from my Fitbit device?
If so I think I can live with that....for a while.