Android app incorrectly recording walks as runs

[Fitzgabbro]

Whenever I try to record a walk in the android app, it will instead start to record a run. How do I fix this?

[SteveW86]

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@Rich_Laue wrote:

Not really @SunsetRunner  the problem with Android phones off that there is no standard hardware, and no consistent Android version, that is why many companies including Garmin release a list of what phones have been tested and found to now work.

Fortunately many phones share the same hardware and thus even without testing do work 

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This is not a problem, this a characteristic of the Android platform as unlike iOS as you say, there is no base hardware. In this case though, it is an excuse because the problem is the app itself, not the hardware running it.

I am using a Galaxy S7 which is listed as compatible for the Fitbit App. The Pixel 3 isn't listed as compatible but works. This issue was introduced in an app update and I would wager that it affects all users on the Android App. It was working on @SunsetRunner Pixel 3 before and isn't working properly now. The Pixel hardware hasn't changed, the control here is the software version, that is all that has changed.

If you honestly think that the same issue affecting people with compatible handsets is caused by something else when on a not officially compatible handset then you must be crazy. It is purely and simply a way of shirking any responsibility or motivation for the issue being rectified.

[Hfunk23]

Total agree with you. Plus the issue didn't exist with the Android devices before January for me so if it worked just fine before, they can make it work again.

[Rich_Laue]

Fitbit installs it's own drivers, like Garmin does, bypassing the normal OS drivers for the hardware, this may require footboy to write a custom driver for a particular piece of hardware.

Yes I agree with Apple controlling the OS and the hardware it be is a lot easier for them to be compatable.

However their are many drawbacks with the way Apple has implemented things. They feel that there user must do things their way, 

I was responding to @SunsetRunner  who's comment about compatibility has nothing to do with the subject at hand.

Sorry @SteveW86  but a quick glance of the processing pages will confirm the walk/run issue started in the middle of January and is not a compatibility issue but an app issue.

[SteveW86]

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@Rich_Laue wrote:

Sorry @SteveW86  but a quick glance of the processing pages will confirm the walk/run issue started in the middle of January and is not a compatibility issue but an app issue.

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I know this. It was what I was saying. You seem to have misinterpreted what I typed.

TLDR Fitbit support using the "your handset is not compatible so you are bound to have issues" is a lazy get out. The issue is App related and nothing to do with the hardware.

[Rich_Laue]

Do you have a phone that Fitbit says if not compatible.

As mentioned above this walk as run issue is preventable by using the Charge 2 to record the walk and not the app.

[Hfunk23]

I do not have a Charge 2. I have a Charge 3 and Walk is not one of the activities I can record from the watch, only runs and treadmill. 

[SteveW86]

No, as I already stated I have a Galaxy S7 and the issue in the app that started in Jan. I was making reference to the user with a Pixel 3 who advised that, after having contacted FItbit Support about this issue, they fobbed them off with a line saying there are bound to be problems using an unsupported phone.

Which brings us back to the point which is that it’s an excuse when it is abundantly clear that whatever the bug is, it resides firmly in the app.

I have a Charge 2 but am not sure how I am supposed to record the activity on the device itself. Looking at the available activities of which there are 7, none of them are “walk”. So how do I track a walk?

[MontenegroMick]

Many of the mobile devices mentioned in this thread and in other threads within the fitbit community are listed as compatible. The latest software upgrade has generated the issue for many android based devices. Australian Consumer Affairs have been notified of the promoted compatibility list and the associated functions vs what has been the outcome since the software upgrade.Sent from my Smartphone

[BobbyDinSC]

I have been using it with my Galaxy S-6 for two years, WITH NO ISSUES, until 15 January when it started changing the walk to a run.  At that point and for the previous 2 years the GPS showed my tract correctly.  The GPS tract didn't start screwing up until the latest Update.  So if it worked for two years, what did FitBit change.  It should be simple to know what they changed and change it back.

[EdsonFitbit]

Hello @Maeday85 @MontenegroMick @Hfunk23 @Rich_Laue @SunsetRunner @SteveW86 @BobbyDinSC, thanks for visiting the Fitbit Community.

Please be aware that our team is currently working to find a resolution as soon as possible. As mentioned by some of you, this situation is not related to compatibility. Once any update be available, it will be communicated as soon as possible. Thank you for your patience in the meantime.

@Hfunk23 You can see the list of compatible devices on this article. There is many users who can sync with no compatible devices, but we can't guarantee that everything will work as intended.

@Rich_Laue Thanks for your support.

[Rich_Laue]

@Hfunk23and @SteveW86 yes walk is an option but as i mentioned above, not by default and needs to be added. .

I'll post again a link to the multisport FAQ. You'll want to read question 2 in how to add "Walk", Question 3 on how to use. and question 1 on why to use. 

[SunsetRunner]

My phone is an Android:  Motorolla Droid Turbo

[LanuzaFitbit]

Hello @SunsetRunner.

Thanks for letting us know about this issue. We’re currently working to resolve it and hope to have a fix soon. Be sure to keep your Fitbit device and app up-to-date to ensure you receive the quickest resolution.

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

Please let us know if there's anything we can do to assist you in the meantime.

[BobbyDinSC]

@EdsonFitbit@LanuzaFitbit@Fitzgabbro 

The other night my phone did a FitBit update.  I've rebooted my phone after the update and now have the GPS correctly tracking my walk.  However, the walk is still being recorded as a run.  Guess they need to keep trying.

[the3amigos]

Very odd reply. I've been using the same Android phone since I got my first Fitbit over two years ago & it's worked fine until the recent problem with the recording. Only difference between now and then has been any updates I've done through Fitbit.

[MattFitbit]

@the3amigos @SunsetRunner Thanks for posting about your experience. 

I just wanted to provide a quick update. I have been in touch with our engineering team and I have been advised that they have identified a root cause for this issue and are working to have this issue resolved in an upcoming app release. 

I'll be sure to keep you posted with more specifics once they are available. Thanks again for your patience throughout this process. 

[the3amigos]

Thank you!

[SunsetRunner]

This issue has been going on for over a month, and still no fix for the problem.

[MattFitbit]

@the3amigos For sure!

@SunsetRunner As mentioned above, our team has identified a fix and is working to have this resolved in an upcoming app release. Thanks for your patience!

[NYA2019]

Tell me about it!  This give me the feeling that Fitbit does not care about it's customer once they have your money!  So I've fixed this myself, I've bought a Polar device. 🙂