App update - Fitbit dosen't sync anymore

[RonE]

I just updated the Fitbit app (Firmware version 22.22.55.2) on my phone (Samsung Galaxy S5 Active) and my fitbit will no longer sync with the phone.  Automatic sync is not happening and I've tried multiple manual/forced syncs without success.  Everything on the phone (Bluetooth connection) appears to be working fine and this only started happening after the phone was restarted after the App update. 

[MariamV]

Thanks for your reports about this @RonE! It's possible that your Samsung Galaxy S5 Active isn't currently supported and that might be the reason why you have been having difficulties syncing your Fitbit device to your Samsung Galaxy S5 Active. Therefore, some or all functionalities may or may not always work at a 100%.

If possible, try syncing via a device listed as supported or using a computer. Our team is always working to test and add more Android devices to the supported devices list, so keep an eye open for updates!

Check out the list of compatible devices here. 

Check out these posts with further troubleshooting steps. Hope this makes sense, feel free to post back!

Oh and btw, I moved your post from the Windows 10 App board to the Android board. In here you'll find more relevant info related to your inquiry. Good luck!

[Teyre2]

I have similar problem with Samsung Galaxy prime fails to sync various times and is frustrating.  Seems Samsung is not fully compatible with Fitbit products.

Tom Eyre

[RonE]

It only recently started happening since I downloaded a fitbit app update on my phone.  Prior to that, I've had no problems over the past two years syncing my fitbit to my phone.  I actually had my fitbit first synced to my home computer, but since I paired it with my phone, it no longer syncs to the computer (dongle is fitted); I presume my phone has become the default sync device.

I did do a restart on my fitbit and that seems to have temporary solved the problem, but now it's somewhat inconsistent with syncing automatically with my phone; sometimes it will sync right away, sometimes there's a delay and other times I will have to conduct a manual/forced sync (which may or may not work).  I've checked the Bluetooth settings on my phone and it shows that it is paired with my fitbit.

Can I undo a fitbit app update?  As mentioned, these problems all started since the last update; maybe if I could get the app on my phone reset to the previous version that would fix the problem, as everything was working fine prior to then.

[JohanPyfferoen]

Since the Android app update of this week the sync problems between my Samsung Galaxy J3 (2016) began. Now it takes sometimes 5 minutes and more to sync. Before it worked like a charm.

Hope you fix this soon. 

[RonE]

According to the list of compatible devices https://www.fitbit.com/en-ca/devices, the Samsung Galaxy S5 is supported (the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active is the exact same phone, just built with a sturdier and thicker case for active people - i.e.: easier to grip when your hands are sweaty from a hike, run or bike ride, etc ...).

[Crazy-Fritter]

If your Fitbit tracker is syncing fine, don't update the app unless it's specifically for a security issue, which Fitbit will say. The best way to ruin a good thing is to update a perfectly good working app for new features that don't apply to your tracker, or you don't need.

Turn off auto updating in the play store and only update apps that actually need it. It'll make life much easier 😉

[RonE]

The question now is whether or not I can undo the last update so that my fitbit can sync with my phone again as it was before the update.  Ever since I uploaded the latest update I've been having the sync problems.

[MariamV]

Hello there everyone, thanks for your reports! 

@Teyre2 @RonE @JohanPyfferoen @Crazy-Fritter

We still don't have an estimated time for when the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active or Samsung Galaxy Prime or Samsung Galaxy J3 will be listed as compatible on on fitbit.com/devices. There is much testing involved in such a process.

I appreciate all of your patience about this. Happy Holidays! 

[RonE]

MariamFitbit please see my earlier post; the Samsung Galaxy S5 Active is the exact same phone as the Samsung Galaxy S5 and both models are listed as compatible devices (https://www.fitbit.com/en-ca/devices).  The only difference between the two is that the Active is a slightly thicker model (no beveled edge) with a sturdier case so that it is a more hardier and durable phone than the S5 regular model (ideal for active people).

Additionally, I have had my fitbit paired with my Samsung Galaxy S5 Active for the past two years without any problems until now - those problems have only occurred since I recently uploaded the latest fitbit app update to my phone.

JohanPyfferoen also stated that he has also been experiencing the same problem with his Samsung Galaxy J3 (also listed as a compatible device) since uploading the latest app update.  So it would appear that the problem has absolutely nothing to do with what type of phones we have; it has to do with the latest update to the app.

[PAULYNN]

I am also having the same issue.  My phone is a LG G5.  Was working just fine and now I have to restart my phone everytime to get things to sync.  

[Muzales]

I have a Galaxy Note 8 and a Charge HR.  Mine has been having syncing issues for a few months.  I sometimes have to reinstall the app, unpair, reset my Fitbit etc or any combination of these to eventually get it to sync.  

[JohanPyfferoen]

What is a workaround for now for me that fixes this :
- I switch on my wifi on my smartphone and wait till I have connection
- I open the browser and open a website so that I have a connection with a website

- I open the Fitbit app and the sync is then done in about 30 seconds.

[RonE]

I've also have implemented a work-around until this issue is fixed:

I've unpaired my fitbit with my phone and reinstalled the Windows 10 fitbit app on my home computer and have been able to sync my fitbit successfully with my computer (which also eliminates any possibility that my fitbit is the problem). That is still not a successful solution as now the only way I have to sync my fitbit will be when I'm home.

The next time I'm out (away from home) I will try the temporary work-around that JohanPyfferoen has implemented to see if that works, however even that is not a solution because the underlying problem still exists in that the fitbit app for cell phones appears to be no longer working.

[Dhaneshj]

I'm having the exact same issue and tried the exact same things like others have mentioned here.

I'm using a OnePlus 3T phone and the Fitbit app version is 22.22.55.2. Not able to sync any data except the calorie count since yesterday. Can you please let me know what are the next steps apart from the already mentioned ones?

[BillS5]

I have the same syncing issues as you all do now. I have a Galaxy S5. I have had it sync'd to my surge for nearly 3 years w/o issue. It has to be the last fitbit app update that has caused this issue. BTW the app size is 600mb . What's with that?

[RonE]

Well now it seems that none of the apps, computer or cell phone, work properly at all.  With the phone, automatic sync wasn't working anymore and every time I tried a manual sync it just simply won't work, even though the Bluetooth settings on my phone said it was paired with my fitbit.  So I disabled the pairing between my phone and my fitbit and switched to my home computer, pairing my fitbit with it via the Windows 10 App.  That worked for two days but now it doesn't - at least not properly.  My computer says its paired with my fitbit but the app doesn't always work.

I've noticed that there is a significant time lag or delay between sync updates with both the phone and computer apps, sometimes up to several hours.  The last time lag/delay between a sync update on my home computer was 18 hours (7:30 PM last night until 1:30 PM today), even though there were numerous times within that period for a sync update as I was at home during that time. Within those hours, with no automatic update I tried multiple times to manually sync my fitbit to my computer and all I get is a message asking me to verify that the fitbit isn't synced/paired with another device (even though I disabled the phone pairing and it was only paired with my computer - and the phone was turned off).

[BillS5]

I can sync to my Windows 10 app on my computer only but I have to unplug the dongle and plug it back in on my computer to get it to work. Have you tried that? 


Sent via Bill's Samsung GALAXY S5

[SometimesLucy]

I fully understand the phone compatibility issues, but it doesn’t explain to me how I’ve been successful using a “non-compatible” phone for many months with no issues until this last update. Now my Fitbit (Alta) is reduced to an expensive watch/pedometer. It wont sync with the app on my Moto g5 Plus at all, and it no longer is able to receive notifications (text messages, calls) from my phone as it did for many months before the update. Not happy!
Also, when shopping on the Fitbit site, or in in a physical store, all of the great features are mentioned, and it’s in tiny print somewhere that there’s a list of “compatible” phones, but it makes it sound like you just have to have updated android or iOS. I think one would assume, when shopping for a Fitbit, that if they’re running a updated version of iOS or Android, things should work fine (because of what is written on the Fitbit box). I wouldn’t think I’d have to run to the website to look at a list of phones! It doesn’t make sense, and just disappoints and sours people later on. There must more than a few people who are experiencing the same thing.
I’ve had various Fitbits for maybe 8 years, and have always been more than happy. Not so much now....I’m more than disappointed.....😢