Can't change activities types anymore?

[domnik968]

Hello! I have a Fitbit Charge 2 and before, I was able to change the type of the activity from within the Android app. Now I got an error "The app can't connect to fitbit.com" or something similar. So I went on the website but there's no action that allowing to change the type of the activity. Is it a new bug? Otherwise, do you have an idea how to fix this? I have to change some runs to stepper and some bike to rower. Thanks!

[LZeeW]

Hello @domnik968 and welcome to the Community.  I use an iPhone, so I can't explain why you are getting that error message when you use the Categorize Exercise option in your mobile app.  I only have general troubleshooting advice.  Try logging out, then logging back in.  Delete the app, then download it again.

When I look at my Activity History on the website, I see my list of activities.  Some have Edit pencils and some don't.  An activity must have an Edit pencil to change its name.

I'm moving your post to the Android forum.  I think that is your main issue and I hope a fellow Android user can help you.

[MarioDings]

Hey, @domnik968 . 

I've tried it on my Android Phone. (and Chromebook). It is possible to change the type of your training, because there is a pencil visible at avery training. So you should be able to change the type.

But it can only be changed into a predefined name. So "stepper" is not available, but "Stairclimber" is. "Training" is not but "Core training" is. "Rower" is not but "Rowing" is.

If you are unable to do so, check your version of the app and reinstall it as @LZeeW suggested.

Good luck. 

[Mercador]

I have the same issue. Worst, because of this, my fitness score tanked from 45 to 33, probably because my steps sessions are logged as jogging, so I got a really bad pace (obviously, I'm climbing stairs, not doing a 100m). I got the issue since 2-3 weeks now. It's not possible to change exercise type on Fitbit.com directly so I can holy hope they fix the app at some point; the edit pen is available, it's the call to the webservice on fitbit.com that is broken.

[Mercador]

Does the names have changed recently? Because I still have "Stepper" and "Rower" offered when I change the activity type. Thanks.

[Mercador]

Uninstall and then reinstall the app, log off then log on. Still got the issue "Can't connect to fitbit.com" or something similar. I notice the last version of Android app is July 7th so it fits with the beginning of my issues. I didn't migrate my data to Google and I have the French locale. Pixel 6 version 13. The interface is ok, it's when you call the edit action that I got an error. I can provide more data if required but I think there's really a bug there.

[Mercador]

Ok, I found a workaround, it's not perfect but it allow to change some of the exercises. I had to change my locale from Canada French to Canada so that way, in the dropdown of suggested activities, I have the English version of the name of the exercise. That way, I'm able to choose Rowing machine and Walk. I'm not able to choose Stair Climbing for some reason though but I put them to "Walk" so they stop messing with my running activities. 

There's still some issues;

- Even if I change the locale of the app, the app remains in the old locale, only the auto-complete selection of activities has changed to the new locale

- Some activities, even in the auto-complete dropdown, aren't accepted when trying to save

--

Here's two snapshots of what is happening:

1) Changing the activity from a suggested list

https://ibb.co/XWJhFgy

2) Error when trying to push the edit to the webservice

https://ibb.co/k2ddFgv

I can provide more information if needed. My hypothesis is that the new 3.87 version didn't map the different locales and/or they changed the name of the activity types but the app doesn't recognize them all. Since they seem to want us to migrate to Google account, my bet is that they didn't had a lot of budget to QA the "non-google" accounts. 

[MarioDings]

@Mercador I have a Google account and my locales are all over the place. Dutch and English (f = Fietsen and Fishing ) I must say that I sometimes switch between Nederland-Dutch and Nederland-English . I heard Swedish is not at all usable, so there' s a lot of work for the Google team.

All I can say is that ther is a pull-duwn menu for activities, in the app and in the web-interface.

And DO migrate to Google, because I have only a few friends left. That's why I call it "crossing over" 😉 From 800+ friends to 34.... (How to get rid of the scammers...)

[Mercador]

@MarioDings I don't think I'll migrate because I'll change my Fitbit band sooner than later and I don't really want to give all my health data to Google but that's me.

(rant)When I learned that Google bought Fitbit and put the data behind a paywall, they lost my trust. They also removed the managed account for a child without any workaround for people in Quebec that causes me a lot of troubles with my daughter. I have several bad experience with Google since 2019, I think they lost their edge but that's a personal opinion.(/rant)  

Anyway, for the time being, from what I understand, the prefill dropdown doesn't offer the same options anymore and when hitting Save, the activity type isn't recognized so it doesn't allow to save. The error message isn't meaningful as it said that it cannot contact Fitbit.com but that's a default error message because if I choose another activity type, it works. The workaround works (switching to English and modify the activities) but some activities naming doesn't work.