Compatible Tablets NOT on Fitbit's list of compatible mobile devices

[Mizmelzy]

I am looking into getting a new tablet. But wanting to find one that works with the fitbit app. I currently have a Charge 3. The tablet I have is not on the compatible list but works flawlessly with the Charge. So what tablets do any of you have that are Not on the combatible list but actually do work just fine with the app and trackers? I currently have a Samsung Galaxy Tab A.

Melissa

[ashwolve]

@Mizmelzy Hi and welcome - you have probably seen this list but will add anyway

Compatible Devices

the list is not exclusive and more devices are added / removed along with the different technology, my only advice is.. to be certain that it works use what is on the list - if you are going to gamble look for the ones within the software capabilities ie Andriod OS 5.0 (lollipop) or higher so (Marshmallow, Nougat, Oreo,Pie in order oldest to newest) be aware and check in these forums that Pie is having issues that are currently being investigated so be cautious of this OS until confirmed fixed

its not the answer to the question as such but hope it gives you enough food for thought

Kind Regards

Wayne

[Rich_Laue]

Any chrome based tablet will not sync a Fitbit, this is a limitation of chrome OS

In short am Android or ios based laptop will be needed

[ashwolve]

@Rich_Laue thanks for the additional information - do you know if this is temporary or is there some friction with Google? just incase I need to renew my desktop I will know to stick with Firefox/Safari/ or dare I say it IE lol

and im Android all the way for Mobile Devices

Kind Regards

Wayne

[Rich_Laue]

Chrome is a Web based operating system, like your web browser, any programs running in them are unable to connect to a Bluetooth connected device. 

So unless the chrome OS is rewritten to allow this feature ........ 

[ashwolve]

@Rich_Laue  Thanks I know what chrome is, just not the fact that Fitbit is not compatible, Chrome is the OS it should be Fitbit making sure their product is compatible with the operating system surely not Google having to adapting to Fitbit - or is what your suggesting that chrome has purposely done it to promote there own brand of tracker

I know you don't work for Fitbit but it does seem strange when programmes are available for chrome in desktop for the Fitbit app (or is that not available either - only asking as I don't use chrome if I can help it

on further investigating while writing this I have found the following which may be of interest to you

if you are talking about Bluetooth in general I take it it is device specific (chrome book etc. and not the actual browser which now I think about it may have been missing with my original response) the following gives instructions for Bluetooth devices unless I am misunderstanding your comment and making myself sound like a caveman lol and for that I apologize

https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/2587653?hl=en

in fact I think it is in production if I understand this article correctly

https://developers.google.com/web/updates/2015/07/interact-with-ble-devices-on-the-web

the above may come in handy for future posts and if that is the case then now I understand

Many thanks

Kind Regards

Wayne

[Rich_Laue]

The first link is about connecting bluetooth devices to your chrome OS as you say

https://support.google.com/chromebook/answer/2587653?hl=en

The second link is about adding the function that will allow chrome apps to access BTLE devices. Yes until this function has been added to chrome is. Fitbit will not be able to write an app that will be able to sync the tracker. 

https://developers.google.com/web/updates/2015/07/interact-with-ble-devices-on-the-web

[ashwolve]

@Rich_Laue  AHH that all makes more sense now

thanks for taking the time to look through it and confirming for me

all the best

Wayne

[OneLessCarb]

I have an ASUS Chromebook Flip C302CA-DH54 (not on the supported device list) and it is able to run Android apps. I can install the Fitbit app, and in going through the setup to pair it to my Versa Fitbit, it finds it and shows the big green checkmark, but gets stuck on "Connecting" and won't complete the setup. I tried several things as listed in the troubleshooting articles on this web site.

I don't know if there is any way to get the Versa to work with this particular Chromebook but I thought I would post this message with my experience.

[Rich_Laue]

That's correct @OneLessCarb currently Chrome books are not supported. I've been told, through this forum, that Chrome has recently added the ability for the web to interact with a connected bluetooth device, confirmed by the second link in my post above. However to implement this will require Fitbit to make a dedicated app for the Chrome OS which is basically a Web based OS.

The Android Fitbit bluetooth drivers are written for the Android OS, not for the Chrome Web Based OS.

So no you currently will not be able to use your Chromebook. 

Now if the above link is true,  someday we may have a button to sync right on the dashboard at www.fitbit.com!

[Rich_Laue]

@Mizmelzy  I did some looking into the Samsung Tab A

I see that it runs the Android OS, not chrome, filemaker it seems that it's hardware is also compatible with Fitbit.

The trick is to find another tablet that runs Android and has hardware that Fitbit already supports. 

[OneLessCarb]

Just making sure you realize -- the Chromebook does run Android apps in addition to ChromeOS apps. So far, Fitbit is the only Android Bluetooth app I have that doesn't work correctly.

[WavyDavey]

Even if you could get it to run on ChromeOS, I wouldn't recommend it. There's too much chance that a future update from Google or Fitbit would unknowingly break the app for an unsupported device, especially if Fitbit isn't coding for that OS.

We see it a lot with unsupported phones. They work for a while, but an android or fitbit update kills their sync or notifications. And there's nothing that Fitbit can do other than encourage folks to use supported devices (again, unless they want to add a new OS to the lineup).

You may want to search the Feature Suggestion section of the site, and there may be a formal request for this feature from the community. If so, you should add our votes so Fitbit knows there's interest in this.

[Rich_Laue]

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@OneLessCarb wrote:

  --- cut --'

So far, Fitbit is the only Android Bluetooth app I have that doesn't work correctly.

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What other Bluetooth Device do you have that works on Chrome. 

Garmin has the same issue as Fitbit when our connec to Chrome books. 

One setback is that Fitbit uses their own drivers,  so they most likely will need to modify the app to work on Chrome. 

[Mizmelzy]

I am going to be upgrading to another Samsung. The Samsung Galaxy Tab 5e. I have had good luck with Samsung Tablets so just going to stick with those.

Mel

[Rich_Laue]

Since many Samsung tablets run true Android,  not Chrome. The is a better chance of them working