Connected GPS on Pixel Watch

[westonruter]

Before having a Fitbit (here a Pixel Watch) I'd always run with my phone in my arm band while using it to track a workout (e.g. with Strava). I tried recently to use my Pixel Watch alone to do the tracking, but I found the GPS resolution to be inferior to the tracking from my phone. Nevertheless I love the heart rate monitoring when tracking with the watch. Is there not a way to use both at the same time? I'd like to be able to start an activity with my phone and then see the Fitbit app on my watch open up and show me my current status, with GPS coming from phone but heart rate coming from watch. 

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[JohnnyRow]

I don't have the Pixel Watch and haven't seen the manual, but have had several Fitbits and can tell you how it was possible on some of them.  Don't know if this also applies to Pixel Watch but might give you an idea where to look.  Many Fitbit models had different GPS options when starting from then watch, to either use the Fitbit watch's GPS, or to use bluetooth connection to phone's GPS if carrying phone.  This option originally was for models without built-in GPS and was called "connected-GPS", but was also available in some models with built-in GPS to allow battery-saving on watch if not using its own GPS on longer walks or runs.  So you might look to see if Pixel watch allows option, starting from watch, of connecting  to phone's GPS. However, that option might not be available and this might all be wasted.

[westonruter]

Thanks for the reply. I opened the Fitbit app settings on my watch and there is a GPS menu, but it only has two options: whether to enable GPS and whether to enable the GPS notification (which I'm not sure it refers to). I would have expected there to be an option for using the Bluetooth-connected phone's GPS instead, but I don't see that option.

[JohnnyRow]

It wouldn't surprise me if it is not there.  It might not have been available in the more recent Fitbit models either.

[LZeeW]

@westonruter   In a nutshell, what you are asking for doesn't exist.  This is true for your Pixel and any Fitbit that only has built in GPS.

[YojanaFitbit · Accepted solution]

Hi there, @westonruter. Welcome to the Community Forums. You comments are really helpful @LZeeW and @JohnnyRow. 

Thanks for sharing all those details in your feedback. I'd like to confirm the information you got from previous posts. Google Pixel Watch doesn't have the option you're looking for since it is a 'Built-in GPS' smartwatch. You can see this information along with Fitbit smartwatches specs here: Which smartwatch is right for you?

Have a good day and I hope to see you around the forums.