Constant 'Connected GPS is Running' Message

[Paul4164]

my partner has been using a Fitbit Charge 3 with her Samsung A3 phone since Xmas with no problems but about a week ago she started to get the 'Connected GPS is running' notifications constantly popping up on her phone and her battery is going from full to dead in about 4 hours. If I delete the Fitbit App she no longer gets the notification and her battery use goes back to normal. I've noticed that quite a few other people have had this same problem. I've tried several different suggestions including updating the App, switching off 'all day sync' and 'keep alive widget' and one or two other random things. I am willing to dance naked in the street if it cures the problem....other than that, any other suggestions before I take a hammer to her charge 3 ?

Moderator edit: Clarified subject

[LanuzaFitbit]

Hello @Paul4164.

Thanks for sharing those details on the matter and sharing that you have tried troubleshooting on your own.

It is important to mention that Connected GPS is only activated when the Charge 3 enters activity mode for an activity that uses Connected GPS. My question in this case would be if the Charge 3 is experiencing any issues or activating exercise tracking on its own?

Also, if the app is installed again, does it happen once again? In the meantime please try to run the set up on the Charge 3 as if it was a replacement Fitbit. That should help so that it starts working without any hiccups again.

Let me know if there are any other questions I can help you with.

[Chuckiebaby]

No, Connected GPS does NOT only happen when the Charge 3 is in activity mode. That's what your users are telling you. Mine is currently giving that notification as I type this, and my Charge 3 is not in activity mode.

Even rebooting my phone doesn't help! (LG V30). Please please please tell the developers to fix this bug!

[Belohlavys]

I am having the same issue. I had no problems whatsoever with this app until updated last night. Then all day today it kept saying "connected gps running". I have tried going through each activity and turning gps off. That didn't help. I restarted my phone- galaxy s10- that didn't help. This thing drained my battery about 2.5 times what it would've normally drained in a work day. This needs fixed! 

[DeptOfDefense]

I'm currently having this issue also. Samsung Galaxy S9+ and this issue is rapidly draining my battery. Both phone and fitbit (device and app) are up to date. I use Endomondo to track my runs and bike rides, I don't need the fitbit (Charge 3 with HR) to automatically recognize or track workouts, the data is automatically connected to Fitbit through the Endomondo app. If there is a way to turn off these features, or the "connected gps is running" message permanently, please let us know!

[Leysa]

I'm in the same boat. Samsung Galaxy note 8 battery draining freakishly fast and this "connected GPS" notification won't go away. The fitbit app is using up 60% of my battery life. Everything is up to date and I'm not using any exercise activities. Need help! 

[UrteSp]

For me it does turn off after I finish the activity, currently, my Fitbit is charging and I am getting 'Connected GPS is Running' on my phone. It drains my phone battery and watches battery, the only thing that works, is force stopping the app, but it is annoying having to do it after every single walk or run...

[mafpdx]

The problem started just today for me.  I have a Charge 3 paired with a Galaxy S9.  Based on other threads, I uninstalled and reinstalled the Fitbit app on the phone, but the message came right back.  I noticed that it went away when I was "in" the Fitbit app (not just running, but the app I was viewing).  As soon as I toggled to my home screen or another app, the "Connected GPS" message would return.  What seems to have worked for me was to toggle off both the All-Day Sync and the Always Connected options in the app settings.  It still syncs fine manually, and no more annoying Connected GPS.  🙂

[mafpdx]

Scratch that.  The message just came back.  😞  I'm out of ideas, and I don't know if it's eating my phone battery.

[mafpdx]

After another uninstall/reinstall of the app, and disabling/enabling location permissions, the message is gone for the moment.  I really hope this gets fixed.  I'm about ready to go back to my Mi Band 4.  😕

[neiander]

Same thing.  Persistant "Connected GPS is running."  Been there for days.  Uninstalled/reinstalled app and it was still there.  restarted phone, still there. 

[Chuckiebaby]

Ok everyone.  I have a workaround.

First, DO NOT start any gps-connected activity using your phone app. Use the tracker to start (and stop) the activity. The bug--you know the one, it's the bug whose existence Fitbit STILL denies--seems to be that when you stop the activity using you app, it doesn't stop the tracker from continuing to ask for GPS.

Second, if the gps-connected notification is on, start a gps-connected activity USING YOUR TRACKER (like running). Make sure you wait until it says "connected," and then actually start the activity. Then stop it immediately.  You will see the gps-connected notification turn off right away.  Then go into your exercise log and delete the bogus exercise. 

[Allen27705]

Cycling the location permission for the Fitbit app seems to work. Also reboot your phone and device at roughly the same time. Also within the device, cycling the auto detect and "use phone gps" setting for any applicable exercise shortcuts seems to work. The problem seems to come and go with phone updates for me.

[Acapc05]

Thank you Chuckie Baby....finally someone can help! Fitbit customer service is a joke... 

[korbelandcoke]

starting and stopping a GPS activity fixed mine

[YarnivoreGirl]

Perfect solution! Thank you!

[Tim_wildcat]

Worked.  Now I understand why it was doing it on my wife's phone.  It was trying to connect to the previous activity she started that she didn't let connect. I'll be sure to remember this when I do it..