Does new update kill older Fitbit app versions?

[gardengal4]

My older fitbit app on Android 7.0 tablet stopped working.   Not sure when it happened, but I discovered yesterday when opening it, that it logged off the cached version and wouldn't let me login (invalid email/password and can't reset password).  

I do not have automatic updates enabled so I believe I should have been able to continue to use my older working version.   I read that 3.42.1 is last 7.0 support.  

I did find numerous posts about invalid email issues, but I think this one is related to the recent updates.

My dashboard on the website says last sync May 18. That doesn't surprise me.  It seems I needed to open the tablet fitbit app to initiate syncing and I don't bother with that often.  I really just use the step number on the fitbit device daily and I don't really get into the other dashboard features available.    So this is not a dealbreaker for my use case, but it is still unacceptable to drop support for a valid Android version (without an app update taking place!).    

When I went to Google Play store to upgrade fitbit app via the tablet, it does not show up to install/upgrade.

If this is a side affect of Google purchase, that is a heads up to me to reconsider a fitbit device upgrade.  I was contemplating swapping out the One to the Luxe, but Google's history of deprecating software (now and many prior instances) is making me seriously reconsider that idea.   ANd why do I want google to have access to my fitness statistics... sorry going OT... it's too easy... LOL I'll stop now...

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[gardengal4]

Actually, the inability to sync to my Android 7.0 tablet is close to a dealbreaker after all.   I need the sync for the device to pick up the current time.  It recently lost its charge and had to reset.  Hence, it is10 hours behind time.  Because of that, I lose the accrued calories burned while sleeping time  because it flips to midnight after I get up.  Not a huge deal, but still...

I tried to sync to my phone but it requires Location to be on and that's a dealbreaker to me long term.  I did put it on for a bit just to sync and my dashboard said it synced, but yet the tracker still did not pick up the correct time.    The phone fitbit app wanted me to update the tracker's firmware, but when I went to do that, BT would not pair with it.   I just got a useless message "cannot pair" even though it was showing in the list of available devices.

A mess...sigh....

[Odyssey13]

Hi @gardengal4  the Fitbit doesn't pair to bluetooth, although it uses it. Check out how to set up, which may answer some of your questions. Location is needed, too. 

[gardengal4]

Thanks but that didn't help. It is setup and connected to my account.  It just won't sync.  None of the troubleshooting tips did anything.   I think the tracker is too old for the new app on my phone.    And on my tablet, the older app and older android seems to no longer be supported by server login.   

On the phone, in order to get Fitbit to stop continually attempting to sync and sending me sync-fail notifications, I had to uninstall Fitbit app.  Force stop wasn't good enough.  The background sync service kept restarting (even after I killed the background process).  

I came up with a workaround to get tracker step/calorie counts w/o syncing.   If I wake up at 2:07 AM, I can do a manual reset on the tracker and then the time will be right!   Whats that saying... even a broken clock is right twice a day!   LOL

[SilviaFitbit]

@Odyssey13 Thanks for the assistance provided on the thread. 

@gardengal4 Hi there. Thanks for taking the time to share detailed information on what you're experiencing. 

As you described, in your tablet if you have the app version 3.4.1 or below, you can still continue syncing your Fitbit using Android OS 7. However, if the app is uninstalled, you won't be able to install it again. May I know if you have tried the following troubleshooting on your tablet?

- Log out from the Fitbit app 
- Clear the app cache 
- Restart your tablet 
- Log back in (make sure the app version installed in compatible with the OS in your device) 

In regards to your phone, please confirm you have the requirements mentioned here. Also, please let me know the phone model and OS installed. 

Hope this helps. 

[gardengal4]

Thanks Silvia but no go.   

Tablet:  I was not logged into Fitbit.  that was the problem that got me here.  See first sentence of the first post.   So just now I cleared the app cache.  Restarted tablet.  Cannot login.  "Invalid Email or Password".  But they are correct.   According to several forum posts, this error seems to be a common problem sometimes relating to network issues     My network is just fine and no changes have been made to it.     My fitbit app is 2.3.1.  Yes it is compatible with ANdroid 7.0.  I've been using them together just fine for a couple of years.    The only thing that has changed was the Tracker got reset due to battery not being charged before it ran out.    It seemed a coincidence with the dropping of Android 7.0 support in timing, but perhaps not.

 (btw, I used to sync via a btDongle in my Windows PC, but the dongle went missing awhile back, so I started using the tablet. )   

Phone: The link you sent does not list phone requirements.   It lists changes to the app.  The phone app is not a good solution for me even if I could get it to sync.  It requires Location On to sync which is a dealbreaker for me.    Phone is an up-to-date Samsung S8 Android 9.   I got the latest fitbit app from Play store.

If you can come up with other things to try for Tablet issue, that would be great.   

[Rich_Laue]

Have you tried to reset the password. 

Or check your saved passwords on your password manager? 

[gardengal4]

Reset password fails with error...same as similar complaints on this problem.  Something about... Cannot reach Fitbit.com.

password is correct. 

Good try..no cigar.  😂. Thanks.

[SilviaFitbit]

@Rich_Laue Thank you for the assistance provided. 

@gardengal4 Thank you for getting back. 

The best way to get help for this problem is to chat with us online or give us a call. Click here to get connected. 

See you around. 

[gardengal4]

Thanks for your persistence, but I am convinced this is a dead end.  😥       Old tracker. Old software.    I will have to be sync-less.   

Plus, my workaround didn't work to attempt to get the internal time set correctly on the tracker.   No matter what time of day I re-set it, it is always several hours off.  So I'm not sure when it flips over to another day.  I will have to pay attention and come up with a way to know what my daily steps are in 2 pieces.

Or time for a new tracker.   It will be interesting to see if I can find a simple one that does not have all the bells and whistles and complicated apps

Thank you 

[SilviaFitbit]

@gardengal4 Thank you for getting back. 

I appreciate that you shared updates about the workaround performed. The reason why your tracker won't update its timezone could be because it's not syncing daily. 

You can always contact our Support team, they'll offer the options available to you. 

Feel free to check our Fitbit Store and find your new Fitbit tracker or watch. 

See you around. 

[gardengal4]

" The reason why your tracker won't update its timezone could be because it's not syncing daily. "

I thought that was rather obvious!    Turns out it flips over to "midnight" around 9AM.  That's not bad, seeing as I'm not an early morning person.  😀

[MGChute]

Why won't Fitbit allow those of us with older Android OS's to be able to download and use older Fitbit Apps? My two Versa-1 watches are now useless, except for basic functions. I bought them mainly for their sleep monitoring function but now I haven't been able to access the data for more than a year as I needed to reinstall the app due to buying a new- older- phone. I buy phones about 3 years old as they're a lot less expensive. Anyway, if Fitbit doesn't address this problem I won't be buying any more Fitbits. Hello Apple!

[Odyssey13]

Hi @MGChute I have Android 9 and when the app version changes and I can't use it, that's time for me to get a new phone. My phone is over three years old and coming up on four, as I keep them a long time. Your history isn't lost. If you were able to sync, it's all safely stored on the Fitbit servers.

[MGChute]

I have a Galaxy J2 Pro (2018), which I purchased a few months ago. Much like a car I always buy off-lease refurbished models because I barely use my phone except for a few apps and the occasional call. I resent it when a company forces me to buy a new phone when the old software would still work. And it would still work if it hadn't been uninstalled. I refresh my phone back to factory settings every once in a while as it accumulates bloatware, bugs, etc. I've read that one can install older versions of the app, but then I may run into viruses. I may have to scrub my settings and try a test install, but that'll be a headache as I use my phone for crypto security as well. I'll get around it once I get past my procrastination. This issue, plus the ease with which the screen can crack, are reasons I'll most likely move to Apple. BTW, my screen did crack from a low-height fall in the shower, and Fitbit would only give me a small discount for a replacement. Now I use a screen protector.