Failing to sync after Android 13 update Samsung Flip/Fold

[StrikerJaken]

I updated to Android 13 today.
From then on, no sync possible anymore.
I already:

• Restarted my phone
• Shut down the phone completly
• Force quit Fitbit
• Deleted and reinstalled Fitbit (should be the newest version)
• Reset the Charge 5
• Shut down Google Assistant (apparently that's a problem with the Sense and Android 13)
• Restarted Bluetooth several times
• Hard Reset the Charge 5

Now I'm stuck with a watch that can't be connected anymore and is stuck in install mode.

Edit: To clarify. The Charge 5 is being seen via bluetooth, i get's found by the app, but it doesn't complete the connection.

[mikeshbike]

Still using my old phone to sync, of course it has not phone service so I have to sync when I have a network connection.  Not going to read all 33 pages of community input, but apparently, no one has seen any word of a fix.  I am seeing it is a problem with Fold and about all, if not all, fitbits.    Hate to ask but is there a competing watch with comparison features and price?  This has gone on long enough.

[txteva]

@mikeshbike - 33 pages of Fitbit not fixing the issue basically. It's affecting all Samsung Foldables include Flips & Folds.

Lots of people have move to Garmin and Samsung who they have confirmed have worked. 

[Barbara913]

Adding myself to the list of fitbit (ex)users that can no longer connect their device to their phone after the recent android update.  I have updated the fitbit app to the Dec 6 version 3.72 and it does not solve the issue of connectivity. 

[JLD56]

When is this going to be fixed? I can't change the time zone, so it is now the wrong time

[CF244]

I have a Charge 4, had it since 2020, never had a problem until November this year. Suddenly it will not pair to my Galaxy Z Fold2. I am running Android 13, One UI Version 5.0, and current on all software updates. I have had no issue pairing the Charge 4 to this phone until now.

I have tried:

Rebooting the phone

Rebooting the Charge 4

Uninstalling and reinstalling the Fitbit App

Trying to re-pair the Charge 4 to the phone, but the phone will not recognize the Charge 4

Doing all the things listed above in various orders, but still nothing.

I am ready to throw this thing in the garbage and get a Garmin. Is there any fix for this? I am able to pair my phone with other devices no problem, it's just the Charge 4 that won't pair.

[idilham]

I have tried everything but my Charge 4 cannot connect to my Z Flip 4. I give up already, and now using Galaxy Watch 4 👍

[SunsetRunner]

Fitbit know about it but are giving no timescale as to when it will be fixed. I've gone and got a galaxy watch 5 and my charge 5 is in the draw hidden away as its useless right now.

[Npm]

Since upgrading my phone to the new Samsung z flip I can't connect it to the app 

Any ideas 

[Steve_t100]

Android 13 update fitt bitt wasn't prepared for, it caused an issue since late November. They claim that they are working at it with no time table. They will suggest to use another phone. Highly inconvenient. It's way too funny that fitt bitt is part of the Google family lol. 

This is not a Samsung issue. Since all other apps work just fine.

I think you should return it and get your money back until the issue resolved. 

[charleskn]

When do all the things you listed, I found it useful to also "forget" the device in my mobile device's bluetooth settings. Also, is there any chance your Charge 4 is trying to connect to another Bluetooth device?

This is a little scorched earth, but should cover most possible problem areas:

• Forget your Charge 4,from the Fitbit app settings
• Log out of the Fitbit app, and force quit the app
• Clear the app cache in the mobile device's app settings
• Make sure your Fitbit app permissions allow the location to be used, and for the app to run in the background (no battery saver)
• Turn off Bluetooth, and clear the Charge 4 from known BT devices in the mobile device's BT settings
• Reset you Charge 4 (for good measure)
• Turn Bluetooth back on - do not try to connect via the mobile's BT settings
• Launch the app and login, and hopefully see the app recognize the Charge 4

Good luck and let me know how it goes. No, it shouldn't be that hard.

[Barbara913]

Just found this gem on this page -  https://gadgetsandwearables.com/2022/12/12/fitbit-samsung-z-flip-folds/ - 

"A factory reset or clearing the app cache does nothing to fix the issue. The same is the case for other typical troubleshooting steps. But this latest firmware update that goes under the number 20001.188.58 supposedly does."

I have tested and can confirm that the firmware update 20001.188.58  DOES NOT solve the connectivity issue on my z flip 4.

[Alkamiztk]

In case you are wondering, the problem affects all Charge 5s around the world with the Galaxy Z-flip and folds.  I can attest to that.  We may be viewed by Fitbit as "the small segment" of their population, but remember... we are the trailblazers.  Without us, there will be no Fitbit.  Don't mark the thread as "solved" as it insults our intelligence.

It's time to wake up and smell the coffee.  I've had the problem since the Galaxy firmware upgrade and that's been like more than 2 weeks ago.  Luckily I have an old Galaxy Tab which works.  But that's only a temporary solution.  Keep it longer and your customers will do the walking.

[JeannieS54]

I have been having the same issue and it's still not fixed almost 2 weeks later.  Hope it's fixed soon.

[cmelody]

I have an Inspire 3 that will not pair or sync to my Flip 4. Just wanted to add that another device is also having problems. I got the Inspire today and tried all suggestions multiple times until I found this thread. Glad to know I'm not alone.

[LostKiwi]

It also affects my Luxe and the Versa owners here - and Fitbit continues to sell them without adding Galaxy Flip & Folds to the list of incompatible devices.

https://www.fitbit.com/global/us/technology/compatible-devices

At the very least, it is incorrect - if not false advertising.  It's beyond me how a company can do this in good conscience, and I'm pretty tired of seeing their ads.

Has anyone been offered free month(s) added to their membership as a gesture of good faith and/or thanks for our patience yet?

@Barbara913   Thanks for that.  Interesting.

@cmelody   If you got the Inspire recently, just take it back while you can.  There's no timeline for this to be fixed and Fitbit have been really disappointing as far as customer appreciation goes.  We're paying for memberships that aren't cheap, and can't be used.  My Luxe is less than a year old and I only got 4 months of a paid annual membership.  Save yourself the headache. 

[idilham]

You are correct! I have been very frustated because of this. I cannot wait any longer so I purchased new Galaxy Watch. It is working flawlessly without any issue. 

[huddie]

This forum thread has been very useful and established that Fitbit / Google and Samsung need to work together to fix the issue and, unfortunately, are not prioritising this or communicating with affected users. It's also good to see members discussing wearable alternatives like Garmin, so thanks. 

As for the rest of you people who only come here to vent your spleen and spam us about how much you hate Fitbit now, please knock it off. You're poisoning the thread. If you want to complain about Fitbit, complain to Fitbit, not here. This thread is now filled with the same noise day after day and this is not helpful.

[TYBT]

Still waiting on the fix. Will affected users be notified on the progress of the fix? I'm very unhappy with the loss of the sync. I have lost the ability to track my health and progress properly, but have also lost my notifications on my wrist. I cannot always have my phone out and have missed important notifications. This seems to be a prolonged issue and I hope we are notified of the progress and have it rectified asap. 

[Rtrotter23]

Not getting notifications on your watch, may be a different issue! My watch works fine, I have a Charge 5, it's only the direct syncing that's my issue, if you are having an issue with your watch, you may want to start a new thread! Tha also goes if you are having battery issues etc!

[txteva]

@Rtrotter23 How are you getting phone notifications on your Fitbit if the watch won't even sync to the phone? 

Like @TYBT I am really missing my notifications. And getting annoyed at having to remember to logon and sync from a different non-daily device. 

Looking in to alternatives however since there's a number of us in my family using Fitbits and we use the shared steps etc which I don't want to move away from and I like the slimline style of the Charge5 which a lot of other smartwatches don't have.

Agree with @huddie the angry rants and complaints about deleted posts are just filling our mailboxes. Use twitter for that (it's good for angry rants!)