Fitbit App stalled after code entry on setup

[MrFixit33]

Fitbit Charge 3

Phone: Moto g6

Android 9

Fitbit app Version 3.43.1 (20243578)

After unsuccessful sync after a few days, these steps were done several times:

- Rebooted phone

- Uninstalled and reinstalled app

- Cleared cache, cleared data

Fitbit app has worked, although many sporadic sync problems, for a few years. Now there's no way to get past the "connecting" part and the

"Sorry, the setup is taking longer than usual."

"Please be patient! We're on it!"

The hours of trying to get this to work are accumulating. I believe every suggested step has been tried, so this post is a last resort. Please find a way to make this work as purchased.

On chat support, they recommened a full restart of Fitbit. 15 seconds on the button, then remove from charge cable, then put back. Device restarts. No difference, stalls after entering pairing code.

Next attempt

Full 15-second restart

Reboot phone

uninstall/reinstall Fitbit app

Run: App: "Set up a device"

Charge 3

Read & accept 

Next

Got code

Connecting...

Stalled as before.

Support suggested we try a different phone: same result, stalled at "Sorry, this is taking longer..."

[Rich_Laue]

Did you remove the tracker from your fitbit app? There is no reason to remove the tracker. Turn Bluetooth off on this phone. On the other phone, load the fitbit app, log in and it should sync. 

[MrFixit33]

The Fitbit Charge 3 was removed from the app and "forgotten" on the phone. 

Further, I tried the process on a different phone with identical results.  I also tried creating a new user account and reinstalling the app. Restarted the phone and the Charge 3 several times.

The problem began around the time of the app update, so I'm trying reach someone who could let me revert to the previous version of the app. The Fitbit no longer shows the correct time, rendering it pretty much useless. 

[Rich_Laue]

There was no reason to add more problems by removing the tracker from your account. 

Have you tried through both cell data and WiFi. 

[MrFixit33 · Accepted solution]

I have it working again (fingers crossed).

The Fitbit Charge 3 has always been trouble syncing and the number of people posting about this confirms it's not just this one. We had to return the first one a couple of years ago, because it just died. After they tested it at the store, they exchanged it,as it was in warranty.

The only thing that made any difference was that after trying all the steps three or four times, including retarts of everything,reinstalls of the app on two different phones, etc. Is this: When it failed after about four or five minutes, this came up. "Try again" connected it immediately. 

Also, it's worth noting that while they say "to improve your Fitbit experience...", the Fitbit can't know what time it is without a connection to a phone. While it was restarting, it lost several minutes each time. It then becomes an expensive pedometer if not connected to the app.

Everything tried was from the Fitbit site or Twitter support or Fitbit chat.

That included something that I have NOT seen listed. I see everywhere to hold the button for 8 seconds. In fact, as I was told on one of the chats, it's held for 16 seconds until the 6 lines appear. Then you can let go, remove the Charge 3 from the charging clip and it will restart.

[Rich_Laue]

My setup of the Luxe also stalled. I stopped the app through the phone settings, opened the fitbit app and was asked to update the firmware. 

How do I restart my Fitbit device? 

There are 2 ways to restart the charge 3. 

Swipe to settings, tap, swipe and tap Reboot. 

The other way is to place the Charge 3 into its power cord and charging. Now hold the button for 8 seconds. 

Glad it is working.