Fitbit app activating "not optimized"

[JustPlainTed]

I am not sure how this is happening, but my Fitbit app keeps changing "Battery Optimization" to "Not Optimized" without my knowledge.  (That I am aware).  This happened at least once on Android 8.1 using a Pixel 2.  It seemingly has happened several times now on Android 9 DP3 (Beta 2).  Do you know how this might be occurring without my input?  I ask because this mode potentially decreases my battery life and I have never found an issue with the app that required this level of background control to communicate with my Fibit Versa.

Moderator Edit: Removed External Link

[RobertoME · Accepted solution]

Hi @JustPlainTed, welcome aboard to the Fitbit Community! Certainly this is an odd behavior you are describing. The Fitbit app does not have access to modify your phone settings without your permission, which is more harder to find a reasonable response.

It's important to mention that the Pixel 2 is not listed as compatible yet or the Android 9 is in Beta 2. so in these scenarios it is possible the behavior of the app is not optimal.

A quick notice, I have had to remove your link of the screenshot, since we do not allow links of external sites. If you want to upload your screenshot, please follow this steps here.

There is a new version of the Fitbit app for Android that is fully available to all Android users. If you haven't installed this version, please give it a try if the issue continue. For more details please review this post.

Hope this helps and my apologies for the late response.

[JustPlainTed]

It was very odd to me too.  I have seen other apps, Gmail for example, that will request a permission (not clear to the user), under the guise of "improving notifications."  Although I've never seen this with the Fitbit app.  Regardless, thanks for checking into it.

Ted

[JustPlainTed]

A follow up to this issue of Fitbit granting itself permission to be "not optimized."  It occurred again this week and it was after a system update from DP5 Android P to Final Android P.  I'm wondering if somehow in the system update process this is occurring with the app.  Again, HOW is it even occurring without my involvement?  I only noticed because I had a terribly day in regards to battery life, found the Fitbit app was consuming 25-35% of my battery for no reason, and then found it was not being "optimized" by Android.

[kan84]

Same thing here. Not sure how/why its happening, I believe android should not let it happen. Did you find anything ?

[JustPlainTed]

I do not know how or why it occurs.  It's highly annoying to have to occasionally check something like this when I have a worse battery day.  IT SHOULD NOT BE ALLOWABLE without user input.  Some days, I hate Android.  At least FitBit will be required to update their app to higher APIs starting November, which should improve the battery usage of their app.

[kan84]

I totally agree that Android should not let this happen. I have seen few scenarios like default text messaging app becomes non optimized by default which makes sense but random app not sure.

Battery life on Android is a surprise everyday, hopefully New api helps.

[JustPlainTed]

Just did it again upon November security update via OTA sideloading on my Pixel 2.

[Jennyscy]

Hi, I have the exact opposite issue. My phone kept resetting fotbit to optimizing hence not able to detect device to sync the steps. I have tried switching it back to allow background syncing, force stop the app, switch on and off location&bluetooth, and then switch on fitbit app. It works but after a day back to square one 😓. Please help!

[Supbilly]

This is still an issue today, a year after the original poster mentioned it. I find it odd some days that it's 4pm and I am on 18% battery (when I'm not even a heavy user). Lo and behold, there is Fitbit draining the battery in the "not optimized" gang, despite me not giving it any permissions to do that. 

How can it be that this is still an issue?!

[kan84]

I have seen whenever the app gets upgraded from play store the permission changes to not optimized.

[JustPlainTed]

Exactly!  100% against Android Developer guidelines I feel too.  At least when I read about it.  Their app should be removed from the store until user promoted.  It's not even required per Android Developers.