Fitbit app new Dashboard - Android

[AlessFitbit]

Fitbit Update: 8/15

Hey all!

This week we released the option to opt-in to use the new dashboard to everyone. At this time, everyone should have received the option to opt-in already. If you didn't opt-in, we will transition everyone into the new dashboard in the coming weeks. 

A reminder, after you've opted into the new design you cannot revert and go back to the old one. Read more about the new interface we've designed here: What’s the new Fitbit app experience?

Make sure you're also on the latest version of the Fitbit app.

Thanks for your patience while we completely released the new interface to everyone. We hope you're enjoying the improvements that have been made and appreciate all the feedback. 

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Fitbit Update: 8/6

Hey everyone! 

Thanks for all your feedback on the new dashboard design. We're still in the process of releasing it to all of our users. If you don't see it yet, you will have it pushed to you in the coming weeks! This has been a slow process for the past few months to ensure a smooth rollout. 

We're currently on app version 3.3, so please make sure as always that you have the latest version of the Fitbit app. 

Once we've released this new dashboard to everyone, we will announce it in this thread. 

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Fitbit Update: 6/17

Hi Fitbit Family,

We are still rolling out our updated Fitbit app design to more users currently with v.2.95. Please make sure to update the Fitbit app by visiting the Google App play store if you haven't already. If you don't see the new dashboard just yet, you will be receiving it at some point in the coming weeks. 

Thanks so much for your patience throughout this rollout. To read more about this new dashboard experience, please check this article out: What’s the new Fitbit app experience?

Once this rollout is complete, we will let you all know in this thread. 

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Fitbit Update: 5/23

Hi everyone!

We’ve rolled out another phase of testing for the new app dashboard experience. If you’re one of the lucky people to see it before the full release, you can read more about it here: What’s the new Fitbit app experience?

We’ll continue to slowly release this to all Fitbit customers on iOS and Android. Once we receive more information on this, we’ll let you know.

Hope you’re all enjoying this new layout!

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Fitbit Update: 4/24

Hi everyone!

Beginning today with app v2.92, we're excited to announce a new dashboard experience for the Fitbit app, currently by invitation only. If you are invited to opt-in, you can see the new design and try our new app experience to access all your stats and information in a way that’s more dynamic, integrated, and highly personalized. 

You can read more about it in this help article: What's the new Fitbit app experience? 

As with all our new dashboard updates, this is a progressive rollout. If you don't have an invitation or see the dashboard immediately, you will receive it later on. 

We will update this thread with more information later, so stay tuned! 

[silvermetis]

Hi,

You say you are here to help.

Being of simple mind can you pls clarify for me and others of similar mind the following:

The "the fitbit app experience" is being rolled out to a select few for feedback  - yes/no

Although not currently part of fitbit app it will be in the future - yes/no

Once installed you cannot go back to the old app with no "...experience.." - y/n

The new app with "..experience.." contain access to watch setting that cannot be done on line - y/n

Is there any truth in speculation that new fitbit app with be chargeable? - y/n

Thanks in anticipation of your response.

[Rich_Laue]

Well @silvermetis the web doesn't work unless your online, and for now the app can not sync a Fitbit tracker. 

In any case to get the trackers data to the Fitbit server, at some point the user needs to go online to sync the data before the web will have access to this data. 

[silvermetis]

You are just repeating what I said you need web to sync so if you do not have web the fitbit app is just sitting there useless on your phone when you get web access you can use the your fitbit login on web and access more information so what the point of the fitbit app.

I accept that with no web access your versa is communicating with your phone via bluetooth to provide GPS connection and notifications but you don't need an app to do that.

Looks to me the fitbit app is still very much work in progress.

[MikeS1971]

I find it unbelievable that you still need internet access just to sync the information on the tracker with your phone. There's no reason for it. I understand why you need it to sync with FitBit servers for things like challenges. 

I can sync information between my Samsung Gear S3 with no internet connection, why can't FitBits do the same? I guess that's another reason why my Samsung is my primary fitness tracker. 

[silvermetis]

I had Huawei watch 2 and that was was same never had any reliability issues every upgrade offered new functionality its hardly surprising it was voted top smartwatch in UK.

Pity they did not tell you the ceramic cases keep breaking otherwise I would not have return it.

[silvermetis]

You know what they about building new houses on poor foundations. It's not rocket science the new dashboard is never going to work until the fitbit app works. I know what I would do - concentrate on getting the app and watch software fixed. Investors have talked with their feet over past 4 years, share value has dropped 90% users will soon be doing the same.

[Rich_Laue]

At the very minimum the Fitbit app, either the version for the phone or the version for the computer is needed to sync your trackers data to the Fitbit server. 

The main purpose of the app is to get your trackers data into your Fitbit account. The web version will not be able to do this transfer and without the Fitbit app you will not be able to see any of your data on the web. 

So yes the Fitbit app is kind of important. 

BTW

No mobile track without the app

No controlling music or replying to notifications from the wrist without the app

No access to the community groups in the app without the app

No reason for simple sleep without the app

No mobile run without the app

No changing click faces without the app

No weather report on the wrist without the app

No adding or removing apps from the ionic from the app. 

No connected GPS without the app

No Fitbit pay without the app

No live data without the app

No guided programs without the app

No Challenges or adventures without the app

No creating a private group without the app. 

Yes I know a user may not be interested in everything above or even able to use everything. Ie Apple has blocked third parties like Fitbit from being able to respond to notifications and some phones do not have the hardware needed to use mobile track. It amazes me how many ionic users still use mobile run in the app and not their ionic

So we have 14 things that the Fitbit app is needed, web can not, to do. 

[silvermetis]

Hi Rich_Laue,

Thanks for your reply. 

I worked all my working life in the telecoms and datacoms industry until I retired our reliability goals were 5 nines (99.999%) about 5 minutes outage a year. The reliability of my fitbit versa is barely 2 nines about 10 mins outage a day. 

Most of the function of the fitbit app is basic data transfer between watch-phone-Fitbit and vice versa this is not rocket science every mobile phone is doing all the time.

If you look on the community the majority of the problems people are experiencing are basic comms problems.

I accept fitbit devices are processor limited that's why it is important to get at least the watch - phone comms sorted. A solution other manufacturers have adopted is to get the raw data to the phone and do some processing where you have capacity

[Bleeh]

silvermetis nailed it!

The main problems I have with my Versa Special are connectivity issues.

I just came back from a run. Half the time I looked at the Versa, it was "connecting" to my phone's GPS.

I had done a fresh restart of both the Versa and the phone (Pixel 3XL). The Fitbit app was open. It is also set to not be battery optimized. BT was on and it showed that it was connected to the Versa. Still, "connecting." I have been getting straight lines on the map, instead of proper GPS tracks.

The heart rate tracking disappears often, as soon as I start pushing above 150 or so. My guess is that it's a buffer issue. Fitbit's hardware can't keep up, and it doesn't sync properly.

So, Fitbit should be working on it's major connectivity issues, instead of screwing up a perfectly fine UI and making it more cumbersome.

My first experience with Fitbit has been rather disappointing and it's likely to be my last.

[Rich_Laue]

As someone who programs a little I understand what your saying @silvermetis 

My question is why is the latest the best version in performance for many. And the worst version for others. Why can 3 people have identical phone and fitbits yet have 3 different experuances? 

For me every version since March has done nothing but give a better experience.. 

So yes since the middle of March my Fitbit experience was flawless. 

Let's go back to December when it took me 20 minutes withcleaeingvcaxhe and removing the tracker from the phone, not app, a restart or two, clear cache and sometimes data... So frustrating I rolled the app back to 2.83. For 3 months. Yet my two brothers and sister with same phones, different telecom had zero issues. 

[Purrstachio]

Hello, all,

Rich's explanation makes sense. My experience with updates, both app and firmware, has been flawless. All the while, others said these made their Ionic (Versa wasn't out yet at the time) a brick or was frustrating in some way. I am curious as to how folks are rolling back to older versions. I'd like to try 2.47. I can find the websites that host them, but my phone, a Google Pixel 2 XL, will not install anything I have tried. Ideas anyone?

[silvermetis]

I am not saying that fitbit are not trying to fix problems each version undoubtabley introduced new functionality that is not in dispute but I sense a degree of panic, you need to go back to grassroots and analyse the real issues and invest in their resolution.

Reliability like uncertainly are real user killers!

A measure of good software is it's ability to work in less than ideal situations. I am sure a lot of the problems experienced by fellow community members are down to finger or as we used say RFM.

[Bleeh]

"Flawless" is the last word I would use to describe my experience with Fitbit, and the app change has made it even worse.

There is a definite issue with connectivity and processing of data with the Versa. Perhaps the few users I see singing praises don't use their device as the rest of us. I bought it not just for sleep and RHR, but for tracking my runs and hikes. Which means that I need connected GPS and relatively reliable HR tracking.

I get neither reliably.

The phone app should be able to cache the data from the Versa even if it doesn't have connection to Fitbit's servers (which is to be expected if one runs in a park, where coverage may not be available). I don't think the Fitbit app has ever done this well, and the latest version is terrible at it. Which may explain the constant "connecting" and the periodic failure to track HR (too small a buffer on the watch?). Whatever it is, Fitbit should hire somebody who can figure it out and fix it.

It's indefensible, no matter how much lipstick you try to put on it.

[silvermetis]

You can choose your metaphors but unless the fundamental issues are fixed no lipstick, icing on the cake is going to make a flawed app good.

I like Bleeh use my versa for tracking hikes where is no web access so reliable GPS connect is essential.

I have had all the problems everyone else has had. I did factory reset uninstalled the fitbit app and started again. I have now achieved a level of stability with v 3.1 fitbit app - no new experience - and 32.33.1.30 in versa.

I have turned off fitbit app auto update in my phone and will not be updating until I and the rest of the community have confidence in new updates.

[Crazy-Fritter]

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@Rich_Laue wrote:

At the very minimum the Fitbit app, either the version for the phone or the version for the computer is needed to sync your trackers data to the Fitbit server. 

The main purpose of the app is to get your trackers data into your Fitbit account. The web version will not be able to do this transfer and without the Fitbit app you will not be able to see any of your data on the web. 

So yes the Fitbit app is kind of important. 

BTW

No mobile track without the app

No controlling music or replying to notifications from the wrist without the app

No access to the community groups in the app without the app

No reason for simple sleep without the app

No mobile run without the app

No changing click faces without the app

No weather report on the wrist without the app

No adding or removing apps from the ionic from the app. 

No connected GPS without the app

No Fitbit pay without the app

No live data without the app

No guided programs without the app

No Challenges or adventures without the app

No creating a private group without the app. 

Yes I know a user may not be interested in everything above or even able to use everything. Ie Apple has blocked third parties like Fitbit from being able to respond to notifications and some phones do not have the hardware needed to use mobile track. It amazes me how many ionic users still use mobile run in the app and not their ionic

So we have 14 things that the Fitbit app is needed, web can not, to do. 

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And the neat thing is, is that Fitbit wants you to pay full price for the trackers, but wants to also try and start charging a monthly fee for the use of the app, which you have to have to use your Fitbit. Talk about greed!!! That has to be the greediest, most ridiculous thing I've ever heard of 😮 😮 😮

Moderator edit: Word choice

[Rich_Laue]

If your getting requests to pay a monthly fee, or a fee to install the Fitbit app, @Crazy-Fritter I suggest removing the app and go get the official Fitbit version through www.fitbit.com/setup the Fitbit app is free to install and free to use. Fitbit has no plans to ever charge a monthly fee to use the Fitbit app. 

Fit does offer, always has offered a premium service, and this does have a small monthly fee. This service is optional but does provide more insight into the data recorded by Fitbit. This extra data is availible to the user through a subscription. 

But to use the Fitbit app, their will never be a charge from Fitbit. I'm not sure where you got your Fitbit app install from. 

[silvermetis]

I don't know much about consumer rights in US but in UK a product has to be fit for function and it could be argued if chargeable s/w is needed to set up a product it should be included in the box or free to download. I know of no other product that requires chargeable software just to set it up and access the functions you have bought.

Further more implied in "fit for function" there is product life expectancy which is likely to be 2 years this means if the product fails other by damage the purchaser is entitled to a pro rata refund. Perhaps this is why UK Fitbits have a 2 yr warranty.

As the purchaser's contract is with the reseller, the purchaser chases the reseller not supplier, many resellers will try and push you to the manufacturer for obvious reasons.

[Rich_Laue]

@silvermetis please look at the package your Fitbit came in. There is a web page mentioned to go to to get the app required to setup and use the hardware that was purchased. As mentioned this app is free to use even without purchasing the hardware. 

Now if the link was missed on the box, when the user first turns on their hardware, the user will see the web address to go to to acquire, for free, this software provided by Fitbit for the purpose of setting up and using their purchased hardware. 

When it comes to the warranty. I really do not know enough about the UK but if a user clicks on the Warranty link, found below, they will see the time. Limits to the warranty for the location their tracker was purchased in or mailed to. For a UK purchase you will see that, by UK law, Fitbit warrants the hardware for two years. Without knowing the individual policy of the retailer Fitbit does provide a 2 year warranty period for UK purchases. 

[Lidewey165]

I think it sucks!!!! It was wayyyy better before!!

[silvermetis]

I stopped Fitbit app updating at version 3.1 as I had a degree of stability. My wife has same phone and versa left phone on auto update fitbit updated to ver 3.2 in night and now has sync problems.

When fitbit are in hole why are they still digging? we are now getting updates every few days