Fitbit notification service needed for device updates?

[SaunC]

The latest version of the Android app (2.68) says it requires access to the Fitbit notification to send updates to your device. However the update also requires giving a level of access to my phone that seems very sketchy. I’m not allowing access to the notification service based on these details. Can someone confirm this means no more device updates?  This already means I can’t get the basic notifications. I need to know if this means my fitbit needs to be replaced with something else soon.

[RobertoME]

Hi there @SaunC, nice to see you are visiting the Fitbit Community! I understand your concerns about the privacy. Note that for notifications this is require since the tracker will received the message and the sender name and for this purpose it require authorization from the app to access this information from your phone.

Fitbit's privacy policy reiterates our pledge to never sell your data and explains what we collect and how we use it. For more details please visit: Is my Fitbit data secure?

Hope this helps and provides more information.

[SaunC]

This didn’t really answer my question. Do I need to have the notification service on to get device updates? 

[macallik]

Hello? Is anyone listening? I have the exact same question. I was able to get notifications without giving away all of this information previously. Is this a requirement moving forward?

[RobertoME]

Hello @SaunC and welcome aboard to the Fitbit Community @macallik. My deepest apologies for the late response. For notifications is require to enable this service, as I mentioned earlier, this is in order to resend the information to your trackers.

If the service is not enable, this is entirely optional and under your consent; nonetheless the feature may not work. @SaunC 

For device updates this should not be a problem. If you are referring to syncing your data and access other features in the Fitbit app, this should work fine. In either case, if the app need certain permissions it will let you know in the case you haven't enable this in the set up process.

On that same note, just to add more details. The Fitbit app depending of the Android version may require other permissions to work properly. For this, I suggest to review this article: Why is the Fitbit app prompting me to turn on location services?

See you later and hope this helps.

[JWD2003]

I had this pop up on my phone too just now as I went to sync my info... I was going to turn it on but saw that notice you posted. Seems very intrusive. I would rather go a different route than turn this on. Too many companies saying that they require this stuff just to send updates and for the app to work. It's BS if you ask me.

[Herkfixer]

Just in case people arent picking up on what is being put down... The Fitbit is capable of displaying messages such as who os calling you, displaying a text message, sending mini-replies, etc. In order for the Fitbot to be able to do this, you need to allow it to read the notification from your phone and redisplay it on your Fitbit. If you choose not to allow it, then you just have a basic fitness tracker. If you do not want to utilize your Fitbit's notification features then you don't have to enable it but you cant expect Fitbit to be able to do any of those things without those specific permissions being requested.  None of what is being requested is for updates, what it is for is to "update" your trackers notification system. If you dont want any of that, buy whatever cheap-o fitness tracker you find at Walmart for $29.99.