Google Pixel Watch 2 GPS data missing

[DrWatson]

Just took my Pixel Watch 2 LTE for its first parkrun today and recorded on it on Fitbit exercise. I don't have data on the watch but it was connected to my phone by Bluetooth. It only tracked just over the first KM of the run before the GPS cuts out. Final distance is correct (estimating from stride length?) but there is no map tracking beyond that point. Any solutions?

Moderator edit: Subject for clarity.

[jdraket]

I'm with you, gotta do something to raise awareness since @RodrigoMFitbit and Google/Fitbit claim there's no issue. I just posted on DC Rainmaker's review of the PW2 making reference to this thread, looks like another user did as well. He's got quite the following and influence. Hope that we can bring some attention to the issue so that it can be fixed.

[Nnniiccck]

Thanks @Gr4ndp4 and @RodrigoMFitbit. Issue has been on and off since getting Pixel Watch 2, especially with any longer distances. Prior I was using other Fitbit devices without issue. Restart, cache, verify settings have all been done.

It's definitely odd seeing as how the metrics seem to be correct regarding measured distance and it seems like pacing was correct as well. First time it happed I was certain I accidentally paused a jog but it's definitely not the case comparing map with data. 

What was mentioned in the Google help forum was to turn off the auto workout recognition for everything. Doing that I went on a 1.26 mile walk which recorded properly. When it's nicer I'm going to try with same settings on a longer path and see if it still works. After that I'm going to turn on auto recognition workouts and see if that triggers issues again. 

[DeCarteret]

• watch: 3.15.1.572936592.release
• phone: 4.04.8.fitbit-mobile-1100064[REDACTED]9

[anarchyscd]

Same issue. Been on a chat with Google support for the watch itself and they handballed it to Fitbit who have emailed all the suggestions here. Fitbit have since not responded to my last email asking what else I can try.

I've resorted to running with my phone and tracking with Strava so at least I have accurate GPS of my runs, but I'm obviously missing my HR data to marry up my effort. It's a complete joke that Fitbit / Strava think this is acceptable.

Aside to that, the Fitbit dashboard experience on desktop is utter garbage (compared to strava) and the lack of ability to upload non-GPS workouts (weight training) is mind blowing to me. Essentially, the PW2 is only good as a sleep tracker.

[jdraket]

My wife and I went on a walk tonight. We both tracked using our PW2s. My PW2 lost GPS after just 0.1 miles! My wife's tracked just fine. Interestingly, we both came out at 1.15 miles at the end of the walk.

Couldn't get this to post with version numbers typed out for some reason so I had to mash up a screenshot and a picture.

[DannyKK]

I agree with you regarding the sleep tracking part but i am quite sure those benefits can be found in a watch that can also do the fitness stuff!

I bought my watch (new unused) from someone rather than a shop so even if Google do a swap-out one day, i am not likely to qualify.

Ebay listing has gone on today and i am gutted as i will lose money and the potential of having a watch that on paper did everything i wanted.

Their silence is inexcusable as is the handballing back and forth between google and fitbit. puts me off both brands for good when all it would need is some acknowledgment ...

[anarchyscd]

Fitbit support emailed back that the phone app is updating to v4.04.  I'm not sure that affects the watch app and fixes things.  I can't see the update on GPlay yet...

[DannyKK]

I recommend we share our experience in the store reviews for Fitbit and Google Watch - unfortunately the more noise we make the more likely we are to getting taken seriously. Thats how it works 

[Changgo]

After troubleshooting on my own, taking suggestions from this forum, working with Google (and their 'Pixel Watch Specialists') and getting transferred to FitBit support (I talked with Google and Fitbit multiple times) who could not open/read the .tcx file I sent them as exported from their own app, I was provided the following summative (unfortunately unhelpful) suggestions:

In order to get the most accurate results for your Build-in GPS try the following recommendations in your next work out session, please. 

• Charge your device to at least 80%, as built-in GPS can cause the battery to drain more quickly.
• Go outside; then connect to GPS and start your exercise. To make sure the GPS connection is stable, you can wait up to 30 seconds after you see "Connected" on your device's screen to tap the play icon and begin moving.
• For Fitbit devices, sync your device regularly with the Fitbit app (at least once every 24 hours) to reduce the time it takes for the built-in GPS sensors to connect to GPS satellites. Make sure the location permission for the Fitbit app on your phone is always allowed. For instructions, see the Apple help article or the Google (Android) help article.
• Check that GPS is turned on for the exercise. Note that only exercises where you cover physical distance use GPS. For more information, see How do I turn on GPS for an exercise on my Fitbit device?

So, I contacted Google for a return. After 3-4 go-arounds and escalation, I now have RMAs for the phone and watch I bought as part of the Pixel 8 Pro launch bundle. It is unfortunate, as I like the phone, but this whole process has left me a very bad overall impression of Google and the value they place on their customers. Perhaps I will re-purchase a Pixel 8 Pro with the holiday deals now available with a Garmin watch, or perhaps I will go all-in on an Apple solution. Too bad.

[ShawnPHX]

There is another large thread with a bunch of us having the same issue and nobody has had a great response or acknowledgement from Fitbit or Google about it. Hard to say how common the issue is as people without problems probably aren't posting but no one has provided a fix so far.

[DannyKK]

Hi Everyone

i have been on the phone to Fitbit for several hours. They eventually told me they have tried everything and I would be transferred to an escalation team. The team was google. 
the man was very rude, kept telling me that health metrics are the responsibility of Fitbit and he cannot help.

i am seriously stressed by all this. It is affecting my mental health after trying to do the right thing all day today.

what can we do

[ShawnPHX]

Yea support has been terrible especially the finger pointing between Google and fitbit. I've been told to contact or transferred multiple times between them and gotten no where. I was "escalated" to a higher Google support team last Monday who was supposed to make a decision to let me replace it in 24/48 hours and no response since despite my follow up emails. I just called and tried insisting I want a replacement and was told repeatedly since it was a new device I had to be patient and wait for the escalation team to finish. Eventually I asked for escalation to a supervisor and now have to wait a day or two hours for one to reach out. 

If they need time to research I'm happy to send them my watch that doesn't work and they can send me a working one I didn't sign up to be their beta testers.

[Nnniiccck]

@ShawnPHX thanks for letting me know. I didn't want to start a new thread but when I searched for this issue I only found some very dated posts and others not similar in nature.

Could you post a link to the other thread and I'll check it out? Thanks! 

[jdraket]

Another run this afternoon, another GPS dropout. That makes 6 out of 8 runs/walks that have had GPS dropping out. Not that I was expecting anything different, just wanted to document that the issue still persists.

I actually received my replacement PW2 today. Like @ShawnPHX , I hope that Google/Fitbit takes my returned PW2 and uses it to troubleshoot this issue. I'm going to call them to see if there is anyway that they can tag my return so that it gets into the right hands to investigate this problem. But who am I kidding, there's probably a 0% chance of that happening!

Sad, I really like the watch, my P8P, my Pixel Buds Pro etc. I've been on Team Pixel since the OG Pixel but this situation is taking a lot of hot air out of my Pixel balloon. And the sad thing is that no one (Google or Fitbit) seems to care that they're losing loyal fans and supporters. I can see why the Apple fanbase is so big: because their stuff just works. They don't release beta products to their consumers. Now that I have a new, unopened PW2, I am actually debating whether I should just try and sell it rather than deal with this mess. Will Google/Fitbit care that they've lost a loyal supporter? Probably not.

@RodrigoMFitbit please take note of my post. If there is anyway that Fitbit can get a hold of my PW2 when I return it, please let me know so that this issue can actually be acknowledged, worked on, and solved! I think that this thread is evidence enough that there truly is a problem!

[chromium]

So the issue persists with the new watch or you haven't tried it yet?

[DannyKK]

Has anyone updated the apps via the store on the watch? I had a few that needed updating, 2 walks have worked well since... 

[Nnniiccck]

2.72 mile walk according to my wife's Apple Watch. Pixel Watch 2 managed to record 2.01 miles which is a mile more than it usually records, before it force restarted itself... 5th time now the watch has randomly rebooted, mostly just sitting around working or on the couch.

Coming to the realization that this thing is junk. Trade in wouldn't matter as it seem like many others are having the same issues. My Versa 3 was limited in the smart aspects, but at least I was able to use it without it bugging out. 

[habylab]

Which apps DannyKK?

@jdraket so you received your replacement before you had sent back your original? That's kind of cool

@Changgo these troubleshooting steps are insulting...

@anarchyscd go to ap k mirror to install.

However, I don't think this will fix the issue. As I've said before, I had this issue on Pixel Watch 1 for a year, prior to the app relaunching. 

[dmanley]

Can confirm!

I share data (using the Health Connect system) with Google Fit and my last 2 walks tracked with Fitbit app have no GPS data yet Google Fit shows GPS data.

Could this just be a Fitbit app bug and not an issue with the watch itself?

[Yaffle]

I also sync with Fit and there's no GPS transferred on any of them even the couple that show GPS in the Fitbit app