How to block Fitbit app from using mobile data

[SunsetRunner]

Recently the Android app started using excessive amounts of mobile data (around 20-40MB per day).

I have had to uninstall it, before it used all my monthly contract data.

This only happened while I was not connected through wifi.

How can I set it never to use mobile data at all?

It was set not to allow background data usage.

No 3rd party apps were enabled.

It was version 2.83 on a Samsung S8 with a Charge 3.

Many thanks

[LanuzaFitbit]

Welcome to the Forums @SunsetRunner.

Thanks for bringing this up and sharing those details on the settings.

The best option would be to go into the phone's settings and prevent the Fitbit app from using internet on your phone. Having said that, you mentioned that it was already set that way.

Alternatively, it could be that the app is using more data because it is constantly syncing with your Fitbit. In that case you could try turning All-Day Sync and Always Connected off. You can turn those off  by following these steps:

1. Go into the app settings by tapping on the top-right corner.
2. There tap on the picture of your Fitbit.
3. Once there, look for the options I mentioned above and make sure that they are turned off.

That should help so that the syncing only happens on demand and thus should prevent the Fitbit app from using more data than usual.

Let me know if you have any further questions.

[SunsetRunner]

Thanks Lanuza,

I will try that in a while.

Is there a way to make those settings you mentioned the default and also disabling background data usage?

For the time being, I have to uninstall the app every time I go out and reinstall it when I return, because it has taken me to the brink of my December data package limit. This is a pain, but now I also need to remember to change those settings every time I reinstall.

I can experiment more freely again after 1st Jan.

What I would really like is a way to say "never, ever use mobile data under any circumstances", but uninstalling the app is the only way I have found.

Do you think there will be a fix soon to make it respect the "allow background data usage" restriction at least? 

If not, I should probably return it to the shop and go back to using the Charge 2 HR.

Or do I need an older version of the app and how do I get that?

[Colinm39]

@SunsetRunnerI have always had the settings that @LanuzaFitbit suggested because I want to control my syncing.  I use an Ionic and a Fitbit One concurrently.

I have checked my usage, keeping in mind I only open the app when needed because that will always go to the internet.  I have averaged 8mb total/day since October 13..  and this month for 9 days it's still 8mb..That's been using App 2.80.1 through to 2.84

I also sync using Fitbit Connect on the PC and home Wi-Fi

[SunsetRunner]

Thanks for checking, @Colinm39,

Although your usage is a bit less, 8/day x 30 = 240MB/month would still burn a low-end mobile data contract and the 34MB background data you show should be zero if it is not enabled.

As you are using a different device from me, the problem seems to lie with the app.

[Colinm39]

@SunsetRunnerThanks for responding. Since we had the Fitbit issue a few weeks ago where it was really churning up the data what you see has been my setting ever since.

Fitbit @LanuzaFitbit need to explain why it occurs when we have the background data option turned off.

---

@SunsetRunner wrote:

Thanks for checking, @Colinm39,

Although your usage is a bit less, 8/day x 30 = 240MB/month would still burn a low-end mobile data contract and the 34MB background data you show should be zero if it is not enabled.

As you are using a different device from me, the problem seems to lie with the app.

---

[Twinmage]

I don't see that option or settings in the Fitbit app you got pictures tell me how to find it cuz I'm looking everywhere and I still don't find it at this rate I might just uninstall the freaking app and never use it again at this rate I might just go to to the unlimited plan

[Colinm39]

On the Android phone tap

1. Settings

2. Apps and Notifications

3. Fitbit Icon

4. Data usage

5 Turn off Mobile data