Rowing activity hides GPS map (Pixel Watch 3) — but data is still there

[sanderpors]

Hi all,

I think I’ve found a bug related to GPS tracking and activity types.

When I record an outdoor activity using Kayaking on my Pixel Watch 3, everything works fine — GPS is recorded and the map is shown in the Fitbit app.

However, when I edit the activity afterwards and change the type to Rowing, the GPS map disappears.

The strange thing is:

• If I change it back to Kayaking, the GPS map immediately reappears

→ So the GPS data is clearly still there, just not shown

To me this feels like the app is hiding GPS data based on activity type, rather than whether GPS was actually recorded.

What makes this more confusing:

• There is also a separate activity called Rowing Machine (indoor)

So “Rowing” should logically be outdoor and support GPS

Steps to reproduce:

• Record activity using “Kayaking” (with GPS)
• Sync to Fitbit app
• Edit activity → change to “Rowing”
• Save → GPS map disappears
• Change back → map returns

Is anyone else seeing this?

For context: I’m doing outdoor rowing (Dutch “sloeproeien”), so GPS tracking definitely makes sense here.

Feels like either:

• a bug in how the app displays GPS data, or
• rowing is incorrectly treated as a non-GPS activity

Curious if others ran into this 👀

[RiekoC · Accepted solution]

Hello @sanderpors 

Thank you for providing such detailed information on the issue you're experiencing. So far, I personally haven't seen anyone report a similar issue. 

For now, please submit this issue using the Feedback option in the Fitbit app:

• Tap your avatar in the upper right of the Today page in the Fitbit app
• Tap Feedback in the menu that opens
• Complete the prompts and submit

Although it's likely that you won't receive a response, we've gotten confirmation from the team that they review every submitted feedback report and use the information for issue investigation. 

[sanderpors]

I'm a software developer myself, so I know how valuable a detailed report is. I have also reported the issue through the feedback function within the app. Now let us wait for the solution.

[chris_in_cal]

Quality software teams provide transparent status and progress.

Why would I user go through the trouble if I can assume 1000 others have already submitted. Without the teams transparency, there isn't trust or motivation to provide reports and feedback,