Steps are way over estimated

[DavidSFit]

My step count is extremely different on the Fitbit app as compared t my Samsung Health app. 10,861 vs 5,789. my height in both apps are the same, i measured my stride and the Fitbit app is correct with it's estimate. While we're on this topc of steps how are floors estimated? App shows 33 floors which is impossible

Thanks

[LanuzaFitbit]

Welcome to the Forums @DavidSFit.

Thanks for sharing your experience and for letting us know that you checked the stride length.

In regards to how floors are tracked, you can click here to read more about it. Basically it requires movement plus a change in air pressure for the Fitbit to recognize floors. Taking this into consideration, things like driving, opening or closing doors, getting into rooms with A/C can all cause the Fitbit to recognize floors.

As for the steps, please know that the  Fitbit and Samsung use different algorithms to recognize your step. In addition to that I'd like to ask if you are using a Fitbit and the app to track steps or only one of those? 

I look forward to your reply.

[Rich_Laue]

It might be a little of both. A phone in the pocket has been shown to miss about 10% of steps while the Fitbit on the arm may pick up a few extra steps occaisionly. 

[DavidSFit]

I wear the Fitbit and have the app on my phone. I don't understand your question, if i use the Fitbit and / or the app. If the Fitbit charge 3 doesn't have a GPS and the phone does i need the phone on my person to track distance divided by stride length to estimate steps, yes? then the fitbit syncs from the phone and displays the distance

[DavidSFit]

I can see that somewhat but my Fitbit estimated about 15K steps where the Samsung health estimated 8K almost half the distance. It's not that i care about steps, i'm more interested in heart rate and active time. I'm wondering of accuracy of steps (distance) and therefor accuracy of all of the functions. 

[Rich_Laue]

@DavidSFit if your using Mobile track without wearing your Fitbit tracker, the yes Fitbit will estimate the steps based on the users stride setting. 

If you have a Fitbit tracker, like a Charge 3, with you, then Fitbit will count your steps. 

I don't know how Samsung Health works. 

As for step accuracy., that is easy. Start an exercise, like walk, on the wrist. Start walking while counting your steps. Stop at 100, start again and stop at 200 or 250, then start again and stop at 500. 

For distance use Google pedometer. 

[LanuzaFitbit · Accepted solution]

Hello @Rich_Laue and @DavidSFit.

@Rich_Laue Thanks for jumping in and sharing your thoughts on the matter.

@DavidSFit There is a feature on the app that is called MobileTrack. It basically means that the phone will be used as a Fitbit device to track your steps on the Fitbit app. Given that your steps appear to be about double the ones tracked by Samsung, I believe it is possible that you could have set up MobileTrack on top of using your Fitbit which basically means that most of your steps would be tracked twice. You can click here to read more about Mobile Track.

Could you please check if you have MobileTrack set up on your account? If so, please try removing it. You can do that by going to your Account tab on the app. There you should see the option that says Mobile Track. You can tap on it and it will show the option to unpair it from your account.

Please let me know how it goes or if there are any other questions.

[DavidSFit]

thanks and yes i did have Mobile track set up on my phone and running with my Fitbit3 all the while my phone is in my pocket. I did unpair the mobile track and will monitor for the next few days. it's good to know that i can not wear my Fitbit and at that time i can turn on mobile track 

[LanuzaFitbit]

Hello @DavidSFit.

Thanks for your quick reply and letting us know that you did have MobileTrack set up.

I'm sure that everything will be back to normal. Do keep in mind that there might still be a discrepancy between your Fitbit and your Samsung app but it shouldn't be that big. 

If you have the time, maybe you could visit one of our Discussion boards. Maybe you will find something in there that pique's your interest.

Let me know if there are any other questions I can help you with.