Track location using the app only

[Mattis.]

Hey I'm new to the Fitbit app, I previously used Google Fit but over the past few months that app has gotten increasingly more annoying and slow (not updating data, taking 3 minutes to load my data only to crash)

Anyways I now am wondering if it's possible - using the Fitbit app only - to automatically track workouts just like Google fit does? I know Fitbit can track my steps (although it seems very unreliable as of now, not 100% sure what the issue is for now) but it doesn't seem to track my location when I'm walking, it also doesn't seem to track my pace.

Is there any way to automatically have it track my location and pace when it detects a workout? Also I'm kinda missing an equivalent to the "Journal" screen from Google fit where I can see all of my past workouts that it automatically detected.

[Gr4ndp4 · Accepted solution]

Hi, @Mattis. , welcome to the community, I'm not familiar with Google Fit but can give some guidance on the Fitbit app. You do not mention which Fitbit device you are using (or indeed that you are using a Fitbit device or Pixel Watch with the Fitbit app) Allowing you have a Fitbit device or Pixel Watch there are three routes to recording a walk or run. You want to just use the Fitbit app on your phone so there is one way to record it. The app on the phone alone will not detect the start of an activity. Open the Fitbit app in your phone settings and check the app permissions are allowed, in particular "location", I suggest you allow them all, you can always disallow those you want to exclude later. Ensure the "Manage app if unused" slider is in the off position and "Allow background usage" in battery usage is in the "on position. Open the Fitbit app on your phone "today" screen and touch the floating "+" in the bottom right corner>Track live>choose an exercise> & off you go If you touch the settings gear in the top right you can get voice prompts. There's no way to "Automatically" start your exercise but you will get a map & data. If on the other hand, you have a PW or Fitbit device you can set it up to Auto-recognize your exercise though you will not get a GPS position or map.

I suspect this may need beefing up to be useful for you, let me know how I can help further.

Cheers

[Mattis.]

that's very unfortunate, I thought the app could be a drop in replacement for the Google Fit app 😕 on Google Fit it will automatically track a workout, including the pace and GPS even WITHOUT you manually starting a workout. It just works in the background, it even picks up bicycle rides automatically itself. and all that without requiring a watch or tracker, simply the phone in your pocket. I was assuming Fitbit would've gotten the same features by now, as Google Fit seems to have been abandoned in favor of Fitbit nowadays