Versa 2 won't stay connected to Galaxy S8+

[JohnnyS99]

Hey, just got a new Versa 2 to replace my Galaxy Gear 2. I was mainly interested in just simple notifications, extended battery life, being able to wear it in the shower... pretty much what I used my old pebble for.

The problem I'm having is the connection to my Galaxy S8+ doesn't seem to be very stable. I've got Always Connected enabled and all day-synch (I also removed the Galaxy Wear software on my phone) and I use a watch face that has the BT icon on it so I know whether it's connected or not.

The problem is I have set the Versa 2 as a trusted device and only about half the time the lock screen is bypassed (this never failed with my Gear) and I'm constantly (every 10-15 mins or so) getting a disconnect notice on my watch face then a few minutes later the BT icon appears and it's connected again. The phone is never more than 5 feet away.

What am I missing here? This is a total deal-breaker and I don't want to send it back as I otherwise quite like it.

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @JohnnyS99. Welcome! It's great to see a new face around and I'm sorry for the delay.

Thanks for bringing this to my attention, as well for the steps tried prior posting. I know how you're feeling as some features aren't working correctly due your watch not staying connected. Your Samsung Galaxy S8+ is confirmed to be compatible with the Fitbit app, so let's try some steps together.

First of all, make sure to turn off other Bluetooth connections that are nearby, as well to allow the Fitbit app to run on the background. Once this is completed, try the following steps:

1. Remove your Versa 2 from the Bluetooth settings.
2. On your phone's settings tap on Apps > Fitbit > Storage > Clear Cache.
3. Go back one screen and tap on force stop.
4. Uninstall and reinstall the Fitbit app.
5. Reboot your phone and restart your watch.
6. Open the Fitbit app and set it up as a new device to reconnect it with the app.

Let me know how it goes.

[JohnnyS99]

Hi Lizzy,

Thanks for your response. I've followed the steps you outlined multiple times and have had no luck.

Here's what's happening:

- The device is not syncing frequently (I just checked and it said last synced 2 hours ago)

- It is simply NOT working as a trusted device unless I open the fitbit app and manually sync it.  My phone lock screen is constantly coming up even though it is set to being a trusted device (sometimes it shows it as connected, sometimes it doesn't)

- It disappears from my list of trusted devices after rebooting the phone

Further I reconnected my old pebble and it worked perfectly and stayed connected as a Trusted Device for 10 hours or so.  My Galaxy Gear also worked without a hitch.

For some reason this device is simply not maintaining a connection.  Strangely it never misses a notification.  Somehow when my phone gets a notification it wakes up the Fitbit and sends it to the watch.  

I'm thinking this is something most fitbit users would never notice if they didn't try to set their Versa as a trusted device since it will always receive notifications.  

I'm about ready to return it if there's no solution, my phone and other devices are working as intended.  I even picked up a Versa Lite from Best Buy, went through the steps you outlined and the problem persisted with that device (I've since returned it, I just bought it to see if my Fitbit was the problem or if it was something greater).  I don't have another phone to test it on but seeing as my other devices all function perfectly when set as trusted devices and the Fitbit keeps disconnecting (perhaps it's a battery saving feature that breaks this functionality?) I don't know what to do...  Searching through the internet I'm not alone with having connection problems with the S8.

[Corvidmortum]

I am having the exact same issue (Samsung Galaxy S9+). I have gone through all the steps.  My Charge 2 worked perfectly, and still does as I tested to make sure it wasn't my phone.  This seems to be a firmware issue with the Versa.  Please look into a solution before I return this and never but another FitBit product.  

[satelliteDave]

Have the same issue with my Galaxy S20.

[SunsetRunner]

How many times is this required? I'm having a very difficult time getting any help as far as connecting my Fitbit my Versa 2 the Fitbit app and in my Bluetooth connections. When I go to settings homophone under Bluetooth and look at the connections and then tap Versa 2 I get a pop up message that says an app is required for this device everything is up to date as far as I know, this is getting maddening!

Well I see the problem is still existing because I have a brand-spanking-new updated Galaxy S21 Ultra 5G with 256 gigs and my Versa 2 will not stay connected to it I keep getting a message pop up saying that an app is needed to work with this device but I've got the app and I've uninstalled it reinstalled it reset did a factory reset on the phone and the Versa 2 deleted the Versa 2 then I added it again time and time again I'm about to give up and go with a different device.

Moderator Edit: Merged replies

[Rich_Laue]

Yes @SunsetRunner the only thing a user can do through the phones Bluetooth is to remove the fitbit device. 

Any attempt to pair through the phones Bluetooth will be rejected by the tracker, with a message to use the (fitbit) app. 

Open the fitbit app, log in to your fitbit account if you need to. 

The app should try and sync. The fitbit app may request to pair the tracker, if it does, then agree to this. 

I assume the tracker was never removed from the fitbit app.