Why does fitbit require location to be turned on?

[CromeX]

Guys I know there has been a thread about this before, but knowone answered the actual questioning that thread.

Why does fitbit require location service to work all of a sudden? Doesn't anyone think this is a breach of privacy?

Why does fitbit need to physically know where we are? There are quitenough a few security issues with this, not to mention the annoyance of switching on the location just for fitbit.

How can we synchronise without locations services?

[SunsetRunner]

Is there a fitness tracker that doesn't require location to be turned on? Loved my fitbit untill having to turn on location. It's a deal breaker for me.

[Arrendalek]

I went to the s3 and never looked back. More expensive but man can I do so
much more!

[SunsetRunner]

Thank you. I will look into the s3.

[DaAQVWwV]

Based on some experience and knowledge Location service is required in 2 cases: to pair one of new devices and only to pair as sync works fine without it and in case of old trackers model which do not pairs and based on BLE scan to find device and read data.

So this big red message "Enable Location to Sync" is a lie for latest devices like Versa. I do not know if this is lazy programmers or company has some kind of agreement with Google to ask users to keep location so Google can track them.

[SunsetRunner]

I have a charge 2. The location problem happened when I upgraded to a new Android phone. I loved my Fitbit untill the location fiasco. Unless it is quite clear a new fitbit will not require the location to be turned on, I will look elsewhere for a different tracker. What a shame that my Fitbit tracker is now useless to me.

[Rich_Laue]

First thing i want to point out is that Fitbit or the phones IS does not look for or ask for location, location is never asked to be turned on. The only thing requested is that location services are requested to be turned on. 

If you want a Fitbit, or any of the many other devices from the many other companies that Android's decision has affected and don't want location services enabled. By a windows or iOS phone, since their operating system did not have the problem of your phone getting hijacked during a Fitbit sync. 

If it really is a decision of Fitbit. Why is Fitbit only requesting this for android phones? 

[DaAQVWwV]

I do not have Charge 2, but looking on spec and age of tracker I assume it requires pairing. To perform initial pairing of Charge 2 you have to enable Location service. This is explained on forum many times. After pairing is done and you can update/sync with your tracker, you can safely disable Location service. Fitbit software will continue to complain by showing red message to enable location, but will work. (at least this is working for me since I got my Versa).

[Arrendalek]

While Fitbit does not use location services except for synch, turning it on
enables any app that uses the permission to track you. I used to have a
phone whose battery was impacted by having location services active. Having
to enable it just to update my steps was a real pita. I fired Fitbit for a
better alternative for me. If they had tightened up their act i'd have a
blaze on my wrist right now because they never would have given me a reason
to look.

[AWA]

Agree. The last Fitbit I purchased would reluctantly sync (eventually) despite the message that location/ location services must be turned on to sync.

After upgrading phone (last Samsung/ android I'll ever own thanks to nosy nefarious google), I noticed that my Fitbit and app only partially synced and appears to have stopped syncing. Oddly enough, despite my saved settings in my Fitbit account, my Fitbit is showing some unknown time/ timezone and other info. No idea what happened there. Will do a reset and see what happens, but more than likely it will just be donated to goodwill.

I like tech that saves me time and enhances my life, not the headache kind.

Unless it's a useful tool for you,  it's more or less a waste of money for a wearable status symbol. My ancient Sunto and old outdated tech Garmin work just fine for my needs at the gym or trail. Neither look as cool as the new devices and god forbid, the old Sunto has a clock face and hands.

The last thing I need is a difficult device/ app wasting my time. That's time I could be outdoors!

I've gifted 3 fitbits over the years and none are used due to syncing  issues or difficulty/hassle of use.

[AWA]

That's part of the problem, it should not continue to "complain" via the location message.

[Rich_Laue]

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@Arrendalek wrote:
While Fitbit does not use location services except for synch, turning it on
enables any app that uses the permission to track you. I used to have a
phone whose battery was impacted by having location services active. Having
to enable it just to update my steps was a real pita. I fired Fitbit for a
better alternative for me. If they had tightened up their act i'd have a
blaze on my wrist right now because they never would have given me a reason
to look.

---

Fitbit only uses location services when the user requests that Fitbit record a run. Fitbit does not use services slurring a sync. The Android OS, not Fitbit, requires location services to be enabled.. I'll have to look but I have found the info as to why on dev.android.com

Since Fitbit has the potion tosync multiple trackers with one sync, Fitbit has chosen the Bluetooth MAC to identify the tracker. 

[DaAQVWwV]

@Rich_Laue 

You have found only part of problem on dev.android.com and this is explanation why Android requires loaction service to perform BLE Scan. In other words: to find unknown device around. And this part is understandable: if I want to pair new devcie, not yet known to android device I need to do BLE Scan to locate it and allow Bluetooth pairing process to complete. Since this moment BLE Scan is not required to locate device or to be able to communicate with. It is done through different Bluetooth protocol and this part not need location service to work.

So your mantra - "The Android OS, not Fitbit, requires location services to be enabled." is not really true, but repeating of old requirements for old (very old) connectionless devices (working without pairing and as well without any security). 

[Rich_Laue]

During the BLE scan Fitbit requests the Bluetooth MAC. Please look up why Android made changes to close the open loophole that allowed a third party to take over the phone. 

[DaAQVWwV]

Agree. Google added protection and so on, but my point is: Location service is required ONLY to perform BLE scan. And according to your comment it would be good to have Location service disabled to avoid loophole :).

After pairing it is not required as device already paired and do not broadcast anything. Try to do BLE scan from any other phones around, it will NOT show you already paired devices, so it is useless after pairing.

As result - Location service is NOT required after pairing for devices to communicate.

BTW I use my Versa with Location service disabled and be able to communicate - notifications are received by Versa and Sync is working. Slow, but working. Enabling Location service for me only enable funny animation on Fitbit app, but  I see no other differences, like sync speed feels to be the same.

[RicardoFitbit]

Hello guys! I'm happy to provide assistance regarding the location service inquiries, my sincere apologies for the delay in responding your posts. A warm welcome to our Community @SunsetRunner. Also, it's nice to see you participating in our Fitbit Forums @Arrendalek @DaAQVWwV @AWA. Also, thanks for your willingness to help @Rich_Laue.

Let me share that the reason why Fitbit require the location service to be turned on is because Google changed its permission requirements beginning with Android OS 6.0. As a result, the locations permission is necessary to sync your Fitbit device with your Android device. Take in consideration that Fitbit does not track your location unless you are recording an exercise or activity with GPS as per previously mentioned in some of the posts above. For more information, see How do I track exercise and activity with my Fitbit device? 

The Fitbit app needs the locations services option on your phone to be turned on in order to perform the Bluetooth low energy scans required to sync your devices. Google added the locations permission requirement to alleviate concerns that Bluetooth beacons can be used to track your location without your permission during a Bluetooth low energy scan, such as the scan required to sync your tracker. That said, by granting the Fitbit app permission to access your location, your Fitbit will be able to sync, but your location won't be recorded or tracked by Fitbit.

For more information about Bluetooth technology, visit the Bluetooth Special Interest Group's website at www.bluetooth.com. For details about the Google permission requirements, see Google's Android 6.0 Changes document.

I'll be here if you have any additional questions. 

[DaAQVWwV]

Thanks @RicardoFitbit 

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The Fitbit app needs the locations services option on your phone to be turned on in order to perform the Bluetooth low energy scans required to sync your devices. 

Could you please elaborate on that? My Versa works for many month without Location service enabled. According to Bluetooth spec if device is paired it is enough to be able to communicate directly as I can see in case of my Versa. What I miss by disabling location service?

Thanks

[bluemedinah]

Why am I constantly nagged to turn on location services. I have been reading the (questionable) stuff about Google/Android but I use an IPhone with Versa.

Please make it stop.

If Fitbit requires location services I'm out.

[Rich_Laue]

Fitbit has the ability, when you request it, to track your runs walks and a few other activities. 

Fitbit is probably asking for this. 

You don't say when Fitbit requests, or which trackers. 

The new trackers have the ability to auto detect a run and turn on the GPS without the user having to do anything. 

[Wanag35]

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@RicardoFitbit wrote:

Let me share that the reason why Fitbit require the location service to be turned on is because Google changed its permission requirements beginning with Android OS 6.0. As a result, the locations permission is necessary to sync your Fitbit device with your Android device. Take in consideration that Fitbit does not track your location unless you are recording an exercise or activity with GPS as per previously mentioned in some of the posts above.

The Fitbit app needs the locations services option on your phone to be turned on in order to perform the Bluetooth low energy scans required to sync your devices. 

I'll be here if you have any additional questions. 

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Sorry  @RicardoFitbit  but why do you claim this is required when I have location services turned off and still recieve data from the device such as battery level, heartrate, steps, and so on? I also saw @DaAQVWwV posit a similar question that has yet to be answered.

[Rich_Laue]

Do you see the same on fitbit.com?

Are you seeing data that synced, or simply a remote view of the watch.

During most syncs, the app requests the bluetooth MAC of the tracker. Android requires location services enabled for this to be returned.

This change was made to close a loophole that allowed a third unknown party to remotely take over control of the users phone without their knowledge during such a request.