Battery drain/Notifications - Samsung Galaxy S8/S8+

[AlessFitbit]

Fitbit Update: 09/3/2017

Our team is still actively investigating the root cause of this battery drain with Blaze and the Samsung Galaxy S8/S8+. I'm sorry that many of you are still having issues with a shorter battery life, but rest assured this is being looked at as high-priority for our team. My apologies for the inconvenience, and thank you all for your patience! I will provide an update as soon as there is more information available. In the meantime, please continue manually syncing your Blaze trackers only when needed. This will help preserve the battery-life.

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Fitbit Update: 08/14/2017

Hi everybody!

Thanks for reporting your experiences with a rapid battery drain on Blaze trackers and your Android device - Samsung Galaxy S8/S8+. Our team is aware this is affecting Blaze users and they are investigating the root cause. I will update this thread when there is more information available. 

As a temporary workaround, turn OFF "Always Connected" and the "All-Day sync" features. Make sure to manually sync your devices at least once a day.

Thanks for your patience! 

[SunsetRunner]

I am surprised it is taking so long for Fitbit to declare compatibility with the Galaxy S8.

S8 has been on the streets for well over a month now and it was not exactly a surprise that it was coming.

When do you expect to have an update to fix the battery issue?

[SunsetRunner]

I looked in Play Store it says updated on the 12th June. I installed that update still have appalling battery drain, and notifications are flakey.

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@sdpaul wrote:

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@ChapsG wrote:

Danfranktx wrote: 27June2017 UPDATE... I think after last nights update to the app... Most of the Blaze problems MIGHT be solved. At least the Bluetooth and notification problems that is... Now let's see how the battery does.. 

What update to the app? I didn't get an update and I've checked and still don't see one.

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The update on the app indicates that it was updated on the 26th yesterday. 

https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.fitbit.FitbitMobile

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[pinkfl]

HI. When will you support S8? This is ridiculous. Battery life about 30-35 hours!!! Shame!!!!Waht fitbit can offer?

[anfogarty26]

The update for my app just came up today. Unfortunately it did nothing to help with notifications. I will have to see about battery life.

And I will say I think this FitBit's problem even if it's directly related to Samsung because FitBit should be able to support new phones. They should be on top of technology updates.

[Shamamama]

I wish I had known this before I purchased a Blaze an hour ago. Pretty inexcusable to put a phone tons of people are likely to buy on a "not supported" list. And the advice is ridiculous. Oh sure - I'll just run right out and buy a second phone to keep around to sync with my fitness tracker. Big fail, Fitbit. 

[marcusb84]

So even if Samsung poorly implemented Bluetooth on their phone, you think
that's Fitbits fault? That makes no sense.

Blaze works fine with a great majority of devices and the S8s come along
and suddenly there is a battery drain issue that no one has had before. Hmm.

[Angelbug2512]

I thought my fitbit had crapped out, just got my S8+ Sunday and have had to charge my fitbit 4 times. And can't get notifications or it to sync. So frustrating. 

[Danfranktx]

So I took my Blaze back to Best Buy and got a refund and I am now the proud owner of the Gear S3 Classic... So long fitbit... Snooze and you loose...

[anfogarty26]

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@Danfranktx wrote:

So I took my Blaze back to Best Buy and got a refund and I am now the proud owner of the Gear S3 Classic... So long fitbit... Snooze and you loose...

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I wish I could return my Blaze 😞 I also wish the Gear S3 didn't look so masculine!

[Johnny_Tapia]

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@anfogarty26 wrote:

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@Danfranktx wrote:

So I took my Blaze back to Best Buy and got a refund and I am now the proud owner of the Gear S3 Classic... So long fitbit... Snooze and you loose...

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I wish I could return my Blaze 😞 I also wish the Gear S3 didn't look so masculine!

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I also thought the Gear S3 is HUGE on my wrist so I passed on it, check out the Gear Fit 2. Very similar to the Blaze and works like a charm.

[lmurp]

thank you for the info, I am not sure how the others got their blaze to sync with Samsung S8, it will not sync for me.

Am I doing something wrong or should I just wait for your IT group to work out all the bugs.

Thanks for the reply

[shelltab]

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@lmurp wrote:

thank you for the info, I am not sure how the others got their blaze to sync with Samsung S8, it will not sync for me.

Am I doing something wrong or should I just wait for your IT group to work out all the bugs.

Thanks for the reply

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I uninstalled and re installed the fitbit app and then I re synced the blaze and it seems to be OK for the most part except the battery drains very quickly 

[karatepamy]

I'm so glad I found this thread. My battery used to always hold a 4 day charge and now it holds less than a day. I thought something was wrong with my Blaze.

[Fist2k16]

I have called both Fitbit and Samsung customer service for Samsung S8. From my understanding Samsung states that in order for Fitbit to be compatible the Bluetooth connectivity needs to Bluetooth 3.0. However, Fitbit Bluetooth is 4.0. Here in lies the issue I'm assuming that Samsung is using less superior Bluetooth version or strength (I am not tech-savvy, so I am lacking in the in depth explanation). We might be in a forever stalemate between companies as neither side will state if they're going to be compatible with each other and they're assigning each other to blame. So either no more Fitbit or different phone.

Sent from my iPhone

[ChapsG]

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@Fist2k16 wrote:
I have called both Fitbit and Samsung customer service for Samsung S8. From my understanding Samsung states that in order for Fitbit to be compatible the Bluetooth connectivity needs to Bluetooth 3.0. However, Fitbit Bluetooth is 4.0. Here in lies the issue I'm assuming that Samsung is using less superior Bluetooth version or strength (I am not tech-savvy, so I am lacking in the in depth explanation). We might be in a forever stalemate between companies as neither side will state if they're going to be compatible with each other and they're assigning each other to blame. So either no more Fitbit or different phone.

Sent from my iPhone

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That makes no sense. The S8 uses Bluetooth 5.0 so why would they say that Fitbit needs to use 3.0. 3.0 is 8 year old technology that had already been replaced by 4.0 six years ago. 

[WesA]

I rented a Hyundai Santa Fe this weekend, and while plaguing Pandora from my S8 and using Maps four navigation, the audio skipped about every minute. My JBL Reflect minis also constantly reconnect to my S8. When they are not in use, I can here them say "connected" over and over every few minuted.

[wesleybrownuk]

I was sent 3 replacement blazes, I did explain to fitbit support I didn’t feel this would solve the battery drain but they seem to have a default response to which if they don’t have an answer, send a new one. I guess thats not always a bad thing. Fitbit state that the s8 is not yet compatible but hope it will be, no time frame can be given, another standard answer we all get!

I spoke to samsung who feel any bluetooth issues were resolved in the last update and the issue really is with fitbit on this. I kind of have to agree, I initially had problems with my bluetooth headphones and my mini rig speakers, but all that has been resolved.

So, after 3 years of fitbit based products, and a blaze that just about made it through the day charge wise, having it die in the night and missing wake up alarms and getting into being late for work, I decided it was time to admit defeat.

I have moved over to the Samsung Fit 2. Im not finding the sleep tracking as good as fit bit, but its got some great features compared to the blaze. The notifications are great, the apps on it are thin on the ground but if your a myfitnesspal user, the app is great and you even get a year premium thrown in for free when you download it. The biggest annoyance with my blaze was always that it wasn’t waterproof. The fit2 is upto 1.5m, I wouldn’t swim in it but you can shower in it fine! Overall I’m really happy with the switch and can’t see myself ever going back to fitbit now.. Shame, I’m not the only one to move away, but when your not getting any real answers on a device thats important to you, what can you do!

[Johnny_Tapia]

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@wesleybrownuk wrote:

I was sent 3 replacement blazes, I did explain to fitbit support I didn’t feel this would solve the battery drain but they seem to have a default response to which if they don’t have an answer, send a new one. I guess thats not always a bad thing. Fitbit state that the s8 is not yet compatible but hope it will be, no time frame can be given, another standard answer we all get!

I spoke to samsung who feel any bluetooth issues were resolved in the last update and the issue really is with fitbit on this. I kind of have to agree, I initially had problems with my bluetooth headphones and my mini rig speakers, but all that has been resolved.

So, after 3 years of fitbit based products, and a blaze that just about made it through the day charge wise, having it die in the night and missing wake up alarms and getting into being late for work, I decided it was time to admit defeat.

I have moved over to the Samsung Fit 2. Im not finding the sleep tracking as good as fit bit, but its got some great features compared to the blaze. The notifications are great, the apps on it are thin on the ground but if your a myfitnesspal user, the app is great and you even get a year premium thrown in for free when you download it. The biggest annoyance with my blaze was always that it wasn’t waterproof. The fit2 is upto 1.5m, I wouldn’t swim in it but you can shower in it fine! Overall I’m really happy with the switch and can’t see myself ever going back to fitbit now.. Shame, I’m not the only one to move away, but when your not getting any real answers on a device thats important to you, what can you do!

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I agree, my Bluetooth issues have completely gone away since the last update (Baseband version ending in AQF7). So the problem truly is with the Fitbit Blaze device or app.

[SunsetRunner]

Thank you. I will be shopping for a samsung fitness watch today, so I appreciate your input. Do they not realize how damaging this is to there reputation. Funny, just like my VW tdi, was disappointing at first, but once I realized I will be able to upgrade to the BMW diesel, due to their mess up, it wasn't so bad after all. I hope this upgrading to samsung watch will be just as exciting.

[WesA]

I find it pretty amusing that we are able to discuss abandoning Fitbit products and switching to Samsung or Garmin on Fitbit's discussion board. 

The most amazing thing is that there had been no interjection by anyone from Fitbit... The continue to remain silent. Personally I've got my eyes on the new Garmin Vivoactive. Thinking about seeking my Blaze and the new in box Blaze they just sent me , along with my Charge HR and saying bye bye to Fitbit. 

My battery life continues to get worse. Have to charge daily. Which would be fine if I didn't use it for my alarm. Then I could charge it at night. But the silent alarm is one of the things I use most.