Blaze won't stay connected to phone's Bluetooth

[LeifB]

I've noticed since the last update that my blaze won't stay connected/ won't connect to my phone (android). It will disconnect from my phone during a run (workout tracking Run), it takes many attempts to connect it in the first place, and it just won't sync (device not found).

Anyone else having the same type of issues, or find a solution? Resetting the tracker (Blaze) and phone doesn't always help, and doesn't help for long if it does. 

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity

[MarreFitbit]

Hi there @LeifB, welcome to the Community Forums. Thanks so much for troubleshooting the syncing issue with your Blaze prior to contacting us. 

While reading your post I was wondering if the mobile device you're syncing with is included in our list of supported devices? You can see the list at: Which phones and tablets can I use with my Fitbit watch or tracker?

Please keep in mind that when a device is not supported we cannot guarantee its functionality with the Fitbit app. It might work at a certain time and then it can stop working out of nowhere after an update. This is because the app is not optimized to that device and any change could impact the performance. 

If your device is compatible, but the issue persists. In order to solve this, please go to the Bluetooth settings on your phone and remove the tracker. In the list of Bluetooth devices you'll see the Blaze and next to it, this symbol "!". Hit the symbol and it will take you to the next step, once you're there select the option that says "Forget this device" or "Unpair".

Once you've made sure about that, go back to the Fitbit app, go to the "Account" option in the upper right corner and select "Set up a Device". This should start the setup process for your device. 

If the issue is not solved after the above steps, please take a look at the help articles: Why can't I set up my Fitbit device? or  Why won't my Fitbit device sync?

Let me know the outcome, I'll be around. 

[LeifB]

I am currently using a Samsung Galaxy S7 running Android 8.0. I also went to the bluetooth settings and removed the tracker, and did the same in the Fitbit app. At the moment it seems to be working, but I haven't tried linking for a run yet. I will see how it works over the next few days and we'll see how it goes. 

[MarreFitbit]

Sure thing @LeifB. I'll be around, so keep me in the loop. 😉

[LeifB]

Well, resetting the tracker and my phone, as well as removing the device and pairing it again only helps for a day or two. It seemed to help for about a week, then it was back to its old habits. Sorta looks like I'll be either resetting both devices regularly, or looking to buy something different. The tracker only lasts about 48 hours on a full charge so it's almost dead anyways. 

This was the best run i've had with a fitbit to date (24 months with one tracker) but I did go through 3 before that, with each only lasting about 9 months each. So this was an improvement, but the issues i've been having just seemed to have gotten worse at the first 12 months. 

[MarreFitbit]

Hi there @LeifB, thanks for coming back and providing me with more details of the issue you're experiencing. 

Please try the below steps in the order shown:

1. Go into their phone settings and select "Apps"

2. Find and select Fitbit

3. Tap "Advanced" and then tap "Battery"

4. Select "Battery Optimization"

5. Tap the bar at the top of the screen and select "All Apps"

6. Find Fitbit in the list, tap it and select "Don't Optimize"

This should help improve your syncing experience and should not have a large impact on your phone's battery life.

[DeanD42]

I'm having the same issue, but instead on my Samsung Galaxy S8+.  The fitbit app is NOT battery optimized.  Each week, when I get my fitbit summary, I'm always surprised that the numbers are so low.  Then I realize that after I did the reset, etc, the fitbit app will work for about 3 days and then just stop again.  Then my weekly summary is very low (friends and I like to compare numbers), and my fitbit is dead.  I get no alerts that my battery is low, it just stops syncing.  It's been doing this for the last few updates of the App.  I'm on the latest firmware as well.  It was working so well until the app updated to the new look and tracking dashboard.  Now it's all gone to crap, and this will be my last fitbit.  I've had 4 trackers from Fitbit, and need to find a better quality fitness tracker.

[LeifB]

App was already "Not Optimized" int he list, so that's not the issue either. I went for a run today and for the first time in a while, it stayed connected the whole time. That being said, the connection strength was only 1 bar, even when I had the phone and tracker next to or physically on top of the phone. Moving away didn't make a difference either. Thanks for the help but I think this one's just about a lost cause.

[LeifB]

I'm considering the Galaxy Watch as a potential option, but the price it a little hard to swallow if the lifespan is about the same as the Fitbits. The 2-3 day battery life is also a negative with a 2 hour recharge period, but that seems to be pretty standard for other fitness trackers and smart watches. I'm trying to decide if cheaper, less features and a longer battery life is more important than something designed to work with my Samsung phone, which could also let me ANSWER phone calls without my phone being with me. Still not sure which way I want to go...

[DeanD42]

I have the Galaxy S3 Frontier watch.  It's quite nice, but yeah, battery life is poor.  After optimization of what I allow the watch to do, I get about 4 days, same as my Blaze.  Weight of the watch is significantly heavier with the Samsung.  The Samsung is a wearable that has some fitness. The blaze is a fitness watch that has some wearable features.  Skip fitbit, skip Samsung and go Garmin.  Unless you destroy it, it should be the last fitness watch you need.  I have a bunch of friends with Garmins and they've been very happy.  I have a bunch of friends with fitbit stuff, and they are unhappy like we are.

[DeanD42]

Just to further update this thread, I was telling my GF about this, and then she mentioned that hers no longer syncs reliably as well.  She has a Charge3 and since the new app came out, she's in the same boat.  Android phone, but her phone is a Google Pixel 3a with a much newer unit.  So it's definitely an app issue that Fitbit has.