Not receiving text notifications

[TopherWar]

I've had this Blaze for a while now. I've had issues before where I stopped receiving notifications and I've always been able to fix it with the tips I've found in this forum. I've tried them all multiple times.

This morning when I woke up and opened the app, there was a notification informing me there was a new Dashboard coming and I could use it if I wanted or stick with the original for now. I chose to stick with the original. Does this matter in any way? I'm not sure, all I know is it's the only thing that I've done different since yesterday and suddenly I'm not receiving text messages. I've re-synced, re-started, set up a new account, re-connected to my phone again, restarted everything again. Nothing works.

I've opened up help chats and once they here all this they start talking about warranty options. I bought this second hand, I don't have a warranty.

So is this is? Am I stuck with a watch that does one less thing now? Anyone else at all having this problem?

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity

[Garbutt]

Hi

I deleted the updated version and downloaded 2.9 one through google it took a few attempts but it works now .
I have the blaze too


Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

[uncurledmink]

While that might work, side loading apps can be loaded with hidden malware
and spyware. Do at your own peril.

[ncswaine]

The opacity with which Fitbit operates is most troubling. While it is great that the team is aware of it, it is not great to have a standard feature dead on arrival. Having purchased several watches over the years, I'm frankly disappointed at the lack of QA prior to major revision push. Or worse, knowingly breaking functionality in older devices to influence a purchasing decision.

Is there a plan, in any way/shape/form for restoring key functionality broken by the 3.0 release? or are we quite on our own? Your competitors certainly have SMS figured out.

[SunsetRunner]

Well said. I also just got the new dashboard and to get it to work I have to force stop the app every time I  want to sync. There is nothin the dashboard anymore to let you know it has synced and it doesn't tell you what the problem is anymore when sync fails. I synced like 5 times, then restarted mr fitbit, then force stopped the app to finally get it to work. Fitbit you need to fix known problems before you start rolling out new problems! 

"Put a little zoom-zoom in your life, be happy"

Moderator edit: removed personal information

[nukec1]

And yet Fitbit is making millions of dollars,

[tifortis]

I've looked around a bit and duscovered that the problem is not limited to the Blaze. 

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi everyone. It's great to see you participating in the Forums, and I'm sorry for my delayed response. I'll continue helping you.

Thanks for joining this thread and sharing detailed information about the behavior of your Blaze devices. I understand where are you coming from and I'm sorry that you're having this experience. Our team has received your feedback and are currently working on this situation to bring a solution for all of you. While there isn't a time frame when the fix will be available, be sure that your comments hasn't gone unnoticed. I'll update this thread once I have more details from them.

@Garbutt, thanks for posting the steps that have worked for you. @uncurledmink, thank you also for sharing your thoughts. While it has worked for others, we do not recommend the use of an older Version of the App, as some features may not work as desire and sometimes it could also cause syncing issues.

Don't hesitate to post back if you need anything else.

[tifortis]

Over the moon today when I finally got my fitbit messaging again. When I went into the app today everything I needed to connect was there. Good luck with your fitbit.

[SunsetRunner]

So how did you get it to work?

Vickie Sedberry
"Put a little zoom-zoom in your life, be happy"

[tifortis]

I opened the fit bit app on my phone. Hot the icon in the top left corner,
and scrolled down to notifications and added what I wanted.

[Alikater99]

Been scrolling through the forums looking for any updates to this issue. My Blaze stopped syncing text notifications in late July and customer service was unable to help, said they were working on a fix. 

I wanted to let you all know I have a slight workaround if it works for you. I am able to get the texts to sync with a different app on my phone, the Messages+ one. I don't prefer this app but at least I have texts on my watch while I wait for Fitbit to fix their app, which I still hope they will do.

I haven't been impressed with their customer service thus far but still hope they will come through for us. They broke it, they need to fix it.  Good luck all!

[Diogenes]

So going on two months of this notification problem...

What have we accomplished? We did get Fitbit to admit there is an issue, and supposedly a fix is in the works but no ETA.

Unrelated, but also in the works at Fitbit... a premium tier. 

Has me thinking.... 

Will Fitbit make me start paying for services I currently have (or had, but broke, like notifications). 

Or worse, if pay $10/month for a premium account, will it still take them 2+ months to resolve bugs?

So going where that train of thought leads me...

Anybody looking into any other brands? Anything out there that closely mirrors a Blaze and other Fitbit services?

I've been starting to look at the Fossil Gen 5. Anybody have experience with Wear OS? Does it interface with Google Fit?

[av8r75]

"Anybody looking into any other brands? Anything out there that closely mirrors a Blaze and other Fitbit services?

I've been starting to look at the Fossil Gen 5. Anybody have experience with Wear OS? Does it interface with Google Fit?"

I'd say it probably depends on where fitness tracking fits on your list of priorities; for my wife and me it is the top priority.  I've been looking at other options for a few weeks now and the consensus seems to be that Fitbit still has a huge lead here.  The Versa 2 is improving on both fitness tracking and smartwatch functionality; I've been deciding between this or the Galaxy Watch 2 and have decided to stick with Fitbit and the Versa 2. The premium appears to be things like exercise advice, guided workouts, and deeper sleep insights.  To my knowledge none of the smartwatch makers build subscription-only functionality into their devices and I don't imagine Fitbit will try to be the first.  Think more along the lines of premium services from MapMyRun or MyFitnessPal.

One son has a Fossil Gen 4 and another has a Gear. Both like them a lot but neither uses fitness tracking. 

[kimw19]

Hi Diogenes,

of course I haven't received any positive information from fitbit… after all we are dealing with a company who is proving they don't give a **ahem** about their customers..  I am over fitbit… I am MOST DEFINATELY looking at alternative brands for trackers.. someone who will be much more interested in what their customer wants.. and who keeps up with modern technology...

fitbit can suck eggs as far as I am concerned..

[Lorie2]

I know we can't all afford new smart watches but when I do you bet it won't be a Fitbit!! I'm past mad. No help from Fitbit. I can't get anything. No calls, txts nothing. There aren't even any notification's to turn on in the app. I have deleted, turned off Bluetooth, took Fitbit out of connection s and nothing. Just a headache. Fitbit support is no help. Tonight they told me I don't have the latest update and it's Google fault. Laughable.

[SunsetRunner]

That is laughable since they have finally admitted they have a problem, they just can't tell us when they will get around to getting it fixed!  I am also beyond disgusted with fitbit and I have had several since 2012.  My loyalty is not going to last for much longer.  There are too many other units out there now so fitbit needs to wake up before they lose all their loyal customers!

[Lorie2]

They monitor this because rather quickly I got an email saying they didn't say it's Google fault. They said I have the 3.1.1 and I need the 3.4.  There is NO 3.4 on my phone. I'm calling BBB tomorrow.

Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android

[RickyV.]

Yes, I think lawsuits of blatant negligence is something that will be in Fitbit's future real soon..

[Diogenes]

I appreciate your input.
Fitness tracking is important to me I that it quantifies my efforts, or
lack thereof, to stay in top of my weight and health.
More immediately though, my employer offers rewards for tracking
health/activity metrics. The app they use integrates nicely with Fitbit on
all the points they measure.
I'm not sure of other tracking tools offering that whole package, or if
they integrates with my employer's tools
I agree I was being a bit of Chicken Little the my comments on the premium
service. But main point there is, if I'm paying $10 a month and I have an
issue with any aspect of my relationship with Fitbit, am I going to be
happy with a 2+ month turn around from support, or a "hey, here's a
discount on ur next device."

Regarding this notification issue, in the short term, I'm getting along ok
using the "Fit Notifications" app. It seems to have good days and bad days.
Right now I'm having really good success with it. All notifications are
making it over to my Blaze. Other days, nothing comes over and I'll restart
my phone. And then some days, only certain thing come over.
Long-term, I'm on a mission to collect rewards from my employer program
that I can put towards upgrading my Blaze.

[rmgonzo74]

My husband and I have also been having the same issue. Sometimes his Blaze that he replaced a year ago will not sync or count his steps like yesterday because it didn't stay sync'd. We both have not received any notifications or calls since June 2019. I was thinking about upgrading my fitbit but I am afraid that it may do the same thing.