Charge 5 does not receive notifications

[PdVL]

My brand new Charge 5 does not receive any notifications. All the settings are right so what is causing this issue? With my Charge 2 I had no problems at all. I expected that this new Charge 5 would not have any problems concerning this but new devices are no guarantee that all works as it should be apparently. I also experience issues with the Bluetooth connection now and then. I looked at the settings, they are as they should be, restarted the Charge 5 and also my iPhone but this does not help. Anyone having the same troubles?

Moderator edit: subject updated for clarity

[DavideFitbit]

Hello, welcome to the Fitbit Community forums, @PdVL.  

Thank you for all the information that you've provided regarding the problem that you've been experiencing with your new Charge 5 and the troubleshooting steps that you already tried. 

Before considering other options, make sure to follow all the standard troubleshooting steps listed here to resolve problems with notifications. This has been useful for other users experiencing the same problem. 

In addition to the steps mentioned earlier, make sure that you have the latest version of the Fitbit app installed and to check all the compatibility requirements here. Keep in mind that you need Android OS 8.0 or higher or Apple iOS 13 or higher on your phone and that you won’t see notifications on your Fitbit device if you turned on the Do Not disturb Icon or Sleep Mode. 

Hope this helps, I'll be around. 

[BjarneC]

My new Fitbit Charge 5, have the same issue with Bluetooth- it keeps alternating between connected and Not connected.

It took me almost 2 hours to connect the first time when setting up the device, because it could not connect to Bluetooth, but eventually after pressing the button on the USB cable 3 times in a row (after 10 or 12 attempt) it finally connected, made a firmware update and got I up and running.

I can now sync the Charge 5 with my iPhone 8 plus (IOS 14.8), but at some point, the Bluetooth connection becomes unstable and as mentioned it drops in and out all the time.

When selecting a new clockface, it comes with a warning “Unstable Connection……” every 2-3 sec.

I have tried several times to remove Bluetooth paring and removed the device from within the Fitbit app on the phone, at least now it connects to the phone via Bluetooth within 10-20 sec. and finished the setup.

Then the connection is relative stable for about 2-3 hours, but after that it can take between 15-30 min. to make a full sync between the device and the Fitbit app.

Is it a common problem with the unstable Bluetooth connection? And can we hope that next firmware update will address the issue.

[mcullinan]

This is my issue exactly. It has to be a bug since we are experiencing the same problems. I might call support tomorrow but I’m sure they will walk through the troubleshooting instructions which I’ve already done and it’s not working.  

[Ingy]

I had a message on my app that said the app needs to be open on the phone to receive notifications on the Fitbit. (I have an iPhone12).  Not sure if this helps or not.

[BjarneC]

Tried to let the app be open as @Ingy mention, and send myself an e-mail, and this resulted in a notification on my Charge 5 device.

Next I closed the app on the phone, and send myself an e-mail, with the same result- a notification is now visible on my Charge 5 device.

Also, my Ring Video Doorbell is now able to send notification to my Charge 5 device. Have not been able to test SMS yet, but 2 out of 3 is an improvement.

Maybe it works now because today is the official launch date for the device 😊, or it´s because it has rained all night here where I live 😊

[Pasik]

In iOS make sure that in Setting / Blutooth / Charge 5  click on (i)  you have the share system notifications

[BjarneC]

@Pasik, Yes Share System notifications is ON, and all Notifications settings on the iPhone for each app is set : Allow Notification-ON, Alerts-Notification Center-ON, Show Preview-Always (or When Unlocked).

All other settings is set as specified in the HELP manual from Fitbit link: How do I get notifications from my phone on my Fitbit device?

The problem is the unstable Bluetooth connection between my iPhone and the Charge 5 device.

It´s highly random when and how often it´s dropping the connection.

[BjarneC]

Just a small update and reflection about Notifications !!!

A bit baffled that notification now seems to be send to my Charge 5, and the only thing I can think of since all my settings is according to Fitbit recommendations is this……:

On the device:

Switch the Do Not Disturb (DND mode) On and Off a couple of times and leave it in Off mode so that there is a “ / “ across the symbol.

On the device => Settings => Quite Mode => switch set to off a couple of time.

Somewhere in a topic on this site, I remember to have seen it mention that the DND mode should be switch on and off a couple of times to activate Notifications. It´s not enough just to set theses settings only one time.

Bluetooth seems to have become more stable and Sync is done faster (about 10-15 sec) at least last time I checked.

[TMTCNya]

I sent them a message on Facebook. Obviously a lot of us are having the same issue. We will probably need a fix on their end.

[BjarneC]

@mcullnan: Did you call Fitbit support? If so, did they tell you something you would like to share with us, since I see a lot of posts in this forum that have experience the same Bluetooth problem as we have 😊

[mcullinan]

No I haven’t had the time. Anyone reach out? Let us know

[TMTCNya]

I did, they sent me a link to do the obvious different sync options we already did. I sent my email and OS waiting to hear back

[mcullinan]

Somehow I knew this is what they would do. It has to be a big because the Charge 4 works fine.  I  like the color screen but ots not as smooth a rollout as Charge 4 for sure. 

[PdVL]

Thanks for your advice, all of the recommendations I followed up. The Bluetooth connection seems more stable now but I still do not receive WhatsApp notifications on my Charge 5. I do receive notifications from Messages on my iPhone SE (model 2020) and some other notifications (incoming call). With the latest iOS 15.0 the connection between iPhone and Charge 5 seems to be better but still no WhatsApp notifications which are essential in my opinion (it worked on my previous Charge 2!).

[LadyDilbert]

My iPhone 12 mini not showing my Charge 5 in Bluetooth.

[Pasik]

For other app than iOS standard system app, the notification can be done in the Fitbit app.

I had the same issue than yours except it was for Signal.

Click on top left avatar head > Charge 5 > Notifications

You will see Calls, SMS and calendar events. You'll need to go in App notifications and you'll see all other phone apps. Select Whatsapp (I don't have it so it should be there, but as I said I activated Signal there).

[BjarneC]

@PdVL: I also observe that the Bluetooth connection seems more stable, but occasionally slow when sync between the app and the device- but more stable than the first days of use.

Regarding the WhatsApp have you checked if it´s active in the Fitbit app.?

• Fitbit App on your iPhone
• Click on Account icon (upper left corner)
• Charge 5 icon
• Notifications =>
• App Notifications =>
• Check list for the WhatsApp is Active!

This list is dynamic, and apps is added when they have generated a notification on your iPhone.

I Find it very frustrating that notification have to be activated in:

• The app list on the iPhone
• The app notifications list in the Fitbit App
• On the Fitbit Charge 5 device both under Do Not Disturbed and in the Settings DND

[BjarneC]

@LadyDilbert: This is a problem many of us has encountered, and you may need to attached the power cable and hit the small button on the flat end of the USB cable 3 times with 1 sec. pause between each time you press the button (this also can need 10-15 tries before it restarts the device)

The Bluetooth connection will be established from within the setup of the Charge 5 device during the setup procedure- and when your device is showing a 4-digit code you should see the device in the Bluetooth list on you Phone.

I also did the mistake first time trying to connect the device to Bluetooth on my iPhone- But the setup will do that for you.

After you have finished the setup of the Charge 5, it should listed in your Phone´s Bluetooth devices and properly alternate between Connected and Not Connected, but that seems to be normal.

[LadyDilbert]

Thanks for your quick response. I got there in the end.