Charge 5 is tracking false steps

[ducky1776]

I have a bad habit when I'm sitting at my computer of drumming my fingers on the side. I've noticed that it tends to increase my step count. Fitbit seems to think I'm actually walking when I do that. Has anyone else noticed this?

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[MarreFitbit]

Hi there, @ducky1776. Welcome to the Fitbit Community Forums. Thanks for the details provided in your post, I understand where your concern is coming from. I will be glad to address your inquiry. 

As a first approach, please keep in mind that excess vibration might cause extra steps. Fitbit devices have a finely-tuned algorithm for step counting. The algorithm is designed to look for intensity and motion patterns. When working at a desk, cooking, or performing other activities with arm movements, a device on your wrist may add some steps. When you’re doing activities that involve arm movement you often walk a few steps in-between stationary periods as well, so the device tries to give you credit for those steps. 

In addition, I'd suggest to confirm that the following are correct in the Fitbit app:

• Your wrist settings (For more information, see Does the wrist I wear my device on affect accuracy? )
• Your height (For more information, see How do I manage my Fitbit profile?)

Since we use height to estimate your walking and running stride lengths, you may want to measure and manually adjust these values if your legs are longer or shorter than average. For more information, see How does my Fitbit device calculate my daily activity?

[Cuse330Ci]

My Charge 5 is overcounting my steps by several thousand some days compared to my iPhone.  My Charge 3 and iPhone were usually very close to each other.  I'm getting the 10k steps alarm on days where I haven't even gone on a run or a walk!     I wish I could put the Charge 5 Screen on the Charge 3.    

[RiekoC]

Hello @Cuse330Ci 

By any chance, do you have your phone as a Connected device to your Fitbit app? You can check by tapping on the device icon in the upper left of the Today page in the Fitbit app. This will open the Connected to Fitbit page. Under Devices, you should see only your Charge 5. If you see your phone is also under Devices, you can tap to remove it.

The option to add your phone as a Connected device is for when you aren't wearing your Fitbit and you want to track your steps. Having both connected to the app can result in an overage of your step count since both your Fitbit and your phone are tracking your step, effectively doubling your step count. 

[ducky1776]

I checked and it's not connected to my phone as a device. Thanks!

[ducky1776]

Thank you! I did check all of my settings and discovered I had it set for the wrong arm. I've changed that. Height and weight were correct. I'll keep a closer eye on things and see if it makes any difference (and try not to drum my fingers on my laptop!).

[ducky1776]

I did a little more investigation on Wednesday. I started out with 1008 steps. I then did something that was hand-intensive, but I was sitting down. When I finished it, I was at 1137. I walked about twenty steps and then repeated the same hand-intensive activity. I finished up at 1341 steps.