Charge 5 not syncing, not pairing with the Fitbit app

[Sunflower101]

Hi I have been unable to sync my phone (Samsung Galaxy J6) to my charge 5 since 20/10/2024. It was working well prior to this date.

I have done all the steps in previous posts including:

• Unpair your Fitbit device from your phone's Bluetooth and Fitbit app.

• Unpair other Bluetooth devices that you may also have paired to your phone's Bluetooth settings.

• Force quit the Fitbit app.

• Turn off other Bluetooth connections when not in use. This can help to prevent connectivity issues or Bluetooth interference.

• Shut off your phone and turn it on after 1-2 minutes.

• Turn on the Bluetooth on your phone.

• Plug it into the charging cable and open the Fitbit app.

• Setup your Fitbit device.

• If there is no connection, restart your Fitbit device.

• Once your Fitbit device is paired and syncing, please proceed to set up your other Bluetooth devices to your phone again. 

I have uninstalled and reinstalled the Fitbit app multiple times, but it will not pick up my Charge 5 watch any more, and keeps telling me to try again, which I have also done.

I have turned the Bluetooth off, turned the phone off and restarted the devise multiple times with out resolution.

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[Sha_Boom]

Think I will also do some research. I hate to give up Fitbit because it caught my last bout of AFib 2 years ago, but if it's not going to sync it doesn't really matter. 

[KeertiB]

Same issue since yesterday. Really frustrating. I thought it was my device and tried reinstalling etc etc. Then came here and saw so many other experiencing the same issue. I really hope FITBIT Google resolves this issue fast 😞

[Michblip]

This didn't work for me and has left me with a charge 5 that doesn't even tell ne what time it is,  just keeps saying you need to download mobile app! Wish I had left it alone now.

[SunsetRunner]

Same here.  Anybody find a solution yet?  Been trying for days now and finally found my way here.  Hope it gets sorted out soon.

[bookstore]

Same here. Problem started 10/22/24. I've tried everything you mentioned above as well. From all the responses, I'm thinking this isn't some random issue. I wonder if Fitbit is looking into this problem.

[bookstore]

Just finished chatting with support:

[MathGirl18]

Hey! Good news ! My fitbit is syncing again! The last four days have been
recovered in full. Activity, sleep, and steps!

Thank goodness.

[Michblip]

Still no joy for me charge 5 not recognising the fitbit app and keeps asking me to download the mobile app when I already have several times!

[Dontina1993]

Glad, not glad that it isn't just me.  I guess I will just keep trying.  My husband's Versa model is fine, as is my daughter's.  Interesting it seems to just affect certain models.

[StephenT777]

It's the same for me. Looking forward to a fix!

[NicUK]

2 days ago my Charge 5 stopped syncing with Samsung A13.

I followed all the steps and regret unpairing the Charge 5.

Now getting error message when trying to re-pair. Bluetooth detects the Charge 5 but won't connect without the Fitbit App. The Fitbit App can't detect the Charge 5.

Wasted hours on this today. Keep hoping it will work.... it hasn't....

UPDATE

Been chatting with Google Fitbit support.

They suggest keep trying. They are aware of an Android bug and are working on it around the clock! They don't know how long it will take to fix the bug.

I suggest making sure your app allows for auto updates so any fixes are picked up otherwise you could wait a long time. 

Good luck everyone....

[justjodi]

Since this issue started last week or so, I have been force stopping each time it fails to sync, and then it immediately syncs. The failure is intermittent.   This may work as a short-term solution for others.  

[Luannr53]

I had the same problem and finally figured it was a Google problem.  I hade to sign into my Google account and delete the Fitbit app from Google and from my Android phone.  Then I went into my phone Bluetooth to turn it off and back on to let it scan for the tracker which finally appeared as ready to pair.  I then reinstalled the Fitbit app back on my phone and signed back into it with my Google account.  After doing so it finally connected, paired and synced.

i have done all the other suggestions for the past 3 days which did not solve the issue.  I finally figured it’s a Google problem so you have to delete it from Google first in order for the app to link back up with Google correctly.  Hope this helps. 

[MathGirl18]

I have gone through all the hoops in the past with previous fitbit s - so I
did NOTHING. I couldn't be bothered trying all the steps and going through
all that aggravation and waste of MY time. And then on my regular gym/swim
day, voilà, my fitbit miraculously began syncing again.

Yep, was a GOOGLE problem 😅

[justjodi]

Thanks Luann, Your solution will probably work for several people, but there may be a few different issues going on.  I never converted my Fitbit to Google (which may be part of the problem).  Also, I've read several instances of people deleting and reinstalling the app only to find that their Fitbit is not recognized.  I know I may have to try it eventually, but I'm not ready to deal with the potential fallout.

[Luannr53]

I had no choice but to connect to Google in the past because Fitbit notification said I had no choice since all Fitbit trackers will be promted to connect with Google by a certain date.  That’s what their notification said and I was no longer to sign into Fitbit app under Fitbit.  My husband was also prompted to do the same about a month after me.  I don’t remember what the date was in the notice. 

I just recently received a Google update about 4 days ago and that’s when my Fitbit was no longer pairing and syncing.  I also have the Fitbit app and Google app installed on my Apple IPad and had no problem with it.  Only had the problem on my Android phone.  

I researched on both the Fitbit and Google forums and came across a Google Techs answer stating it was a Google problem and they were working on a fix.  So needless to say that I think every time my phone receives a Google update I’m hoping I won’t have to keep doing this over and over again because if so I will be then make the final decision to ditch the Android and Fitbit devices and invest in an Apple IPhone and Apple Fitness Tracker as long as Google doesn’t do a takeover on that too.

[Luannr53]

Support of Fitbit accounts will continue until at least 2025. After support of Fitbit accounts ends, a Google Account will be required to use Fitbit. We'll be transparent with you about the timeline for ending Fitbit accounts through notices within the Fitbit app, by email, and in help articles.

Per Google research 

Moderator Edit: Formatting

[MathGirl18]

👍 thanks for the heads up. Actually this is the first that I've heard
anything regarding losing access to fitbit app or having to move to Google
fitness app!

Thank you very much for sharing.

[Jen33333333]

And me. Done everything and won't pair now

[Janiecoffman]

Same thing happened to me. I am using a13. Have tried everything and nothing has worked. So frustrating!!