Connecting Charge 5 to Fitbit Connect Mac App?

[brossman1993]

I would like to connect my Charge 5 using the Fitbit Connect app for Mac but the app continues to tell me that bluetooth isn't on, but it is. I tried reinstalling the app, restarting my computer, turning bluetooth off and on, and changing bluetooth system preferences to allow the Fitbit connect app. Nothing. 

I reached out to support and they told me that Charge 5's aren't compatible with the Fitbit Connect app and have to be used through a smartphone app. I find that hard to believe. Does anyone have experience with this? I've wondered if I need to purchase a dongle for my Mac but don't want to make the purchase if it won't work.

[Odyssey13]

"REQUIREMENTS

• To set up Fitbit Aria Air, Fitbit Charge 4, Fitbit Sense, Fitbit Versa 2, or Fitbit Versa 3, you must use a compatible iPhone, iPad, or Android phone."

click to see the article 

[brossman1993]

It has already been set up on an iPhone, I'm just trying to connect it to my Mac at this point. 

[Odyssey13]

Is your Mac at least iOS 12?

[Odyssey13]

Since customer support says it won't work, it probably won't. Sometimes we can somewhat get things to work, but they aren't able to use all the functions. I'm not sure a dongle would really help, if your Mac has bluetooth.

[brossman1993]

I was still on Big Sur. I just installed iOS 12 and I'm getting a new error now -- it tries to connect and then I get a message saying "Not working?" and it asked me to make sure it's close to the computer, move other trackers away, and turn bluetooth off on my phone, all of which I've done and I'm getting the same error. 

[Odyssey13]

If you so all the syncing on the phone, you can still see the dashboard without using Fitbit Connect. Have you peeked to see if you can do that?

[brossman1993]

I can do that, however I do not plan to continue using the app on my phone and was hoping to be able to sync directly from my Mac. 

[Odyssey13]

Maybe a Mac user will stop by to help you out. I'm on Windows 8.1!

[brossman1993]

Thanks for trying, haha! I'm sure I'll tease a solution out at some point. 

[LZeeW]

@brossman1993   Mac user here.  The Charge 5 is not compatible with Fitbit Connect.  You cannot sync your Fitbit with your Mac.  You need to use your phone.  Fitbit ended all Fitbit Connect compatibility for its new devices in 2018.  Not what you wanted to read, but believe it.

The web dashboard at fitbit.com doesn’t have the same information as the mobile app.  You can’t get your sleep score, Zone minutes,  Health Metrics, Stress Management, EDA scan results, or view your ECG results.  The Change 5 is best used with a compatible phone.

[rubcon]

Is that why I can not get my new Charge 5 to work with my I Phone 11  ??

[Odyssey13]

Hi @rubcon Is your phone at least iOS 12? Older than that, you can't set up.

[LZeeW]

@rubcon   You don't give enough information about the difficulties you are having.  Your iPhone 11 is definitely new enough.  You should have iOS 15 if you keep your phone updated.  I think you should start a new thread in the iOS forum or contact Support for more help.