New App Feedback

[Fimbo1983]

How can you revert back to the old look app? The new layout is terrible and very hard to read and understand. Your chat team say it can’t be reverted. Please can you change this quickly? Otherwise, it’ll sadly have to be the end of my Fitbit. 

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject.

[Julia_G]

Hi, @Fimbo1983 , once Fitbit releases a new version of the app there is no way officially to revert to any older version.

You may be able to find earlier versions of the app on some sites, but do be careful of the source as sometimes these sites are run by people who want to introduce malware or spyware onto your phone.

If you decide to stay with Fitbit, please do let us know if we can help with understanding any aspect of the new app.  Although I agree that navigation is not very clear, so that it is sometimes hard to find all the available features, I think the new ability to set a “focus” is really helpful, and if none of the built in ones appeal to you, you can now choose the four stats that are most meaningful to you and put them at the very top.  I really like that!  (I have chosen to focus on heart health, so below is a pic of my Today screen.  You might want yours to be very different…

[Fimbo1983]

I’m not looking for a risk of malware, or to be sold on the app. I’ve tried to use it, and it is badly designed. Large numbers of people agree. The solution is simple - Fitbit allowing an official way to go back to the old layout.

if that is not possible, how can I demand a refund for my Fitbit? Fitbit has chosen to change it beyond recognition since buying it, which was neither asked for nor wanted.

looking at the comments, this is a very large problem for Fitbit, so I hope you advise how it can be reverted quickly.

[Heather-S]

@Fimbo1983 The app can't be reverted. Apps change. Unfortunately, if you don't like it, there's not much we can offer other than 1) get used to it or 2) move on from Fitbit. But they will definitely not refund you because the app changed. Sorry. Best of luck.

[Julia_G]

Hi, @Fimbo1983 , unfortunately I don’t think you or anyone will be able to convince the folks at Fitbit to revert to the old app. In the 9 years I have been using Fitbits the app has had a couple of major updates, and although there is usually an outcry, they have never reverted. 

I also think it would be difficult for you to argue that you did not ask for this change.  The reason that your app was automatically updated is because your phone or tablet settings allow automatic updates for apps.  I appreciate that this info is late in this case, so not much help with your current issue, but you can turn off permissions to avoid this sort of thing in the future.

I don’t know what phone operating system that you use, but for iOS you can change permission for automatic updates in your app settings under App Store.  See the picture below:

If you use Android you need to go to the Play Store app and open the settings menu there, and change permissions to auto update apps as per the picture here:

I am sorry not to have a better solution for you.  

Again, if you do decide to continue with your Fitbit and need any help in navigating the new app, please do post again - there is almost always someone here ready to answer questions.

[Runner115]

Agree new app not needed and time being wasted trying to find items. Why do software writers not check things thoroughly before issue.

[6TJS6]

I have an android, and I made it a point not to allow auto-updates. When I would get a notification that I had numerous updates, I would always skip updating the Fitbit app due to all that's been going on with the Charge 5. Even so, when I opened the app to sync my Fitbit one morning I was greeting with a totally new look, which of course was the new app. I'm positive that I never purposely updated the Fitbit app, but it either was updated by itself or I accidentally updated it without knowing it. 

[Runner115]

That's what happened with me.
I didn't want new app.
It just opened.
If I can't go back to old app, I will get a different tracker.

----

Just done first run since new app was forced on me. The Map is useless and dosnt show were I ran just a line. Whoever devised this app should seek alternative employment because they have ruined a perfectly good app.

[thinka]

I have been a CTO for 15 years. Focus on user experience design.

The new user experience is terrible, and does not follow design principles. Everything is hard to find with similar headings in subheadings. I don’t know where I am.The new user experience is terrible, and does not follow design principles. Everything is hard to find with similar headings in subheadings. I don’t know where I am.

Any time we release a new design we allow users the option to revert back to the original to some extent to not abandon them.

I’m surprised with Fitbit brand they did not consider the same philosophy with their users and rather just have them frustrated. 

It’s a shame really.  The world is getting more complicated with technology and some people just want what they paid for and a team that considers all their users.

We came to Fitbit for Fitbit. We don’t need another Apple 

[MorselA]

I too have android devices and do not allow auto update on my apps. After hearing /reading many complaints I purposely did not update fitbit. Low and behold, Google managed to bypass my settings and push the app update. The new app sucks, hard to use, too much white space, can't see all exercises in a day easily, colors on maps impossible to determine different pace or heart rate. Could go on and on. 

[Lilacsue]

And now my bike rides don’t appear on new app. Nada. I used to love my Fitbit…time to look around for another tracker. This updated app is terrible

[dghamilton]

Agreed. When exercising and using heart rate, if switching to other app, and go back to Fitbit,  the heart rate stops. You have to exit Fitbit and go back in???

[BabsWalt]

I agree. It looks amateur and not user friendly. I want the old one back. May find a different system other than fitbit as this is frustrating to use. 

[katncoach]

Agreed, this update is simply the absolute worst. There is way too much white space and so many faded colors throughout, ouoked with the usually large font, it's hard for the eye to figure out where to look. Not to mention, they no longer allow you to rearrange the boxes based on your preferences for the categories below the main window. You're stuck with how Fitbit determined they should be arranged.  The only option is to turn then on/off, which isn't helpful. I equate this new update to be equally as bad as Fitbit's customer service. Terrible all around and I will not renew my Premium membership and will buy a competitor's watch in the near future. So sad, because I loved my tracker and found the app so easy to use previously.

[BabsWalt]

Thank you. Funny 

[zenbikeshere]

The new UX and design features are terrible and legacy features do not work as before. None of my exercises today were "auto detected" -- this was fairly seamless in the past. And two activities from Peloton were categorized as "walks" (the first was yoga, second was a 30 minute ride). 😂 

 

[Uselessnewapp]

The Fitbit app upgrade has made it useless. 

[Lagribbe]

The new app, at least on my phone, is absolutely terrible. Icons don't show. I just have blank rounds and squares. I can click on some and discover what they mean, but I cannot click on all.

[5c077m]

Any idea where switch to child account to sync their ace is? Or did they just drop the feature entirely. 

100% agree new app is terrible and why is everything so huge?

[go4smith]

These changes are horrible. My subscription auto-renewed & I HATE this new app. How do I get a refund? This new app is totally useless. I get how to use it so that is NOT the issue.