USING data

[Grace45]

my charge 5 is sucking up my data. Which should I turn off? How do I turn off gps?

[SunsetRunner]

GPS doesn't use data. 

Is Charge 5 your first Fitbit or did you use other Fitbit devices earlier? If the first case the cause of the unusual data consumption might be the Fitbit app itself rather than the tracker, if the second case (but also in the first case) maybe your Fitbit app is downloading the firmware so, when ready, can upload it to the Charge 5.

[Grace45]

Thanks for our thoughts. It’s not my first fit bit but it has many more features than my inspire so I wonder what has gotten turned on. Youre right, it could be the app so i would like to turn off some features. It’s using approximately 300MB for each of the last 3 days compared to 5 or 6MB previously. Not just a one time event. I have a low limit on data. I don’t really need the GPS because I’m in a rather closed environment so I need to know the right setting for it. I think that’s the culprit. 

[SunsetRunner]

GPS is activated only if you start a session using a GPS and, in any case, it doesn't use any data.

I think the problem is in the app so if I were you I would try to logout and login and keep monitoring it.

[Wibby · Accepted solution]

Hello @Grace45 

Are you seeing any maps turn up in your App?  That would be the easiest way of checking whether GPS is on.  I'm attaching a link to information on GPS which should tell you how and where to check whether it's turned on or not.  The main places are in the Settings on your Charge 5 and under Exercise Shortcuts like Run or Walk on your tracker.

GPS 

Also, it might be a good idea to check the App Store or Google Play Store to see if there's an update for the Fitbit App.  There's a new one, 3.55, for iOS and it has bug fixes.  Maybe updating the App could help in your case. 

[Grace45]

Thanks. This link was very specific and helpful.

[Grace45]

Unfortunately, my phone is a bit older and cannot update to 3.55.

[Wibby]

Oh, that's a shame @Grace45  that you're unable to update the App. 

One more thing you could check is whether Location Services on your phone are set to On for the Fitbit App.  In my case, it's set to Never and it doesn't seem to be a problem.  I don't know if that would make a difference, but you never know...

If I need to use GPS, I use the built-in one on my Charge 5 as I leave my phone at home when I jog, so I don't feel I need to set Location Services on for the App.

[Grace45]

I’ll get a new phone but not just yet. I need to figure out exactly what is sucking up my data. I don’t get much to start with, can’t afford any overages. This didn’t happen with my inspire so I am definitely doing something different. 

[Wibby]

Hello again @Grace45 

I just found an article about Data use and Fitbits!  I can't guarantee the reliability of it or anything, but it might be worth checking it out.

It says to try to sync using wifi as much as possible.  It's a bit older, because it talks about Charge 2s but it might help...

Fitbit App Data Usage 

[Grace45]

Thanks. Those are useful numbers. They are surely higher now.