Charge 6 crossed-out phone is a nuisance

[Tierry242]

Since I update the firmware yesterday (v214.22 from February I believe), a symbol representing a crossed-out phone hides the heart rate on the watch. I read it means connexion with the phone. It happens when the app is closed (iOS on iPhone), when the phone is on plane mode, or off, or too far. In short, too often. It’s a real nuisance, because it hides the heart rate after 2 s, and serves no purpose. Doesn’t anyone find it useful ?? furthermore, I’m afraid it means the watch keeps trying to reach the phone, with impact to the battery

[JohnnyRow]

That symbol should go away after a few seconds. As far as if it is trying to reach the phone, showing that symbol has no effect on that.
That status indicator will also show many other useful data, such as if your battery is low, if you accidentally have 'do not disturb' turned on, or if are accidentally in sleep mode.  I have seen at least hundreds of users complaining that their watch won't light up with wrist turn, only to find out they have accidentally turned on 'sleep mode' in quick settings without realizing it.  This status indicator should alert them to this.  I realize perhaps you think 'phone out of range' should not be one of the items included, or perhaps just not when in airplane mode.  I suggest you bring that up in the product feedback section. 
https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Product-Feedback/idb-p/features

[Tierry242]

Thanks. I’ll do that. 

[LZeeW]

@Tierry242   I had those indicators on my Versa 3 and am patiently waiting for this update for my Sense 2.  I never left my phone at home when I used a Versa 3.  My husband doesn't have this on his Fitbit and leaves his phone at home at least once a month.

I never had the feeling that they impacted battery life.  They weren't on the Sense/Versa 3 when they were released and got added in a firmware update.

You can control these in the Settings app on the Sense/Versa 3.  If they really bug you, please look in the Settings app on your Charge 6 (I think you swipe down) and see if you can turn them off.

[Tierry242]

Thanks @LZeeW for good news on battery life.

I found a way in the settings to remove the symbol, but on my Charge6  it means removing all alerts, including low battery symbol, which I find useful.

Which is the most bothering is that even when I have the phone with me and on, the symbol appears : you also need to have the Fitbit app on for it to disappear. Even if you allow background update of the app, it’s not enough. This is what makes me think of a bug in this feature, this and the fact it’s ill placed in hiding the heat rate. 
I must add that I only feel the need of having the connection when synchronizing or exercising, and knowing that I have a connection or not is not a useful input otherwise. 

[LZeeW]

@Tierry242   I saw your post in the Product Feedback forum.  I understand you point about having the Fitbit app open and running in the background.  There is a better way to give feedback about these indicators.  You can do this in the Fitbit app.  Tap on your profile picture, then Send feedback in the drop down.  Please include the name of the clock face you are using.  It's also a better way to report a bug if that phone disconnected symbol is there when you have your app open and running in the background.  Also, any icon is supposed to disappear in three seconds.  Is it working this way for you?

[Tierry242]

I’ll do that @LZeeW. Yes, the symbol disappears after 2 or 3 seconds, but so does the clock (which is expected I believe)

[JohnnyRow]

@Tierry242You can adjust how long the clock display stays on via Settings > Display > Screen Timeout
Setting it too high does takes battery usage but perhaps you could set it to stay on just long enough to see the heart rate after phone symbol goes away.
I know not the solution you are looking for but perhaps some help.

[kiryl_a]

it would have been good to see any kind of:
"hey there, we're introducing a new feature. this weird crossed out phone symbol means this & that"

after the update. ideally, accompanied with:

"here's how to turn it off if it annoys you, because you were fine without it"

[RiekoC]

Hello @Tierry242 , @kiryl_a 

Please see this thread on the same issue (<-- click link) where the Moderator acknowledged the issue and stated that the team is working on fixing the problem.

You might want to post/follow the thread. Often, the Moderators will use a thread to post updates. This will likely be the thread for this issue.