Fitbit Charge 6 keeps losing Bluetooth connection with iPhone

[Niz75]

Hi, I've just got the new charge 6 for nearly 3 weeks now. Previously I had charge 2 and 4. It's a nice upgrade from 4 however the bluetooth connectivity is horrendous! Once a week I get a message to "Forget This Device" from the bluetooth list and pair it again with my iPhone (12 mini). This is such an inconvenience and I never had this issue with my charge 2 and 4. Is there any software update to resolve this issue? Thanks

Moderator edit: format. 

[Watmust]

I had this problem also since buying charge 6 (last half year). It will stay connected to my Android tablet but disconnects from Iphone after few hours.

But since the last app update yesterday(version 4.19) it has not disconnected once.  I did need to reconnect the watch to iPhone once after the update. But all seems fine for now.

[Watmust]

Update:
I had one problem with connecting to iPhone late that day because is was connected to the Android Tablet. It looks like it prefers the Android tablet. So I disconnected it from tablet (it can still sync data from cloud) and removed the connection entirely from the device. Reconnected the Charge 6 to the iPhone again.

Now for two days in row not any disconnect occured yet. I can't say with 100% certainty that its fixed yet. But it looks a lot better than it was.

[Rich_Laue]

One step that helps is to clear the cache for BT and the Fitbit App. 

[kit7777]

Update - the Bluetooth failing to reconnect issue continues even though the software has been updated to Fitbit 4.19 on iOS 17.5.1 on an iPhone SE (2022).
I’ve now had the Charge 6 for 7 months - if you’re reading this before purchasing, I’d recommend buying something more reliable. Fitbit/Google have known of this issue for months and have so far provided no communication, support or resolution. 

---

Clearing the cache only seems to resolve the issue temporarily according to the posts by JP_S on 19 and 22 May in this similar thread - ‘Charge 6 keeps losing Bluetooth connection with iPhone’

 https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Charge-6/Fitbit-Charge-6-keeps-losing-Bluetooth-connection-with-iPho...

[Rich_Laue]

We know there is an issue that affects some iOS users, fitbit has admitted it. However clearing the cache seems to get the watch to sync, at least once. So if your interested in saving of your Fitbit data 

I currently have a Pixel 2 watch, connected to a Pixel 8 pro phone and was unable to sync for 12 days. After trying all suggestions, I gave up and reset the watch, loosing 12 days of instanced data. 

[kit7777]

I haven’t had any issue with syncing the Charge 6 to the iPhone, I can do this manually and it reconnects the Bluetooth automatically when I sync but it still fails to reconnect the Bluetooth automatically after it’s been out of range with the phone.
Please could you link to where Fitbit have admitted the Bluetooth issue? 

[fittybitty3000]

They refuse to fix the Bluetooth connection issue - highly recommend returning. They took so long to send me a replacement Charge 6, which then still had the bluetooth issue, that I could no longer return it. So frustrated.

[J_mizzle]

Hi All - I know this is not what we want to hear.....but I have a semi workaround... I think.     Obviously if you are able to return this garbage do so....but I'm stuck and have posted a while back that I experience the same thing as you all.   And I know this is a pain in the you know what....But....Step 1: every morning I go into my Bluetooth settings on phone to see if the Charge 6 is connected.  If connected, great ...I go to step 2.  If not (which is most of the time) I connect it then go to Step 2.   

Step 2:  I dial a random 1-800 number that picks up to an automated voice menu.  The dialing of the number causes my Fitbit to buzz every time and I find it stays connected all day and I receive the buzz for texts (which is my main thing I need.  I have my phone on silent 98% of the time) and get the  hourly lack of  movement buzzes as well throughout the day.   FYI - The number i dial is a check your tax refund number and it stays in my history to be able to press the next day easily.

YMMV...good luck.

[Brewpaul]

I know this is a triggered topic but I’m hoping I can help someone with a low hanging fruit solution … so don’t kill the messenger.  I found that my issue was my Fitbit was set up for Bluetooth on both my iPhone & Fire tablet (Android). Anytime I was in the same area as my tablet, it booted me off my iPhone and hooked to the tablet.  It might or might not reconnect when I get back outta range of the tablet.  I had no idea  this was happening and was getting extremely frustrated.  As a troubleshoot, I removed the Fitbit app from my Fire tablet and (for me) problem solved!  I pointed it out to a friend and he found out his issue was the same (Samsung tablet booted his iPhone and hooked to the Charge 6).  Good luck everyone … very frustrating problem!

[JCinGeorgia]

I’m curious as to how you check the firmware on your phone app when the problem is the app isn’t connecting to the 6. Our 6 will not connect. Not really able to check the firmware. 

[Cheryl_Lynn]

What is the current status of this issue? I've been following many of the discussions and have tried ALL of the suggestions numerous times. Just today, my Charge 6 has disconnected from my iPhone 15 at least six times! This is extremely frustrating and I don't see anything yet that offers a permanent solution. What is Fitbit doing to resolve ASAP? Thanks. 

[Catdogg]

I’m having the same issue one to three times a week.  My IPhone is 11 and iOS 17.5.1

[Cksims]

I’ve been a Fitbit customer for many years. My Charge 5 broke right ant the wristband connection so I thought, been happy with this I’ll just upgrade to the next one,  and this is the first Fitbit (Charge 6) that I’ve ever had with Bluetooth connection problems. I’ve tried the suggested fixes and nothing works. I’ve had this Charge 6 for a few months and it disconnects from Bluetooth multiple times a day and I, like others, notice when I am no longer getting the notifications on my watch from my phone. It is really disappointing that this is the worst fitbit I have ever owned. I can’t believe, 1 that there has been no actual fix for this and 2 that the company holds strong to the notion that it’s ok. And 3 that they don’t just offer an upgrade to those of us that are stuck with these failing to perform trackers! 

[GFSEA]

iPhone 14 Pro, iOS 17.5.1, Fitbit app 4.21 -- and I don't get call or text notifications from my Charge 6  😞 

Did all the steps suggested here and by a phone agent, still nothing

Very disappointing, Google

[AimeeBD]

They are doing absolutely nothing

[kit7777]

In the past week, I’ve updated the firmware and the app shows it updated on 19 July 2024 but the Bluetooth still fails to reconnect automatically. The issue was reported in this thread snd others in September 2023, has continued to be reported and yet there is still no resolution despite the thread showing as answered. The Charge 6 fails to function as advertised. Fitbit/Google have shown no interest in acknowledging the issue and have offered no solution or refund. I’ve owned Fitbits without any major issue for many years before Google bought out the brand and there was always a quick fix for any issues. Unless you’re happy to manually reconnect the Bluetooth, restart the watch, and miss your phone / WhatsApp notifications several times a day, I can’t recommend you buy a Charge 6. 

[fittybitty3000]

Not sure how many more comments can be added regarding this same issue, but I finally issued a formal complaint against FitBit.

[kit7777]

Excellent! Do you have an email address that we can send complaints to? 

[Jubinda]

Excellent! Thank you! 😊 

[StaceyCutler]

When I leave the Fitbit app open in the background it stays connected to Bluetooth all day. Has anyone else tried this?