Fitbit app running in background

[HilaryZ]

I’m trying to use google maps with the Charge 6. I press the Start button on Google maps, then the Charge 6 says ‘To start navigation make sure Google Maps is running on both your devices’. I can’t get further than this. I’ve read somewhere that the Fitbit app has to be running in the background, but I don’t know how to do this. Thanks

[LZeeW]

Hello @HilaryZ and welcome to the Community.  Here is a link to Fitbit's Help article: How do I use Google Maps on my Fitbit device?  The How to start section is expanded for you.  You must set the route in Google maps on your phone, then you can start it on your Fitbit.  Both apps must be running in the background.

[HilaryZ]

Thanks. It worked once, then I started getting the ‘Google Maps couldn’t connect to the Fitbit app on your phone’ message. I’m also getting the Fitbit message ‘One or more apps couldn’t be installed message’. This is all rather complicated ……

[drm1978]

I know this is an old thread, but did it ever get resolved? I just "upgraded" my Fitbit Inspire which I had for YEARS with no issue to a brand new Fitbit Charge 6 (purchased on 11/6/25), but I've already encountered problems, one of which is exactly the one HilaryZ points out. Even with Google Maps and the Fitbit app running on my iPhone 14, I get the error message that "Google Maps couldn't connect to the Fitbit app on your phone". I tried the different GPS settings on the Charge 6 (Dynamic vs. Phone vs. Built-In) but with no effect. I restarted the Charge 6...no impact. I restarted my iPhone...no impact. At this point, I'm not sure that it works at all. Help please!!! (Oh, by the way, I followed the instructions in the "How do I use Google Maps on my Fitbit Device?" link above.)

-Dave (Gambrills, MD)