Unable to get text messages on Fitbit Charge 6

[Theo1212]

I am not receiving text message alerts

Moderator edit: Subject for clarity.

[RiekoC]

Hello @Theo1212 

Have you had a chance to confirm that notifications from your phone have been properly setup? If you would like instructions on how to do this, see page 26 in the Charge 6 manual (<-- click link) Hopefully, this is all you need to do to get text message alerts on your Charge 6.

[RodrigoMFitbit]

@RiekoC Thanks for your help. Much appreciated!

@Theo1212 Welcome to the forums. I will gladly help you receive text notifications on your Fitbit Charge 6. 

In this article you find the instructions to set them up: How do I set up notifications?. There you find a step by step guide to enable notifications on your Charge 6. Hope this helps!

[MrCaboose]

My Charge 6 alerts for text messages sporadically. I’m sure it’s set up correctly or it would never alert. Is anyone else having this issue where sometimes it alerts and sometimes it does not? How do you fix it?

MrCaboose

[kit7777]

Sorry I don't have a solution but I have the same issue with the Charge 6.  WhatsApp, Calendar and phone call alerts work fine.  Text message alerts worked to start with but have since stopped.  I've been using IOS 15.8 since I had the Charge 6 so doesn't seem to be related to an IOS update.   From checking the user guide, do not disturb is off and all notifications & previews are set up correctly on the iPhone.  The Fitbit app is set to allow notifications from calls, text messages and calendar events. I've tried switching Bluetooth off & on again but it doesn't resolve it so still searching for a solution!  

[Ohiogal]

My Charge 6 is doing the same thing.  I have no idea why somethimes it works and sometimes it doesn't  I have checked to make sure the DND is turned off, i synce it, but nothing seems to work.  But then out of the blue, it will start getting test again.

[kit7777]

After trying lots of different options on the app & my phone, I managed to fix mine by restarting the watch. It’s only been a day so I’m not sure it’s a permanent fix but notifications are back! 
On the Charge 6, go to Settings (scroll from the clock face past Wallet / DND to the top option) and tap Settings. Scroll to the bottom of the options to find Restart Device. The screen goes blank then restarts in a few seconds. It says it doesn’t delete any data and sorted out the issues both with notifications not appearing and not vibrating if they did manage to appear.  Hope it helps!

[Ohiogal]

Thank you. I will try that. I was afraid if I did restart it would delete my settings.
Sent from my iPhone

[RiekoC]

Hi @Ohiogal 

Restarting your Charge 6 from the Settings menu or by using the charging cable that came with your device doesn't delete any of your settings or your data.

Restarting a Fitbit is often one of the first troubleshooting steps to try as this process can sometimes get the device "unstuck" and back to working properly. I often restart my Fitbit without any issues.

[kit7777]

Update - Although restarting the Charge 6 sometimes fixed the notifications issue, it's happened repeatedly & I've since discovered that the Charge 6 Bluetooth connection to my iPhone (SE 2022, iOS 17.3.1) frequently fails - on looking in the the Bluetooth list of connected devices on my phone, it shows the Charge 6 as not connected even though it's next to the phone.  Bluetooth connects when the app is opened and syncs my data but fails to reconnect when I've been out of range from my phone.  I only realise it's disconnected when notifications show on the phone but fail to show on the Charge 6.  I'm on the latest firmware with no update offered in the app on iOS 17.3.1.  Switching the Bluetooth off/on or opening the app often reconnects it but as many people have reported issues with Bluetooth / notifications, it's disappointing that as yet Google hasn't been able to provide a fix.

[RodrigoMFitbit]

@kit7777 Thanks for the update and explanation. Based on your explanation, it seems the app is in some kind of "idle" mode and it reconnects until you open it again. If that app is not running, the connection to the device will fail. That is essential for these features. There are there settings on iOS that let the app run in the background without it being closed. It is called "Background App Refresh". You can choose to customize which apps do and don’t have "Background App Refresh" turned on based on your usage habits. Here’s how:

1. Go to Settings > General > Background App Refresh.
2. From the list of apps shown, use the toggle to turn Background App Refresh on or off for each app.

Give it a try!

[kit7777]

Hello! Background App Refresh has been on the whole time but the Bluetooth still fails to reconnect! 

[Ohiogal]

I continue to have syncing problems with my charge 6.   I had a Versa, no problems with anything for the most part, but I have had the charge 6 since end of November.   It loses connection with blue tooth, won’t sync  and when I finally get it to sync, it takes several minutes to complete.  I think the charge 6 has some issues that google/ Fitbit needs to address.   Just my opinion

[wougmat]

I am also having issues, my old fitbit quit receiving text notifications  few week after I got it  Not sure why I trusted buying a new one but now have the charge 6, it worked for about 2 weeks and now is not getting text or phone call notifications and i have tried every solution listed.

[Ohiogal]

I haven’t come up with a solution.  I restart sometimes that works sometimes not.   Just check your Bluetooth setting in your phone.     For no reason it disconnects from my Bluetooth on my phone,  it takes forever to sync on my phone. iPhone 12 max.   I really believe there are some bugs that need to get worked out with the charge 6, if Fitbit  will do it.