Flex won't sync with my phone anymore

[jayayuu]

I have a Flex 2 which stopped syncing today.  I use the app on my iPhone.  I removed the device from the app and now trying to reconnect it but my phone isn't recognizing my Fitbit device as a Bluetooth device.  I have told my phone to forget the device; I've also told Bluetooth to forget the device.   I have restarted the Flex 2 in the charging port, by pressing the button 3 times within 5 seconds.  I've done this three times, but still nothing.  So not discoverable, can't add to the app.  Not sure what caused the issue, as it was working just fine as of last evening.  I wear the device all the time, other than charging.  Help!

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[Lana10]

Mine stopped working 2 days ago!  Like you, I have tried everything ... very discouraging.  I use mine thru the app on my laptop (more convenient for me) and a dongle.  Since all attempts to fix on my part have been exhausted (even restarting my laptop), i'm thinking it's on the fitbit networks side???  Hopefully it will start up in a day or so as mysteriously as it disappeared 😞.  If you learn anything new, please advise ... Thanks and Good Luck!

[green2023]

My Flex 2 also stopped syncing as of Monday, around noon.  I use a dongle on my computer and it's been working just fine for years.  The device still works and still counts my steps, but it won't sync anymore.  I just spent time on a support chat with Duverney and he told me that Fitbit is no longer supporting this type of syncing.  He said that it is only being done on a cell phone now.  Since I don't have a smart phone, I can now no longer sync my Fitbit, so although it still tracks my steps, I can't get a weekly update or compete with my friends.  I am thoroughly disappointed with the company for making this terrible decision.  Not everyone owns a smart phone, not everyone wants a giant step-counter on their wrists all the time.  I like the slim Flex 2 and the fact that I can wear it around my ankle instead of my wrist - this is less bothersome when I'm cooking and less cumbersome as well.  I used to enjoy the competition with my friends, to see who would get the most steps in a week.  After being a loyal and happy Fitbit customer for many years, I have very let down.  It's too bad, Fitbit, but you just lost a good customer!

[jmieresj]

The same has happened to my Flex 2. It last synced on Wednesday 3rd May at night and it has stopped syncing with my iPhone. Please share if you hear of a fix. Thanks 🙏🏼 

[Lana10]

I contacted Fitbit and talked with a rep that explained the Fitbit App no longer supports laptop/dongle, etc.  It only supports the Fitbit App on your phone or tablet.  It seems like quite a few of us "Flex 2 users" have experienced this "no sync" problem around the same time, my guess is they have made some changes to their Fitbit App.  I downloaded the fitbit app to my phone yesterday and so far so good!  My suggestion to anyone having a syncing problem is download the app to your phone or tablet ... what's available now might be an updated version????  Good Luck to all!!!

[Lana10]

You might try updating the Fitbit App on your phone ... it seems they have recently made some changes.  I did this yesterday and it is now working for me ... Good Luck!

[jmieresj]

Thanks Lana! I did and then reset it and it is working! Thanks again and best wishes 💕🙏🏼

[jayayuu]

Thanks Lana for the update on the issue.  My app was up to date, so that wasn't my issue.  Weirdly enough, while I was out and about yesterday, I thought, I'll try to "set up the device again", and lo and behold, it worked.  It recognized the Bluetooth, and went through like it was a new device.  All the statistics I had from the "unconnected days" came back.  None of it makes sense as to why it stopped, or why it miraculously was able to reconnect.  I even went and purchased a BRAND NEW Flex 2 off eBay as I wasn't feeling confident this issue would be resolved!  I'm glad it has all worked out.

[Lana10]

Wow!  Good for you!  These devices are crazy and have a mind of their own ... glad it caught up for you and is working now ... Safe running 😎

[Lana10]

Good for you!  Way to go ... Safe Running 😎

[Trae07]

My I phone is no longer recognizing it as a Bluetooth device, can you tell me what you did to fix it? I have tried all the suggestions of restarting phone, holding the button on the back, I love my flex, can you tell me if yours was able to sync to phone? Thanks

[jayayuu]

What a bummer.  I love my Flex also and was discouraged as well.  I did everything you said you've done.  Make sure the app on your phone is up to date though.  Mine was, but that was my last attempt.  Honestly, I believe it had to of been a system issue with FitBit when mine went down.  Because a few days later, when I was out and about, I added the device back through the app on my phone and it recognized it.  Inside my home, and on my wifi, it would not recognize the device as a Bluetooth device.  Being away from wifi and adding it outside my home, did the trick for me.  Was it coincidence?  Not sure.  In the meantime, I did purchase a brand new one off of eBay for a very reasonable price and now have it as a back up in the event this happens again and doesn't connect.  Good Luck.  I hope yours comes back after a few days.

[Lana10]

Glad you are able to sync!  It's such a bummer not to track all of the efforts you make ... glad it's working out for you.  So far, all systems working fine here... i've noticed my fitbit occasionally will sync on it's own without any effort on my part, and when i pull down the home page to refresh it always continues to sync ... technology has a mind of it's own sometimes ... when it works it's great ... and when it doesn't well not so great.  Keep tracking! 😎

[Lana10]

This might be a long shot ... but i have a habit of leaving my phone "on" all the time.  Sometimes when I'm having difficulty with any app not just my flex, I've noticed if i turn my phone off and on again to restart it ... sometimes it seems to refresh the app.  Not sure if this will work for you, but if you have tried all the other fixes, loading and unloading bluetooth etc. ... give it a try!  Might work for you ... kind of like unplugging and plugging in that device at home that seems to need a re-set!  Good Luck ☘️

[LMTMLT]

Do you have a link for the fitbit app

I downloaded the app but they wanted to use my credit card. Is this normal

I clicked on the free version and it still wanted me to verify a credit card.

Any help would be awesome. I use a old android 7 or 8 phone. I not sure if my old phone is compatible with the latest app

I have a newer phone as a backup.. Sigh

[jayayuu]

Well that's interesting.  I believed the app was free, but I use an iPhone.  Could that be the difference?  Not sure.  I've never heard of anyone having to pay for the app though.  That may be a direct question to FitBit if you are able to make that connection.  I have had the app for 7-10 years, but know that I got it in the app store.  Good Luck - perhaps others reading this will be able to give you more insight.

[Lana10]

The fitbit app I have used also for a long time was free at the Play Store ... my phone is older also and an android.  No fee or credit card for the download ... I agree this is a question to call or ask Fitbit about ...

[LZeeW]

@LMTMLT   Your phone must run Android 9 or newer in order to download the Fitbit app.  It is free from the Google Play Store.  Your older phone doesn't get security updates from Google anymore.  You should make your newer phone your primary phone.

[Flips4fun]

@Lana10 and @jayayuu and @green2023 and anyone else!

I was having the same sync problem. My fitbit was obviously counting my steps but it would NOT "properly" sync to my app. I solved the problem by uninstalling the app and installing it on my mom's phone (she just happened to be in the house at the time). I was wondering if the problem was that my phone is pretty old. After installing the app on her phone I set up my flex 2 as a "new" device. Note, I did not ever delete the flex 2 from my profile as this loses data. It connected to her phone with absolutely no issue. Then I reinstalled the app on my phone and went through setup and it connected just fine. This was last night and it is working perfectly today with her phone no longer in the house.

I cannot even begin to tell you why this would work from a tech stand point but it did. I hope it can help one of you resolve your issue!