GPS Not Tracking When Screen Off

[Jbe77]

Until the most recent iOS update, the Fitbit App on my iPhone 11 Pro would accurately track my distance using GPS when I manually started a run.  It would continue to track even when I locked my phone screen. As of the iOS 17.4 update, GPS stops tracking through Fitbit when my screen is locked.  I confirmed that my Fitbit location services are set to “always on,” but it’s still not working.

Anyone else have this issue or a solution?

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Fitbit released an app update three days ago (version 4.13), but unfortunately it didn't address this issue.  It has to be a software problem. I would be interested to know if anyone who hasnt updated their iPhone to ios 17.4 and uses the fitbit app on their phone to track walking/running is having this problem.

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Just curious, did you also update your iPhone with ios 17.4?

[ColtsFanDay]

I posted yesterday that this fix worked.  Well, it was short lived.  My walk last night had the same, bad result.  No tracking (well .25 of 1.04 miles).  Still an issue.

Bryan

[ColtsFanDay]

Make sure it works twice!  Mine worked the first time and then didn't the second day.

[ImpatientMe]

I did these steps and the app has worked the last 3 times I used it.

1. Force close the Fitbit app and delete it from your device.
2. Restart your iPhone. (off/on)
3. Reinstall the Fitbit app from the App Store and log in.
4. On the App tap on the plus icon (+) > Start exercise . Start a run ,
walk or hike, with the app and grant the necessary location permissions.
GPS tracking should now work as expected.

[Jazzymac99]

I have done this several times and it is still not working. I’m losing the will, but thanks. 

[JuanFitbit]

Hi everybody! Thank you all who confirmed that the instructions helped. I've informed our team that this didn't work for everybody! They'll be looking into this to work on a universal solution for everyone. 

We appreciate your patience until this is done. I'll be updating the thread , should I receive further information. 

[Jazzymac99]

Hi Juan

I went for a walk this morning. My Fitbit is linked to Strava, but the link is no longer working. So I set the exercise on my Fitbit and on the Strava app.  As you can see, the Fitbit app recorded the walk completely inaccurately. The first record has been pushed across from Strava app and the second is what Fitbit recorded. When will this be sorted out. 

 

[NicBDA]

Wow it’s been 3 months and Fitbit still hasn’t fixed this issue?? This makes half of the Fitbit tracker worthless. I would have expected this to be a high priority fix.

I foolishly thought the issue was with my old tracker not connecting properly and purchased a new Fitbit, only to discover the same exact problem. If I unlock my phone and let it take a second to refresh, it will record *that single point,* but if I leave my phone screen locked it won’t record anything until I unlock it again, and then it jumps to that spot. As others have said, I’ve been using this app for years with no issues. I’m ready to return this tracker and go purchase from another company, this is absurd.

[paulrln]

Juan, sorry but nothing is fixed, the fitbit app does not register the gps teack properly, when i switch it on from phone it does not work anymore while it did for many years. To switch it on from fitbit, the gps signal is so bad, it tracks maybe 20% of the movement… i  can keep on writing and explaining but something has changed. I use these functions for many years but since 3 weeks it stopped working. This is software related, not about settings or hardware.

[Mavis57]

I have the same problem! My actual Fitbit device logs more miles than the
App and when I complete the walk, the total mileage and steps are based on
the watch but the timing disappears and I can’t get the usual dashboard on
my phone like I would on a laptop!

[JuanFitbit]

Hi everybody ! Thank you for your messages and information. 

Our Team informed me that the issue with the GPS should be solved with the new app update (just released v4.21)

Please update the app. Turn the phone off/on again. 

Let us know over here if you are still having difficulties or it got solved for you .