Question: Automatic Tracked Walk captures GPS data?

[Extreme_One]

Ok so I've manually tracked a walk and the app captured and recorded the GPS data.

All good.

I've had a walk tracked automatically and no GPS data was captured.

Is this just the way it's supposed to work? 

I had assumed GPS data would be captured even if the activity was auto tracked. No?

[Julia_G · Accepted solution]

Hi, @Extreme_One , as you have described it, that is how it is currently supposed to work - if you want to have GPS data for your walk you will need to track it manually - i.e using the exercise app on your Fitbit, and your GPS settings for the app.  If you rely on “SmartTrack” to auto recognize your activity then you will not get the GPS data.  You will note that if you check your settings in the app for auto tracked activities you will see the words “GPS will not be turned on”. 

Your Inspire 3 will now actually launch the exercise app on your device and turn it on automatically if it detects a walk.  This means that it will now estimate your distance (previously it did not).  However, it still does not give you a map.

Having said that, I have noted that Fitbit programmers have recently made a change to the “Outdoor Bike” activity (which also now automatically opens the exercise app on the Inspire 3.  In this case, even though the app also says “GPS will not be turned on” for auto tracked bike rides, in fact I now get a map of my route, so clearly the data has been captured.  So it seems possible to me that they may change this setting for walks as well.  I’ll be interested to see!

[Extreme_One]

Thank you for the detailed response.

One thing you said struck me:

"Your Inspire 3 will now actually launch the exercise app on your device and turn it on automatically if it detects a walk. This means that it will now estimate your distance (previously it did not)."

That definitely didn't happen. My Fitbit remained on the normal home screen throughout my walk, I wasn't even sure it had detected a walk at all. 

It was only when I refreshed the Fitbit app on my phone that I realised the walk had been tracked, however there was no estimated distance recorded. 

I'm on the latest Inspire 3 firmware and the latest version of the Android app. 🤷‍:male_sign:

I guess I'll track my activity manually whenever possible to gather the most data. 

Thanks again for your help. 👍

[Julia_G]

Hi, @Extreme_One , it is interesting that your Inspire 3 is not yet launching the exercise app when it detects a walk.  Mine has been doing that for a while now, so I assume it was from the latest update.  They do release these changes in waves, so it is possible that yours has not yet had that update… In the meantime, I would definitely recommend manual tracking in order to get the full information - especially estimated distance.

[Extreme_One]

So on my walk to Costa this morning I noticed a slight vibration on my wrist, and the exercise app was running and tracking my walk. 

Lo and behold, when I checked the app later the walk was recorded along with the GPS data too. 

Which was nice. 🙂