how to get passive tracking that doesn't dominate screen?

[Susi985]

It's been a while since I last updated the software on my inspire. Is there a way to go back?

Mainly, my question is about recording walks and runs. It use to be that the watch would recognize walks/runs and record the duration passively in the background without dominating the screen.

Now, when it records my walks/runs, the watch face is taken over by the timer and all other functions are blocked out. I need to be able to navigate to see the time and my step count as I want to know if I need to hustle back to the office on my lunch break walks because I'm running out of time, or if I need to pick up the pace to make sure I meet my step goal. I'm not able to do that currently AND have my walk count towards active minutes. Is there any way to fix this?

[Julia_G]

Hi, @Susi985 , no, once you have upgraded it is not possible to return to an earlier version of the software.

It sounds like what you are seeing is a relatively new feature on the Inspire 3 (and some other trackers) where it automatically not just detects your activity (using “SmartTrack”) but actually launches the exercise app for you.  That is why you are seeing the timer and the other exercise app metrics on your screen.  Some people like this, because if the exercise app starts you can get some extra information about your workout - distance is one metric usually asked for - but also, potentially, a GPS map of distance based activities, and more detailed heart rate readings.  For some folks not having to remember to start up the exercise app has been welcome - the Fitbit just does it for them.

The good news is that, although you cannot revert to an earlier version, you can turn this “feature” OFF.  

Once turned off it will revert to your earlier, preferred recording - passive and in the background.  It is important to note that this is different from the app option to turn off auto recognition of activities - it sounds like you want to keep that, where your Fitbit detects your walks and runs in the background and “passively” as you say records them.

What you want to turn off is the Auto start of the exercise app.

You need to do this on the Fitbit itself, not on the app.  On your Inspire 3, from the clock screen swipe left to the exercise screen.  Find “walk” and tap to open, just as you would to manually start an activity.  From the start screen swipe up to find the settings menu for that activity, and then swipe up until you come to “Auto start” .  Once you upgrade that is set to ON.  You need to toggle the button to OFF instead, and then it will revert to the earlier protocols where the exercise app only starts when you manually start it.

It sounds like you will need to do this for the RUN app as well.

However, just so you know, while the exercise app is running it is still possible to see the current time, the pace, and your step account if those are the stats you need most.  Although when the app is running both the top and bottom stats are fixed (current time at the top - quite small print - and time elapsed at the bottom - more small print), the middle stat can be varied by tapping and you can scroll through Pace, Avg Pace, heart rate and zone, calories, steps, time and date, distance (miles or km depending on your settings), and time in activity.  Once you have tapped to choose a setting it will remain the centre stat until you tap again to change it.

I hope this helps.  Please do post again if anything is unclear!