Add a Reply Feature for Texts on Fitbit Ionic

[MatthewF]

Has the Fitbit development team looked into adding a reply feature for text messages?  I know that for me personally, having preset replies like the apple watch would be very useful.  The Ionic is all about being able to leave your phone behind, yet you are unable to reply to text messages.  Adding this would definitely persuade me into buying the Ionic.  I also think that if this were added, texting should be its own app instead of just appearing in the notification center.

[TheMichaelBrand]

Your post has just made me indecisive again haha. I think my gut is telling
me to go with the gear sport.

Honestly, fitness is my main thing about the watch, so that has to come
first. I just brought a TicWatch E which is great but battery life isn't
great due to Android wear and Google Fit doesn't work which makes it
completely useless to me...so annoying.

I honestly loved my Apple Watch and want something to replace it. So maybe
Samsung it is?

Please help 😂🤣.

[bugsysiegel]

I am extremely disappointed. I was an original Kickstarter backer for the Pebble and loved them. I always had the most up to date version. When I heard Fitbit purchased them (their technology), I was anxious to see what was going to come from it. The Ionic is a good try, but it doesn't measure up to the Pebble. I really expected to see some added features. I really didn't expect to see basic features removed. Text replies is among the most basic.

I'm returning my Ionic, today! Keep trying.

[TheMichaelBrand]

Hey pal,

I ended up getting the gear sport like suggested and like I had been looking at however it just didn't work out for me. The screen size annoyed me slightly even though I enjoyed the bezel and the interface just didn't feel right. 

I returned it for the Fitbit and I'm actually enjoying it. It makes me feel like my Apple Watch is there and that I'm getting what I need out of it. I'm also enjoying not having to charge it every day haha! I'm one and a half days in after loads of activity with it which is great.

72% battery which has done an INSANITY LIVE teaching workout, walk, a workout today and a dance class today for 2 hours. Pretty impressed to be honest. My workout tomorrow will probably put me at 50% which will give me plenty more juice for the next few days. 

Anyway, onto topic. As the user before me mentioned, I really hope Fitbit utilise Pebble for what they had. I had one Pebble and it was good (even though I returned it the same day as it wasn't for me), the stuff the Pebble had that Fitbit is lacking is great so I really hope they listen to suggestions like this and implement a smart keyboard with text replies. I don't really care about phone calls and stuff. 

For the price its lacking basic features, even though it seems like a great watch so far. 

[LarrySernyk]

It looks like the new Versa will be able to do quick replies to texts (Android only) with a future update. I assume that will also be available for the Ionic. See https://www.fitbit.com/versa. Versa looks nice but does not have built-in GPS but rather connects to phone's GPS.

[JayJay_de]

Fully correct. It seems that this feature could be a part of the OS Update.

Hopefully with all the features which are announced with the Fitbit Versa.

[awesomethe1st]

I have a Fitbit ionic and I really wish I could reply to texts on it.

[NellyG]

Preset text replys are coming soon! End of April or May I believe

[Tonerz]

I just did the latest software update for my Ionic. I am still not seeing text replies as of yet. If anyone does, please post!! 

[sfringer]

@Tonerz I have updated firmware and the quick replies are there if you are paired with an Android device. The feature is not available for iPhones.

When you receive a message in a supported app, if you tap the message on the Ionic you will get two buttons; "Reply" and "Clear". Tapping "Reply" brings up the five canned replies you can use. You can edit the canned replies in the Android app.

[michaelte]

What firmware are you on that allows that. My Ionic is on 27.32.4.19.

[sfringer]

I just received the latest update to 27.32.10.15 that @MattFitbit announced last evening.

[michaelte]

Is there a way to get it or is it just a wait until they get to me? It's
currently not available to me in the FitBit app.

[sfringer]

@michaelte it's just a matter of waiting until your turn comes along.

[Tonerz]

I have the latest software update as well that was released last night. I have an android phone and my regular text messaging that goes to my Ionic doesn't have the text replies, nor does Hangouts. Hmmm. Guess I'll just keep watching and maybe messing with the app a little? 

[sfringer]

@Tonerz did you also get an update to the Android app? I'm not sure if that's required, but I received an update to the app yesterday as well. When I tap the icon of my Ionic in the app and then choose Notifications, there's an option for "Quick Replies". This is where you can edit the reply choices and such.

[Tonerz]

Yes, I just double checked the app and it is up to date as well, just did the latest update the other night. I went into the settings and notifications and seen the quick reply options and saw where you can input different responses. I changed a couple responses, then also synced my Fitbit afterwards. The texts that come through show up with different colors than before and the emails showing up in a red, but am still not seeing a "reply" button! Only a "Clear All" button. I'll have to keep messing with it to see if it'll change someday. 😕

[sfringer]

@Tonerz you need to tap an individual message to get "Reply" to appear (as well as an individual "Clear" button). Have you tried that?

[Tonerz]

Haha, yes, I have tapped the individual message ten times and even swiped both directions, just to see if anything would work, lol. 

[sfringer]

Bummer. I'm out of ideas - sorry you're having such struggles with this.

[Tonerz]

Thanks for all your help, regardless!!!