Android app update - Keep Alive Widget?

[SimonRJ]

Just updated the app via the Play store, and now it says I have to have this widget active to allow things to sync in the background?   Now I have this Fitbit symbol on my status bar all the time?

Why oh why?   Everything was syncing just fine on my pixel xl running 8.1

[fluxx]

You can still disable the widget, just go to the settings page of your Ionic in the Android App, scroll to the bottom and there you'll find the option turn it off. 

[Sunniebreeze]

What are the pros and cons of the keep alive widget? I just turned it on, I got the Blaze for my birthday 1-24-18.

[PipsAhoy]

Best I can figure this is just to make it easier to see when the last sync was and easier to force a sync if needed. 

Looks to be a response to the fact that the "always connected" and "all day sync" options don't really work 100% of the time depending on your device. 

Just a bit easier than having to open the app each time you want to check the sync status or force a sync .

[N8teGee]

I believe it's to try and avoid Android/Phone killing the Fitbit apps background process. I think it's more strict now with the introduction of Android 8.X/Oreo.

[SunsetRunner]

Any one else have issues with keep alive widget silencing notification sounds. Pixel w 8.1

[Dinomikeus]

Honestly, the keep widget alive isn't even an option for me anymore. Not sure if this is an error or if they just fixed whatever bug that option was supposed to fix as a work around. Either way, it's nice not having that weird FitBit app banner permanently in my notifications drawer. 

[MBehar]

I'm having this behavior with my Charge 3 in my Pixel 2.

It just started today, after the most recent app update.

I think this is a response to Pie forcing background apps to show a notification while running. This is to show the user what it's running in their phone, and allow more control.

If you pull the notification a little to the side you can get some controls. Click the gear icon and then the i button (top corner) and it'll take you to the App Settings. There you can control the notification settings for this app. It'll even highlight which notification this is. You can then choose to hide or show the notification.

[Deedee1960]

I had the problem on my Android phone of the red number showing up and not being able to get rid of it.  I finally figured it out.  When my phone was on the lock screen, I saw that I had a notification from fitbit.  I simply swiped it off of the lock screen and the number went away.  Finally.  My OCD went into overdrive.  I almost boxed the stupid charge 3 back up and took it back to Wal-Mart.  But I'm okay now.

[Datadude]

I like seeing the Fitbit symbol on my status bar all the time.  How do I get it back?