App Store Bug - Can’t Delete App Once Removed from App Store

[BugFindr]

I have been experiencing a rather annoying bug. At one point last week, there were two versions of the third party calculator app in the App Store. I downloaded one version and went about my day. They looked the same, by the same author, etc and so I picked one and downloaded it. Everything worked great until I went to see other apps and noticed that this app now states “Calculator (REMOVED)”. This means that the author removed this particular app from the App Store. I went back to the App Store and downloaded the other app, also called calculator, and it works fine. No big deal.

The problem comes when trying to delete or uninstall the one that is labeled “Calculator (REMOVED)”. Since this app was removed from the App Store, clicking on it just brings up a blank page with the spinning circle loading logo. Clicking on the one labeled “Calculator”, without the (REMOVED) part, opens up the page just fine and will let you click uninstall and remove it. 

Please see below for pictures outlining all of this.

There is a bug in the App Store where you physically cannot uninstall or remove an app from your Ionic once the app has been removed from the App Store.

I spent a total of 3.5 hours on the phone with the Fitbit Support people trying to get this issue fixed. We tried everything including doing a hard factory reset of the ionic both ways (using the menu in settings then using the 3 button method to make sure it really was done) all while deleting the ionic from my Fitbit app, bluetooth, account etc. As predicted, this did not work at all as once you set it up again, the Fitbit app has a nifty feature of reinstalling all of your apps for you, which I learned includes the ones that were removed from the App Store. 

Unfortunately, due to the bug in the App Store, once an app is removed from the store, it’s page is no longer available and so the button to uninstall the app is no longer available and the app cannot be uninstalled.

I have a case open with Fitbit and was told that I would hear back by Wednesday, but haven’t heard anything. I’m posting here to see if anyone else has any ideas or just to open the issue with the Fitbit folks again and make sure they know about this bug. 

Screenshots:

https://ibb.co/cX2qZG

https://ibb.co/irPLZG

[FlamingBen]

Hi there! I'm having exactly the same problem with exactly the same app, I'm glad I came across this post before going through all those options myself so thank you! 

[BugFindr]

Glad I could help out!

After I posted this in the forums, I did hear back from the team via email. Honestly, they replied like 2 hours after I posted this. Their update is copied below. Basically, they are aware and working on a fix.

"Hello Matthew,

Thank you for contacting us previously about deleting an app from your Ionic watch.

We apologize for the inconvenience that this issue caused you and rest assured that we are doing our best to help you out. We have passed it to our development team and they are currently investigating this to ensure you are able to delete this app and any other app that are removed from the App Gallery in the future.

We don't have an expected time-frame of when this feature will be available but rest assured that we take the feedback from your case to improve the App gallery functionality.

We appreciate your patience and we hope you stay on track with us. Let us know if you have any additional inquiry.

Sincerely,
Hugo R. and the Fitbit Team"

[MattFitbit]

@BugFindr Great to see you on the forums! 

Just wanted to jump in here to thank you for taking the time to report this issue. I can confirm that our team is aware and are working to resolve it. 

I'll be sure to keep you updated as more information becomes available. 

In the meantime, feel free to let me know if you have any questions!

[Romengaccord]

Also experiencing this issue - glad to know it's being worked on.  

[Romengaccord]

This doesn't seem to have been resolved in the latest firmware update.  Has anyone found a work-round to this issue?

[BugFindr]

Not as of yet. Not fixed with the last update. The fitbit builders are aware and working on it though. Just not fixed yet.

My solution was to move that app icon to the very end and just try to forget about it for now.

[SunsetRunner]

I unwittingly added the calculator app yesterday and now cannot delete it or access any other function on my watch. This is tremendously frustrating, and I am nearly on the edge of getting rid of the watch now and returning to the Apple Watch.

Does anyone know how to rid the calculator app?

[BugFindr]

You likely have a different issue if you also "cannot access any other function" of the watch. Sounds like a soft reset would work to fix this problem. You hold the left button with the bottom right button together to do this.

You shouldn't have the same problem adding the calculator app from the store yesterday. That one was not removed from the app store as in the pictures and not on my original post.

A soft reset likely will let you access the watch.

[SunsetRunner]

I must admit I tried both soft and hard resets several times which made no difference I was left with the pesky calculator each time.

[SantiR]

Hello all! Thanks for your continuous participation on this thread regarding this situation.

As you already know, the Fitbit team is aware and are working to resolve it.

I'll be sure to keep you updated as more information becomes available.

@SunsetRunner Welcome to the Fitbit family! Thanks for reporting this situation. It is strange. Are you still experiencing this? What happens when you want to access different apps on your Ionic? Check this helpful article to get the steps on how to uninstall apps from your Ionic. 

Keep me posted! 

[SunsetRunner]

Hi SantiFitbit.

I have resolved the problem, however, at first I could not access any other application on the Ionic. Each time I opened the screen it would automatically open the calculator app with a haptic buzz. I did notice that the background functions worked correctly so steps, stairs, pulse etc were fine, just count access the apps I wanted i.e. for a spin class or walking etc. I have a feeling it may be related to the payment app too which I have now removed the requirement to punch in a code.

[SantiR]

@SunsetRunner Thanks for your reply! I'm glad to hear that you were able to resolve this.

What steps did you took in order to resolve this? I'm sure the Community will find that helpful! 

In the meanwhile,  take a look at the Discussions Board as you will find a lot of interesting things there. Feel free to post on any thread you want. If you are looking for Fitbit friends to compete with on challenges, check this thread to add some! 

Thanks for your insights! Will keep you updated!

Keep me posted!