Built-In GPS on Fitbit Ionic

[jongxk]

Hi there! I have a quick question on the built-in GPS function on the Fitbit Ionic. When I attempt to track an exercise from the Fitbit mobile app for IOS, the red GPS circle shows and it does appear to move in-sync with my movement. However, the map of the area does not load. The map of the area only loads when I switch on my data. As this model of the Fitbit has a built-in GPS, I would think that it should not have to rely on data for map loading. I purchased my Fitbit 3 days ago and thus am not sure if I might be doing something incorrectly. Any advice would be very much appreciated and I thank you all in advance!

[Rich_Laue]

While you are out running, data does not need to be turned on. nor do you even need to have the phone with you. Everything is recorded on the ionic. 

However @jongxk to sync the data to your Fitbit account on the Fitbit server, yes Internet access is needed. Once the tracker is synced, the Fitbit server processes the data from a tracker and stores this data in your online Fitbit account. 

No ionic data is ever saved in the Fitbit app, so yes if you want to view the data and map of an event. At this time Internet access needs to be enabled for your Fitbit app to retrieve the data from your Fitbit account. 

[bbarrera · Accepted solution]

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@jongxk wrote:

Hi there! I have a quick question on the built-in GPS function on the Fitbit Ionic. When I attempt to track an exercise from the Fitbit mobile app for IOS, the red GPS circle shows and it does appear to move in-sync with my movement. However, the map of the area does not load. The map of the area only loads when I switch on my data. As this model of the Fitbit has a built-in GPS, I would think that it should not have to rely on data for map loading. I purchased my Fitbit 3 days ago and thus am not sure if I might be doing something incorrectly. Any advice would be very much appreciated and I thank you all in advance!

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@jongxk It can be a little confusing, especially if you've seen real sport and smartwatches that natively support maps on your wrist. Let me try and explain:

1. On your mobile phone. As you discovered, the Fitbit app does not have offline maps. That is one reason I track with other apps (e.g. RideWithGPS or Gaia GPS), or track rides and hikes with a GPS bike computer.

2. On your Ionic. The Ionic does not have maps. It only records GPS track, then syncs to Fitbit servers via Bluetooth (mobile or computer). Once on the Fitbit servers, you can view the map on the Fitbit dashboard. There are a few 3rd party Ionic apps that show maps, but apps are not allowed to upload GPS or HR to Fitbit servers.

Hope that helps.

[jongxk]

Thank you so much for the detailed explanation @bbarrera! I have a much better understanding now.

[jongxk]

Thank you so much for providing me with a better clarity, @Rich_Laue. It is extremely reassuring. Truly appreciated!

[IonicA]

Hi,

I would really prefer to have the off-line map functionality on the Ionic screen itself. Is there a way to get that working?  I am not using the memory for any music so the storage place is available.

Thanks,

A

[Rich_Laue]

As for as I know the memory for music is reserved for music. If this memory can be used for other purposes, your suggestion would still require a rewriting of the tracking modes.

I haven't looked at it but there is a map app for the ionic, but during a tracking of a run, this app is not available. 

[leljhon]

I’m very disappointed with Fitbit! I changed from an I watch to Fitbit because I liked the run/ GPS tracking. Now there is an issue that is no fault of mine, I am reading in the community support blogs this is a common issue! I’ve had my Fitbit for 14 months and now all Fitbit does is offer a discount on my next watch? I will not buy I watch every year I will go back to the I-watch, and deal with there running apps at least they work.

[Rich_Laue]

@leljhon I'm not sure what the I mentioned issue that your are having is?