Can I sync with VPN?

[HangmanA]

I started using a VPN yesterday.  It appears that I need to turn the VPN off to sync my Ionic with my phone.  I'm also getting poor sleep stats this morning.  Is there some kind of work-around where my Ionic will work with my iPhone while the VPN is operating?  Anybody have any suggestions?

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity

[HangmanA]

I closed the VPN down and synced.  Everything was fine.  Started the VPN back up and synced.  Everything worked fine.  I guess it just needed to learn that I was me...

[SunsetRunner]

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@HangmanA wrote:

I closed the VPN down and synced.  Everything was fine.  Started the VPN back up and synced.  Everything worked fine.  I guess it just needed to learn that I was me...

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Great!  We agree that you is you.   I didn't think there was any reason why it wouldn't work in a VPN but was reluctant to say so since I had no way to test it. 

[MarreFitbit]

Welcome to the Fitbit Community @HangmanA! I'm glad to hear that you're back on track my friend. 

If you've had this experience, it may be the result of malicious traffic uncovered from the IP address used in your VPN connection, identified as a potential risk to our site. This activity may be the result of an infected or compromised device also accessing our site from the same IP address. Alternatively, this may be the result of another malicious user who is also connecting to Fitbit through the same VPN service. In those situations, the IP block is intended to protect Fitbit and its customers from additional malicious traffic.

If you encounter similar issues in the future, our recommendation is to attempt syncing via a different connection or on another network. You may also wish to contact your VPN provider to explain that you've had a difficult experience connecting to Fitbit as a result of other malicious users sharing the VPN service. ​ 

Thanks for your help @SunsetRunner! 

[DennisWilliams7]

well I am using FastestVPN on my device and I can easily sync with the phone maybe there is an issue in your VPN which you are using because there is a feature of VPN.

[TheBardOfTysoe]

Thanks, @MarreFitbit, for your extremely helpful answer… – which I was pointed to by “George G. and the Fitbit Team” just a few short hours after contacting Fitbit Support with a similar problem! Great service all-round!

[MarreFitbit]

Welcome on board @TheBardOfTysoe!  Anytime, I'm glad to hear my answer was helpful. 

In case you have some spare time, I would like to invite you to visit our Discussions board where you will find great tips and encouragement from other members and if there's anything else I can do for you, please keep me posted!

[alicesalsy]

Hi there. I've seen the 'malicious traffic' point a couple of times as an explanation for this, but I'm afraid I really don't think that's the issue. I'm using Qustodio to limit my son's screen time. With Qustodio active (which uses VPN) I can't even get the Fitbit app to get beyond the welcome screen on my son's iPad. When I turn Qustodio off, everything is fine. It's a real problem as we got the Fitbit as my son has Epilepsy - he needs to wear a medical alert bracelet but doesn't want to, and we purchased the Fitbit plus a customised tag to go on it to encourage him. We've turned Qustodio off for the time being, but that's not a long term solution. I've checked with Qustodio and there is no reason Fitbit should be blocked. I've mentioned it to a couple of other parents and they say they have had exactly the same problem with various VPN based parental control apps and Fitbit. Has anyone found a work around?

[PMiley]

I am also having these issues and after speaking to FitBit support, they advised to raise a Suggested Feature ticket, which i have done here: https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Feature-Suggestions/Allow-Fitbit-Access-through-a-VPN-on-Mobile-App/... and as a Modorator has said, it needs up votes before being taken seriously ...

[Airedale]

Same problem here using Norton360.  Finally found answer from Norton (3+ hours),  Fitbit sync uses your actual location the VPN i use automatically shifts ip location to help hide you.  They say my ip location is something like 400 miles from where I'm actually located.  Apparently as part of its security Fitbit blocks the connection because of difference.  The message i get when the VPN is on and try to sync is no internet connection.  As soon as I turn it off and they have the correct location of ip and it matches works great