Clarification about the new "Find Phone" feature

[Spikes]

Hi the find phone app only works when the app is open on your phone I’m not sure if that’s was a mistake or what

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[SilviaFitbit · Accepted solution]

@Spikes Welcome back to the Fitbit Community! Thanks for getting in touch about this. 

I'll be happy to clarify your inquiry. In order for the new "Find Phone" feature to work, the Fitbit app needs to be open and running in the background and your watch needs to be connected to your phone's Bluetooth.

I'll be around if you have any additional questions!  

[Spikes]

How come the Fitbit app has to be open, and will there be a update where it will not???

[SilviaFitbit]

@Spikes Thank you for getting back. 

At the moment I don't have information about any upcoming updates to this feature. However we're always striving to improve our services offered, you may want to post your idea in our Feature Suggestion board, those are reviewed by our team and the status will change depending on Fitbit plans. 

I'll be around if you have any additional questions. 

[PaulMe]

@Spikes 

How come the Fitbit app has to be open, and will there be a update where it will not???

It doesn't. In Android 9 the Find Phone works as long as your Ionic is connected to the phone. The Fitbit app doesn't have to be running, as long as you don't FORCE STOP the app. Closing the Fitbit app still has part of it running in the background. Only way to stop it is to FORCE STOP it. FP then won't work. 

Can't vouch for Android 10 or earlier Android versions. Although versions up to and including 8 were better at allowing background apps to run. 

No Idea about iOS.

If you shutdown or restart your phone, interestingly the Find Phone app still runs without having to first open the Fitbit app. This is for Android 9. The more important issue is the reliability of the connection between the Ionic and your phone, as well as distance between the two.

Useful app, but how good will it be when you really need it?

[Spikes]

i don’t have the phone u have I got an iPhone 

[PaulMe]

@Spikes 

i don’t have the phone u have I got an iPhone 

That's why I put in the disclaimer. "No idea about iOS".

Probably something regarding apps running in the background in iOS?