Fitbit Ionic - 'Always On' Screen in workout mode does not work

[FitGuy13]

Is there anything else I need to do to make the screen stay on at all times during workout modes outside of turning on the 'always on' screen in settings?

I enabled that for the swimming workout setting - and still while I swim the screen goes blank. I need it to stay on all the time - is that not what the 'always on' feature does, or did I get a defective phone?

Sidenote: This gps/smartwatch has been a really frustrating experience in the inability to keep the screen on (always) if I choose to. This is a 'watch' first and foremost - I should not have to do wrist flicks, and strategically placed / weird movements of the arm in order to read the time - especially while I am working out.

[ChrisSwim]

Since the March firmware update 27.32.4.19 my watch seems to have the new "feature" where when it it submerged in water the screen goes off.

It also goes off if you place the palm of your hand on the screen or cover most of it with the touch of several fingers. The result is that the always on feature of the workout modes is now broken as although the screen does not timeout and go off, it goes off when submerged or splashed with water or if it comes into contact with your hand or arm etc.

In the pool, once submerged, the screen can be turned back on by pressing the left button, but when starting swimming it just goes off again as my arm enters and exits the water.

My watch definitely did not do this with the previous non Fitbit 2.0 firmware (the latest non 2.0 firmware) as i used to use both the swim and workout modes when swimming and was able to see the workout stats underwater.

[kpschleich]

Is this resolved now. Does the always on work under water?

[b0rker]

since the fw upgrade my watch never stays on in work out mode.  I turn my wrist and the watch goes off.  its annoying

[kpschleich]

Hi Fitbit Customer Support, I hope you are following this. Please change that back in your next update. We want the always on option working while swimming. Battery use is not really an issue because most will not swim much longer than an hour.

[longboardfella]

Well my Ionic just drowned in the lap pool so it's a moot issue.  Fitbit replaced it under warranty but it's a shame - I now just use the flex for lap pool usage as I won't risk the Ionic in water again.  Oh well.

[kpschleich]

Well, that does not sound very convincing. If it is not even water proof?

[kpschleich]

This issue is being constantly discussed on the community in several threads, however with no result and no clear information. During swimming it is essential to be able to check the number of lenghts or distance in the water with an always on screen. It does not make any sense to have to stop and have to fiddle around with your watch.

It is a software problem. Please update urgently! 

https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Ionic/Fitbit-Ionic-Always-On-Screen-in-workout-mode-does-not-work/td...

Please don't send me further copy and paste responses. Please just be so kind and answer the question. There is a lot of customers and potential customers asking the same. If you cannot access the information during exercising without fiddling around, the whole product is pretty useless for many!

[SusieWithKids]

Did you get an answer?  I can’t seem to find the replies to you. So want my watch on all the time. 

[ScottNC]

This recently started happening with my Ionic as well.  Customer support suggested rebooting my watch, but that hasn't resolved the issue.  I plan to call back as this is a critical feature for me.

[cfsc_99]

It used to work correctly (settings) until about 1 week ago. I have since tried with running, treadmill, workout and none of them work; even if the settings is "screen stays on", the screen still goes black after about 1 minute. I tried factory rest, applied the latest update and still the screen goes black

Really, really annoying !!! Seems like a software bug