Ionic: GPS data not syncing?

[Tim31415]

This morning after dropping off the car at the garage for normal maintenance I had a run to get home.

Switched on the 'run' mode, waited for GPS to be connected and had a decent run through traffic and crossing streets (I remember 4.73 km at a 5'10 pace after I ended the 'run' mode).

After the usual syncing problems (i.e. several attempts needed) my run shows up without GPS data (i.e. only heart rate and steps) in the fitbit app (but also on the desktop version). Does this mean that the GPS data is not transferred, or might there be some sort of problem with the fitbit servers?

Is there a way to recover the GPS data, or does my Ionic now have the same functionality as the Alta HR I previously owned (at 40% of the price)?

Getting more and more annoyed with the Ionic bugs and problems!

[MarreFitbit]

It's nice to see you around the forums @Tim31415! Hmmm... this is very weird my friend. 

Fitbit Ionic has built-in GPS. When you select a GPS exercise, Ionic vibrates when it finds a GPS signal. If Ionic doesn't find a signal immediately, keep in mind that environmental factors including tall buildings, dense forest, steep hills, and even thick cloud cover can interfere with your watch's ability to connect to GPS satellites. 

For best results, wait for Ionic to find the signal before you start your workout. However, if you don't want to wait you can start your workout and GPS tracking begins when Ionic finds a signal. 

Note that Ionic uses your step count to calculate distance until it finds a GPS signal. In this scenario, your total distance calculated for the workout may be slightly less accurate than if GPS data was available for the entire duration. 

To track an exercise:

1. On your watch, open the Exercise app.
2. Swipe to find the exercise of your choice. 
3. Tap the exercise to select it. You’ll see the Let’s Go! screen. If you chose a GPS exercise, you’ll see a satellite icon in the top left as your watch tries to connect to a GPS signal. When your watch says “connected” and the watch vibrates, GPS is connected.
   
4.  Tap the play icon or press the bottom button to begin tracking your exercise. Ionic shows 3 real-time stats of your choice. Swipe the middle stat to scroll through your real-time stats. You can adjust the stats you see in the settings for each exercise.
   
   
   Note: During exercise your progress toward your maximum heart rate is shown on an indicator next to the number of beats per minute. On Ionic, the heart-rate value appears gray if your watch is searching for a stronger reading.
   
5. When you’re done with your workout or want to pause, press the bottom button.
6. When prompted, confirm you want to end the workout.
7. Press the top button to see your workout summary.
   
8. Tap Done to close the summary screen. 

Sync your watch to store the workout in your exercise history. There you can find additional stats and see your route if you used GPS.

If you've done exactly as posted above, I'd recommend doing the following:

• Make sure that your Fitbit app is up-to-date (iOS, Android)
• Log out of your Fitbit app
• Force quit the app
• Turn off the Bluetooth
• Shut off your phone and turn it on after 1-2 minutes
• Turn on the Bluetooth
• Log back into your Fitbit app

Give this a go and let me know how it goes! 

[Tim31415]

Thanks for the details on how to operate the run mode. However, I am familiar with that and had already followed all the steps.

After this problem I have restarted my Ionic and my phone. After some time (more than half an hour I believe and a total of ~2 hours after the run) I noticed that the track was available on strava (which I have linked).

In the app the same run is now visible twice: as a run without track data (only heart rate) and as a run with a map (and a spinner). Whenever I tap on either of them I don't see anything. However, on strava everything is fine, so I am halfway happy.

One of the many Ionic idosyncrasies  I guess.