Ionic syncing issue

[PurMar]

A week before Christmas I was given an early present, Ionic. I disconnected my Blaze that was working perfectly. Ever since then I am frustrated with the new FitBit as it simply does not sync as I am used to. Blaze synced on demand, fast and never failed. Ionic takes sometimes half a day or more to sync. I have to manually trigger to sync and maybe after many, many tries, it does download the data. More times than not I get the prompt from FitBit app to restart Bluetooth, something that NEVER happened with Blaze (Galaxy S9). I was used to checking my resting HR in the AM shortly after waking up. Now I can check it in the afternoon if I am lucky. Looking at my HR graph after a gym? Yes, if I have the time to trigger the sync over and over and over. 
I contacted the support and we went through the exercise disconnecting and connecting again. Something I have done before. The same issue...  If I would have my old phone, I would assume it is the problem. In this case, Ionic must be the issue. 
This is my 4th FitBit and I am considering withings as an alternative. 

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity

[Whistler888]

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@PurMar wrote:

A week before Christmas I was given an early present, Ionic. I disconnected my Blaze that was working perfectly. Ever since then I am frustrated with the new FitBit as it simply does not sync as I am used to. Blaze synced on demand, fast and never failed. Ionic takes sometimes half a day or more to sync. I have to manually trigger to sync and maybe after many, many tries, it does download the data. More times than not I get the prompt from FitBit app to restart Bluetooth, something that NEVER happened with Blaze (Galaxy S9). I was used to checking my resting HR in the AM shortly after waking up. Now I can check it in the afternoon if I am lucky. Looking at my HR graph after a gym? Yes, if I have the time to trigger the sync over and over and over. 
I contacted the support and we went through the exercise disconnecting and connecting again. Something I have done before. The same issue...  If I would have my old phone, I would assume it is the problem. In this case, Ionic must be the issue. 
This is my 4th FitBit and I am considering withings as an alternative. 

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Sounds flaky.  Your Ionic should sync right away.  Mine takes about 10 seconds or less.  Very surprised Tech Support was not able to get it going properly or offer you a replacement device.

[SunsetRunner]

@Whistler888 Since 3.0 I have to always unpair the device before sync. Then the chance it will sync is higher. Looks like people report syncing issues after December as after buying a new device it's been forced to update to 3.0. I never had syncing issues until 3.0 so it's more likely to be a firmware issue. Fitbit knows that and I doubt they would replace devices on that basis.

@PurMar you use Android device so try to unpair Ionic from BT ( but not from the app ). Restart the app on the phone and try again. There is a chance it will work. If not, retry as long as you have patience. It's a chore but that's the only way I get Ionic to sync now with my Galaxy S8+ after updating to 3.0. I noticed in the Android logcat logs that very often it reports that "device is busy" when it tries to establish a connection between the phone and Ionic during sync. Hence, unpairing may force disconnecting Ionic.

[Whistler888]

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@SunsetRunner wrote:

@Whistler888 Since 3.0 I have to always unpair the device before sync. Then the chance it will sync is higher. Looks like people report syncing issues after December as after buying a new device it's been forced to update to 3.0. I never had syncing issues until 3.0 so it's more likely to be a firmware issue. Fitbit knows that and I doubt they would replace devices on that basis.....

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Wow that is a complete PITA.  Normal function for me is to open the Fitbit App and it auto-syncs.  If it does not -> would expect Tech Support to make good the problem or offer a replacement device.  Since the device is still under warranty would def expect some proper resolution.  But if out of warranty then probs SOL.

But not being affiliated in any way to Fitbit can only speculate what they should do.

[SunsetRunner]

@Whistler888 there's just one problem - the new device would also have buggy FW 3.0 😉 My device, according to the UK law, has one more year of warranty but I already switched. You see, somehow I can't understand that so many users tolerate endless device replacements. Ok, one replacement. Devices get broken but breaking should be an exception, not a rule. Here I see that some people get 3 or 4 replacements within a short time. It's great Fitbit does replace devices but would be greater if they'd actually work. I probably should get a replacement, too due to issues like broken display and strap, but pushed by somebody who's a moderator here I decided to move on and switch to a competitor and so far it was the best move I've done. We all have the choice. I am not a slave of one brand. I just don't want to see another device with Fitbit logo around after the one I have dies. Probably that's going to be an end of my presence here, too 😉 But not yet...

[Whistler888]

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@SunsetRunner wrote:

@Whistler888 there's just one problem - the new device would also have buggy FW 3.0 😉 My device, according to the UK law, has one more year of warranty but I already switched. You see, somehow I can't understand that so many users tolerate endless device replacements. Ok, one replacement. Devices get broken but breaking should be an exception, not a rule. Here I see that some people get 3 or 4 replacements within a short time. It's great Fitbit does replace devices but would be greater if they'd actually work. I probably should get a replacement, too due to issues like broken display and strap, but pushed by somebody who's a moderator here I decided to move on and switch to a competitor and so far it was the best move I've done. We all have the choice. I am not a slave of one brand. I just don't want to see another device with Fitbit logo around after the one I have dies. Probably that's going to be an end of my presence here, too 😉 But not yet...

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Yep.  They know how to offer replacement devices.  But do not know to make them properly in the first place.  That is the sad truth based on the endless posts of problems on this Help Forum. 

[AlvaroFitbit]

Hello everyone. Sorry to hear that your Ionic isn't syncing with your phone. You can try going to your phone's bluetooth settings and remove all devices listed there. Restart your phone and restart your device. After this try syncing them. Also, if you are using an Android device, check that your app has the necessary permissions (settings > apps > Fitbit > permissions) and make sure bluetooth and location services (GPS) are on. You can find additional instructions here. If the issue persist please let our Support team know. 

Also please be aware that Android users are having issues syncing with Android 9 (Pie), you can check this thread to keep up to date with this.

Let me know how it goes!

[SunsetRunner]

@AlvaroFitbit great advice! Sometimes even works but why do I have to do it before almost EVERY sync attempt? Since 3.0 there is no day without restarting the device, removing BT pairing etc. Eventually, syncing kicks off but looks like for Fitbit going through the troubleshooting a few times a day is considered normal and even solution to the problem. We must know the different meaning of the word "solution". Because of that, I sync my Ionic once, maybe twice a day because it is too much hassle to do it.

[garej704]

I had issues with mine syncing too but was given the "we don't support your phone" answer. Which is a Moto G6. While i was in the chat I went to my Bluetooth settings and added my fitbit as a trusted device and it worked fine after that. To which the agent replied "I'm glad we have got it working properly".....WE? No I got it working properly, might want to add a note to have users who are having issues to try adding as a trusted device. Anyway if yours isn't a trusted device you may want to try that.