Multiple trackers paired when using Ionic

[Meldrewman]

I have three Fitbit trackers connected to my app - Charge, Blaze and Ionic - which I use in differing circumstances.

I have been using the Ionic since Christmas and, this week it began to have issues syncing - it would constantly disappear from (then reappear in) my iPhone 7's settings and keep flashing beiween Looking/Disconnected/Looking on the Fitbit app.

I tried "Forgetting" in iPhone settings, "Remove Device" in the Fitbit app, restarting the Ionic - nothing worked for ages until it suddenly decided to allow itself to be found!

For most of a day, it mostly performed OK and then, again, began the same behaviour.

After a fruitless exchange of emails Fitbit Support have told me to remove my Blaze from iPhone settings and the Fitbit app and, when I referred them to the help page  ... 

"Can I use more than one Fitbit device with the same account?"

.... I was told "In regard to the article you sent us, we apologize for the information provided there does not apply for the Ionic at this moment, since this is an issue our team is aware of and currently investigating. In the mean time, we advise you to remove the Blaze from the account and check the behavior of the Ionic regarding syncing."

So we appear to be Beta testing a flawed product and Fitbit seemingly have no solution at present, leaving me with a "resolution" that I can't use my Blaze if I want to continue using my Ionic!

Does anyone else have this issue, please? I ask because I still suspect that my Ionic has a fault and hearing of any of you with the problem will assist in any further contact with Fitbit support.

Moderator edit: edited title for clarity

[Colinm39]

After reading and following many issues with syncing for the Ionic, I cannot explain the erratic behavior..  My current "successes" won't help @Meldrewman and @PTPete, but when others read they can get a background to what we do in the community to help others to get meaningful results.

Today my phone is sitting next to the computer, when I open the App it  syncs both devices... within a minute, and, not knowing how Fitbit setup their Cloud Network of servers, I get skeptical because it is just after midnight in California and 7pm here.  Also, I don't know if I have mentioned it here, but, when I'm having sync issues and I create a manual activity on the PC Dashboard it's on the phone Dashboard within a minute.. So the 4G+ network is working perfectly.. The same occurs in reverse.. Phone to PC..

The Ionic is "Always Connected" and the Fitbit One is "not Always Connected".. but everything is syncing within a minute today after the morning episode.

I had my 13 minute sync problem 10 hours ago, first thing this morning. I restarted the Ionic because of this and always start my phone when I wake up..no problems since.. Also today it's syncing without any intervention but I will remove Fitbit Connect on my Windows 7 computer to establish if that's whats going on..  As I look at the phone App both devices synced a moment ago and there was no Fitbit Connect dongle in the computer..  Maybe it's the new Android 8.0.0 with background processing..

I have done some GPS and don't use music and plenty of notifications appear in the Ionic.. Battery is 72%, exactly 48 hours after my Ionic was charged to 94%

My Sony Android Phone is not on Fitbits list...... In my last Support email re the delayed syncing,  I stated that I was having no issues with my phone on all of the other Fitbits,(I didn't want to be whitewashed with, "your phone is not on the list"....... Support replied..

" We're pleased to know that you're able to sync both trackers and the same Android phone works perfectly on all of your Fitbit devices. Our customer's voice has always been essential in the development of our products and rest assured that we'll pass on your feedback regarding phone compatibility."

I have been monitory the battery draw-down of the Ionic and my phone.. Since Android 8, my phone ran down to 15% at midnight, last night, (I haven't done much syncing today). While I had the 13 minute sync issue this morning I was watching the phone battery deplete @ 1/2% every minute. I have a technical appointment with my Telco tomorrow, to run some tests because the Telco thinks its odd that the Network is dragging so much out of the phone when I'm in line of site of the mobile towers and have 100% signal strength.

But when you look at the breakdown there is nothing untowards only the high Telco

[Meldrewman]

We can onyl hope that Fitbit are paying attention to, and drawing inspiration from, the work such as yours to identify the cause of this problem.

If Fitbit's next email says anything trite like their increasingly irritating ...

First of all, we'd like you to know that we highly appreciate the time you have taken by following our suggestions in previous interactions and all your efforts regarding this issue, we really appreciate it. Your satisfaction is our top priority and that's why we are here to continue assisting you.

I don't think I can be held responsible for my actions!

[Meldrewman]

I have reluctantly returned my Ionic to store for a refund.

I have emailed Fitbit asking them how I'll know when the syncing problem is resolved - because, presumably, it's not something which will be widely publcided.

I'll post their response here.

[Colinm39]

@MeldrewmanYou have made the correct choice. I get frustrated trying to help others in the Community when I'm having minimal fuss. Even today my latest App (2.66) was  available for me immediately. Last time I had to wait a week after announcement.

I feel Fitbit are facing the balance between technology and support and revenue is the driver.

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wrote:

I have reluctantly returned my Ionic to store for a refund.

I have emailed Fitbit asking them how I'll know when the syncing problem is resolved - because, presumably, it's not something which will be widely publcided.

I'll post their response here.

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[DramaQueenDiva]

I just keep removing one tracker and adding it when I have sync issues.  I know it's not ideal, but I refuse to create a new account, when it's so much easier to just to have all the trackers tied to one account.

[Colinm39]

@DramaQueenDivaI don't have issues with multi tracker, but, when I read other posts about unpairing and pairing etc.. I get lost..

My Bluetooth pairing on my phone has my motor vehicle link and the Ionic.... no Fitbit One.. But the two Fitbits sync.. The Fitbit One a great deal easier than the Ionic..

In this post, which you may have read already shows my possible connections.  Also my post on the new notifications in Android 8.0.0.

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wrote:

I just keep removing one tracker and adding it when I have sync issues.  I know it's not ideal, but I refuse to create a new account, when it's so much easier to just to have all the trackers tied to one account.

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[S386debbie]

I am having the same issue.  I can't seem to use my Fitbit One with my Ionci.  It does not recognize the One.

[Colinm39]

@S386debbie  I'm sorry you are having issues connecting your Fitbit One.. Always my better tracker for steps but it's probably this time last year since I decoupled my Fitbit One from the Ionic.

I have just charged the One from dead flat and successfully linked, paired and synced. It picked up the steps from the Ionic.  I paired this via the phone...

I always have All Day Sync turned off on both devices, and only have the Ionic set with Always Connected.. I then decide which I want to sync at the end of the day.

You can see my configuration from this message and I have never had any issues on my Sony Android.. and I can't see how I can direct you.

When you try to connect the One does it say Searching etc ?

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@S386debbie wrote:

I am having the same issue.  I can't seem to use my Fitbit One with my Ionci.  It does not recognize the One.

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[Colinm39]

@S386debbieI have just done some more tests for you.  This time reconnecting via the dongle on my PC and both trackers synced.  I switched the Ionic off first, because I had been shopping and the Ionic typically lagged by a few hundred steps.

Syncing the One and then switching the Ionic oon again and syncing it had both trackers with the same step count as the One.

So we should probably get the mods  involved @LanuzaFitbit  has always been helpful in my posts. I have asked for this on the basis I never have problems..

A trick I use is, that when I recharge my Ionic I switch it off first then on again, connect to the charge cable.. I have found that has given me a more stable battery life on the Ionic and smoother syncing etc.. It feels like it cleans out the "cobwebs".. I get typically 6 days battery while not using the GPS.

Also I find I have to turn Bluetooth off on my phone if I'm syncing via the dongle because the dongle never finds the trackers while  trying to sync

[Colinm39]

@S386debbie  I admit defeat now... Both the Ionic and the One gave up on the Syncing..

I was getting messages like "No devices found" and just wheelies on the syncing, even when I turned the Fitbit One off..

Even restarting the phone and the Ionic and clearing the Ionic Cache didn't help.

So I unpaired/deleted the One from the Android and immediately the Ionic synced and now it's back to syncing whenever I open the App..

Therefore my conclusion is that over the months with a few Android App updates there is an issue.. I never had a problem this time last year..

I will just have to accept now that domestic steps have a loss on the Ionic. and won't pair my One..