Need help with setup

[maya_]

just bought a Fitbit ionic - doesn't work on it's own,

it seems to force you to get an app,

won't go past the "get started screen",

there is no app on the app store - it's all "find you fitbit" apps.

Where is the app?

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[NellyG]

Have a look at THIS Help Article. Go to Is the Fitbit App free, and it has links as to where to get it (depending on your device) Let us know how you go.

[Ozzie65]

Hi @maya_ - Let us know how the set up goes per @NellyG‘s Comments above. To be clear, no smart watch that I am aware of will work right out of the box. They all require an app and a set up process. Enjoy your Ionic!

[maya_]

1. I buy a $300 fitbit and now I have to buy a new phone, and an old laptop - because my phone old and won't connect to apple store any more and my new mac laptop only has thunderbolt.
2. the community forum doesn't work with safari, so I can ask questions but when I try to log on from the email reply I get a blank page. So I have to reply to this by email directly instead of on the forum.
3. there is no place where I can call someone or even chat with them except twitter direct, where people don't answer for hours.
4. When you search for the fitbit app on the AppStore all you get is "find my fitbit" apps in case you loose your fit bit.
5. I've spent the last 4 hours trying to set this watch up. that's 4 hours I didn't spend with my kids, that's a half a day I lost from work, that's 4 hours I could have been exercising instead of being at the computer trying to start this watch.
6. Yes I'm annoyed - I'm returning the watch.

[maya_]

1. I buy a $300 fitbit and now I have to buy a new phone, and an old laptop - because my old phone won't connect to apple store any more and my new mac laptop only has thunderbolt.
2. the community forum doesn't work with safari, so I can ask questions but when I try to log on from the email reply I get a blank page. So I have to reply to this by email directly instead of on the forum.
3. there is no place where I can call someone or even chat with them except twitter direct, where people don't answer for hours.
4. When you search for the fitbit app on the AppStore all you get is "find my fitbit" apps in case you loose your fit bit.
5. I've spent the last 4 hours trying to set this watch up. that's 4 hours I didn't spend with my kids, that's a half a day I lost from work, that's 4 hours I could have been exercising instead of being at the computer trying to start this watch.
6. Yes I'm annoyed - I'm returning the watch.

[SunsetRunner]

 I have to buy a new phone . . . because my old phone won't connect to apple store any more

How is that Fitbit's problem?

I have to buy an old laptop . . . because my new mac laptop only has thunderbolt.

This isn't relevant to setting up your Fitbit Ionic. (I am assuming you meant to say that your new laptop only has USB-C ports - also irrelevant.)  Nothing in the setup process requires connecting your Fitbit Ionic to your Mac. If you want to do the setup connected to your Mac, get yourself an adapter. You probably  already need one anyways for other devices that you have that don't yet support USB-C.

There's no reason to search for the Fitbit app. As others have pointed out there is a link to it from fitbit.com/setup

"there is no place where I can call someone or even chat with them"

What about the "Live Chat" or "Call Us" options?

You say that you've spent four hours trying to set up your Fitbit Ionic but haven't provided any details about any problems you have encountered. Not even Fitbit customer support will be able to help if you don't provide any details.

[Ozzie65]

Hi @SunsetRunner - I wasn't planning to respond as the original poster already indicated that they were returning the watch - that said, your points are very valid... Thanks!