No internet and syncing

[pohlcat01]

So, I had no idea that the app would not sync data without an internet connection. While on a cruise I did not have access to the fitbit website and this was causing my watch and settings to be unavailable.

Why does the app need internet to connect to the watch that is supposed to be a Bluetooth connection?  I would figure the phone app could store any sync'd data locally until the internet connection is available again... 

[SteveH]

Unfortunately, all the data is held on the fitbit servers rather than on your phone. This is so that if you lose your phone you won't lose all your data.

When you sync you take data from the fitbit and copy it to the fitbit servers so you need bluetooth on for the phone to connect to the fitbit and you need internet access for the phone to connect to the servers.

[pohlcat01]

Yeah, I get that the master data would be on the servers. like you said, if you lose your phone...
Also, you get the ability to access it from any device. 

Caching in the app before going to the servers isn't that risky and probably would alleviate a lot of sync issues people are reporting.  
It would make more sense to put the data in the app and then sync the app with the servers, imo.

In the case of no internet, if something happened to my watch I would lose all my data as well.
Also, while in airplane mode (since the wifi plans were crazy expensive on the ship) I can not interact with my watch at all, change settings like time zone, log water, etc... nothing was working at all. 
loosing historical data for a week is fine, but not being able to control my watch at all was very inconvenient. 

[pohlcat01]

I posted a feature request. Doesn't make sense to loose all control of a local device because you don't have internet connectivity. 

[SteveH]

That sounds like a good idea. Why don't you post a link to it here as this thread may attract voters for the suggestion.

[pohlcat01]

Good Idea. Link if anyone would like to add anything ideas or comments. 

https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Feature-Suggestions/Cache-data-in-the-app-when-internet-is-unavailab...