Suggestion for walk app

[alex-w]

Hi, I love my Ionic watch I am using it extensively during my rehab.

I use the Walk App regularly to count steps.  Unfortunately, the steps feature is buried under several other features.

it would be great to have the ability to set the default for the walk app to steps.

Thanks

Alex

[Julia_G]

Hi, @alex-w, are you talking about the activities under "Exercise"?

On your app you can change the order in which these appear.  On the app choose your Ionic icon, then scroll down to "Exercise shortcuts".  On Android click on the 3 horizontal lines on the left and drag to reorder.  On iOS select "edit" and drag the horizontal lines to the right and drag to reorder so that walk is at the top.

Be sure to sync your Ionic when you are done.

When you want to start a walk activity, simply swipe left, tap the running man, and walk will come up first.  So it will be just a swipe and one tap.  Easy!

Each exercise also has settings for you to choose what you see on the screen.  On the walk section click the gear icon (top left) and choose customize stats.  You can select Top stat (which for you will be steps, it seems), Middle stat, and bottom stat.  On the middle stat you can always swipe to see the other stats.

Once you have made the selection, steps will be the biggest and the first thing you see while walking -- not hidden!  Also you can set the screen to be always on, if you want, although that will reduce battery life.

I hope this answers your question.

[alex-w]

Thank you so much for this.  I have done as you suggested and now I have it just the way I like it!

Regards,

Alex

[Julia_G]

Hi, @alex-w, glad that worked for you, and thanks for marking the post as the solution.  Happy walking, and good luck with the rehab!

[alex-w]

Just like to add one finding that you may be able to explain.

Earlier on I had assigned the top right button to the WALK app since I use it so often.

I noticed that when I use this feature the WALK settings revert back to the default!

I tried using the swipe and tap on WALK and my settings remain.  It may be a glitch but it has be baffled.

In any case, I will use the swipe and tap from now on!

Thank you once again

Alex

[alex-w]

Spoke too soon 🙂

The default settings are reappearing after about 10 minutes whether I use the swipe and tap or press the top right button and tap.  They do not seem to be permanent.

😞

[Julia_G]

@alex-w, tbh I haven't used this feature in a while.  It certainly USED to work.  I'll test mine in a few minutes and get back to you and let you know if mine are sticking or not...

[mstchilds]

Where is the WALK option, I only see Run and Treadmill?

[Julia_G]

Okay, @alex-w, here is the secret: don't look!  As soon as you go back to the gear icon, everything resets to the defaults.  Instead, set it the way you want it, don't check by going back to the gear icon; justtrust that when you go out for a walk it will still be the way you want it... (It will.)

@mstchilds if you are not seeing "walk" as an exercise option on your Ionic, you will need to add it to your "exercise shortcuts". You do this in your app.  In your app, select your ionic icon and on the next screen choose exercise shortcuts.  You are allowed 7, so if 7 are already there you will have to delete one of them.  To add or delete on iOS choose edit, then - or + .  On Android the instructions are on screen.

[mstchilds]

@Julia_G, thank you soooo much for this tidbit of information. You rock!

--
Tasha

[Julia_G]

Hi, @alex-w, so it seems I am not correct.  While the settings will stick for a *while* if you do not go back into the settings, they do reset after a while, as you have noted.  On my second walk I checked again, and they had reverted to the default.  I agree that this is annoying

So, my second suggestion is leave the middle stats on default, but as soon as you start the walk swipe the screen to steps.  Once you have swiped to steps, it will not change throughout your walk, so you can always see it.

I am not sure whether the reversion to default is a bug or a "feature".  I will try to find out.  Meanwhile you might want to make add a request to the feature request forum to make them "stick".  If you do, post the link here, so others can vote.

[alex-w]

Hi Julia

Yes, I contacted support and they confirmed that there is an error in the software that causes the settings I chose to return to default when the Ionic syncs with the FitBit App.   They told me they are aware of the error and they will correct that soon.  

By experience "soon" with FitBit may mean a year or so, or never, or when they want to sell you a new watch 🙂

So, for now, the only solution is to turn off the "all day sync" option on the iPhone app.   This keeps the settings all day or until you open the FitBit app.

I love the Ionic, but after a few years, I am disappointed by the lack of apps that allow the full features of the watch and the many recurring software errors.  These continue to exist despite the many updates.

Perhaps FitBit should sack the entire software developers team and outsource this side of the business to a more competent company.