Transferring Personal Music to Ionic

[ErickFitbit]

Update 10/6/17 -- Thanks for sharing your experiences with attempting to transfer your playlists onto Ionic. After reading through the discussions in this thread, I noticed some users where successful and others not so much.

Users are running into various blockers that are preventing a successful transfer. I've compiled the complications into the following categories:

• Stuck on "Looking for Ionic" message on Fitbit connect even though Ionic/Fitbit App/Computer on same Network) 

Cannot connect unless a force manual IP address for Ionic is done(entering IP address manually)

• Frozen at "Determining Transfer Time" (check out @xTommyG's workaround here)
• Stuck on "Transfer in progress" (try restarting your Ionic and then reestablish Wi-Fi connection on Ionic)
• Ionic won't connect to Wi-Fi (see Why won't my Fitbit watch connect to Wi-Fi? for tips)

I've created a guide to help anyone that's having issues with this. So, without further ado, let's start transferring some music!  

Requirements

• Windows 10 (PC) or Mac computer 
• Wi-Fi capable computer: Must be able to connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi (direct ethernet connections will not work)
• Must connect to a 2.4GHz frequency network (5 GHz frequency is not supported)
• Fitbit Connect Software (Win10/Mac) must be installed
• Ionic battery life must be above 40% to transfer music (Keeping Ionic charging during this process is recommended)
• Create at least 1 playlist of songs or podcasts in iTunes or Windows Media Player to download to your watch. You can also create playlists in the Fitbit Music app using the drag-and-drop feature to add individual tracks. 
• To download music files, they must fall under one of the following audio file types: 
  • Windows 10
    • MP3 files
    • MP4 files with AAC audio
    • WMA files
  • Mac
    • MP3 files
    • AIFF
    • MP4 files with AAC audio

• If you use iTunes, make sure you approve the app to share playlists with your watch: Open iTunes on your computer > Edit > Preferences > Advanced > Share iTunes Library XML with other applications > OK.

 

• For best results, perform this process as close to your router as possible to reduce any interference 

Transfer Music Checklist

1. Restart computer
2. Make sure your computer is connected to a strong Wi-Fi network (note: personal or work network that requires a password to connect is recommended - 2.4 GHz) 
3. Restart phone
4. Restart Ionic
5. In the Fitbit app go to Account/Media/Manage Wi-fi Networks and remove all saved networks
6. Connect back to your Wi-Fi network 
7. Plug-in your watch to charge
8. On your Ionic, tap Music app and then Transfer Music: 
9. Ionic will show this screen when connection is established: 
10. Open Fitbit Connect and click on Manage My Music 
11. When prompted, follow the on-screen instructions on your Mac/PC to choose the playlists you want to download to your watch. After you choose a playlist, the download starts automatically. Download/transfer times vary based on how large your playlist is (was able to download 1 hours worth of music in about 6-8 minutes).

Note: For faster download times, you might want to avoid large playlists. The more songs you transfer under one playlist the longer download times you will experience. Should you run into an issue please let us know where in the process you get stuck.

Thanks everyone for your continued insight and feedback in this thread. I hope all of you Ionic users get transferred, drop your phones on your dressers and start working out to the music you most enjoy, phone free!

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Update 9/28/17 -- The latest version of Fitbit Connect for Mac is now live! The update can now be found on the setup page. Please update if you haven't already so you can start transferring your favorite tunes to your Ionic!

• Download Fitbit Connect for Mac: www.fitbit.com/setup

• Download Fitbit Connect for PC: http://cache.fitbit.com/FitbitConnect/FitbitConnect-v2.0.2.6954-2017-09-28.exe 

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Everyone -- To transfer music with Fitbit Connect, please click the applicable link below to download and install the Fitbit Connect software:

• Download Fitbit Connect for Mac: www.fitbit.com/setup

• Download Fitbit Connect for PC: http://cache.fitbit.com/FitbitConnect/FitbitConnect-v2.0.2.6954-2017-09-28.exe

With the Music app on Fitbit Ionic, you can store and play several hours worth of your favorite songs and podcasts right on your wrist. After you download playlists to your watch, connect Bluetooth headphones or another audio device to listen to your tracks.

You need a Windows 10 PC or a Mac connected to Wi-Fi to download music and podcasts to your watch. Keep in mind you can only transfer files that you own or don’t require a license. 

If you live in the United States, you can also use the Pandora app to download stations to your watch. 

For full instructions, I recommend checking out "How do I listen to music and podcasts on my Fitbit watch?"

[lisors]

I have read through every post and have tried everything (that i understood) to get my music to sync. I'm so disappointed that I have to be a computer geek (and i mean that in a good way) in order to get this to work. (I have officially used the command prompt for the first time ever.) And to have to do that to try to get some kind (ANY!) music on this thing is absolutely ridiculous. I may not be the most tech savvy person, but I'm also not a complete **ahem**. I'm not one who normally posts a lot, especially to complain about stuff...but sheesh. By the way, I STILL DON'T HAVE MUSIC!!!

[hate_windows]

I finally siceeded in getting mucic on my ionic!  I had to switch to a laptop that uses Windows XP.  Then I had to make a playlist using wondows media player so I'd know what a playlist file looks like. The app reads the playlist and slowly loads the songs on the list. Yipee!  Wow... Hours to do this.

[Hendos]

I managed without to much trouble, Wireless enabled PC running Windows 10 and the Fitbit app, Playlist created with Windows Media player, with 200 Mp3s. This took approx 1 hr 30 min. PC and Fitbit about 6 Metres from the router.

[Horsetrails]

Okay, got my ionic yesterday, trying to download music...I've read and tried the entire process from Erikfitibit

I can't get past the "looking for your Ionic" message on manage your music.  HELP very frustrated!

[dermbrian]

To me, the current music transfer scheme requires an almost hobbyist dedication level to the process. Yes, I successfully put about 2 gigs of music on my watch. Once. Since then, I just haven't been up to the effort required to update it. Drag-and-drop would be so much more preferable, especially if you could do it from your phone.

[RodRdz]

This is such an onerous process for something so simple.  None of the so called "smart features" are working on this phone.  It syncs up to the phone just fine but you_can't_do_anything from the phone app.  Everything has to be done on the PC and apparently, it won't connect to the PC without a Computer Science Masters Degree.  SMDH....

[pointy101]

So decided to give this ago and failed at the first hurdle ,trying to install Fitbit app on my windows 10 laptop and it says this app needs hardware your device does not have so can't install it .

Fit bit who ever thought this was the best way to transfer music,with no fit bit pay either I have basically paid £299 for a fit bit blaze bloody fuming 

[AtlTvlGuy]

That's the first time I've heard that you couldn't install the Fitbit app on Win10. Do you have the USB dongle? https://www.fitbit.com/shop/accessories/wireless-sync-dongle Could that perhaps be the issue if you have loaded Fitbit to your laptop vs. your phone.

[chriskerins]

I have to admit, this is the WORST possible music transfer system. One of the main reasons I purchased this watch was to have music on the watch instead of my phone. This is an absolute joke. I playlist of 88 songs taking 4 hours to download. My guess is it's because it's over wifi instead of a direct connect system. Shame on Fitbit for touting a piece of technology that is far from being technologically advanced. I'm almost ashamed to tell people I have this watch. And yes, my watch is fully charged, highspeed internet access, all properly installed and updated, everything done proper. Fitbit needs to address and change this ASAP.

[SallyBrown]

Finally got my music to work. Was able to sync a playlist from groove music once before, but then when trying to connect again, it would never find my ionic, even though it was on my network. I removed the fitbit app that comes from the microsoft store. I then installed the one that is found under PC (not Windows 10 even though I'm running it). Here is the link if you foolishy trust links from people you don't know  https://www.fitbit.com/setup?platform=win  The exe file is FitbitConnect-v2.0.2.6982-2017-10-6.exe. After installing, it asked me to upgrade to the Win10 version, at which point I closed it. Now, in my taskbar (next to the time) I have that little fitbit blue dots in a rotated square symbol, and when I right click it, I have an option to Manage my Music. It pops up with a pic showing that you need your watch in the searching mode (Transfer Music button under music) and says, looking for Ionic. Once it finds it, all is good from there. 

Before, I was trying to use the Fitbit App from the Microstf store, and hoping it would find it, but it doesn't seem to actually locate the watch on a regular basis . Seems like a crap shoot....  This Fitbit Connect app seems to actually search your network for your watch...  

Hey developers, maybe add that feature (one that goes and actively searches your network) to the fitbit app in the Microsoft store?

[Horsetrails]

Humm gonna give this a try, I searched and search for the fitbit connect on the win 10 version, couldn't find it.....thanks for the tip,

[pointy101]

Thank you Sally brown after reading yours here is how I got it to .To Fitbit read this and be ashamed of what a p+++ poor transfer method you have introduced .

I downloaded the filename  you had link for and sided loaded the app( Fitbit connect not the new Fitbit app) on to laptop

Then had to ignore the update needed and access via icon in used icon tray 

Was then able to look for and find device 

Then once found had to create a playlist via windows media player ,did a small one 58 songs ,then synced across,58 songs 48 mins to transfer what a joke ,i always recommend Fitbit to people ,I'll be keeping quiet about the ionic 

[SallyBrown]

Yay! Glad it helped you too. Figured I couldn't let my hours of frustration go unused...

[Greekginger]

I returned mine...it's ridiculous for the price they rushed this to get it
out for Christmas....

[hate_windows]

I wouldn't be so annoyed with it if they had at least provided better instructions on the process..  I don't use playlists so that was one thing.  Another thing was the windows 10 version requirement to run their app.  Could it really be that hard to make the app run on the older windows 10?  Who knows, windows is such a **ahem**.  Smart thing would be to just make it appear as a USB thumb drive or a storage appliance on wifi.  I'll keep it, but hope they improve this.  I like that I can swim with it.  It's cool to see it light up under water.

[Butterslostleg]

Fitbit, why would you make something as easy as transferring music onto something so difficult? I'm going on four hours of trying to use your **ahem** interface to load music. ALL I WANT TO DO IS LISTEN TO TOOL WHEN I LIFT!!!! grrrrrr

[hankrunsfast]

Well add me to the list - 4 hours, followed all instructions, using a Mac - still will not connect to transfer music or podcasts. The fitbit connect app can not connect to my ionic.......

[OffRoad-MTB]

So I to have been battling with getting my music onto my Ionic but after a couple of hours of tinkering I think I have a solution for at least some of you guys out there. 

It looks as if you can only transfer 'playlists' to the Ionic that then syncs the music over Wifi onto the watch. You then get to play the list or shuffle the list while you work out. 

I'm running Windows 7 (so I don't think you 'have' to be running Win 10) with iTunes (12.5.5.5). My Music is in a Non-Standard location i.e. its not in the standard windows - Libraries\Music folder. I have it in a specific folder in an area that gets backup up daily. I'm running the latest Fitbit Connect software from the fitbit web site.

I initially found that the Fitbit Connect software would not find my playlists even if I created new ones in iTunes (i believe that other people have had this issue). I think that it might be that these get written into an iTunes file that FBConnect cannot read. What I did then is to do the following: -

In iTunes create a new playlist -> add a selection of music to that playlist however do not make the playlist to big. Why will become apparent when you get this to work and you experience the time it takes for the FitBit app to transfer the actual music to the Ionic... It is horrendously SLOW...!!! 

Next highlight the playlist and in iTunes go to -> File -> Library -> Export Playlist 

save the export file to your iTunes music library (where ever that is) **** At this point please make sure that in the Fitbit Connect windows App that you have edited the 'cog/settings' in the top right hand corner to define where your 'Music' Library actually is on your local hard drive.****

C:\?YourDirectoryorFolder?\Music\iTunes

and save the file as an 'M3U' file extension. - Make sure that you give it a unique name so that you can keep track of multiple playlists. For example i have created several based upon different 'artists' i.e. Ionic-Muse, Ionic-RoyalBlood etc. etc..

You can transfer mulltiple playlists to the Ionic which you can then choose a different playlist based on your pref or workout. 

Now all being well fire up the Fitbit Connect app, connect to your Ionic and it'll do a search for playlists and find all and any 'M3U' available playlists in your - C:\?YourDirectoryorFolder?\Music\iTunes directory/folder.

At this point on hte FB Connect app you can choose with an 'X' the playlist you want to transfer. 

Note..... I mentioned above about keeping your playlists relatively small, I'm thinking about 1-3 albums worth of music per playlist. This is because for around 16 songs it'll take about 20-30 mins to transfer. I did a 150 song playlist as my first and it was going to take over 4 hrs... 

You should be good to go and I hope it works and that this 'guide' for what its worth is easy to follow..

RE - Mac's - I have a Macbook Pro and I'm pretty sure that porting this workaround on that would work as well but I must say I haven't tried it..

[SunsetRunner]

Hi everyone! I, too, was having difficulty transferring music to my Ionic. But one of our posters wrote these instructions. (Below) They are accurate and simple! They worked for me. I struggled with iTunes. I could see my playlists in the Windows 10 Fitbit app, but nothing would download. The trick was to use Windows Media Player. It worked flawlessly the first time!

Another tip -- The Ionic and the PC must both be connected to the same 2.4 mgH wifi, not a 5. We have both set up at home. Switching back to the 2.4 was the start of my success in downloading personal music and Pandora stations.

Carol. 

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@SunsetRunner posted: 

Steps that have worked for me on both Win7 and Win10 devices using LAN and WiFi connected PC:

1. Install the Fitbit Connect app (Download)
2. Use Windows Media Player to create playlists.
3. Open Fitbit Connect app you just installed
4. In Fitbit Connect app click "Manage My Music"
5. Go to Music App on Ionic and select "Transfer Music" and wait for Fitbit Connect to find your Ionic.
6. Fitbit will scan your "Music" folder for playlists. (If it doesn't find the playlist use the Settings menu at the top right to set your music folder, usually "C:\Users\yourusername\Music\Playlists)
7. Click the circle to the right of your playlist and wait, you will get a progress bar at the top with an ETA.

[Allboyz]

I used Windows 7 with Media Player and it took maybe 5 minutes to load 50+ songs.