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?"

[soccersnaps]

im loving my ionic as it works perfectly, i have an issue however with the patronising way people are dealt with by the moderators who do have issues and look for answers here. 10/10 for the use of "obfuscation"....im loving that ha 

[Misterbit]

Thanks for the thumbs up. I was running in the mountains with mine today. It was doing all the calculations and the Bluetooth music. I was in heaven. So we know it can work. Just paranoid about updates or putting more music on.

"Life is good" ⚽️

[John1206]

I signed in this morning just to confirm that nothing has been done - so for the first time in a long time, I get to say "Way to go Fitbit!  You met expectations!"

Second, @Misterbit while I am glad you are enjoying the device now that you have it working - and I love how you continue to try and be positive - how sad a commentary is it that you are afraid to change anything?  Today's technology should not be akin to moving a block in Jenga.

Finally, they didn't take into account Daylight Savings Time on trackers?  Didn't Microsoft have this figured out prior to Y2K?????

[LMN908]

I've followed these instructions step by step, have my computer and fitbit both connected to the same 2.4 GHz network (with a strong signal) and still can't get past the "looking for your iconic" message. Very frustrating. if there are any updates or tricks, would be nice to know.

[smbeach1107]

The I get this message I reboot my computer, usually works after that.

[Misterbit]

In my previous posts I referred everyone to Carlos' article. Please find
his post and attachment. It is very conscientious. It is the best
consolidated information yet on getting through the fussy steps of the
transfer process. In my own experience i recommend you turn off every
single Bluetooth device within a mile of where you are doing your transfer.
I mean it; even your phone connected to the hands free car Bluetooth in the
garage. Also, although the new software update from Ionic doesn't mention
that it addresses music transfer issues, I think I would download it,
before trying again. At this point you have nothing to lose. Last. If you
get a "searching" or "lost network connection" error message close out of
the desktop app, and start over. Others have recommended you reset the
watch, but I did not have to do that. The app will eventually access your
playlists. Also if the transfer appears to be stuck, wait about 5 minutes
or more, and all of a sudden the desktop Fitbit app will show your
playlists. Then mark an X on the playlist you want to transfer to the app,
and then wait another 5 minutes or so and you will see a greyed out line at
the top of the window. This indicates the area in your watch that your
music will eventually go. It also shows you whether there is enough room
in the watch for the music you are trying to load. It should hold about
300- 400 songs, but I put my music on as 4 or 5, 40 - 70 song playlists for
fear the whole thing would crash. The process is ridiculous, but can be
rewarding, as the end product has remarkable sound quality and shuffle
plays MP3's quite well. Wave files or unauthorized files can trip up the
transfer process too and make it the FB app lock up.

I hope this helps, but it sounds like every user has different problems.
For what it is worth to all users, Although I was reluctant to do so, I
downloaded the Fitbit software update today, because my typical sleep and
exercise regimens seemed to be hung up syncing from watch to phone. FYI
---THE NEW FITBIT SOFTWARE DOWNLOAD DID NOT DELETE MY MUSIC! And I assume
all is well, but haven't done any new work outs or syncing to be sure.


*"life is good"*

[LMN908]

Thanks for your suggestions - much appreciated, but I have followed those instructions exactly. I also turned off all bluetooth devices in the house. Still no go - I can't get beyond "Looking for you ionic". 

[theinternetlife]

I'm frustrated by the music option but otherwise, I quite dig my Ionic. New apps are popping up and anyway, this article is unfair. They are talking about a market shift, not the frustrations you might have with the Ionic.

[theinternetlife]

I think Fitbit will get it fixed. In the meantime, it's the only watch at this pricepoint that has 2.5 gb of music storage, and despite some early struggles, I can now run with my tunes. I think we need to give Fitbit a bit longer to roll out a better music transfer.

[Misterbit]

What article are you referring to?

*"life is good"*

[SunsetRunner]

This is a reply to the original post on page 1

Hello, I tried the instructions with no luck. In my case I had music on the Ionic already and just could not get the Ionic to stay connected to start a transfer to revise my ITunes playlist.

Solution

I had done this in the past and was successful - I went to my IPhone and “removed music” function then synced my phone to watch to remove music then went back to PC and I was able to get my playlist revised via transfer process.  The downside is I had to re do the transfer and wait overnight, but I was ok with that. 

[Steve69]

Just got the Ionic. Seems to be a good product. But the software is terriable. I admit I dont know much about this. But I hope the same people writing instructions are not the same for the software. From the few things I have seen there is always an error with the instructions.  Why cant they just hire a high school kid for a day to rewrite this.

This is just another example. Your step #5 

"In the Fitbit app go to Account/Media/Manage Wi-fi Networks and remove all saved networks"

Went to the fitbit app from my laptop. Then went to accounts but do not have an option for Media.

Just up top options are Dashboard - Challenges - Guidance - Community - Notifications

No place is there Media. No need for them to make this that difficult.

After a lot of time looking and remembering I found other mistakes, I start to assume the instructions are wrong and look elsewhere. Then it was easy to find.

You go to the fitbit app and there is a button for Media. Dont look under accounts you will not find it. And you have to click on ... on the top to find out what the icons are for. Like accounts, media... since it could not be simple enough to just list the names.

[steven.pino]

I have the same issue-

Did they ever help you or even get back to you on a solution?

[Misterbit]

No, unfortunately, the only recommendation I got was from the community
here, and a re-set was recommended, but I'm worried I will lose all my
music and be unable to download more. I think i'm just going to have to
live with it. Thanks for your inquiry.


*"life is good"*

[maggyt2]

I have gotten nothing but do a hard reset which will delete everything and basically put it back to brand new.  This didn't work the first time, I'm not doing it a second time.  Everything they have told me to do I have done twice and it didn't fix the issue.  Still no music so I'll just continue to work out with my phone as my music and track with the fitbit.

[LMN908]

I was finally able to transfer music after talking with Fitbit support, but frankly they didn't suggest anything different than what I had already tried, with the exception of plugging the USB charging cable into my computer's USB port to keep the watch charged during the transfer (not sure why that would make a difference, as it doesn't interface with the computer.) Basically restarted my computer, phone and watch, removed all previously remembered networks and reconnected. I did turn off as many bluetooth devices in the house as possible, but I had done that previously and the transfer had failed again. So other than to keep trying, I don't have any specific advice.

When I did finally connect, it took about 50 minutes to transfer 7.5 hours worth of music.

[Misterbit]

Maggie,

Try going to Carlos' post if you haven't already. He has a step by step
list for downloading music. Using his checklist I was able to download a
lot of music. In short, my primary solutions were having to shut off all
blue tooth devices in the vicinity of the watch. The 2nd issue, was that
some of my itunes playists were too long. so I would start with 40 songs or
less, and I had to make sure there was not unauthorized music in the
playlist I was trying to download. The watch simply did not know what to do
with it. Last. After the desktop app found the watch, which took several
tries and backing out and closing the app, I had to wait at least 5 minutes
for the app to show the playlists, then another 5 minutes or so for it to
start downloading the music. I hope this helps. It is very frustrating, as
we all know how cool this watch can be without the quirks.


*"life is good"*

[Misterbit]

Congratulations! You will love this thing once you use this feature in
action.


*"life is good"*

[SunsetRunner]

The main reason to keep the ionic connected to a charging source while
transferring music is because the transfer will abort when the charge is
reduced below a certain level - 25% I think - maybe 50% I don't remember.
This happened to me once.

[Misterbit]

Yes, On all 6 of my playlist downloads to the watch I had it connected tot
he charger.


*"life is good"*