Can I sync my Charge 3 with my Mac?

[SunsetRunner]

I just bought my first Fitbit, a Charge 3. I prefer to have the tracker app on my mac rather than my iPhone, so I managed to download the app onto my mac. During the account setup, there was a notification that the app can only be used for the Charge 3 on an iPhone, not on a mac. Is there a simple fix so that I can use the app with my Charge 3 on my mac?

Moderator edit: subject for clarity

[AlejandraFitbit]

Welcome to the Community @SunsetRunner.

Regarding your inquiry, if your Mac have the Bluetooth option, you should be able to pair your tracker with it without a problem. If you are having issues, follow the instructions provide in the help article Why can't I set up my Fitbit device?.

Let me know the outcome.  

[evelena]

That is not correct.  While setting up your new device the instructions clearly say that the Charge 3 can NOT be synced to your mac, only to a mobile device.  If I had known this from the start I would NEVER have purchased the Charge 3.

[AlejandraFitbit]

Thanks for the participation @evelena.

I appreciate the feedback about syncing the Charge 3 with computers, I took the liberty and searched for a request like this but didn't find any. Feel free to visit our feature suggestions board and share your ideas.

Catch you later. 

[JesseAy]

evelena is correct.  I just got a new Fitbit Charge 3 for Christmas.  When using the Fitbit Connect software, there is NO OPTION  for syncing to a Mac, and the window clearly says the Charge 3 can only be synced to a mobile device.   I am pretty tech savvy, and I have to say at present I am pretty disgusted that a tech company provides conflicting and incorrect information to customers.  Does Fitbit know if the device they sell works with a Mac or don't they?  No excuse for providing customers with conflicting information (the box says it will sync, so my wife bought it.  Then when we go to set it up, the Fitbit Connect software says it will not sync.)

[Wita]

I too got a Charge 3 for Christmas and have been syncing on my MacBook Air since that time.   The process has been erratic and has required several re-sync’s.   Sometimes Fitbit Connect asks you to sync again, and yet the Dashboard has the latest data.   Sometimes I sync. using my Dongle and sometimes via Bluetooth.  No particular method is 100% reliable.  I have a macbook under OSX Mojave.   I sense that the signal strength from the Charge 3 is weak, leading to “try again” responses, but syncing has a better chance to suceeding if:
(a).  the MacBook power cable is in place, and
(b).  the Charge 3 is connected to its charging cable and plugged into the MacBook.   
(c).  no other bluetooth devices are close (not that I have any I know of).

So, it does work but it is erratic and time-consuming.   I think it is not only quite wrong of Fitbit to say the Charge 3 works with a “Mac”, and also that after all this time they can’t improve matters.  On the other hand, the Charge 3 seems like a pretty nice device.

[Studiobird]

Unbelievable that in 2019 we can't sync a fitbit with a Mac. I just bought two yesterday, one for me and one for my partner. We prefer using macs over phones because we run businesses from home and because of the issue I'm returning both to the store today. This is the third disappointment I've had with fitbit. And the last.

[Wita]

I am syncing my Fitbit 3 with a MacBook Air via blue tooth. Often I must have both the power cable plugged into the Air and the Fitbit on its charging cable. I sense that the Bluetooth signal is not strong on either the MacBook or on the Charge 3. Sometimes it is also necessary to turn the Air’s Bluetooth OFF and then ON again. Once or twice I also re-booted my MacBook. I only sync. using the MB Air and have done so successfully for about 6 months. Before that It was a real problem, but a new Charge 3, and perhaps new firmware on the Charge 3 solved matters. So, syncing can be done reliably using a Charge 3 and a Mac, but it seems a strong Bluetooth signal is necessary.

Wita

[Peter414]

You can synch the fitbit 3 to your phone and then synch fitbit 3 on your phone to your IMAC using a wired connection.

[SunsetRunner]

I am trying to revive a Charge 3. It is no longer available in the Fitbit app as connected device (unpaired/removed device as part of troubleshooting). The screen of the device stays black. After a reset, I get a smiley face, but it doesn't load anything after that. Wanted to try to sync it with my Mac instead and see if I could get the status of the device. There is no way of pairing/syncing a Charge 3 with your Mac. The Mac app does show the Charge 2 (which I had before and which did connect with my Mac), but says that the Charge 3 can only be paired/synced with the app on your phone. It is indeed different from what's advertised on the box.

[Wita]

While it seems completely clear that Apple and Fitbit are making little effort to support the Charge 3, I am still able to sync my Charge 3 via my MB Air, using bluetooth and WiFi, and FitBit Connect 2.0.2.7241 last updated 15 Oct 2019.    I have been travelling a lot these past several weeks and it is clear that problems are greater when with WiFi service is erratic or weak (while on a cruise ship crossing the Pacific, for example).  Best to sync while docked in a Port.  Also crossing the date line, or any time zone creates problems (ship’s time, computer time and Fitbit time are never the same).   I too have found it necessary to reset my Charge 3, by holding down the “button” on the side (while “on charge”), since the device occasionally goes into a bizarre mode.  Nevertheless, I sync. via my Apple computer twice a day.   Once a week, or so, I must  use extreme measures to make that happen, e.g., turn Bluetooth Off and On, and even re-boot my computer.   Not sure why this makes a difference but suspect some kind of network congestion.  Clearly you need to be a persistent, patient, and determined participant.

[PatWright]

I just have a Mac computer, no cell phone. I would like to sync my new Charge 3 with my Mac but I am having trouble getting to the site to set it up. 

[Wita]

In my experience, for best results, try the following:
(a).  Have your Apple computer on power (e.g., have your MacBook plugged in)

(b).  Have your Charge 3 on power (i.e., your Fitbit is off your wrist, sitting by your keyboard--is near your computer's bluetooth signal--and is plugged into a USB port

(c).  If Fitbit Connect fails, turn MAC OS Bluetooth OFF and then ON.

(d).  If Sync still fails, reboot your MAC.

I have never had a failure after this 4-step procedure--that is, since I acquired my Charge 3 early this year.

Generally, I rarely have a failure after following steps (a) and (b).

Finally, never had this kind of problem with my Charge 2, but then I was using OSX 10.13 instead of OSX 10.14

So, the short answer is "Yes you can sync your Charge 3 with your Mac", but both devices should be plugged into charging power, and the Charge 3 should be very close to your computer.   Hope this works for you as well as it does for me.

[Spoida]

Just to add to the Charge 3 disappointment, it also is not compatible with iPad Pro. My wife wanted an upgrade from Charge 2 (worked great!) to Charge 3 and have it synched with either her iPad Pro or MAC. You have to be kidding me that this product can be released like this. As I bought it for her in another country it is now worthless. Unbelievable. Switching her to a Garmin makes a lot more sense!

[JesseAy]

I have had to quit wearing my Fitbit. It causes wrist pain. No, the wrist band was not too tight. (I have been wearing wrist watches for 50 years or more. The pain must be caused by the electronics that read pulse rate. The pain was serious and took a few weeks to disappear after I quit wearing the Fitbit. Pretty obvious the Fitbit was the cause.

[Wita]

Not much I can add to my previous postings.  I don’t know why it is so difficult for the Charge 3 to sync with a MAC, but it can be done—even if it sometimes does require rebooting the MAC.   I only have an iPad-2 and one definitely can’t sync via that device (but understand things are OK with the newer iPads).   I suspect there is a signal interference problem, especially if there are other Bluetooth devices nearby.  I suggest that you try syncing again, with the Charge 3 very close to your MAC and absolutely no other Bluetooth devices within say 20 feet, and with the Fitbit device connected to its charging cable.   I have sucessfully sync’d my Charge 3 every morning using only my MacBook Air, under Mojave, for more than 9 months, but sometimes it can be a bit of work (see earlier postings)

[SunsetRunner]

can you describe how you connected it to your mac? The app does not even show the charge 3. I tried selecting charge 2 and using that to setup my charge 3 but no luck.

[Wita]

Not sure I can describe how I know that my Charge 3 is connected to my MacBook Air via Bluetooth, other than that I know of no other mechanism.   My dongle is not attached (I used to use that with my Charge 2).  I have no other bluetooth devices (actually I have 1, but bluetooth is turned off on my old MotoG).  My Mac Bluetooth does not show any bluetooth devices as existing (although sometimes my Bluetooth Preferences shows the existence of a Charge 3, but not right now and yet I have just finished a Sync).   Perhaps Apple and Fitbit are not instep on this matter?   Sometimes I can't sync, but always have success after re-booting my Mac--perhaps that process clears some background activity that is interfering with WiFi service?

[SunsetRunner]

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@Wita wrote:

Not sure I can describe how I know that my Charge 3 is connected to my MacBook Air

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Hi @Wita,

Could it be that you upgraded from an earlier device and that previous settings/preferences were copied to your system? It could explain why there's a connection set up in your situation that new users can't seem to make. I have had no option to link and sync on a Mac. The "small print" just tells me that the Charge 2 is capable of connecting, but it doesn't include the Charge 3. 

[Wita]

Interesting idea, and yes I had a Charge 2 until the end of 2018 and then switched to a Charge 3, that I had bought in November.  For the next 3 months I had a problem syncing my new device and in March Fitbit replaced it under warranty.   Since that time my newer Charge 3 has worked, though it takes, determination, patience and persistence if you want to succeed.   I charge up my device every morning, since I had difficulty syncing when the battery level was below 80%.    Clearly Apple and Fitbit are not in step in solving (identifying the real cause of) the problem.  Still, you are right, I did upgrade from a 2 to a 3 and also upgraded my MacOS in late 2018.   I sincerely hope Fitbit can guide you and perhaps reset the firmware on your Charge 3, so that you can at least limp along like I do.