Charge 2 Syncing help

[Sammael]

Hi there, 

I just upgraded tho Charge 2 and I must say syncing is frustrating to say the least. Here are my issues:

I am on a Desktop that has no bluetooth  - with the Charge HR this was no issue due to the dongle. I assumed the Charge 2 cable took over the role of the dongle, but it doesn't, so no syncing with the pc is possible unless I buy an extra bluetooth dongle, not even when the watch is connected to the cable. Really?

If I upgrade I expect to _at least_ have the same stuff as before. Adding new features while backing up on others, especially when they are so basic, is just inexcusable imo.

I noticed that the desktop app syncs when the phone app is synced. So if I want to check my stats on the desktop, I must first turn on the phone app and sync it - yes, because even though it is set to "always connect", you still have to sync it manually. 

Oh and make sure you have internet, because without internet connection you can't sync either. So what is the bluetooth for anyway? In the helpsection (https://help.fitbit.com/articles/en_US/Help_article/1866/?l=en_US&c=Topics%3ASyncing&p=charge_2&fs=S... -> android devices) it says absolutetely _nothing_ about needing an internet conntection to sync. Wouldn't you say that is basic necessary info when troubleshooting on why the app isn't syncing?

It is very frustrating to be trying to figure out how something so trivial works and finding little to no information. Please be clear on what the bluetooth does, why the internet connection is needed, and how come the cable is there solely to charge, not giving people without BT on their computer any other option than buying an extra device to be able to use it properly.

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[Brin1956]

what phone we have computers not phones.

[Brin1956]

not everyone has a phone.  a cell phone up here costs 100 - 150 dollars a month so i don't own a cell phone.   my house phone is 15 dollars a month.  you have to pair the fitbit program to your bluetooth and it fails everytime without a dongle on the computer.   like customer service has told me this phone was packed with mobile users in mind.  basically this will not work right out of the box on your computer no matter what you do.  

[Lindsay.S]

Brin1956

Your analysis is quite correct.  A Fitbit Charge, will only work with Bluetooth or with a dongle.   My personal belief is the Fitbit could be accused, at least morally, with misleading advertising.

In the fine print somewhere, I did find a clause that I suspect will relieve them of any legal obligation.

.

Having bought the unit, it is quite understandable to feel 'duped' when it doesn't work.  Both pack presentation and advertising has to be improved, or a free dongle should be included.   else fit bit should be asked to explain before the ACCC.

Lindsay S

.

[LindsayS]

Hi Rich_Laue,



Many thanks for your email. My points are:



1. I do not have phone that I can sync a Fitbit with.

2. I wish to look at my Fitbit data on my PC

3. I wish to look at my wife's data on my PC

4. I cannot do items 2 and 3 on my PC

5. I do not wish to but a new phone.

6. Fitbit can be accused of morally misleading advertising for NOT
stating on their packaging and advertising that their product requires a
Bluetooth or a Dongle to download data.

7. I suspect that legally there is some "fine-print' which protects
their legal liability, but morally they do not appear to be doing the
"right" thing by their customers.

8. I suspect that their advertising practices should be referred to
the ACCC.



Enjoy your day



Lindsay S

[LindsayS]

Hi guitardave25



Pleased that you had a dongle to make it work.

We do not all have BT facilities.



Lindsay S

[LindsayS]

Hi Brin1956.



That was my experience.

There is a need for greater transparency in advertising.



Lindsay S

[LindsayS]

Hi Scafe



The main issue that I had with sync'ing was that my computer/telephone was
not Blue Tooth compatible.



I found that all worked well when I used a "dongle" on my PC that I had from
a previous Fitbit device.



Without a Dongle or BT, then it appears that you will be unable to sync with
another device.



Hope that this assists



Lindsay S

[LindsayS]

Hi Jenek,



I never had this issue as my sleeping was always tracked. The only
suggestion that I can make is to ensure that your device is not strapped to
tightly to your wrist. I suspect that the motion sensors and pulse
detectors, may determine your sleep.



Please advise if you have success.



Lindsay S

[Freddie15]

I am trying to set up my Fitbit and all it says is turn on Bluetooth to sync your trackers , how do I do this 

[Brin1956]

first what are you trying to setup bluetooth on, a phone or a laptop running what.

[Freddie15]

Trying to set up a charge 2 on a laptop

Sent from my iPhone

[LindsayS]

Hi Freddie15.



Charge 2 is designed to primarily connect to a device, eg: phone or
computer that is fitted with Bluetooth.

If the device that you wish to connect to does not have Bluetooth fitted,
then it will not download for you.

The only alternative is to purchase or otherwise obtain a dongle.

I had a dongle from another Fitbit and it worked with Charge 2 .

I was then able to carry out data transfers to and from my computer.

.

I went through a lot of frustration coming to my understanding of these
simple facts.

Unfortunately, in my opinion, Fitbit only detail this outcome in their "fine
print".

Is this misleading advertising?

.

Good luck

LindsayS

[LindsayS]

Hi Brin1956.



Charge 2 is designed to primarily connect to a device, eg: phone or
computer that is fitted with Bluetooth.

If the device that you wish to connect to does not have Bluetooth fitted,
then it will not download for you.

The only alternative is to purchase or otherwise obtain a dongle.

I had a dongle from another Fitbit and it worked with Charge 2 .

I was then able to carry out data transfers to and from my computer.

.

I went through a lot of frustration coming to my understanding of these
simple facts.

Unfortunately, in my opinion, Fitbit only detail this outcome in their "fine
print".

Is this misleading advertising, by not presenting prominently the "whole
truth"??

.

Good luck

LindsayS

[LindsayS]

Hi Freddie15.



If your laptop does not have Bluetooth fitted, then do not waste your time
going any further.

There is an assumption by Fitbit and some users that all laptops have
Bluetooth fitted.

It depends how "old" or "new" the laptop is. My laptop does not have
Bluetooth fitted.



Charge 2 is designed to primarily connect to a device, eg: phone or
computer that is fitted with Bluetooth.

If the device that you wish to connect to does not have Bluetooth fitted,
then it will not download for you.

The only alternative is to purchase or otherwise obtain a dongle.

I had a dongle from another Fitbit and it worked with Charge 2 .

I was then able to carry out data transfers to and from my computer.

.

I went through a lot of frustration coming to my understanding of these
simple facts.

Unfortunately, in my opinion, Fitbit only detail this outcome in their "fine
print".

Is this misleading advertising, by not presenting prominently the "whole
truth"??

.

Good luck

LindsayS

[Brin1956]

freddie15

first make sure you don't have bluetooth.   if you are running windows 10 go to your settings.  click on the widows symbol in the bottom lefthand corner.   then on the gear looking symbol above your power off symbol.   under devices you will see the word bluetooth   click on settings and it is a matter of turning it on.  if not displayed your computer doesn't have it.  

[Brin1956]

freddie15

you can also complain very loudly to fitbit and they will send you a dongle for free.  they first like to direct you to the 24.99 plus shipping.   it is also available on ebay for about 5 dollars.  or amazon for 11 dollars.  still this 50 cent item if fitbit supplied them should be included with them but they decided that everyone has a phone now or an old dongle they can use.   i got my free dongle on thursday after waiting 6 weeks.

[Brin1956]

hi freddie15

the fitbit comes with no paper instructions so finding out what to do next is a pain without either bluetooth or a dongle.  you might try asking for one on a free sight online rather than wait for one by snail mail.  there are great food monitoring sites online with a lot more food choices.  some you will be able to sync your fitbit to so you can use their food choices for almost nothing. i use myfitnesspal.com.  a few of the girls use fitbit on there.  

[Lebeda]

I bought my first Fitbit which is the Charge 2, in December 2016.  I don't use a smartphone and planned on syncing the Fitbit with my computer.  Of course I was very disappointed when I got home from the store and realized that I needed a dongle to do that, and a dongle does not come with the Charge 2.  I called Fitbit Customer Service and was told that a dongle would be overnighted to me.  I still think its ridiculous that a dongle doesn't come standard with all Fitbits, but was happy to receive the free dongle when I complained.

[chrysalis101]

Lebeda,
An FYI about using the dongle with your computer. Apparently it can cause problems with some computers.
My previous fitbit came with a dongle which I used to connect it to my computer. I started to have weird computer problems & had to get my computer fixed.
The repair person told me that he's seen a lot of computers coming in for service & that the cause of my computer problem was due to the dongle. He fixed my computer & told me not to use the dongle anymore.

[LindsayS]

Hi Chrysalis101,



Your technician may be right or maybe he does not know any better and hence
directs the issue to Fitbit.

I had no issues with the use of my dongle.



Enjoy your day



LindsayS