Charge 3 Bluetooth connection keeps dropping

[PaulG66]

Hey! Well, searching through the forums it appears like I’m not the only one with this issue.

I have just got a Charge 3 for Xmas, replacing a Surge, paired with an iPhone 6s. Everything seems to be working ok apart from the Bluetooth connection. When the watch is initially set up it works fine, I get notifications.

However, after a few hours or after I have connected to my in car kit, the Bluetooth connection between phone & watch appears to be lost, i no longer receive notifications & I can no longer access the notification menu on the app or select all day sync. When I try to access it I am told I need to pair my phone to the watch before I can use this feature! When I try to set it up I will receive a warning after 5ish minutes informing me the Bluetooth set up has failed! If I go into my phone Bluetooth settings it tells me I have a connection to the watch, but the app disagrees! 

The only way way I can get the notifications working again is if I forget the Bluetooth connection on my phone, forget the Charge 3, uninstall the app & start all over again! This will make the notifications work again, but only for a few hours or until it receives another Bluetooth connection.

To say it’s a pain is an understatement, I have seen people saying it could be down to multiple Bluetooth connections, which strikes me as odd, why can’t this watch & phone handle multiple connections? I only have the one Fitbit synced to the one phone.

I’m not an expert in Bluetooth or Fitbit technology but it seems like the Bluetooth is turning off, for some reason, & the only way to turn it back on is to put  the watch back into set up mode! Is there a menu on the Fitbit to physically turn Bluetooth off & on or put it into pair mode? 

Come on Fitbit, I want to keep & use the Charge 3, but this issue is frustrating, my Surge worked a lot better than this! Is it time to return the Charge 3 & return to the Surge?

Moderator edit: subject for clarity

[ypease]

I agree. I can’t return my at this point. I wear it once in a while to make my husband happy. He meant well and I do appreciate his thoughtfulness.

From my iPad

Moderator edit: personal info removed

[Soupiej]

I got iwatch for Xmas had to purchase apps to get it and o be fitness tracker. Am sending it back tomorrow

Sent from my iPhone

[tpreston]

Sorry to hear that.  My apps transferred from my iPhone, and I’ve got everything I need, plus energy calories and as always steps.  Good luck.

[ypease]

Not all of my apps transferred from my phone to my watch. And some are incompatible. So, I’ve had to work around the issue.

From my iPad

Moderator edit: personal info removed

[Soupiej]

Well I’m really worried now that I bought a Versa lite awaiting its arrival and then have same darn problem. I’ll just return it if I do and be done with Fitbit product line. Thanks for the information.

Sent from my iPhone

[Davyboy007]

I must say that since writing the original post the Fitbit “pebble “ has been replaced Free of charge, and the iPhone Fitbit App updated. The Bluetooth connection is made worse if connecting to the Fitbit alternately with iPad and iPhone therefore I now only connect with my iPhone and the loss of Bluetooth connection is less.

[Soupiej]

I only connect with iPhone.

Sent from my iPhone

[NicolaHowick]

I’m having the exact same problem with Bluetooth dropping off and no notifications and it’s only been since I updated my Fitbit.

I have tried the troubleshooting steps it doesn’t help at all.
Fitbit, Is there anyway I can return this watch for one that works? Or is there going to be a fix brought out?

Thanks,

Nicola

[Soupiej]

Yes lots of responses people having the same issue. I just don’t get it. Some technical bug for sure. I ended up ordering a Versa lite at a discount they offered me but I am afraid it will have the same problem so I most likely will be sending that back and moving to a different product altogether. Ashame I loved my Fitbit when it was working.

Sent from my iPhone

[dgcrawf]

I have had the same problem with bluetooth dropping my Charge 3 every day. And like others, it was working fine before the OS13 update. I have an Apple 11 so the problem is not limited to older phones. 

[Soupiej]

I know so frustrating

Sent from my iPhone

[Jillocharge3]

Sent from my iPhone

[Soupiej]

I have an alta. Love it. Perfect for me. It lost bltht connection. I did everything. And I mean everything. Uninstalled reinstalled alta uninstalled reinstalled Fitbit app turned off Bluetooth turned back on just everything.
My Alta as long as plugged into charger says connected. Battery is at 75 percent. If I remove from charger put on wrist I loose Bluetooth now you tell me. I contacted Fitbit online they sent me discount for newer Fitbit device. Ended up buying Versa lite it lost Bluetooth yesterday! Said I needed to do an update I started up date it took upwards of 20 minutes to complete. Guy told me I had to go to pc with windows 10 to update. I said this is bs I have an 1100 dollar phone and I can’t do an update? So as we were going back and forth something happened on my phone and screen came up as if I were setting up new device. This is so frustrating

Sent from my iPhone

[Jillocharge3]

Sent from my iPhone

[dgcrawf]

I see that you’ve replied twice but not what you’ve said.

[LorettaMS]

Has a fix come out?

[LorettaMS]

Has this been fixed

[Soupiej]

Nope
I ended up having to buy another.

Sent from my iPhone

[dgcrawf]

What did you end up buying?

[tpreston]

Apple Watch series 4 from Costco. (I did not get the one with the phone.)  Works every time with no issues and has never “dropped “ the Bluetooth connection.  It still records steps and much more.  I am happy happy with the purchase and won’t go back o Fitbit.