Charge 3 loses GPS connection

[S_TP]

As of recently, the GPS connection on my Charge 3 has stopped working.

1. It takes ages to connect (says "connecting" while my phone is saying "connected GPS running")

2. once it has connected, and I put my phone away, it takes about 40 seconds before Charge loses the GPS connection. If only finds it again if I reopen the app, but after 40 secs it's gone again. This keeps happening, and I never have more than 40 seconds of GPS logging.

I've restarted my phone, the Bluetooth on my phone, and the Charge 3 several times. Problem remains. I've checked that the battery optimization setting on the phone, and it is not optimizing Fitbit.
My phone is a Sony Xperia Compact XZ2 and I'm running Android 10. Can anyone help me?

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[AlejandraFitbit]

Welcome to the Community, @S_TP.

Thanks for troubleshooting this GPS issue. Upon checking with our support team, I was told that you have already contacted them. I know they will be glad to help you out and provide you a solution, just keep an eye on your inbox for further assistance.

In the meantime, let me know if you need anything else.

[prairieboy]

Interested in what you learn about this.  My chatge 3 and Samsung S20 plus do the same thing.  Charge 3 just sticke on "connecting", phone says gps connected running.

Haven't had a map of my walk in nearly a month.

[PatG_84]

Same issue. Here's what happens:

1. Phone in pocket with FitBit app closed.

2. Swipe clock --> select excersise --> Anything

3. Charge 3 says connecting indefinately.

4. Open FitBit app on phone, charge 3 instantly connects.

5. Leave FitBit app open on phone but lock phone.

6. Charge 3 states "Connection Lost"

GPS is allowed to run all the time with the FitBit app and battery optimizations are disabled.

Everytime the FitBit application takes an update the above situation happens.

Here's steps I've taken to troubleshoot:

1. Autoupdate FitBit app = GPS no long works, Charge 3 becomes disconnected once app is closed. (This never used to happen)

2. Delete userdata from Charge 3 and reboot Charge 3.

3. Delete FitBit app (OnePlus 6T) and reinstall.

4. Re-pair Charge 3 through FitBit app.

5. Issue is not solved.

Android app is on latest version 3.31.1 (20243529)

[fritzmom]

My Charge 3 is still on firmware 1.63.5 

It has NEVER connected to GPS on my phone FROM the Charge 3 Exercise Walk, unless I have the app open on my iphone.

The only time I ever see a GPS map is when I start tracking the Walk from the iphone app itself.

Not to say that the GPS is accurate, it’s not, but the map does show where I’ve gone. 

[PatG_84]

Not sure what revision of the Charge 3 you have but in Settings --> About I see the following information:

Version: 2820001.88.11

Under Regulatory I see the following information:

Model: FB410

Hope that helps. After a long reset I've gotten it to work again. The app does not need to be open. I am using an Android so I cannot comment on an iPhone.

[S_TP]

So it turned out that it was my phone that was blocking the Fitbit app, after it had reverted to some sort of default setting during an update. After carefully examining all settings on my phone, a found a blocking for Fitbit under advanced app settings in my Sony Xperia Compact XZ2. Not under battery optimization settings, as others had suggested. This could probably vary for different phones, so I suggest checking all settings carefully, e.g., app, battery, data saving etc.