Charge 3 won't sync, message saying “Failed to sync device”

[MMNakata]

That is the message I get when I sync.  Is there something I can do to correct this?

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity

[HJ57]

I just got the same problem.  I have an iPhone and use the app to synch.  I have turned the Bluetooth off and on but the problem persists.

[MMNakata]

Thanks for sharing.  My numbers have been off for 2 days.  Would show around 2,000 steps on Fitbit in the morning yet app says 7,000 or 8,000!

[MarreFitbit]

Hi there there @MMNakata and @HJ57, welcome to the Community Forums. Thanks for the details provided about the syncing difficulties you both have been experiencing. 

While reading your posts I was wondering if the syncing issue started happening after updating to iOS 13+? If so, please follow the troubleshooting steps provided in the help article: Why won't my Fitbit device sync?

If the steps don't work, let's try the following:

- Open Settings app on phone
- Scroll down, tap Fitbit -> Toggle Location to 'Always'
- Ensure toggles next to Bluetooth and Background App Refresh are turned ON

Give this a go and let me know the outcome. 

[RobII]

Did some more investigation regarding mine. Found the app on the Android phone had reverted back to "Always Connected" which forced the Charge 3 to the phone. Turning that off allowed the Charge 3 to connect to other devices...

Suspect the firmware in the Charge 3 only allows single persistent connection under those conditions.

[MarreFitbit]

Hi there @RobII, thanks for stopping by and letting us know what worked for you. 

Depending your phone, these tips might make syncing easier:

• Turn on the Always Connected option in the Fitbit app. This setting improves the Bluetooth connection between your phone and Fitbit device. Note that turning on this feature may cause the battery on your Fitbit device to drain more quickly than normal.
• Turn on All-Day Sync in the Fitbit app. This setting prompts your Fitbit device to periodically sync with the Fitbit app but may shorten battery life on your phone or Fitbit device.

You should enable “Always connected” if you experience issues like the ones below when syncing and receiving notifications: 

1. Repeatedly sees error message: “Tracker not found”
2. Generally have a low success rate while syncing
3. Unable to set up notifications
4. Receives notifications intermittently
5. Has multiple Bluetooth devices connected to phone and experiences difficulties with syncing/notifications with their Fitbit tracker.

If you have “Always Connected” enabled on your Android device, the tracker will not be detected by another mobile device or a wireless sync dongle. If you want to sync the tracker with a computer or another mobile device, you must disable “Always Connected”, turn off Bluetooth on Android, and, if the issue persists, remove the bond by going to Settings > Bluetooth > Forget/Disconnect tracker.

Let me know if there's anything else I may do to help you.

[Pixiesmum]

Having had this message for a number of days, I've discovered that the phone was on Low Power Mode setting. Changing the Battery settings back to normal has cured the sync issue.

[MarreFitbit]

Hello there @Pixiesmum, thanks for jumping in here. I'm glad to hear that your issue was solved. 😉

I would like to invite you to visit our Discussions board where you will find great tips and encouragement from other members and if there's anything else I can do for you, please keep me posted!

[Pixiesmum]

It wasn't just charging the phone, it was changing the setting via Battery under Settings as it remained on low power mode after I'd charged it. Posting for the benefit of others to check this if they experience something similar.

[TT5051]

That was the fix, Thanks

[Maiduu]

I have the same problem on Android. I am using one plus 5. I tried to refresh, switch on and off the Bluetooth still nothing. Device not found!

First my screen suddenly turned black, u can't see anything, no vibrations, no notification nothing. I tried everything didn't work. I was okay at the end to  just use my phone, now even that can't. It's disappointing really disappointing. 

Help fix this pls