Charge 4 music control while running

[rammrayn]

Hiya,

Just went on a run and began logging it as usual. However, there doesn't seem to be a way to then access Spotify controls if the Charge 4 is already logging a run. You can't do both simultaneously as the only way to access back to the main menu is to finish logging your exercise.

Surely this defeats the purpose of having Spotify on the device?

Moderator edit: subject for clarity

[Rich_Laue]

@JamieG2020 yes all the threads point to the same place to add votes. This is because the best choice we have in the community is our vote  

There or other options like Twitter of which both Fitbit support and Fitbit have accounts. 

@yokohiro any updates from Fitbit will be in the top post of the thread we are asking users to vote for, or updates may show up on blog.fitbit.com

[Alvx]

@SunsetRunner 

Was the activity a run?

Can you check the activity history and see if it contains both the GPS map and the heart rate data?

The last time I tried to log a run by starting it from the phone, the heart rate data from my Charge 4 was not automatically integrated into the activity itself.

[AlejandraFitbit]

Hello guys, I hope you are doing fine.

As you know, with Charge 4 you can use Spotify app to control the music playing in the Spotify app on your phone, computer, or other Spotify connect device. Navigate between playlists, like songs, and switch between devices from your Fitbit device. 

Note the following requirements:

• The Spotify app on your Fitbit device doesn’t support offline music playback, so your paired phone must remain nearby with the Fitbit app running in the background and connected to the internet.
• A Spotify Premium subscription is required. For information on Spotify Premium, see spotify.com.
• You must have the Spotify app open on the device playing music. For more information on Spotify Connect, see spotify.com.

To control the Spotify app from your Fitbit device:

1. In the Fitbit app, tab the Today tab  > your profile picture > your device image > Apps.
2. Tap the gear icon   next to Spotify.
3. Tap Log in and follow the on-screen instructions to log in to your Spotify Premium account.
4. Open the Spotify app on your phone or other device and begin playing music.
5. Open the Spotify app on your Fitbit device to control music. Note: On Charge 4, swipe left and right to access different settings.
   • Tap the devices icon  to switch between devices. To see a device, you must have the Spotify app open on that device and be logged in to your account. Up to 8 devices are listed.
   • Tap the shuffle icon  to shuffle the tracks.
   • Tap the heart icon  to like a track.
   • Use the controls to switch playlists and to play, pause, or skip to the next track or previous track.
   • Swipe right to see your 8 most recently played playlists, or tap Library to find the playlists you created, the playlists created for you, and a selection of workout playlists. Tap a playlist to switch to it.

For troubleshooting, your can follow the steps in the article: Why can't I control music with my Fitbit device?.

Let me know if you need anything else. 🙂

[yokohiro]

Thanks for the reply. 

My comment was that the Spotify app cannot be used concurrently with the exercising apps. 

Is Fitbit able to provide a timeline to introduce this feature? 

[SunsetRunner]

@Alvx 
Thanks for the follow up, I checked back, it definitely had the GPS info saved but as noted, with Run/Walks started via the Phone App (Droid) and Spotify on the Fitbit the Heart Rate data does not load in entirely. 

Will follow further in the thread if some more tips found, I don't mind the missync to have the functionality during activity but it may irk those who are tracking all data points closely. 

[AlejandraFitbit]

Thanks for your participation in the Forums.

@yokohiro, the best place to make your voice heard is the feature suggestions board in our community. Please take a moment to visit and give us your feedback. If you find that a similar suggestion has already been made by another member of the community, you can vote for their idea and add your comments.

@SunsetRunner, have you tried the instructions in my previous post? There are steps you need to follow to setup this feature and to make it work while you are working out.

I will catch you later. 🙂

[SunsetRunner]

@AlejandraFitbit  Hi Alejandra,

Just as Yokohiro mentioned, your summary talked straight over the problem that is actually being discussed.  We have actually found a work around and are confirming missing data points if members were to choose to start workouts from their phone app and then still utilize Spotify App exclusively on the Fitibit during their exercise. 

In terms of Feature Suggestion, I think it is as simple as the topic discussion label itself.

"Have the ability to Music Control on your Fitbit 4 while during Activity on the Fitbit 4"

Regards,

[AlejandraFitbit]

Thanks for getting back, @SunsetRunner and for the information.

There is a suggestion about this: Make Spotify accessible during a trackable workout. Go ahead, check it, vote for it and leave your comment.

You can learn more about how Fitbit decides what suggestions get released in our FAQs.

Let me know if you need anything else. 🙂

[scottmabrito]

I just bought a Charge 4.The ability to control Spotify while using an exercise mode is a feature that helped me decide to buy the Charge 4. Although I now find that in Fitbit's mention of  the Spotify feature it doesn't state that it can't be used while in an exercise mode, I mistakenly assumed that this would work while exercising since this IS a fitness tracker. I think when Fitbit says a tracker includes the spotify app this implies that the function can be used while in the process of attaining fitness. In Charge 4 advertisements, descriptions & promotions Fitbit should plainly state that the 2 functions can't be used together OR update the tracker to make it possible.

[Schmidty8620]

Yeah for sure I'm with yah it's kinda no point for the spotify if you can control while logging exercise right? 

[CNQ86]

Also disappointed that moving away from the exercise timer (for instance to bring up Spotify controls) pauses the timer rendering the whole marketing of this device being a “tracker with Spotify control“ a dubious claim.

[-Johanna-]

I'm returning my c4 because of this issue..

[Deechte]

Voted, hope it helps.

How can they live with themselves, marketing a fitness tracker with Spotify controls that don't work when you actually fitness.

[scottmabrito]

If the Fitbit folks read these community posts, they have been made aware of this important omission of fact.  In all advertising & at the point of sale they should display a disclaimer that you can't control Spotify at the same time as using the Fitbit Charge 4 as a tracker or fitness device. That would be the honorable & straightforward step to take to help others avoid buying this tracker. at least partly, because they believe Spotify works while they work out.

[LauraPaura]

Totally agree! I had the same issue. I bought this watch because I thought it would be so helpful to track the run and control music from my wrist, rather than having to fumble with my phone. If I can do only one of these things then what is the point? Cheeky and misleading advertising tbh. Hope this gets sorted.

[Pahuan]

Why would I bought a device integrated with Spotify if I can't use while I'm running. Worst buy ever. I search for info before but I only find this after I bought it. 

[Daffy182]

lol...

Yes we all know how to use the app..

Now tell us how to access the app when... you know... actually doing a workout? 

What a shocking addition to a fitbit. complete waste of a feature - and no, we shouldnt have to upvote basic things. It was clear in the advert they were running whilst changing songs.

year later... doesnt look like it 

Moderator edit: merged reply

[scottmabrito]

As the lyrics to a song go that might be heard if Spotify could be used
while working out: "hello is there anybody in there?"

[Jamie1971]

I'm 50 and just spend maybe 30 minutes searching Google and figuring out how to control spotify from my Fitbit - a really useful feature!

Spotify control will only work when I'm not exercising!!?? WHAT?????

What on earth is the point of the feature, and assigning prime real estate the spotify????

Isn't Fitbit a fitness tracker?

Charge 5 no button, only touchscreen, do Fitbit realize people sweat when they actually exercise? It turned off on 8 successive hot yoga workouts from memory, and close to half my runs, and is useless while swimming.

Also, they dropped the awesome Relax app from the Charge 5.

Why?????

And the User interface is like from the 1990's. It's absolutely awful! If I was Fitbit/Google I'd be embarressed

The Charge fits a good niche in the market - small fitness tracker and I love zone minutes and heart rate categories.

But, other than that it's one of the worst products I've ever owned