Charge 4 saying download or update app to set up

[jerdefox]

I have had a fitbit charge 4 + app that was properly working since the beginning of this year. However since last week i keep getting the message download or update the fitbit app to set up on the tracker.

- I checked the app and it has the latest version (no pink ribbon with updates)

- the tablet with the app on also has the latest update (Galaxy tab A7 with android 11). it also worked from january till last week.

- i tried a hard reset while the charge 4 was in the charging device.

All without succes

- last thing i tried was to go to bluethooth on the tablet, then clicked on my 'charge 4', but it says 'an app is needed to use this device'.

I tried some advice on the other topics, but mostly it concerns new charge 4's, not once that were properly working.

Any other suggestions?

[Rich_Laue · Accepted solution]

You will get this message when trying to connect through the phones Bluetooth @jerdefox 

Your watch is telling you that it needs to be setup. 

Open the fitbit app

Tap on the top left 

Tap add device. 

Say yes to continue. 

[jerdefox]

Thanks for your answer, but it did not yet solve the problem.

The watch has allready been connected with the tablet since january and has registred actions since january until 22 november.

The charge 4 is allready in the list with devices7. However, it says last synchronization was on 22 november. pushing the 'synchronize'-button (2 arrows) doenst work. they turn around 10 seconds and then nothing happens.
The battery-level as stated in the app (half battery) is also not up-to-date with the device (full battery), so connections is really lost.

However anyway if i try to follow your advice, and try to add device it says: 'a fitbit charge 4 is allready connected. Do you want to set up a new device'.

I don't think this is what i want, since i expect all data to get lost.

I tried to find out if it had something to do with bluetooth on the tablet.
The charge 4 seems to be in the list with connected devices.
However, if i push on it in the list, it says: an app is needed to use this device.

I guess this is due to the fact that the device says i need to download or update the app?

[Rich_Laue]

That is exactly what you want to do, if your tracker asking you to do a setup. 

Can't say why, but until you do the setup process, your tracker will not sync. 

Using the replace option should not delete any unsynced data. 

You may have to remove the tracker from the phones blue tooth. 

[jerdefox]

ok this helped me out, thanks!

It might be because of the translation, but in dutch it seemed like i was adding a new device, which stopped me from continueing earlier. If only it said: 'do you want to update or setup a new device' things would have been clear.

Thanks anyway!

[chatblanc7]

Same issue as OP. The suggestions given in Best Answer are appreciated but have been done repeatedly on my end to no avail. In fact, it is after I go through these steps and actually add the Charge 4 (and get the code on the clockface) that the message appears on the clockface while the phone app shows it's 'connecting to Fitbit'

edit: I was not as lucky as OP. As I stated previously, I have already followed (and keep trying) to follow the steps for adding device. Every time I input the code in the app, the 'bar' gets about halfway when it's connecting to Fitbit, then it just stays there saying "Connecting to Fitbit" for a long time until the process aborts itself. All the while on my Charge 4 clockface, it says to Update or Download App to Set Up. 

Everything is the latest version, good wifi connection, Fitbit is charged, etc. 

Been trying to do this for a week.

[fancifulangel]

Following because, same. I realized my tracker hadn't been updating or syncing in about a month so I looked into it. Discovered my phone hadn't been updated, so I tried that. Still nothing. Deleted and installed the app multiple times and am having no luck.

[IBesto]

Anyone have a fix for this. Had to hard reset my phone and I even did the step of un pairing my charge 4. When setting up device in app it keeps giving me the update app after I give it it's digits. Nothing seems to work. I've been so frustrated with the Fitbit experience. I've been using them for 2 years... 

[Cornvalley]

Same issue with my 2 year old charge 4.  Won’t connect now after 2 years.  Did all the steps above and in all the other helpful threads.  Uninstall app, updated app, restarted all devices including the toaster oven, Bluetooth on/off, forget device, force off Fitbit, add new device.  iPad finds the fitbit, 4 digit code appears on fitbit, enter in the app, fitbit displays download or update app for 5 minutes then aborts, app does spools until it tells me it fails.  In the past when this happened, leaving them in this state over night magically solved it and they would connect, but no such luck now.  Bluetooth does show it is connected.  Fitbit help or fix this issue.  

[Marcella2]

This does NOT work. I’ve tried this multiple times today to no avail. 

[Marcella2]

Same issue with my charge 4….very frustrating! 

[Cornvalley]

Well somehow posting on the internet solved my issue.  

I deleted the Fitbit app off another device, turned that devices Bluetooth off.  Then did the whole thing agin on my primary device.  Didn’t work right away, same song and dance.  Put on a show on the tv.  Looked down 15 to 20 minutes later, it had synced and was connected. All good now.  

[Cornvalley]

And 2 days later……won’t sync again.   Garbage device.  Sounds like the charge 5 also has these issues.  I guess it is time to pony up for Apple, at least that stuff works.  

[Rich_Laue]

Is it the tracker, or the phone, or the Internet connection? The phone, is the common point @Cornvalley 

[Cornvalley]

It’s the tracker.  I’ve tried to connect and sync on 2 iPads and a phone.  Deleting and unconnecting on each one before trying on the next. Like I said above.  If finally connected to my new iPad, only to have it not be able to connect the next day.  And still won’t connect today.  Thanks for thinking about my issue