Charge 4 saying to download or update Fitbit app

[JOBench200]

Charge 4 keeps telling me to download or update Fitbit app. I already had the app (used it with my Charge 2). To humor device I uninstalled and then reinstalled Fitbit app; unfortunately the result is the same -- Charge 4 tells me to download or update Fitbit app. However, Charge 4 is synced with my laptop where the Fitbit app is...and that updates to show activity as it should... So what do I do to get Charge 4 to show it?

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[Sheldon90]

Do I have to use a phone to get this thing to work? I thought it was working with my computer- but kept getting a message to download the app. I deleted the app I used to have for a different fitbit because I couldn't get Fitbit charge 4 to work. I do not want the app on my phone- so how am I supposed to get this thing to work? This was not a problem with the alta I had- just plugged it into the computer and it set up. What's the deal and how can I get this to work? If I can't get it to work- it is going back. I already spent way too much time trying to figure the thing out. 

[Steltek]

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@Sheldon90 wrote:

Do I have to use a phone to get this thing to work? I thought it was working with my computer- but kept getting a message to download the app.

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Where exactly are you seeing this message? (When does it pop up?)

[jrazz]

How do I download the fit bit app to my new charge 4, while continuing to use my current Charge 3? The only option that comes up on my phone's fitbit setup screen is to switch to Charge 4. I want my Charge 3 to function until my Charge 4 is up and running properly. Help.

[Sheldon90]

When I use the button on the side of the Fitbit, the screen says download or update the Fitbit app to set up. I do have the time and date- that pops up first, then I get the message

[Equi]

You can just Add the Second Device into your App and have Two charges connected.  I had the charge 2 and 4 connected at the same time

[Equi]

U Need the App.how should the tracker send the data to the App Without it? 

[RhonaR]

Okay. In answer to my own post above, as I was satisfied the fitbit 4 was fully charged and the fitbit app on my phone saying the same AND that the fitbit was synced, I decided to try that old trick: re-booting my phone and logging in afresh to the fitbit app.

Having done so, the app told me it recognised a new fitbit 4 and wanted me to connect to it. I started that process and was given a new access code by the fitbit 4. Using that code, the fitbit 4 sprang into action and seems to be working okay now.

I hope this might help someone else. 🙂

[Rich_Laue]

The Fitbit app is needed to setup your tracker to your Fitbit account. 

This Fitbit app may be on the phone or, I've been told the Fitbit app for Win10 will setup the tracker. 

• If the win 10 Fitbit app will not setup the tracker
• Let's install the Fitbit app onto the phone. Setup the Charge 4. 
• Leave the Fitbit app on the phone so that the final version of the Charge 4 firmware can be installed. 
• Once the firmware is installed, turn the phones Bluetooth off
• Open the Fitbit app on the PC. 
• Log in to your Fitbit account. 
• The tracker should then sync. 

Note: some of the data collected by the Charge 4 can only be viewed through the phone version of the Fitbit app. 

[RobFlem]

Are you saying the software will update with additional stuff in 2 days? Im having this same issue, app telling me to update for the spotify app to work. Both are up tp date. I also, like OP, uninstalled and redownload Fitbit. Still not working.

Okay, yes. This is the issue for me then. Thank you.  Will play the wait and see game.

Moderator edit: merged reply

[Rich_Laue]

In a day or two, the app will let you know that their is new firmware for the Charge 4. Install and things will work. 

[Equi]

Yes just wait. Have the app run in the background if possible and the tracker connected. Took 1,5 days for me and then I could install the update

[Hapiface2]

This happened to me too!  Never got the smiley face to appear!

[Hapiface2]

This is same for me too!! I could have written this myself! Deleted weather app thinking I would reinstall and it would work and nope! Now it doesn’t even show! I can’t access settings and can’t get calendar to work. Can’t even reset the Fitbit and get the darn smiley face to show up!

[Jpdbe]

We have now waited 48hrs... no change. How does the firmware get on the fitbit? ie, does it come via the phone, in which case do we need to keep them close to each other? (They were in different rooms for half the time so perhaps that’s why it’s taking so long?)

Info: charge 4 with Motorola G6 phone - the fitbit website says it’s compatible with G5 upwards so should be OK, but thought I’d mention it in case anyone has insight on this particular combination!

[Jpdbe]

We’ve been syncing 2-3 times a day for 3 days now (exactly 48hrs since we began, over 3 days) - still no joy.

The app is working and connecting, but the fitbit screen just says to download etc. We’ve just left it charging the whole time, perhaps we should keep it near the phone?

[Payner1]

What firmware? What a hopeless way to install a new product.

[Equi]

I heard u need to keep both close together, the app running and have them sync often as the update is buffered on your phone during syncing. Worked for me

[Jpdbe]

So it’s only actually doing something during the 2-3 seconds it’s syncing? And I need to sit her ‘pulling the app down’ to sync it for up to 48 hours? Surely not....

I’ve left them side by side for about 3 hours now (after 48 hours of having the fitbit on charge and the phone in my pocket), and have synced with the device about 4 times.

[Equi]

Yes that is ok. U do not need to constantly sync them. Once in a while is fine. I had the app running for a day with the tracker close by and then it showed the update option and after the update it worked fine

[Jpdbe]

Phew! OK, thank you.