Check Fitbit app

[Kelz111]

Whenever I use the run function after a few seconds the screen says check Fitbit app.

i have Bluetooth turned on. 

I have restarted the tracker.

i have deleted and restarted the App.

i have location services switched on.

the location symbol does not appear on the app screen unless I start the exercise in the app.

on the Fitbit the phone icon has a line through.

im seriously frustrated! Any help please?

its an iphone

[MikeF · Accepted solution]

What happens when you open the app and leave it running when you turn the phone off and put it away?

All the Charge 2 is telling you is that it needs you to open the Fitbit app on the phone so that it has a conduit through to the GPS data. The response should be as simple as running up the app and leaving it.

[esardeee]

I have this exact issue with cycling. It started happening after I updated to iOS11. 

It fails 95% of the time, even though I have the app open right in front of me. I've raised the issue with their support but I'm not hopeful that it will be fixed. 

[MarreFitbit]

Thanks for stopping by guys @esardeee @Kelz111!   The first time I got that message, I simply restarted the phone because it was telling me that some software routine in the phone wasn't responding. With my Charge 2 I also needed the Fitbit app to be running at least in the background.

However, to be more clear, this message means you may need to grant location permissions on your phone. If you have an iOS device, please open the Fitbit app and verify the GPS-related settings on your phone:

1. 1. Make sure Cellular Data is turned on.
2. Next, ensure that your GPS can continue tracking when your phone is locked:
   1. Open Settings and tap General.
   2. Tap Background App Refresh, find the Fitbit app, and make sure it is turned on.
3. Lastly, make sure your phone can identify your location:
   1. Open Settings and tap Privacy.
   2. Tap Location Services and make sure it’s turned on.
   3. Find Fitbit in the app list and make sure it's set to While Using the App or Always.

Give a try to those steps and let me know how it goes! 

[Greet]

Hello,

I have excactly the same problem. Checked everything double.  The problem with the GPS connection is since the New update in IOS.

SOrry Marre, none of your tips made it work.

[esardeee]

Hi Marre,

Thanks for the response!

All the settings you have mentioned are enabled on the phone. I did see an
App update was released last night so that might contain a fix, but I'm yet
to track anything to test it out.

[Greet]

Hi everyone,

Good news!
The last update from Apple will repair this problem!!!
I tried it already and it WORKS!!!!

[Kelz111]

Thanks for the response. Eventually after much messing around I got a message saying the Fitbit needed to pair with Bluetooth. I’m not sure why as when I went into Bluetooth settings the Fitbit was connected. But this seemed to sort it!

Sent from my iPhone

[MarreFitbit]

I'm glad to hear you guys are back on track @Kelz111 @Greet!  And thanks for sharing what has worked for you. 

What about you my friend @esardeee? Have you tested it? 

[esardeee]

Hi,

I've finally been able to test this and had the same problems this morning.

I opened the FitBit app, saw that it had detected my Charge 2, then locked
my phone and put it in my bag. I then tried to start my ride 10 minutes
later and was given the "Check Fitbit App" message on my wrist. I had to
close the app and re-open it, then it worked expectedly.

I don't know if it's the delay between opening the app and starting the
activity, or if it's because data is synchronising then once the sync
finishes it doesn't go into a ready-state for tracking.

I'm going to remove and re-add the app and device now and will be able to
test again this afternoon

Thanks,
Steve

[Kelz111]

Im still having problems. I used to be able to just select run without opening the app and it would work fine.

the only way I can get it to work is to open the app and start an activity. Then it picks up location services I can select run on the Fitbit and it works. If I just have the app open the location symbol is not shown. I have always use location selected. Annoying to the point I’m thibking of switching to a garmin for running.

[Leah89]

Hi, 

mine is doing exactly the same I have re added the fit bit, re added it to Bluetooth and still get the check Fitbit app it’s frustrating because it still won’t work if I open the app. 

[Annenaz]

I feel like since the last ios update I can't launch any activity from the watch, it does not communicate with the app. It says check with the Fitbit app, which I do but then nothing happens!

Please help! I started to go running and I don't want to launch from the app every time, it takes a lot of battery...

[Annenaz]

Not working for me...It is not solving the problem...

[SalimahD]

This issue has recently started for me. What changed recently? It was never like this until this past week. What's the point of me having a Fitbit watch if I need to constantly have my phone with me with the app running?

[NMZig]

In the last week, I started receiving the "Check Fitbit App" messages on my Blaze.  Blaze is connected and syncing to my phone, app is open and has location permissions, and workout is recorded, without map.  No explicit change on my part. 

Seems I'm not alone.  Any guidance?

[sprokk]

Exactly the same here from since about the same time (2 weeks ago). 

I have reinstalled the app, checked everything above including the background app refresh and privacy GPS settings. Starts saying connecting to the Fitbit  then fails, sometimes instantly and sometimes a few minutes in. 

Only tracking part of my rides now and it’s starting to get annoying- several people on cycle blogs commenting and I’ve raised a ticket but no answer yet. Hope someone can help?

[SalimahD]

I have a feeling they stopped supporting older devices such as Fitbit 2 etc. hence no longer even providing support.  This seems like a forced move to get everyone on their newer watches.

[sprokk]

Completely agree- seems to be getting more and more buggy recently. 

[bradyirvine]

Hello, I understand that this is not the correct place, but can you direct me to the API integration for having my application run a similar check? I have a Fitbit application with a companion api sending data. I want to check from my application if the watch is running the application or a way to interact with the companion to check the same. 

My App -> Phone -> Watch
My App -> Watch