Counting Steps While Swimming

[Natalia7]

So I've gotten over the disappointing fact that my Charge 3 cannot accurately track my lengths. What I can't understand is why it counts me as doing steps while I swim. When I look back at the full stats for my swim, in the swim column is says N/A, which is correct. However, after getting out of the water my steps increase by a few thousand and on the steps graph it shows that I have taken steps....

[DavideFitbit]

Hello @Natalia7, it's good to see you around in the forums, than you for sharing your inquries. 

Regarding the accuracy of your lengths, could you please provide a few more details about what you've been experiencing? I've read from other users in the Community that you need to touch the edge of the pool, as this movement lets the Fitbit Versa know that you've completed one length. Please let me know if this works for you. 

About the steps that you get while swimming, currently there is no way to completely turn off step counting when your performing this activity, and it's possible that you will get some steps recorded; the movement you actually do while swimming could be interpreted as steps. These steps will be superseded by the detected swimming session, so you have a better calorie burn estimation on your account, but it won't mean that steps won't be counted at all. 

However, the amount of steps shouldn't be exaggerated, if you're getting way to many steps recorded, please try performing a restart following these steps, and check if you continue to experience the same behavior. 

Keep me posted. 

[Natalia7]

Thanks for the detailed response.

What would you consider an excessive amount of steps? For example, if I swam 2600 m (my fitbit counted that as 1575 m, but that's ok). It took me 1 hr 4 mins and in that time I accumulated about 4000 steps...

[DavideFitbit]

Hello @Natalia7, thank you for your response. 

There's no specific number for what would be consider normal for this amount of activity time, however, I've also received a similar amount of steps for 1 hour of swimming activity.

Some people don't wish to have steps recorded during swimming, but there are also many users who would prefer if the device keep recording steps during this activity. At the moment there no updates about this feature being modified, but I do recommend that you try performing the restart and check if you continue to get the same amount steps counted, or if you see any difference. 

Keep me posted. 

[V8etr]

Recently my ionic also had the same problem restarted many times the problem still persist.  Fitbit full of nonsense firstly stair counts inaccurate now even gain steps while swimming. This brand cannot buy. 

[Swimsathome]

My charge 3 has been very consistent in counting steps while swimming, and I depend on this. 3000 steps for swimming 2000m in an endless pool (no flip turns).  They did not show up in the exercise impact as steps contributed to day, but they clearly were counted.  3 days ago it stopped counting steps altogether while swimming. I will perform the restart in hopes that I will again get credit for swimming as steps.  If there is a central location for reporting plans or changes in this area I would love to follow. Thanks.