Location services to sync

[GW5177]

Recent change to Android 6.0 requires Location be open to all apps.  Totally unacceptable, all apps should not have access to my location. Chat at Fit bit not any help.

Moderator edit: Subject for clarity 

[RicardoFitbit]

Hello @GW5177 thanks for bringing this to my attention, it's a pleasure to answer your doubt and to give you a warm welcome to the Community Forums.

Let me share with you that Google changed its permission requirements beginning with Android OS 6.0 just as you stated. As a result, the locations permission is necessary to sync your Fitbit device with your Android device. Note that Fitbit does not track your location unless you are recording an exercise or activity with GPS. For more information, see How do I track exercise and activity with my Fitbit device?

If the Fitbit app prompted you to turn on location services and you denied the request, you have an extra step to complete after turning on location services. To tell the Fitbit app that it has permission to access locations, go to Settings > Apps > Fitbit > Permissions (the exact path may vary depending on your phone). The Fitbit app needs the locations services option on your phone to be turned on in order to perform the Bluetooth low energy scans required to sync your tracker. For more information about how your tracker syncs, see How do Fitbit trackers sync their data?

Google added the locations permission requirement to alleviate concerns that Bluetooth beacons can be used to track your location without your permission during a Bluetooth low energy scan, such as the scan required to sync your tracker. By granting the Fitbit app permission to access your location, your tracker will be able to sync, but your location won't be recorded or tracked by Fitbit. For details about the Google permission requirements, see Google's Android 6.0 Changes document.

Let me know if you have any additional questions, I'll be here. 

[Curlyhair]

The weird thing is, location services are usually turned off, but my Fitbit is usually up to date when I look at the app. Only today did I look at my app and see the message to turn on location services in order to sync.

But, but...the app was only a little bit behind the Charge 2 (say, the Charge 2 said 6k steps and the app said 4k steps). So how is my fitbit syncing most of the time without GPS turned on? 

Is it possible this points to some kind of workaround?

[RicardoFitbit]

Hello @Curlyhair welcome to the Community Forums, my sincere apologies for the delay in responding your post.

I appreciate all the information and details that were shared in your post, seems odd that your Fitbit device is syncing without location services turned on. This might be caused because the location services were turned on during the day with another app that was used on your mobile device, in simple words, if you open an app where location services were granted, the Fitbit app can background sync your Charge 2. Of course, this is just a supposition, but to better assist you with this, can you please let me know how many times you experienced this situation? 

Keep me posted.

[GW5177]

The recent change is unacceptable. I have always allowed location in meetings for the Fit bit app. The change to android requires the location on the android device also be opened, which was not the case prior to the July change. The  majority, but not all, app have the option of opening location. Most have no need for location info and do not receive location PERMISSION. I have has to open location to be able to sync my Fit bit. I am now vulnerable and have received a deluge of location specific ads. Thank you fit bit! I am concerned that I will be a target of location specific hacking.Please change back to your previous software in relation to location permissions. I know Customer Service takes a back seat to the desire to sell location specfic ads. Why does fitbit have to provide another beach of privacy. I am investigating alternatives to monitor heart rate and retain a reord of the details. This is my primary reason for the Fit bit Charge 2.Sent from my Galaxy Tab® A

[RicardoFitbit]

Hi @GW5177 thanks for your post, sorry for the delay in replying.

As per previously mentioned, such changes were made by Google and not Fitbit, therefore, since you're using an Android device I recommend you to take in consideration the information that was shared on my previous post or contact Google for more information and details of these changes. If you don't feel comfortable with the location services requirement you can use a computer instead.

Also, you can check our Fitbit Privacy Policy.

See you around.