Inspire 2- Tracking steps at home

[John-99]

This is an observation rather than a question.

Has anyone else noticed this.

Today I left my Fitbit on charge and left the house. I walked about 2 miles and was out for about 3 hours. I was surprised on my return to note the tracker had logged my thousands of steps whilst I was out. 

I imagine it must have been able to use data from my mobile phone instead of it's own data.

I can't say I have noticed this as an advertised feature. Has anyone else observed this or noticed it being reported or documented.

Maybe next time you leave your tracker on charge you should note the number of steps. Then compare the number when you put it back on your wrist.

Moderator edit:  updated subject for clarity

[Julia_G · Accepted solution]

Hi, @John-99 , this is a little known feature that has been available on Fitbit for many years.  It is designed to keep track of your steps even if you leave your Fitbit at home, and as you guessed, it uses the data from your phone.  ( It used to be called “Mobile Tracker”, but I am not sure it has a name anymore.).  I am guessing that at some point you added “Mobile Tracker” to your account, or you have added your phone.

You can read more about this feature in this help article .

Welcome to the forums!

[JohnnyRow]

On phone app, tap icon at top left of screen to get to "Connected to Fitbit" screen, shows devices connected to Fitbit.  Does it show your phone?

I can't figure out whether phone is connected or not by default now. And there had been limitations about which phones would work for that, but it seems those limitation might have been removed.  It's a murky seemingly poorly documented (at least seemingly to me) area.  But maybe working for you.

Or maybe better documented than I realized, after seeing reply by @Julia_G .

[JuanFitbit]

@JohnnyRow @Julia_G  Thank you for your help. 

@John-99 , A warm welcome to the Community! Thank you for your message. 

MobileTrack, as described by JohnnyRow  and Julia_G,  is still a feature in the Fitbit app . This was thought to be used in case that you left your tracker at home. 
To verify if you have it active, please tap on your devices icon (upper left corner). If you have mobileTrack active, you'll see the option for mobile device listed under your devices. 

[John-99]

@JohnnyRow @Julia_G @JuanFitbit Thanks for the replies everyone.

I have now seen the Fitbit app > devices > phone > about   Information that explains the phone's sensors are used IF you are logged in to the Fitbit App.   It is not always obvious on the Fitbit App where a tap of a specific icon may provide additional information.

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@JuanFitbit  Would a more informative title be Not wearing tracker. Tracking steps on Phone.

Or the shorter Tracking steps on Phone.

[JuanFitbit]

@John-99 , Thank you for your replies. The best place to post your suggestion is the Product Feedback board in the Fitbit community: community.fitbit.com/t5/Feature-Requests/idb-p/features. Please take a moment and give us your comments. 

If you find a similar suggestion from another member of the community, you can vote for their suggestion and add your comments. We hope to see you there!