Setting up Inspire on computer without phone

[DaveWill31]

Boy, is this frustrating!  Had a One for the longest time and it died recently.  Thought it would be easy just to log in and set up my new Inspire HR, but now they're making us download an app.  App downloaded in Windows 10, but the Inspire (either one) is not even listed in the devices.  On some help pages the Inspire isn't listed either.  It's like it's not even their product.  Any help out there before I return it?  I have a company phone and can't d/l the app there.

[PureEvil]

Hello @DaveWill31,

Welcome to the community!

Which version of the app are you using?  This is the version of the Fitbit App that I have:

And this version does allow to set up the Inspire HR:

Are you running the Fitbit App or Fitbit Connect?

[DaveWill31]

Thanks for trying to help, Frank.  I'm using Fitbit Connect in Windows 10 desktop.  I can't get the version, but I just downloaded it tonight (08-19-2020).  I say set up a new device, then log in and then I get the options below in the pic.  Inspire isn't even listed in the help area...bizarre.

[PinkieLS]

I'm having the exact same issue on my Mac. The device isn't listed, period.

[PureEvil · Accepted solution]

@DaveWill31,

Right, you're using Fitbit Connect.  On Windows 10, I'd use the Windows 10 Fitbit App, which is what I was showing.

You can download it from here; yes, it runs just fine on a desktop.  Here's screenshot with notepad on the foreground to illustrate the point:

It also allows you to participate in challenges which Fitbit Connect does not (it only serves to sync).

I'm fairly sure that Fitbit Connect will allow you to sync your tracker (you may need the Fitbit USB dongle), but it looks like it won't allow you to set it up.

Another option is to borrow a friend's phone and set up your device.  I'm pretty sure that it'll sync just fine after it has been set up.

@PinkieLS, you can also get a friend's phone to set your tracker up, but unfortunately there's no way for you to participate in challenges since you can't run the iPhone/iPad Fitbit app on your Mac.  You could however run Windows 10 (through Parallels) and the Fitbit App that way.

I hope this helps.

[SunsetRunner]

I have had exactly the same problem. I have a Charge 2 used by my wife, set up on a windows 10 PC using Fitbit Connect. I have been trying to se up a newly purchased Inspire HR on the same computer, again using Connect. But the major problem is that I have found that Inspire Fitbits are not supported on Windows 10. The Fitbit help line keep on telling me to use the Fitbit App with a mobile device. Two things that I have explained to them- I don't have a mobile device and if I delete Fitbit Connect my wife looses her Charge 2 dashboard, not a good move. I am really hacked of with Fitbit and feel that my only solution is to appeal to Trading Standards/Consumer Protection, explaining that the Inspire2 used with Windows 10 is not fit for purpose. I really, really want my money back!

[PureEvil]

Hello @SunsetRunner,

Welcome to the community!

You are misinformed about a number of things:

First, you don't need a mobile device to install the Windows 10 Fitbit App.  Just install it from here.  It runs just fine from a tablet, laptop, or desktop.  I've demonstrated that a number of times.

Second, uninstalling the Fitbit Connect app does not cause the Charge 2 to be lost from your wife's account.  It may cause it not to sync, but that's a different discussion.  You need to explicitly remove the tracker from the account (or pair the tracker to a new account) in order for that to happen.

Trust me on this, the Fitbit App runs perfectly fine on Windows 10 (desktop, laptop, or tablet).  I posted just today a screen shot with the Fitbit Windows 10 app and notepad:

And you can use it to sync multiple trackers.  Though in order to do that, you'll need a Fitbit USB dongle.  I imagine that you can contact Fitbit support and politely ask them that you want to sync multiple trackers from one computer.  This is the option you'll need to enable on the Windows 10 Fitbit App:

I hope this helps.

[DaveWill31]

Thank you all for the help, PE.  I appreciate it.  I d/l'ed the app on an old phone and d/l'ed the fitbit app (not Connect) from the store.  I was hoping to get away with not installing an app on my phone or computer and keeping it easy and just logging in with the dongle like I did with my One.  That was far too easy for fitbit and I guess they needed more info from me, so I'm forced to download a bunch of other stuff.  I had to download both!

Thanks for taking the time to reply.  Much appreciated.

[dontreado]

Don't know WTF your taking about