Trying to revive an old Fitbit Inspire

[Multikoe]

I am trying to revive an old Fitbit Inspire (as far as I can tell the model with only accelerometers, so no HR) I found lying around in my daughters house but I have no luck. The charger was missing so I bought a new one, the fitbit charges and responds and counts steps.

I tried linking it with the Fitbit app, but that doesn't work. I installed the Fitbit app on two different Android Phones (version 9 and version 12 of Android) and the Fitbit Connect app on my old macBook. On all devices, the app doesn't find the fitbit. I perform the steps, the app starts searching, but finds nothing. the fitbit shows the battery-icon and it charges.

Tried rebooting the Fitbit: no dice. Tried turning off and on the BT on the devices: no dice

Tried keeping the fitbit screen on by tapping on it while the app searches: no dice

I need some pointers where to look for the problem and maybe a solution. Is there a way to check if the Bluetooth on the Fitbit is working? Because none of the devices sees anything, I suspect the problem is with the Fitbit.

[SunsetRunner]

Hello @Multikoe 

I can certainly admire all the steps you took to revive this Inspire Fitbit. The first thing I will mention is that I would use the Samsung version 12 to set everything up. (After you do get it set up I wouldn’t connect it to any other Bluetooth because trying to do so will cause conflict and confusion)

I’m assuming your daughter no longer wants the Inspire and you are the new owner. Before setting it up I would erase the current data. It would be what your daughter would do if she wanted to gift it to you. Here are the instructions in the Inspire Manual: 

 

After the user data is erased from the previous owner you should be able to set it up as a Fitbit Tracker for yourself. Before setting it up for yourself I would plug it in and fully charge the Inspire. After the Inspire is fully charged I would begin the set up. To avoid confusion I’d delete the previous Fitbit app you tried to set up earlier and download a fresh one when your ready to set it up. 

Download the Fitbit App to your Phone and tap tap Join Fitbit to be guided through a
series of questions to create a Fitbit account. Continue to follow the on-screen instructions to connect Inspire to your Account. 

After your up and running (🤞😉 hopefully you reach this point) here is the Inspire manual which has useful information and will get you familiar with your Fitbit Inspire: https://staticcs.fitbit.com/content/assets/help/manuals/manual_inspire_en_US.pdf

😃I’m hoping this gets your Inspire set up and running. Please come back and let me know how it goes and if this provided you an answer to your post here. 

[Multikoe]

Thanks for your elaborate answer. One of my hobbies is getting old stuff back into working order (and actually use them!).

Couple of points:

This Fitbit did not belong to my daughter. It was found in her garden, probably left by visitors. It was covered in mud and had probably been lying there for quite some time. I was amazed it started up at all.... So, basically, there is no "previous" user. From what I can see, there is also not previous data on the Fitbit device.

The model indication on the side says FB412 SF, which indicates an Inspire. It does not have HR, so it is the earliest model Inspire. 

However, there is something odd: I don't have the "Clear user data" option under settings. I only have Double tap ON/OFF, Reboot device and Device ID. Is this maybe a older software version? Under Device ID it says FIT OS 39.20001.88.11.

I did everything you mention: charged the Inspire full, left it on the charger and tried to establish a connection. The app is searching, but does not "see" any Fitbit device. I tried this very same process on multiple devices, none of them worked, hence my assumption the Bluetooth of the Fitbit might be broken. I am trying to find something to somehow validate that assumption. Should I see the device appear in the BT devices list even if it is not set up with the app? Is there another way to check the BT signal? Is it a Bluetooth LE signal? Is there maybe an option to reset the device back to factory settings?

One other thing I forgot to mention: I bought a third-party charger (I didn't want to spend too much money...). It charges, but could it be that this charger somehow lacks functionality needed for the set up proces?

Also, out of curiosity: the Fitbit has three connecting pins, while the charger has only two. What's the third pin for?

[SunsetRunner]

Hello again @Multikoe 

🤔 It’s quite odd that you don’t have the ‘clear user data’ under settings. I suppose you can try just restarting the Fitbit Inspire to see if that helps. Plug the Inspire into its charger and while it’s on the charger just press down and hold the button on the Inspire until you see a smiley face then release the button. You should feel the Inspire vibrate indicating the restart is complete. 

Once you have restarted the Fitbit look to see if the “clear user data” is showing now. 

• You can access your settings from your tracker by swiping across.
• You can find the ‘About’ tab in the ‘Settings’ section once you’ve entered it.
• You will find this section labelled ‘Factory Reset’ or ‘Clear User Data’ at the bottom of this page.
• Once you have cleared your Fitbit to its box settings, you will be prompted to confirm the decision.

if it’s still not showing you can try to set it up again as a new device as I described in my previous post. 

About your charger having only 2 pins while the Inspire has 3 connecting pins. These threads might offer clarity on the question and ensure that it’s okay: 

https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Inspire-Inspire-HR/Charging-My-Inspire/td-p/4017997

https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Other-Charge-Trackers/Charger-for-Fitbit-Charger-2/td-p/2124697

🤷‍:female_sign: Maybe a restart of the Inspire will yield better results 

[Multikoe]

Hello @SunsetRunner , I appreciate you taking the time to help me.

I have reset the Fitbit by using the Reboot Device option under Settings several times, to no avail. I still only have three options under settings: 

- Double Tap

- Reboot Device

- Device Info

Maybe the device I have is not an Inspire at all?

The main options I can access by swiping down are:

- Settings

- Alarms

- Timers

- Time/steps flower pot with plant growing

- Battery/Time/Date

- Steps dial

- Some dial with a lightning strike symbol

- Some dial with an exercise symbol

- Dial with moon symbol

The charger thing I understand now, it's just a charger. I suspected it would do something special with the Fitbit as it was necessary to connect during setup.

What about the Fit OS version? Can I somehow find out if this OS version is maybe too old?

[SunsetRunner · Accepted solution]

This is becoming a mystery @Multikoe 

I dug around a bit more and verified that according to the manual the Inspire is definitely model number: FB412

The model is clearly correct. But, here comes the mystery…. I also found that the user manual for Fitbit Ace 2 has the model number as FB412 as well. You can see it here: https://help.fitbit.com/manuals/manual_ace_2_en_US.pdf. Look on page 33 where the model number is stated. Very interesting 🤔…..

In researching the information and comparing the User ID you stated was FIT OS 39.20001.88.11. I found references to it here: https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Ace-Family-Accounts/Ace-2-Firmware-Update-1-88-11/td-p/4371767/page/.... This again is talking about Ace 2. When looking at the link pay special attention to the moderator KateFitbit and the response from the first poster. 

Is it possible you have an Ace 2 Fitbit? (colors will vary) 

 

🤷‍:female_sign: There is a difference in the Ace 2 manual to get to the “Clear User Data”…..give that a try. Here’s how: 

1. Connect Ace 2 to the charging cable. 
2. Open the Settings app > Clear User Data.
3. Press the screen for 3 seconds, then release. When Ace 2 vibrates and the
clock screen appears, your data is erased.
Note: If you don't see the option to Clear User Data, close the Settings app and reopen it while Ace 2 is connected to the charger. The option should appear.

😃 Well….I’ve given you something to ponder. Please come back and tell me what you think

[Multikoe]

---

@SunsetRunner wrote:

This is becoming a mystery @Multikoe 

I know, but for me that's part of the fun... I also found that FB412 could point to the ACE2, which also makes sense as my daughter is in charge of a boarding school house. One of the children might have lost it a while ago.

Going into Settings while on the charger did the trick to get to Clear User data. At least some progress, but it baffles me a bit that this prerequisite for getting to the clear user data is nog mentioned anywhere.

Cleared User data, rebooted device. Checked that the number of steps went back to zero. 

Started the Fitbit app and started the process to link an ACE2. I had to create a new child (bummer, I thought I was finished with three of my own), started the connection and presto! it found the tracker and proceeded to configure the device.

I think, looking back, what did the trick was the fact that clearing the user data was only possible when the Fitbit is on the charger. Everything after that was just according to the manual. 

Thank you very, very much for helping me on this interesting journey!

Greetings from the Netherlands,

Chiel

[SunsetRunner]

Well your now the proud owner of another child by the name Ace 2 @Multikoe 🤣…..I’m thrilled the mystery is finally solved and hopefully you will find some enjoyment with your new Tracker. Please consider marking my previous post (identifying it as an Ace 2) as “Best Answer”. It will help others who might find themselves trying to erase data on an Ace 2 find the solution quickly. I’d really appreciate it. 

😃 I hope you have a wonderful weekend and as always (Along with your new Ace 2) Happy Stepping! 

[JohnnyRow]

Thanks to  @SunsetRunner for figuring this out.  As you have probably discovered, I think the various Ace models have all been identical hardware to other Fitbit models with different bands and some options that Fitbit thought not appropriate for kids not accessible, such as calories burned and in some cases heart rate (not sure why).

[SunsetRunner]

😃 I agree @JohnnyRow 

I was quite surprised to see it had the same model number as the Inspire. But the “clear user data” missing made the link in my brain. It would make sense to make the “clear user data” a bit harder on a child’s tracker. Kids can definitely get inquisitive and ‘button happy” so it comes in handy to prevent accidental erasing. 

[Multikoe]

I've been using the ACE 2 for a couple of days now and as is sometimes the case with these "reviving old stuff adventures", the result is a bit underwhelming. The ACE is basically nothing more than a watch with a step counter and a sleep monitor. I was kinda hoping I could connect it with my Android phone to get some notifications but that is limited to phone calls only.

But no matter, it was fun. I will return it to my daughter, maybe she can make some kid happy. Although I honestly fail to see why any kid would want this. What maybe also explains why this particular Fitbit found its way behind a flower pot 🤣

[SunsetRunner]

@Multikoe I’m sure a young child would be completely delighted 😂