Complaint

[DLThune]

I started using a fitbit about 4 years ago.  I had an Alta, a Charge HR, and now I have a Versa.  

I was "happy enough" with the Alta, got the Charge HR to track sleep, and up to the Versa for the playing music via bluetooth while I walk.

Here's my complaint - I absolutely despise that Fitbit FORCES use of the app on a mobile device (my phone) in order to accomplish anything.  I do NOT own a personal cell phone and my job discourages use of personal apps.  

I KNOW I'm in the minority - probably one person like me for 10,000 others who use their phones for EVERYTHING.  But I SHOULD COUNT.  I SHOULD MATTER.  I'm just one person who spent $150 and Fitbit doesn't give a rats **ahem** whether I'm happy in the long run.

I woke up this morning and noticed about 20 minutes later that my screen wasn't showing steps or heart rate.  After a google search, I found the solution was changing my clock face.  I went to my DESKTOP APP BECAUSE THAT'S THE WAY I USE MY FITBIT 99.99% of the time and discovered that I have to install the app on my phone in order to change the clock face.  Sure, I can install the app and then uninstall when I'm done, right? 

Also, I'm over 60 and while I am pretty savvy technologically speaking, I don't know the answer to everything.  But please don't assume I'm ignorant because of my age.  Crabby because of my age, sure - but it's a growing population and one that FitBit should be reaching out to and not alienating.  

So, I changed my clock face and YAY my stats are showing again.  But - here's my **ahem** - I thought I could put my "preferred and easy to read and has the stats I want to see" clock face back but I can't find it ANYWHERE.  I spent OVER AN HOUR this morning trying to figure out why I didn't have stats showing, fixing the issue, and then trying to get back my "happy place" on my Versa.  

And to top it all off, when I was searching the forums for a solution, they popped up a "customer satisfaction survey" and I thought sure, I'll tell them how satisfied I'm not - but it didn't have a place for comments at the end.  So I thought, I've already wasted an HOUR of my Sunday fighting with Fitbit because of their idiotic choice to force Mobile App usage and ZERO support for people who like to use a DESKTOP app, why not waste another 5 minutes venting on this site?  

PLEASE do not comment with solutions unless you have a REAL SOLUTION which would be to have the desktop app have ALL THE FEATURES that are available through the mobile app.  I'm allowed to be pissed and I'm allowed to voice my dissatisfaction.  Plus Fitbit needs to know that when people ask me how I like my Fitbit, I always say "I love it, BUT....."    This is probably TLDR for 95% of you, but if you read to the end, thank you.

[JuanJoFitbit]

@DLThune it's great to see you in our Fitbit Community! I totally understand how you feel regarding the Fitbit app and the features that you would like to be implemented.

I really appreciate your feedback and time you took to let us know your frustration since this helps us to keep improving.

I'd like you to submit your request in our Feature Suggestions board and people can vote for it. The more votes your request gets, the more chances will have to be reviewed by our team.

I'll be around if more assistance is needed!

[Jan2512]

I agree with you 100%.  I don't own a smart phone - an "old" style mobile is enough for me.  I have a tablet which I hate using.  I like using the laptop or PC for Fitbit.

I think Fitbit is alienating a large group of people in the over 50's bracket, not because we are not tech savvy (some are some are not but that isn't an age thing) but due to physical issues with age such as deteriorating eyesight, arthritis, back issues etc.  A lot of over 50's want to get fitter I was one of them but I will come off Fitbit if it is app only based.  I need a larger screen, and have had recent hand surgery so typing on a keyboard is far easier that tapping away on a tablet.