Fitbit Versa connected GPS issues

[SunsetRunner]

Hi There!

My versa loses connection with my phone (nexus 5x) during bike excercise and thus shows no route on the map. I know I have gps, because Strava app shows it right.

Is this a bug in the software from the Versa?

I tried to start an excercise from fitbit app, but only walk, run or hike does gps. (no bike. why not?!?) so i choose hike.  now i have a hike excercise with hr and ps data. this this excercise shows after sync with strava in strava as hike. in strava i change hike in bike.

now i have bike excercise in strava with hr and gps. after a while just from magic, the ecercise in strava has been changed back into hike again with no hr data anymore.

I know that fitbit versa is not a swiss watch, but at least it should be working as advertised!

connected gps is not not working. People at Fitbit, can you fix this?

Moderator Edit: Updated Subject For Clarity.

[RonS16]

I agree. I am using an approved phone and I am still having issues. My mistake was updating the firmware on my Versa. Prior ton that I was using software version 2.74.2 and the Versa was fairly stable. I installed the new firmware and now nothing works. I tried the newest software. No go. I reverted back to 2.74.2. No go.

I wonder if the Charge 3 or Versa Lite work any better? Not that I will buy one. Burnt once, twice shy.

[babyblueut]

Keep hoping things will get fixed but no such luck. Still having trouble. I am now on a replacement versa and does the same. my hikes keep looking like the picture. but every other app I use shows them correct.  Versa just wont keep a connection.

.

[Frank75]

OK, here are the settings I am using which seem to work while road cycling.WATCHBrightness....normalDisplay..........10 secondsHeart Rate.....onBluetooth.......offScreen............automaticPHONEAll day sync......onQuick view........onAlways connectid....onTrack exercise...onStrava......onI hope this helps, the only problem is that it is off one half mile in every ten miles I ride.FrankSent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

[AlvaroFitbit]

Hello everyone. I will gladly assist you with this.

If you are having issues with your GPS data collection please follow these instructions to improve the connection and signal reception as the Versa depends on your phone's GPS chip to record this data.

Let me know how it goes.

[RonS16]

My situation is a bit different. I have a Samsung S9. I had the previous version firmware on my Versa and 3 was using 2.74.2 on my phone. Things worked fine. By mistake I updated to the latest firmware. The Versa seemed to continue to work properly. Then I updated to 2.89. Since then I am having connectivity issues. I reinstalled my software and did a reset of the Versa. At that point I could no longer "see" my wifi networks. I tried several times with different versions of the software. Finally, I deleted the Versa from my S9 and went through the same process but used my tablet (S2) instead. The set up worked. So with an approved phone I was unsuccessful and yet with an unapproved tablet I was.

The connected GPS is still spotty. Apparently I should not have updated the firmware because the Versa is no where near as reliable using connected GPS. 

My Charge 2 works fine all the time, it is just that it is too hard to see in the sunlight. I really want to like the Versa but there are just too many problems with it. 

[RonS16]

Just completed a 5.1 mile walk. 80 minutes of "Connecting.....". Sigh. Does anyone know how to reinstall the previous firmware? 

[Marrrmaduke]

@RonS16 You cannot downgrade the firmware. But, you can try an older build of fitbit app if you're on Android.

[RonS16]

Tried going to 2.74.2 but not much improvement. Oddly enough, while sitting in the house it will usually connect in 30 to 60 seconds practically every attempt. Get it outdoors and it will maybe connect for 5 minutes or it will not connect at all. 

[dave_in_ni]

I had exactly the same issue, can get it to connect in the house sometimes but nothing when out and about

Get Outlook for iOS

[Frank75]

I'm going to try restarting my phone each ride. We will see what happens.

[rwheatla33]

Im using a Xiaomi Redmi Note 4 and as previously mentioned the GPS only works with certain versions of the software. Currently I'm using v2.88 for walk, run and hide without any issues. I make sure that app isn't included in any OS power save function and usually do a force stop and clear data before I need to use the GPS. 

I have even tried to make sure that the GPS on the phone is kept alive by using GPS keeper but that didn't make any difference. 

I sometimes that the auto screen lock can interfere but have trouble replicating it on a consistent basis.

[Marrrmaduke]

@rwheatla33 Have you tried locking fitbit app in the background. Redmi phones are famous for killing background apps.

[Frank75]

I have come to the conclusion that we all have different problems with Fitbit. It took me about 4 months to get it right (for me). I am a bicyclist.  I ride the road about 3 or 4 days a week. Now I can look at my Fitbit and know how far I've gone as I ride. Thanks to no one,  I got itSent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

[RonS16]

I have been having better luck lately. It all seemed to start after I deleted the cache for all of my apps that used GPS. For good measure I also turned my wifi off for 5 minutes  then my bluetooth for five minutes, initiated airplane mode for 5 minutes and then bluetooth for the same amount of time. After this everything seemed to work. Syncing takes seconds and connected GPS works with no problems. It has only been a week but it has given me a glimpse of how the Versa is supposed to work. This could all be coincidental but time will tell. 

[urmoluts]

probably nobody pay 200 euros to make some 20 brain gymn for using fitbit versa gps connections.

fitbit versa will be good start as fitness watch but will die with bug..

[islandgirl555]

Try opening the app and leaving it open and sync. While it is syncing turn on your hike or walk etc and is should connect....works like a charm for me...and it's the only way it will work.

[Frank75]

Thanks. Will trySent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy Tablet

[Smokester]

I have also had this problem with a Google 3 and I have also been dealing with Customer Support.  I have been through the firmware update and it did not help at all.  They are now back to trying to blame my phone.  The have suggested that I try it with another phone (sorry - I only own 1).  This has been very frustrating and I don't think they are owning up to the problem.

[dave_in_ni]

To me it's an android phone issue. I have an old iPhone and it works
perfectly but tried a couple of androids an none worked for connected GPS,
notifications etc work fine but not GPS

[Smokester]

I agree. They do seem to issue a lot more "helpful hints" for Android than Apple but I wish they would stop blaming the phone.