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.

[AlejandraFitbit]

Hi guys,

I hope you doing fine. I am sorry to hear that you have returned your watches. If in the future there is anything we can help you with, do not hesitate to post it.

Now for the ones that keep having issues, please follow the instructions in my previous post.

Catch you later. 

[A-N-G]

I have not yet returned my 2nd Versa. I am holding out hope that it will one day be as accurate as the Blaze was. And I did check that my device is compatible. I still have time on my warranty so I'm remaining hopeful until it's fixed or I find another brand to switch to before warranty expires. 

[MJNinDallas]

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@AlejandraFitbit wrote:

Hi guys,

I hope you doing fine. I am sorry to hear that you have returned your watches. If in the future there is anything we can help you with, do not hesitate to post it.

Now for the ones that keep having issues, please follow the instructions in my previous post.

Catch you later. 

---

I have followed all of your recommendations, multiple times.  My device is compatible (Motorola E). still no luck. What is your next recommendation?  If I understand properly, you recommend a refund?

[596beck]

Don't expect the warranty to be honoured. I had my versa 6 weeks and when raised concern 're connected GPS (with a compatible phone) was told they would not offer a refund.

[gtg947h]

Well, one possible workaround/kludge that has worked so far for me...

When starting the activity, do it from the phone app.  You won't get the nice data readouts on the Versa during the activity but at least your track will be accurate.  The "exercise" app may auto-launch and goof up its connection as normal, and when you're done you might have the exercise recorded twice.  But then you can delete the offending one, and you'll have good data (with heart rate and more accurate calories) on the other. 

This is okay for me, because that's how I was tracking runs before anyway and I'm not good enough to need the feedback during my runs and rides.  The important part for me is getting the heart rate recorded with the run and this workaround at least gives me that.

[creatavision1]

Hi, this doesn't make much sense. Why do you have to take your phone with you, when it's an inbuilt GPS? I've already taken one back and will be taking this one and my husband's Ionic. $600 worth of watches. Mine worked once last week. The new one connected this morning and then dropped out and wouldn't reconnect. Had NO issues ever with my Charge. Why not face facts, if you are Fitbit tester, and admit these watches are seriously flawed. Surely so many people can't be wrong? In warmer months, I don't want to cart a phone around with me, but this piece of rubber isn't doing what it claims to do. Surely it is about time Fitbit address the issue?

[Creatavision]

Why do you have to use your phone with an inbuilt GPS? 

[gtg947h]

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@Creatavision wrote:

Why do you have to use your phone with an inbuilt GPS? 

---

The Versa doesn't have a built-in GPS.  The Ionic does, but the Versa uses (at least, is supposed to use) GPS data from the phone via Bluetooth.

The problem many people are having is that this GPS data connection keeps dropping after 1 mile / 1 km (depending on your unit settings) and then only updating sporadically.  Using the tracking in the phone itself, the GPS trace stays solid throughout the run.  Tested it again this morning and the phone track was solid.

Yes, it's irritating and I'm annoyed by it (because I'd like to see the stats as I'm running), but I'm so used to running with the phone before I got a Versa that it doesn't bother me.  My wife had health problems for many years and now we have a toddler, so I generally am not going to go anywhere without the phone anyway.

[MJNinDallas]

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@gtg947h wrote:

Well, one possible workaround/kludge that has worked so far for me...

When starting the activity, do it from the phone app.  You won't get the nice data readouts on the Versa during the activity but at least your track will be accurate.  The "exercise" app may auto-launch and goof up its connection as normal, and when you're done you might have the exercise recorded twice.  But then you can delete the offending one, and you'll have good data (with heart rate and more accurate calories) on the other. 

This is okay for me, because that's how I was tracking runs before anyway and I'm not good enough to need the feedback during my runs and rides.  The important part for me is getting the heart rate recorded with the run and this workaround at least gives me that.

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My phone app doesn't have biking as an activity. I see only run, walk and hike. Is there a way to rack other exercises?

[Gusty]

Am I understanding this correctly? The suggestion is to use a different application than Fitbit. How is this an accepted solution?  Is there no way to fix the GPS issues on the Versa?

[urmoluts]

Only fix what i find and what works with me was i bought second hand iphone 5s next oneplus 6. i had made two runs and iphone with versa works fine. because i like to get for my running data with hr data. without hr data i dont need 200+ euro cost clock on my and.

[gtg947h]

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@Gusty wrote:

Am I understanding this correctly? The suggestion is to use a different application than Fitbit. How is this an accepted solution?  Is there no way to fix the GPS issues on the Versa?

---

No, the suggestion is to use the Fitbit app on the phone because it has a built-in exercise tracker, vs. launching the exercise from the Versa itself.

I expect a fix for the GPS connectivity issues would have to be a software update for the Versa itself; I can't do that for you.

Unfortunately I haven't figured out a good workaround for biking yet; I didn't even realize it wasn't an option.  One of these days I'll get back on my bike...

[djey]

For Android users:

Just in case, I'm experiencing the same location services issue with the versa… Here is my feedback after many tests:

• the issue seems to be that the fitbit app doesn't succeed in awaking the location services, keep it alive and launch a precise enough location service (using GPS)
• the location services, in my case, when working, only works when GPS is on, the possibility of relying on networks to locate seems not working…

I say that as a conclusion as I triedmany things but the only way I got to be instantaneously located was to keep in background the Google Android Auto app ( https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.google.android.projection.gearhead ) Launch it and keep it in background, you can do it by using the button displaying all running apps, and switching to another app, don't use the back key, it will not put Google Auto in background, it will qui the app.

I tried it in my car, and by using this solution, even switching my phone to sleep mode (shutdown the screen), or having another app in front, I was able to get all location services enabled versa apps working. And it is currently the only solution that works for me when I need to be located. Of course, working only outside.

Note that the Android Auto app is there ONLY to keep the location service up and let the fitbit app, companion and the versa work with it...

It would be great that fitbit find a way to make their app enable the gps the same way.

Or course, use this solution only during sessions you want to be located during… otherwise, Goggle Auto uses a lot the battery…

Hope this will help some of you, waiting for an official fitbit solution

Djey.

[Raspiano]

I am also very frustrated that my versa never connects with GPS.  It was one of the reasons I upgraded from the charge HR2 and none of the exercise modes connect ever. If this isn’t fixed, I’m ready to change to a different tracker for my next purchase. After 4 personal Fitbit purchases over the last five years and about 30 professional purchases the last 2 years, I’m  not sure where to go from here. Highly disappointed. 

[Glenmcd]

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@Raspiano wrote:

I am also very frustrated that my versa never connects with GPS.  It was one of the reasons I upgraded from the charge HR2 and none of the exercise modes connect ever. If this isn’t fixed, I’m ready to change to a different tracker for my next purchase. After 4 personal Fitbit purchases over the last five years and about 30 professional purchases the last 2 years, I’m  not sure where to go from here. Highly disappointed. 

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If you want to stay with Fitbit and you don't mind buying used, the GPS on my Surge has been solid, the band has stayed on, screen hasn't scratched or fallen off, has charged reliably, hasn't added ghost steps, HR seems pretty accurate, stable and reliable, hasn't suddenly zeroed out my data, I haven't had any white squares or colored corruption on screen yet, and despite taking it into the shower have never got water inside.  You can pick them up for around a hundred bucks now.  I also use a (borrowed) Charge 2 but only at night while my Surge is charging its battery.

If it's time to look beyond Fitbit and you are a professional Garmin seem quite dedicated to making their gear work well for their customers.  I use my Surge mostly for e-bike riding but it worked well when I was jogging a couple of years back also.

[MarcoGFitbit]

Hello everyone, I hope you're doing well.

I appreciate your participation in the Forums, for sharing your experience with us and for letting us know about the troubleshooting steps you've tried so far in hopes to resolve this issue. I understand some of you have already contacted our Support Team and I would like to encourage you to keep troubleshooting with them as they will be able to provide you more options. For those of you who haven't contacted our Support Team, first I would like to suggest you to check the instructions listed on my post for connected GPS. If you're still having trouble with it, I would like to gather some information from you so we can determine what we should do next, please reply with much information as you can:

1. Phone or Tablet model you're currently using to sync
2. OS version running on your phone or tablet
3. App version currently installed on your phone or tablet (go to Account > Help to get it)
4. Firmware version of your Versa. (go to Account > Versa and you will be able to see the version under the Versa picture)
5. List of exact troubleshooting steps you've tried so far. 

Thanks for your patience and understanding, I'll be waiting to hear from you, have a great day. 

[Garball]

Too late. Returned my Versa yesterday. Going the Garmin route.

[VivekS]

Exact problem with my versa too.

[urmoluts]

fitbit versa firmware update launch today. i hope they fix gps problem also. i'm bored to hear use compatible phone bla bla... if you dont own iphone, then you are sucked with your android or use some years old model.

[Daki-NYC]

1. Phone or Tablet model you're currently using to sync
   Samsung Galaxy S9+
2. OS version running on your phone or tablet
   Android version 8.0.0
3. App version currently installed on your phone or tablet (go to Account > Help to get it)
   Version 2.80.1 (20213324)
4. Firmware version of your Versa. (go to Account > Versa and you will be able to see the version under the Versa picture)
   32.32.10.15
5. List of exact troubleshooting steps you've tried so far. 
   - Make sure "Always Connected" and "Keep-Alive Widget" are turned on in the App.
   - Make sure "Allow background activity" is turned on on the phone setting.
   - Make sure the Fitbit App is unmonitored in the phone's app power monitor
   - Restarted phone & Versa
   - Make sure there are no tall buildings, dense forest, steep hills, and thick cloud obstructing GPS signal
   - Unpair and Re-pair Versa
   - Unpair other Bluetooth devices (headphones etc.)
   - Run Strava at the same time --> This seems to be the only effective solution.