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.

[MarcoGFitbit]

Hello everyone, I hope you're doing well. 

Thanks for your participation in the forums and for sharing your experience with us. I understand some of you are still having trouble with connected GPS on your Versa. If you have already checked the requirements and troubleshooting steps listed on this help article, I would like to suggest you the following:

• Instead of restarting your phone, force-quit the Fitbit app and open it again. 
• Turn off WiFi before starting a GPS activity.
• If you're using an Android phone, make sure Location Services are set to "Always" under the Fitbit app.
• If you're using an iPhone, go to the phone Settings > Fitbit and make sure Location Services are set to "Always" Additionally, go to Setting > General  > Restrictions and check they're disabled.

Thanks again for your patience and understanding, I hope these steps can be helpful. Give them a try and keep me updated. 

[596beck]

Down numerous times. Standard advice. Been very disillusioned with fitbit versa. Had charge HR and charge 2 before eith no issues (except strap problems and good customer service for that). There are serious issues with versa. Customer services not interested even though had 50 days. Now have a Garmin vivoactive 3. Best choice ever. Please sort the connected GPS for others.

[dchenry]

Versa Android Users: "The Fitbit software isn't working as advertised."
Fitbit: "Here's the solution."
Users: "It's still not solving the problem."
Fitbit: "Ok, here's the solution."

Users: "What? That's the same fix you gave us before, it doesn't work!"
Fitbit: "Again. here's the solution! Enjoy! :)"

[dlefevre]

I've been able to get better GPS connection with these tips but it still drops connection quite a bit.

I'd sure like to know if we can expect a new firmware patch to help address this. 

[urmoluts]

i'm over. today my tested solution did not work. i run littlebit over 6km and 3 times gps was connecting... i write to support. is there any solution or it mean really that fitbit versa is nice but for running buy something better 😄

with charge 2 i did have not much this kind problem only when before run gps was not connected. in running there was no gps connection lost.

[groberman]

i don't have my bluetooth headphones on and no luck

[SullyTex]

Been following this thread, I too have started to get disconnections w/ BT between the phone and the Versa watch causing 'Connecting' error on the watch.   Today I noticed on my Samsung S9 FitBit application, there is a setting for App Notifications. I had all FitBit notifications turned off, but just turned them back on.   In scrolling thru the list of categories, there is a ' MobileRun GPS Exercise Tracking' notification category.  I turned that on.   

Haven't tested this, but will be doing a long run this weekend, will report back if this change has any effect.

Cheers,  Sully

[Ezra_D]

I got on with tech support and they seem to have solved this issue: restart your Versa by holding the bottom and left buttons for ~10 seconds until the screen shows the fitbit logo. Make sure WiFi is turned off on your phone. And give it a try - haven't had any problems since!

[Bradlema]

I'm shocked I didn't notice this before I bought it I have had it for my second day and I've had continual challenges connecting to GPS I'm going to return it unfortunately and get something different. why do we have to go through all these steps to make it work? It should just work. Especially at the price tag of nearly $300 that's absolutely ridiculous. I was really hoping that Fitbit would have stepped up their game with this new innovation but I am extremely disappointed with the performance of this watch. I've been a loyal Fitbit user for many many years and now I have serious doubts. 

[LesC1018]

You are right on all accounts. I think we’ll read in a few years how Fitbit went from market leader to irrelevant due to poor technology and client experience. You can’t tool your customers. They just won’t buy again and they will tell all what a poor product this is. It’s a dealth spiral and all Fitbit had to do is come clean and offer recalls. That would show integrity vs having customers do BS trouble shooting that will never work. 

[VFRMark]

Are you serious -  the solution is to not use VERSA because it does not work!!!!

How can this be a solution?  Surely the problem is still open as there has been many many posts since then making complaints but the mods had decided that instead of fixing the problem the solution is to use a competitors app.  This is not a solution this merely hides that VERSA has a major software problem, or as i am finding over the last two days since buying one,  MANY PROBLEMS

[Bradlema]

Tell everyone. My second choice was to go the Garmin route, and I think that's what I'm going to do. 

[Ezra_D]

This worked for me: restart the watch by holding the bottom right button
and the left button for 10 seconds and you"ll see the fitbit logo on
screen. Then release the button.
You can turn off wifi on the phone while you're using GPS. I have not had
connection troubles since applying this fix. Let me know how it goes.

[Bradlema]

Heres.the deal though. I shouldn't have to go through all the trouble every day I want to track my activity on GPS. It shouldn't have to be that difficult. It should just simply work. I don't think it does. It's back in the original box ans it's going back tomorrow. 

[Ezra_D]

I feel you. Who knows if you'll have to do it every day, though? I bought
mine on eBay so I cant return it. 😐

[urmoluts]

I made support ticket to fitbit support. First answer was that oneplus 6 is not supported phone, so if you want use versa, buy some old phone like sony z3 compact because it is supported....
but i hope support will find some good solution to this gps connection problem without buy some old phone what is in supported list.

because i have try many solutions i notice that problem seems to be in versa not phones or android os versions. phone must keep bluetooth connection between phone and versa. if versa disconnect then this gps problem is alive. after pause running, sync fitbit app gps connection is ok again til..it starts again 😄

i littlebit tune settings. lets hope it helps...

[Ezra_D]

Restart the watch by pressing left and bottom right buttons for 10 seconds
and wait for the Fitbit logo to show on screen, then release. Make sure
WiFi is off when you use connected GPS. I HAVE had no issues since I did
that.

[urmoluts]

til you went run next time and this problem is back. at least when you use fitbit versa not supported phones (https://www.fitbit.com/devices) or also fitbit not supported bluetooth headphones.

I ask fitbit support and when you use not listed devices, then some things must not work but if works..lucky you..

i hope some day fitbit team roll out versa new firmware what supports more new and popular phones and users are happy. right now fitbit does not make more profit with this forum. use google and you will see how many users are complaining...

[AlejandraFitbit]

Hey guys,

I hope you are doing fine and appreciate all the feedback, information and screenshots provided. I would like to know if you have checked if your phones are compatible mobile devices? If you haven't checked this, you can do it by clicking here.

When a phone isn't compatible, it doesn't mean that it won't work with your Fitbit but you might experience some connectivity issues. You can always try the instructions provide in the help article Why isn't GPS working on my Fitbit device? but I don't guarantee it will work 100%.

Now if your phone is compatible and you have already tried the instructions in article, feel free to get in touch directly with our support team, for a faster response you can contact them via chat. I know they will be glad to help you out.

Let me know how it goes. 

[596beck]

I really give up with your constant same feedback. Of course I checked and it is on the list. That is why I exchanged my versa (Not with you as refused a refund and only 50 days old) and took it back to John Lewis and got a far superior device. A Garmin vivoactive 3.

I have had no issues with previous fitbits and customer services but this is obviously a firbit software issue. Please sort as numerous complaints and people getting refunds. The versa is not fit foe purpose.