Fitbit app prompting me to turn on location services

[Keseel]

Every time I enter the app I get asked to turn on gps. I don’t want gps tracking of everything I do. Why won’t “ no” stop the request notification?

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[RicardoFitbit · Accepted solution]

Hi @Keseel, welcome to the Community Forums.

Google changed its permission requirements beginning with Android OS 6.0. As a result, the locations permission is necessary to sync your Fitbit device with an Android device. The Fitbit app needs the locations services option on your phone to be turned on in order to perform the Bluetooth low energy scans required to sync your tracker. For more information about how your tracker syncs, see How do Fitbit devices sync their data?

Google added the locations permission requirement to alleviate concerns that Bluetooth beacons can be used to track your location without your permission during a Bluetooth low energy scan, such as the scan required to sync your tracker. By granting the Fitbit app permission to access your location, your tracker will be able to sync, but your location won't be recorded or tracked by Fitbit.

For more information about Bluetooth technology, visit the Bluetooth Special Interest Group's website at bluetooth.com and for details about the Google permission requirements, see Google's Android 6.0 Changes document.

I'll be around if you need anything else.

[BostonFlo]

Hi Ricardo, 

I just did the most recent Fitbit update and I am on Apple and every time I go into the app I get the notification to turn on Bluetooth and GPS. How do I stop that from coming up?

thanks!

[longtime_user]

So you’re saying but allowing location tracking, it is not tracking our location?  

[BostonFlo]

 No, that’s not what I’m saying at all. 

[MarioFromLA323]

Terrible. I will sell this piece of **ahem** surveillance device for one that doesn’t need to track me 

[Runner0621]

You said, "Your location won't be recorded or tracked by Fitbit."  And that's great.  But GOOGLE will record our location, right?  And that is NOT so great.

[Runner0621]

Yes.  Fitbit won't track it, but there is nothing to stop Google from tracking it.  It is weasel words, basically.

[dethinwntr]

My versa 3 does have location permissions, but I am still getting an alert that it needs location permissions every time I open the app.