GPS won't connect?

[StarkRaven]

Is there a particular sequence to get the exercise apps to connect to the phone GPS? Phone GPS and Bluetooth is on, I go into Walking Exercise on my Versa and it never stops 'Connecting...' - it can't find the GPS. I also tried loading the fitbit app on the phone but that didn't help. This is my 2nd Versa (returned the first with problems connecting, etc.). I had this one connect OK to the GPS for a walk yesterday but now I can't make this happen (also restarted the phone and the watch). As of today I am on the new firmware - 32.32.10.15, android app is 2.71. Did this get broken or am I missing a step?

[StarkRaven]

BTW - I started a walking session using the FibBit app on the phone (Moto G) and it found and used the GPS fine and mapped the walk. It is just the Versa that is not connecting to the GPS and this, apparently,  since the new firmware/software update.

[SunsetRunner]

I have also issues with gps not connecting. Still using older firmware versa and app on android 8.1

so it is not related to the new firmware. Gps excersice runs allright though from fitbit app (walk,run,hike). I wish fitbit app could do bike gps excersice as well....

[Jayelo]

I have this issue also. My versa is always “connecting” through my walks. It’s a real bummer and is quite frustrating. It’s recording all the wrong stats because the gps can’t stay connected. I think it could be my phone carrier? I’ve tried the gps connect on my phone with the Fitbit app and it still gives me an off reading so I dunno what it is. I havent had the new update yet and I use an android phone.

[kcronin]

I've been working on identifying the source of this issue (I have it too) and I think I've isolated it at least for me. I'm using BT headphones connected to my phone while using connected GPS. Seems I have a much better chance of 100% connected if I toggle the BT settings in my Versa to Off. This seems to impact the Music Control with the headphones and not overall connecting. Maybe interference from the BT headphones? Certainly not a solution if you want to listen to music that resides on your Versa while trying for Connected GPS. My experience.  Your results may vary. 

[Aaroniusa]

Mine also says connecting.... Any reaokutions here fitbit?

[ctfullen]

I was having the same issue. I looked in my settings and the Fitbit app was only allowed acess to my location when I was using the app. I changed it to always allow it acess to my location and this fixed the issue for me. 

[nswint]

Thanks kcronin,

I think there are Bluetooth connectivity and  syncing issues that Fitbit is not being honest about. All the sync, connected GPS, notifications and music playback issues are all connected to either the Versa's Bluetooth radio or firmware or problems with the antenna .

Connected Gps should be simple .

The watch listens for periodic duration, speed, altitude information that is recorded by the Fitbit app at the start of the exercise that needs gps .

The watch returns heart rate information back to the Fitbit app .

If Bluetooth syncing and or connectivity is lost between phone and watch, this is probably where the connecting to gps message comes from.  

Ultimately, I think if the whole Bluetooth syncing, notification, music control issues ate fixed then connected gps will be fixed as well. 

[StarkRaven]

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@ctfullen wrote:

I was having the same issue. I looked in my settings and the Fitbit app was only allowed acess to my location when I was using the app. I changed it to always allow it acess to my location and this fixed the issue for me. 

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@ctfullen- Glad it is working for you. Android or iPhone? Also, where did you find the location settings for the Fitbit app - do you mean in the phone's System Settings for Location? Thanks.

[ctfullen]

I have an iPhone so maybe that’s no help to you. But in general settings>Fitbit app>allow access to location. 

Couldn’t access my gps since it couldn’t access my location when the app wasn’t open on my phone. 

[APlumb]

I’m also having this problem! I have managed to get my versa to connect ONCE in the whole time I’ve had it. I want to have accurate tracking of my runs but I can’t (it thinks my steps are bigger than they are - short leg problems - so always says I’ve run further than I actually have) the failure to connect is most frustrating! My old surge had no problem at all every single time, so it’s nothing to do with my area,  network, phone or carrier settings etc. In fact many times I didn’t even have my phone with me when using my surge! The app location settings are set to “always allow Fitbit to use location” and they always have been.

Any further updates on this??? I’m contemplating contacting Fitbit and asking for a replacement - anyone had any luck with this?! Help much appreciated!

[Aaroniusa]

Its a known issue for everyone who owns a versa. Although fitbit doesnt openly acknowledge it. Their Bluetooth just doesnt stay connected. This is also evidenced when connecting headphones. I ended up returning mine and buying a Suunto. No connectivity problems now.

Get Outlook for Android

[APlumb]

It’s not to do with Bluetooth because I didn’t have to have my phone with me when my surge worked fine - it’s the actual GPS as I can’t map my runs? My Bluetooth works fine when I’m rqnge of my phone. Haven’t tried headphones.

I did a factory reset and had to set it up again - which allowed me to connect to GPS at the start of my run but then didn’t stay connected. So annoying!

[Loveinmyversa]

Im using lg g6 with my versa and the first two times it wouldn't connect,and I read it wasn't compatible but i was determined it make it work and I learned keeping it hooked to bluetooth the whole time will help. You don't need wifi or data hooked up to use gps. I played around with the gps connecting a couple times making sure it stays connected 10+ minutes and now i have no problems with it connecting. Walk/runs always connect now. Never had it drop since the first two times i used it. I factory reset my versa once and soft reset about 4 times.

[Loveinmyversa]

Even reseting my phone or versa and it'll still connect gps no problem. 

[APlumb]

Thanks but...This still doesn’t solve the problem of not necessarily wanting to have my phone with me when I go for a run. Bluetooth and GPS are totally different things so I don’t understand why keeping it hooked up to my phone via Bluetooth would help with GPS connectivity?! (which it always is anyway, and still doesn’t work!) My surge never had any issues when I went without my phone!

How do you do a soft reset? Is that just a shutdown?

[Aaroniusa]

Versa does not have independent GPS on it. It has "Connected GPS' which means it has to be connected to your phone and it syncs with your phone's GPS. That's why you need a reliable Bluetooth connection. But good luck getting your Bluetooth to reliably connect. As you can see from the forums, their bluetooth is unreliable. Some people (like LoveinmyVersa) have gone to great lengths of soft resetting, factory resetting, holding your breath, standing on one leg, etc to get the things to work. Some people don't ever find the magic trick to make it work. That's why I returned mine.  

[Aaroniusa]

Are you a Russian bot? 🙂 You've got to be the only person who has reliable connection. haha

[kcronin]

I'm actually feeling kinda guilty. My Connected GPS works great every time now.  Didn't work reliably in the beginning but since the original firmware update it's worked perfectly. I've used it all over the USA. I've been in wooded area and open space. I've been in areas with no cellular coverage. At those times I had to wait to sync my exercise until I had coverage. I have no breaks in the map, my distance is accurate and my other tracked components seem bang on. I'm on a Samsung S7 running Android 8.0 and I use Verizon. 

[APlumb]

Thanks Aaroniusa - I had no idea the GPS on the versa wasn’t independent! Clearly Fitbit haven’t advertised that part very well!!!

I had a go last night while walking to a restaurant and it connected and tracked the walk. Will remember to have my phone with me and hooked up by Bluetooth in future!