Phillips Hue app not connecting to phone?

[jespere]

Hello! 

I am using the Phillips hue app on my versa, an advertised app for the watch. It seems to work less than 20% of the time. It comes up saying, "Hmm... Can't seem to connect to your phone"

Is there a setting I need to change? I've given the app full permissions and use the iPhone hue app on my phone too. 

Also, if I want to make a feature recommendation for the hue app, who should I contact? Fitbit? The app developer?

[HeydyF]

Hey @jespere, it is nice to see new faces around!  If you are getting this issue with the Phillips Hue app, take into consideration that your Philips Hue system must be connected to the same Wi-Fi network as your phone, and your watch must be within Bluetooth range of your phone so it will work without inconveniences, however, if the issue persists, let me know and I will continue assisting you. 😉 

Regarding requesting a new feature, you can go to our Feature Suggestions board and post your idea there, or review those that are already posted, maybe the one you want to suggest has been already posted. If so, you can leave your vote and comments on it.

I'll be around! 

[jespere]

Hey, thanks for the reply. I only have one wifi network and the phone is in the room. Unless the Fitbit app is open and connected to my watch, the HUE app doesn't work. If I have to open my phone's Fitbit app to use the hue app on my watch ... I'll just open the hue app on my phone. 

Please help? This is making the hue app on the versa completely useless. 

[TempestFire]

Jespere I had assumed the Hue app communicated with the Hue bridge via WiFi, but just done a couple of tests.

I put my phone in Airplane mode and tried the Hue app on the Versa and got the "Hmm... Can't seem to connect to your phone".

I then took Airplane mode off but disconnected the phone from WiFi this time the Hue app could find the phone on Bluetooth but was asking to set the IP address of the Hue bridge in settings. I then reconnected the phone to wiFi and the Hue app on the Versa then worked.

I now assume the Versa talks Bluetooth to your phone and the phone talks over wifi to the bridge.

Not sure if this helps you but at least shows the phone is required, I have to say its worked every-time I have used the Hue app. I don't have the fitbit app open at the time on my iPhone but I do have it set for All day Sync.

[jespere]

Very interesting. I'll give it a try, in the order you suggest. 

My phone is also setup to sync all day and has bluetooth on. It seems to only successfully be "connected" to the versa when the phone is awake and the Fitbit app is open though. 

[jespere]

no dice, still only works occasionally. It does seem to work if the app is open and unlocked, but that is not a solution. 

[TempestFire]

@jespere One other thought do you have background app refresh on for Fitbit?

[jespere]

Yes, I do. I have checked several times to make sure it isn't unchecking itself. lol.

[TempestFire]

Sorry @jespere I’m out of ideas.  I have to say it’s cool to use the Versa to control the lights but it’s easier and quicker to ask Siri or Alexa to turn them on or off.

[smol84]

I have the same problem. It doesn't seem that the versa is reconnecting to the wifi when connecting via the phone. The Hue app either asks for an IP and then can't connect or says I'm not connected to wifi.

If I disconnect everything and resync the versa to the phone and then press the button on the hue bridge again it works - but doing that every time is silly - it's faster to use the light switch

[Jparrish08]

I have the exact same issue.  I don’t understand how this is still an issue?  This is so frustrating I’m seriously thinking about returning.

[tomkasper91]

I’m having the same exact issue. The app on the watch only connects when the Fitbit app on the phone is open.

Please submit a ticket to the developers for Fitbit or Philips Hue to fix the bug.

[jespere]

Well, I reinstalled the app and tried again, hoping it would work... nothing. What a waste! I was really excited when I bought this that I could use it for my hue lights. What a huge disappointment. Fitbit App Store should not allow apps which DO NOT WORK.

[Tomaz32]

I have the same problem.

On my phone Fitbit app all day sync is on, Philips hue app is installed and in the settings has the correct Hue bridge IP. 

When I start the app on Ionic, it just stays at "please wait ... checking for a connection to a brigde" and my phone is on the same WiFi network as my Hue bridge is using and half a meter from my Ionic, WiFi router and Hue bridge.

I somehow managed to start the app a few times (I don't know how), but a minute later if I start the app again, it doesn't connect.

Having also problem with Strava app (another thread here), I guess Ionic is good for basic functions (tracking steps, calories, sleep, excercises), but when it comes to apps it's more of a dumb than a smart watch.