Problem - Versa & Charge 3

[nhlisa]

Hi.  I have a problem.  I used to have an Alta HR & Charge 2.  When I got my Versa, I liked it so much that I decided to sell the Alta HR & Charge 2.  Since the Charge 3 has come out, I've wanted to try it.  I ordered it the other day and just received it today.  When I went to add it to my account, it asked if I wanted to switch from my Versa to the Charge 3.  While it's updating, I went to the website to check things out.  I see my Versa is now removed.  I looked at the help about multiple Fitbits and I see you can't have Charge 3 & Versa connected to the account at the same time.  I'm extremely disappointed by this.  I haven't even tried the Charge 3 on yet to see how I like it.  It's also not my usual rose gold, I got the special edition white/graphite because I liked the look of it.  I still want to keep my Versa as it's only about 7 months old and I have multiple bands for it...and I do really like it.  So now I'm wondering how easy it's going to be to switch back & forth between them??  Anyone have any experience with doing this?

I can understand why Fitbit doesn't allow two of the same exact devices on the same account.  Which I would have liked to have had two Versa's.  My original one was silver/gray and then I bought the rose gold/peach.  I was going to keep the silver/gray as an emergency backup but gave it to my husband.  I just don't understand why two different Fitbits can't be used on the same account.  There's got to be a way they can fix this.

Lisa

[Marrrmaduke]

@nhlisa Fitbit does not recommend having these two trackers linked with the same account as you may encounter issues. That's why you cannot add charge 3 without removing Versa. There's a workaround but I cannot guarantee it will work. You need to downgrade the Fitbit mobile app to version 2.81, then add the second tracker. Afterwards you can update Fitbit mobile app and both trackers should be there. You will not receive notifications on both. Features may not work as designed. You may encounter sync issues. That's why Fitbit does not recommend it.

ETA: I just noticed you're on iOS. You will not be able to downgrade Fitbit app. You.need to use Android. 

[nhlisa]

@Marrrmaduke Thanks for the response.  I just wish I knew before buying the Charge 3 that I couldn't add it without removing the Versa first.  Yep, I use an iPhone so not able to downgrade the app.

Receiving notifications wouldn't be an issue because I don't use notifications on my Fitibts.  I have them turned off as I almost always have my phone with me.  I don't even like notifications on my iPhone but I do have some things I need to have on.

I also don't have "all day sync" turned on.  I sync manually throughout the day.  I had it on when I had the Alta HR & Charge 2 but when I got the Versa it bothered my wrist to have it on for some reason.  So I turned it off.  When I setup the Charge 3, I also turned the all day synch off.  Don't know if it would bother me but I'm so used to not having it on, I just turned it off.

I'm hoping Fitbit comes up with a solution for this problem soon.  In the mean time I need to figure out how easy / how long it takes to switch them as needed.

[Marrrmaduke]

@nhlisa perhaps you could ask a friend with an Android for help? After that you can try using your iPhone to sync. Hopefully without major issues.

[nhlisa]

@Marrrmaduke Good idea but since I'm home most of the time, I don't really have any friends and no family around here except my husband... He uses the same model phone that I do.

[Marrrmaduke]

@nhlisa That's a real bummer. 😞 I would love to have both trackers linked at the same time, too.

[nhlisa]

@Marrrmaduke I didn't realize you had them both.  If you've switched between them... Does it take a long time?  My concern is that it will either take too long or be complicated to switch.  I really want to keep both.

[nhlisa · Accepted solution]

Update:

I decided to see how long/hard it was going to be to switch back & forth between the Versa & Charge 3.  In case anyone else is interested.

I got the Charge 3 yesterday and I do like it and want to keep it in addition to the Versa.  However it does seem to be more sensitive as far as steps are concerned.  I can deal with that though.

Ok, so today I got the Versa and switched back to it.  Took about 4 minutes with an additional 3 minutes to make some setting adjustments.  I had removed the apps I don't use.  I don't use all day sync with the Versa because it bothers my wrist for some reason.  Had to change from non-dominant to dominant (can't wear on my left wrist because I have a slight indent and a tattoo around that wrist, so it doesn't work for me). Turned notifications back off as well as reminders to move.  Lastly had to change the exercise shortcuts.  I suppose I could cut out removing the apps that I don't use and just leave them there.  That will cut a little time off.  But all in all 7 minutes isn't bad.

I then switched back to the charge and that was faster.  Took 3 minutes that included making adjustments.

I can deal with that.  It's not as long or hard as I thought it would be.  But, it would definitely be nice if & when Fitibt allows us to keep them both connected.  I look forward to that day.

Now to get some more Charge 3 bands for more options.

[Marrrmaduke]

@nhlisa I had them both linked at the same time, but I was experiencing issues, so had to remove CHarge 3. As you noticed the time it takes to replace the tracker really depends on how much setup needs to be done after. Apps, notifications, quick replies. For me it could be around 30 minutes. ughhh.

[Charge3andVersa]

I’ve tried switching and I find it very inconvenient. Wish I had known before I spent the money on the Versa. I’ve used multiple trackers on one account before, so I thought I could do this with Charge3 and Versa.  I like the Charge 3 for swimming (daily) and the Versa for everyday wear.  It takes too long to switch just for swimming, but I have a stainless band (not recommended for swimming) on my Versa. So with money invested in bands and trackers, I want to be able to switch them out.  I’m a bit disappointed having to switch. 

Fitbit, if you are listening:  We love your products and sometimes want more than one tracker.  You are definitely discouraging me from owning more than one tracker or band. Please make it possible to use them both one one account!!

[DramaQueenDiva]

It usually doesn't take me long to switch between the two but it all depends on how many people are using the Fitbit servers at any given time.

Oh and @nhlisa, HOWDY from your NH neighbor!

[nhlisa]

Hi Kristen,

You're right. I doesn't take long to switch between them but it is a bit of a pain.  Would be easier to just connect the Versa & Charge 3 once and leave them that way.  Or even two of the same.  I like two of the new Versa Lite colors (blue & mulberry).  Trying to decide if I want to get them or just get the bands.  Wish they would show those new bands on the rose gold Versa so I could see what it would look like.

[Charge3andVersa]

It takes me much longer. I have to set each up as a new device every time I want to switch.  I cannot set up two accounts on my Fitbit app, and don’t want to reset up as a new device daily to use. Wish I had known this before buying. I bought both a Charge 3 and a Versa within two months. What a waste.

[Charge3andVersa]

Fitbit won’t allow me to set up two accounts with the app either, so I guess I just wasted my money.

[Charge3andVersa]

Wish I had known before buying both. The app will not allow me to set up a second account, so that won’t work either.  I can’t use both trackers, and I can’t set up a separate account (with a different email address) through the app. Guess I wasted my money.

[Charge3andVersa]

I had to set each device up as a new one every time I wanted to switch; requiring a wifi setup. Not worth it. 😟

[rogerdavidb]

I just bought the Versa and like others in this forum, I really wanted to be able to switch between the Charge 3 and Versa.  My plan was to wear the Versa more during the workday and the Charge 3 more for the rugged outdoor activities.  Since I can't keep both on the same account, I'm sending the Versa back but I really wish I didn't have to.

[pj_b]

Actually I tried this and is a disaster. The switch corrupted my account when it didn’t work properly. I lost 5 years worth of data. Then when I contacted support and demanded they restore my data, the originally refused. But when I sighted their terms and conditions and my rights to my data they agreed, but it took days. Their not a solution. It’s a cop out! 

[pj_b]

Wow, you call that a solution!? What a mess. 

[pj_b]

Are you seriously suggesting somebody by a new phone worth thousands just because Fitbit can’t handle their software development?