Versa 2 - Alexa - "Connection Lost" - must sync Fitbit to use?

[kiapple]

I just got my Versa 2 a couple days ago and I am having trouble connecting to Alexa. When I try to connect, I get an error message (CONNECTION LOST - Sync device in Fitbit mobile app. Let app run in the background to use Alexa"

I have checked my settings for both Fitbit and Alexa (I have an Iphone XR) Both are set to Background App Refresh, Location - Always and Fitbit is set for All Day Sync.

My question is: Do I need to open the Fitbit app on my phone every time I want to use Alexa? If I open the Fitbit app and sync - then Alexa will work. Do I have my settings right or is this how Alexa works on Versa 2? I'm a little bummed because I thought I only had to push the button on Versa 2 and it would work. It's just as easy to open the Alexa app and use it on my phone.

[wtksk8r]

This may sound like a strange thing to do but....

Try rebooting your home Wi-Fi router. This cleared up all the Alexa issues for me. For most routers, just unplug, wait a minute and then plug it back in.

[Komoki]

I have exactly the same problem. I went on to their help desk and still can’t they no answer.

Cont...I also bought Versa 2 couple days ago and when I try to use Alexa I receive the same error: CONNECTION LOST - Sync device in Fitbit mobile app. Let app run in the background to use Alexa.  I have a iPhone XS Max and I’ve followed all instructions in setting up. Spoke to Fitbit help desk, they had me uninstalling, rebooting etc no luck.  Also wondering and kinda annoying to always have Fitbit app open just to use Alexa.

Moderator edit: merged reply

[N8teGee]

Could it be the way iOS handles apps, it's well known to kill background processes. Are you leaving the Fitbit app running or do you clear it from the app switcher? 

[Komoki]

Hi

To use Alexa I have to leave the app open. Annoying as I usually automatically close apps. But have to consciously try and leave Fitbit open. 

[N8teGee]

@Komoki Well yes, that is expected behaviour. If you force close the fitbit app it will terminate whatever processes are running. Really in this day there is no need to force close any app that isn't misbehaving, both Android and iOS have systems in place to manage power and background processes automatically. 

[Komoki]

Hi, Im not force closing any app. Just closing the app as having too many apps open drains the battery. But with Alexa to work on Versa 2 I have to leave Fitbit app open and not swipe up to close it. The issue I’m having us receiving this error - CONNECTION LOST - Sync device in Fitbit mobile app. Let app run in the background to use Alexa. And my question  Do I need to open the Fitbit app on my phone every time I want to use Alexa?

[N8teGee]

@Komoki I've not used iOS since the iPhone 6, so am not familiar with these new gestures that have been introduced. On my Android phone I have pinned the Fitbit app in the app switcher so that it's never closed (even by the OS memory/power management), is there a similar option available on iOS? Apple's power management used to be very aggressive, I'm not sure if this is still the case and apps are now allowed to properly run in the background? 

[t.parker]

iOS never really supported background processes. It was always a chore to support background tasks and there's never a guarantee the OS won't kill the app. I remember how much frustration it caused to support background downloads in one of the apps I've been working on. If any app requires to stay in the background to support rather infinite task then iOS isn't the greatest platform to do it. Even on the jailbroken device, I had issues with running a custom daemon with root privileges - pressing the sleep button, and the deamon stopped almost instantly because the system watchdog just kicked in. With finite-length background tasks, I remember there were also restrictions (such tasks couldn't take longer than 2-3 minutes). If the Fitbit app has to be running in the background to support Alexa then it's not the greatest design knowing iOS limitations.

[AlessFitbit · Accepted solution]

@kiapple @Komoki Hello! Thanks for stopping by the Fitbit Community.

To clarify this further, you must have the Fitbit app running in the background in order for Alexa to work. You don't need to have it open on the screen at all times, you can leave and use your phone per usual. By "swiping up" on an iOS device you are force quitting the app and no longer keeping your watch connected to the internet through the Fitbit app. 

[Komoki]

Hi, 

Yes that was my original question. It seems weird to have the app open just to use Alexa or I just found out having the weather app refreshed. It’s used 20% battery for half day so far by having it opened in the background. 

[Rich_Laue]

20% of the phone's battery or the Versa 2's battery. 

Weather on the Versa 2 does not run in the background. 

[Komoki]

Ok guess that wasn’t clear, 20% of the phone battery by having the app opened in the background in the phone. If I want to check the weather on versa 2, it will say sync the mobile app to update. My settings on my phone is set to all day sync, so you would assume it would sync automatically without having to keep opening the app on the phone. If I leave the app open on my phone to use just Alexa etc to and not to keep receiving the connection list error message then it drains my phone battery.  I’ve been thru the rebooting etc with Fitbit help desk and they can’t figure it out and now escalated and I guess they can’t figure it out either as I haven’t heard back from them a week now. 

[Rich_Laue]

If weather hasn't updated in a while when a user requests weather the watch reaches out to the Fitbit services running in the background. This small service will start up even if the main app is not running. But if Fitbit isn't allowed to run in the background, neither will the Fitbit service. 

Personally i haven't noticed a big drain on the battery by Fitbit. 

[Kacoon31]

So I have to keep my Fitbit app open without swiping it away in order to use Alexa?  That seems a bit old tech for a watch that is $200. Maybe Fitbit needs to run a fix. If I’m running Fitbit in background but swipe it away the watch should know it’s still running in the background on my iPhone. 

[Lybra975]

I am having the same issue as well. I have a Samsung Note8 and I always leave my fitbit app open and running in the background. I would say half the time I try to use alexa, it tells me to sync in the app. I have all day sync turned on so I don't understand why I'm constantly having to manually sync. also, I don't receive notifications when this happens as well. Would be nice if I didn't have to always have my phone nearby because the app isn't working properly.

[Captroper]

Same issue with a google pixel 4. Always connected is ticked as is all day sync. I also ensured that battery optimization was turned to off, and if relevant added it as a trusted device. 

[Rich_Laue]

2 days ago I had this problem, a restart of the Android phone fixed this. 

[Komoki]

That’s good for you. I have an iPhone doesn’t work for me

[adelrosso74]

Same issue with a Xiaomi Mi Mix 2s and Android 9. Every time i need to activate Alexa, Bluetooth link is disconnected.