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.

[Rich_Laue]

Has your bank added Fitbit pay? 

On android I. Would simply restart the phone. 

[SunsetRunner]

I got my fitbit last xmas. I am pissed and want my money back.   False advertisement.  Do not connect with my phone, if it does only for a min.  I cant reply to any messages which it say you should be able to when i do get a message  which is very rare when i do.   I called fitbit costumer service the told me to shut of my phone and fitbit and turn in back on.    They said i had to wait for the next  update and it should work which they dont know what that will be.    I want my money back. 

[bfc2345]

How do you keep the Fitbit app open at all times so Alexa will work on the Versa 2?

What's an App switcher and how do you pin the app to stay open?

Moderator edit: merged reply

[bfc2345]

What's an App switcher and how do you pin the app to stay open?

[Jmarie2192]

I have no idea If my bank has added Fitbit Pay and honestly, I’ve paid enough for this not to have to find out myself. They should be working to add all banks and from the age of many posts regarding this it doesn’t look like they are working on it very fast at all. I’ve restarted my phone many times and no matter what I do, even with Fitbit open, it always loses connection. I have to go to  the Fitbit app again and manually sync. What a waste of time and money this was 

[Rich_Laue]

@bfc2345 ew will need to know what type of phone you have. On android you want to give the Fitbit permission to run in the background. 

Then turn battery management off for the Fitbit app. Some android phones also require the app to be moved to the background before the screen locks. 

The task switcher is whatever button you press to bring up a list of the apps that are loaded in memory. 

@Jmarie2192 there is only so much Fitbit can do, when it comes to adding a bank or transit system. Fitbit has everything setup and now the bank needs to do the link up. This can not be done by Fitbit, but needs to be done by someone in the bank. 

Samsung Pay, Google Pay, Apple Pay, Harmon Pay, etc are all setup the same way. 

You can find a list of supported banks here. 

You also might find you bank already suggested but I would still suggest calling the number on the back of your card and ask them to add Fitbit pay. 

[Jmarie2192]

I have an iPhone and have set all of my settings to the recommended setup. It doesn’t seem to matter what I do. I was able to easily set up Apple Pay with my bank. It should be no different for this. Oh well.

Joy

[Jrawley2010]

I'm having this issue on my Android. Can you, by any chance, share the steps on how to pin the Fitbit app, like you did, so I can use my Alexa?? 

That would be much appreciated!!

[SunsetRunner]

I had this issue as well 3 days after I got the watch. What I realized was my watch was taking 3-4 mins to sync whenever I opened the app. I signed out of the fitbit app and unpaired the device from Bluetooth. Signed back into the app and re-paired with Bluetooth. Alexa works again now and I haven’t got the lost connection error even after leaving my phone to charge for 2 hours and using Alexa (without opening the app). FYI, I use an iPhone XS

[Bre130]

My question to you is how come my friend has an iPhone As well and the same Fitbit and she does not have this connection lost issue when she has her Fitbit app closed? She does not have to have the Fitbit app open in the background for her Alexa to work on her versa 2. I however do because I close my apps when I’m not using them to save on my battery as many people do. 

[Rich_Laue]

@Bre130 it may be because, as you say, you close your app and she simply moves the app to the background. 

The Fitbit app needs to be running in the background for Alexa and the connected GPS to work. 

[Samratb]

It’s not work, even run in background. I don’t know why fitbit add this alexa fiction even it not work properly.

[Jmarie2192]

Yeah, it simply doesn’t work. At least not with my phone. I’ve tried hard resetting my phone, hard resetting my Fitbit, verified the app is in fact still running in the background, and still, it loses connection. I have to manually sync even if I had just synced a few minutes before. I shouldn’t have to open my phone, open Fitbit app even if it’s already open in the background, manually push to sync when it’s set to sync automatically already, and then be able to use Alexa on my Fitbit. I might as well use my phone to use the Alexa app instead. Unfortunately this thing was a gift so I cannot return. It’s going to collect a ton of dust as soon as I can purchase an Apple Watch. Done with Fitbit. 

[Samratb]

it's not works even Fitbit app running in the background. please give me the proper solution.

[MrFingers]

I'm adding my voice to this chorus of discontent. I have an older iPhone 6, so not sure if that's a factor. But it is really aggravating to have such an unreliable connection between the watch's Alexa app and the iPhone Fitbit app.

[Ridgerunner54]

I was having a problem with my new Versa 2 resetting my active minutes to zero. Alexa was working fine. Had to go to a reset to factory settings and reload the whole thing again to fix active minutes dropped, now my Alexa is not working. I have exact same settings as before. Close to taking this thing back and putting my ChargeHR back on I had no problems with in over two years.

[Rich_Laue]

I'm assuming that you have setup Alexa again and it has failed. 

I would go to your Alexa then under devices remove the Versa 2 and try setting up again. 

[Ridgerunner54]

Tried removing Versa2 from Alexa and adding back and that worked, at least for awhile, then it quit working, started working, then quit again for good. Not sure this helped, but turned on phone notification in Fitbit App, previously had just text turned on. Alexa suddenly came up and has been solid since then. This might work for others having Alexa issues, maybe it forces a more constant ping of the phone from the Versa2 keeping the connection.

[CMT001]

Hi

I have this problem with Alexa on my Versa 2 as well.  When trying to connect with Alexa I get the message "Connection Lost. Sync device in Fitbit mobile app. Let app run in background to use Alexa"

I have set the App to run in the background but the only way I can use Alexa is to open the App.

This doesn't sound right to me.

Any thoughts?

Man thanks.

Cheryl

[Ridgerunner54]

This fixed it for me and has worked for a month straight at least .  Open app on cell>click on the user icon upper left corner>click on your Versa watch icon> scroll down below sync>click on notifications> turn on calls
With just texts turned on I could not keep Alexa connection, turning on phone fixed it for me and have not had an issue since.