Versa 2 and iPhone will not stay connected

[gcpierce]

I have just switched from android to iPhone and the experience with the fitbit app has been very unpleasant.  Unless I have my phone on me wherever I go, it will become disconnected from bluetooth, and then it will take AT LEAST 30 minutes and many, many attempts to reconnect.  I often have to actually completely restart my Versa 2, and then only prayer will get it to reconnect.  What am I doing wrong?  My android had no problem staying connected no matter where it was.

[EstuardoFitbit]

Hi there, @gcpierce. Thanks for reaching out to the Fitbit community. I'm happy to help you with your syncing issue.

Your Fitbit device uses Bluetooth to connect to your phone. When you first set up your Fitbit device, you will need to download the Fitbit app to your phone. The app will help you connect your device to your phone and sync your data.

Once your device is connected to your Fitbit app, it will sync automatically. If your device is not connected on your Bluetooth settings you can check if your device is syncing properly by following these steps: Profile Picture > Device picture > Scroll down selecting Sync now.

[gcpierce]

Thank you for this.  However, I did already know this.  I have been a fitbit user for many years.  I recently switched from android to IOS, and that's when all  my problems began.  I am familiar with bluetooth.  My app does not stay connected to my bluetooth.  Other bluetooth connections will automatically reconnect when in range, but my fitbit app does not.  The app will tell me to reconnect via bluetooth, but that inevitably takes at least 30 minutes of my constantly pressing the connect.  I can turn bluetooth off and back on, to no avail.  I can turn off phone and then back on, also to no avail.  I can completely restart my watch and then, maybe, it will reconnect.  But the planets have to be aligned precisely.  What is the problem with the app and/or my Versa 2?

[EstuardoFitbit · Accepted solution]

Thank you, @gcpierce, for your reply to my post.

I understand your frustration. It sounds like you've tried a lot of things to try to get your Fitbit app and Versa 2 to connect, but you're still having trouble.

I've done some research, and it looks like there are a few things that can cause problems with Bluetooth connectivity. One possibility is that there is interference from other devices in your environment. For example, if you try to set up your Fitbit Versa 2 with another cellphone or tablet, it could be trying to get connected to it and at the same time losing connection with the current device that you have set up. Could you please let me know if that is the case?

If you have not done so yet, please check: "Why won't my Fitbit device sync?"

[gcpierce]

Thank you!  Oh yes, this is most likely the cause!   I frequently log into fitbit.com dashboard to see the larger graphs, particularly workouts.  Also, in frustration with my new iPhone, I frequently will grab my android because it connects all the time, every time, always.  I have wondered about that interaction, being an engineer, and now I will try to keep the three things separated.  But I still wonder why it's so problemmatic to get the Versa reconnected to iPhone bluetooth.  thank you again for considering my problem.  I think you have the right answer!  

[EstuardoFitbit]

@gcpierce I'm glad to hear that my answer was helpful! It sounds like we've been able to identify the cause of your problem, which is that you're using your Fitbit with multiple devices.

In this case, I believe the issue could be caused for the same reason, since your Versa 2 is not designed to connect with both devices at the same time. I recommend that you make sure to disconnect your Versa 2 from the Bluetooth of your old cellphone or uninstall the app from it.

Hopefully that will solve the issue. 

[gcpierce]

Thank you for your help with this.  It seems that if my watch is not within range of iPhone bluetooth, I will have to try to pair it again when they get back together.  This takes several attempts, no longer impossible since I disconnected my watch from android phone.  That was never required with the android app, which reconnected automatically all the time, every time.  I was never aware of any disconnection with android app.  Perhaps this is normal for iPhone, but it is not the fitbit experience I have been enjoying for many years.  Is this normal for iPhone app?

[EstuardoFitbit]

@gcpierce I'm glad to read that at least we were able to partially solve the issue.

Actually, this issue with the iOS app is something I haven't read about before. The app should automatically reconnect your device without all that process, so I'm guessing that maybe you have a permission that isn't active. The option that makes the most sense to me is the one called Background App Refresh.

Background App Refresh is an iOS feature that allows apps to update their content from the background, even when you're not using them. You can check this option by opening your phone's settings, scrolling all the way to the Fitbit app, and turning on the Background App Refresh option.

[gcpierce]

Thank you!  This seems to work just fine now.  I appreciate your help with this!  learning iPhone after so many years as an android user seems like a full time job for me these days.  

[EstuardoFitbit]

@gcpierce You're very welcome. I'm glad to read that we were able to resolve the issue. I'm sure you'll enjoy using your Versa 2 as you always have. If you have any further questions or concerns, please don't hesitate to contact us. We're always here to help.

Have a good one.