Versa 2 connected GPS wildly inaccurate.

[cbloyer81]

My wife had a Versa for a week, and now a Versa 2. Below is the results of her connected GPS run. It's wildly inaccurate. I wear a surge, and the GPS is pinpoint accurate. Is this the best she can expect from connected GPS? It's garbage if it is.

After doing some research, I'm wondering if it is because she is using bluetooth earbuds and interrupting the connection with the GPS?

Moderator edit: Updated subject for clarity 

[SilviaFitbit]

It's great to see you on the Community @cbloyer81. Thanks for the screenshot shared and details mentioned. 

All devices with GPS sensors require a direct path to GPS satellites to calculate location. A weak GPS signal might affect the accuracy of your route and other activity data. Your device uses your step count to calculate distance until it finds a signal, so the total distance calculated for a workout may be slightly less accurate when GPS isn't available for the entire time. 

Environmental factors, including tall buildings, dense forest, steep hills, and even thick cloud cover, can interfere with your device’s ability to connect to GPS satellites. If the signal is blocked—either because you're underground or due to another reason—GPS won't work. 

I'll be around if you need further assistance. 

[cbloyer81]

Same run, same time, same view of the sky.  (I work with GPS satellites)  The Versa2 did not have any bluetooth connections other than the phone.  Fitbit app is authorized to run in the background.  The other device is an Ionic. 

Is this the expected performance of the Versa2?  If it is, it's garbage. The ground track is ALL over the place. 

[colombedematin]

I'm having this same issue.  Except its between my versa and the versa 2.  Same walk every morning and evening, same run at lunch, the versa tracks, the versa 2 does not.

[voxor]

I'm having the exact same issue, as well as another issue where notifications stop working after a short period of time, and the only way to fix it is to basically reinstall the app or clear its cache and data. I think this is a problem with the Versa 2's firmware, hopefully we see this remedied in a prompt update it's very infuriating.

[cleoent]

same issue, same loop, vastly different distances.  So incredibly frustrating.

[voxor]

Ok so after doing some searching I came across a solution until hopefully fitbit solves this issue. This fixed both my notification and GPS problems although I am still getting some inconsistent syncing. Big thanks to Marrrmaduke for posting this fix.

[SilviaFitbit]

Hey @cbloyer81, @colombedematin, @voxor and @cleoent. Sorry for the delayed reply, thanks for the details shared.

If you're having issues with notifications, please try the tips mentioned in this article: My Fitbit device isn't receiving notifications from my phone.

Regarding the issue you're having with GPS, please provide me with the following information: 

- Are you using Android or iOS?
- Which firmware version do you have?
- What Fitbit app version do you have?

Keep me posted! 

[cbloyer81 · Accepted solution]

I figured it out, she was on low power mode. It works great now! Low power mode was shutting the app down. 

[SunsetRunner]

I've got the same problem with my Versa 2 and I can assure you I can't walk on water

More info please "Low power Mode" of what? the Fibit the phone or the app? Where are the settings to be found please.

And moderators  no excuses about lack of satellites there will be at least 12 in view from this location.

[SunsetRunner]

Nothing heard from support, ho hum....

I went for a walk today and started the exercise tracking map on the phone and the versa 2. Surprise surprise that worked. So why on earth doesn't starting exercise tracking on the versa 2 just start the tracking on the phone without any need to keep in touch with each other? Likewise when you stop the exercise on the versa 2 the phone should then stop tracking, not when it loses contact. Expecting the versa 2 and app to keep in touch throughout the exercise are then unnecessary, all the data can be aggregated in the database and the reports provided to the versa and the app. That’s what happens with other data.

Another stunning example of the lack of communication between the dev teams providing a half arsed solution.

[McSan]

I am having problems with the GPS being inaccurate almost by a mile, it's so frustrating because am trying to improve my time, I have the Fitbit app and a pixel 3a, I have the fit app on my phone and that one tracks perfectly my miles and pace, I wish my versa 2 would do the same. I checked on my phone and the Fitbit app has all the permissions it requires.

[Lily-R]

This is exactly the same problem that I am experiencing with my Versa.

[Amirhomayoun]

Same here. Versa 2, pixel 4. Not optimized app, all permissions. Connected to the phone all the time, same path (that I know should be 6.7 miles, and one day it's 5 miles, the other day it's 8! The map in the app looks okay, but the distance is definitely wrong. Did not have the problem with Versa and pixel 2 (never tried versa 2 with pixel 2, so don't know if it's a problem of the watch or the phone or both!)

[JesHub]

I have a versa 2 and a Pixel 2 and having the same issue. It's cutting my runs short by nearly a mile 😭

[Trinibeens]

I have the same problem, but mine always undercounts distance and sometimes the map is completely bizarre.  I live in Arizona with clear blue skies and no high buildings to interfere.  So all their excuses are BS.

[JesHub]

Same! Some of my maps look like I'm running back and forth through my neighbors backyard 🤯 it was working great then all of a sudden last week my distance has been cut short.

[Pnmaher]

I have same issue. I got versa 2 as gift at christmas, it has not tracked a run or walk correctly since i got it. Out bi huge differences  doesn't even show me on the road most of time..

[CaitClay1022]

Are you able to share how you turned off low power mode?

[McGee60611]

Just completed my first run with the Versa 2. Same distance as my run on Strava with my phone, apparently it is now 1km less and I am a while minute slower than my previous runs...