Versa is not tracking steps accurately

[Bobbieerb]

We recently got the Versa for our 90 year old mom so she can track her steps.  It is not near accurate.  Her iPhone tracked her steps at 4500 one day and Versa had only 1830.  We've had her try swinging her arms more and stepping heavier, to see if the steps will count, but it only gets at most half the steps.  She takes small steps and they are not very forceful.  Is there a sensitivity setting that can be set?  I've looked through the options in settings and do not see anything like this.

[Marrrmaduke]

@Bobbieerb I'm afraid there's no such a setting per se. I would recommend a clip-based tracker instead of the wrist one. I think this would monitor her steps best.

[AlvaroFitbit]

@Bobbieerb  Welcome to the Fitbit Community! I hope you're doing well! Sorry to hear that the Versa isn't recording your mother's steps. Your device will detect the movement on your arm and translate that movement into steps. There are situations in which your arm may move but you won't be actually walking and vice versa. This may happen when you are playing the drums, burping a baby or clapping and the opposite can happen when you push a cart. Since the Versa isn't detecting steps there are some things you can do. For added sensitivity you can try wearing your tracker on your dominant hand but select that hand as non dominant on the tracker’s settings to make it more sensitive to movement. Also as @Marrrmaduke  mentioned  a clip based tracker like the Fitbit Zip could be a better option for her or simply have here were the Versa inside her pants pocket.

Let me know how it goes!

[Bobbieerb]

We tried the suggestions and moved the watch to her dominant arm and also had hear wear it in her pocket and the step count is closer to actual, but still off by more than 30%.  We will return the product to the store.  Thanks for replying with suggestions.

[Marrrmaduke]

@Bobbieerb Sorry Versa didn't work out for your mom. May I ask whether wearing in the pocket helped or was it dominant hand? Thx!

[Bobbieerb]

We tried both the dominant hand and the pocket.  Neither was accurate count of steps.

[Marrrmaduke]

@Bobbieerb Thank you. Wishing your mom all the best!