Versa no longer tracks my biking accurately using GPS

[iblokh]

As of a few days ago, my versa sopped tracking bike rides correctly. It shows that its connected to my phone for GPS and it looks like its working, but when I check the log afterwards, it either shows no distance travelled or it will show just a straight line from the start to finish, but not the actual route.

Walking however works perfectly fine.

I tried restarting it, but that didn't help. I haven't done a factory reset yet, but kind of want to avoid going through that hassle if possible.

I have the latest firmware and the Versa 1 and an iPhone 11 Pro with the latest iOS.

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity

[Rich_Laue]

I would look into the position of the phone whole riding?

It looks as if bluetooth is losing connection. 

[iblokh]

The phone is mounted to my handlebars and the watch is on my wrist, so they are right next to each other.

Sent from my iPhone

[Sumo75]

I have this problem too, I shows watch connected but when stopped 5 mins later it just shows connecting?

Have tryed every setting still no luck. If I use Strava on the phone it works fine tracking my ride. Not very impressive on a brand new versa.

[iblokh]

Yep exactly! I'm also using Strava as a backup, although when it DID work I liked the Fitbit tracking much more because heart rate was integrated. 

[Spapp07]

I am having the same issue and it started after the latest update. Today I did a 10 mile bike ride my fitbit versa showed idid it and said it was connected the whole time. I stopped differnt times to check it.then I exited the exercise and the whole thing is gone. I'm trying to log it manually but it is not accurate to what I had done during the ride because of my heart rate and speed. 

[iblokh]

Do you know if someone from Fitbit actually reads these? Or what is the best way to reach them?

[Spapp07]

I am not sure. I was wondering the same thing lol . I actually just shut
off my phone and then the Fitbit versa itself. My bike ride still wasnt on
thier. So then I entered it manually and after I did that the exercise from
earlier actually added itself automatically. Maybe try that next time. But
clearly they need to redo another update because this is the 3rd time mine
hasnt tracked or stopped tracking part of the way through.

[Sumo75]

I emailed Tec support two days ago and still no reply?

The connection and battery seem really bad so may send it back.

[MarreFitbit]

Hello guys. We apologize for the late response. I'm sorry to hear that you're having issues with the connected GPS on your Versa smartwatches. 

As @Rich_Laue mentioned, please know that 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. To learn more, see GPS.gov. 

We suggest you to update your Fitbit app. Note that we released new versions of the Fitbit app on May 12, 2020 for Android (version 3.21)  and for iOS (version 3.21) on May 19th. This version we fixed some bugs and made stability improvements. For more information, see: What's changed in the latest release of the Fitibit app? and How do I update the Fitbit app? 

Hello @Sumo75. We really apologize for the delayed in the email you sent to our Customer Support Team, due to recent events affecting our operations, support options are limited and wait times are longer than usual. I've seen that they reached out to you on May 23rd but haven't heard back from you yet. If you still need help, please check your inbox and reply back to the email you received so our team can continue assisting you.

I'll be around if you have any questions present. 

[Spapp07]

My Fitbit was working great before the update and that's when it started
screwing up. I solved the problem by shutting down my phone completely and
completly shutting down my fitbit and restarting it. I havent had an issue
since I restarted both of them. I think everything just needed shut down
and reset after the update.

[MarreFitbit]

Hi there @Spapp07. I totally understand where you come from. I'm glad to hear that you haven't had an issue after restarting your phone and your Versa.

Actually, I always do a restart on my electronic devices, e.i phone, tv, computer, etc after an update, they need to refresh everything to operate great after the new fixes and improvements added in the version.

I'll be around if there's anything else I may do for you. Have a good day! 

[Sumo75]

Hi Marrie thanks for the reply. I have done all the above but still didn't work so I sent the versa back and got another one this is still the same! The odd thing is when walking the same route it works fine but on bike it loses connection and will not connect back to the phone I just says connecting.....

This seems to be a bug on biking only? The phone GPS is great on the same route via Strava with no black area's! I know how GPS works as I fix car GPS faults for a living.

I really love the versa 2 but still have to take my Garmin out for my rides as I just can't trust the Fitbit versa.

Thanks for the input, any ideas? Seems like a software fault to me as it's only on the bike mode?

[Rich_Laue]

My brother has the same issue with his Versa 

[Sumo75]

Not just me then!😆👍🏻

[MarreFitbit]

Hello there @Sumo75, thanks for getting back and for the update. I've seen that our Support Team has replied to you after your last post here. I'd suggest to keep your conversation with them as they'll know what's the next step to try after everything you have done so far. 

Let me know if you have any questions present. 

[Sumo75]

Hi Marrie, I sent a reply to the Tec support on the 26th and have heard nothing from them yet? How long does it take to get a reply?

Getting fed up with this now!

[Edwii]

Lots of us are having problems. It’s your last update that’s the problem!

[erksjane]

Same issue with my Versa2! This has happened twice in the last week with tracking bike rides. I make sure the GPS is connected before I start the ride. It doesn't ever say "reconnecting." It tracks my heart rate and everything, But the map never shows up in the fitbit app. However, it WILL show up on the fitbit dashboard on the computer, and the map shows up on Strava just fine.

I am wondering if it is more of a Fitbit app issue. I restarted both my phone and Versa2, AND uninstalled and reinstalled the Fitbit app in case that was the issue. Still not resolved. I have an Android/Google phone.

[Edwii]

I had the same problem. I restarted my iPhone and my Versa and that worked for me.

Sent from my iPhone