Ability to disable Bluetooth in restricted areas

[pastorscory]

I agree with many of the others.  I know there may not appear to be enough users requesting the bluetooth LE off functionality for fitbit to consider it, but I also know of several hundred, Yes Really, who would consider it, fitbit devices, at my location alone.  There are 8,000 military and 12,000 civilians affected by the bluetooth rules at my location alone.  I traded a fitbit flex for a first generation jawbone with my son-in-law for that reason.  I love the Surge and want one, but I can't justify it if I can't turn the LE radio off while I am at work. 

Please don't just consider, but make this an option.  You will get a number, Most Likely thousands more at $249 a pop, of new customers with this functionality.  Most people I speak with on the military base I work at love the look and function of your products, but won't buy them because they cannot disable the bluetooth.  They get written up in sensitive electronic areas for active bluetooth devices and could potentially lose jobs.

One older gentleman specifically stated he came home and threw the device in a drawer because he was written up for a violation at work.  He loves the device, but can't afford to lose his job.  Thanks for implementing this as soon as possible.

Moderator Edit: Edited title for clarity and word choice

[pastorscory]

I agree with many of the others.  I know there may not appear to be enough users requesting the bluetooth LE off functionality for fitbit to consider it, but I also know of several hundred, Yes Really, who would consider it, fitbit devices, at my location alone.  There are 8,000 military and 12,000 civilians affected by the bluetooth rules at my location alone.  I traded a fitbit flex for a first generation jawbone with my son-in-law for that reason.  I love the Surge and want one, but I can't justify it if I can't turn the LE radio off while I am at work. 

Please don't just consider, but make this an option.  You will get a number, Most Likely thousands more at $249 a pop, of new customers with this functionality.  Most people I speak with on the military base I work at love the look and function of your products, but won't buy them because they cannot disable the bluetooth.  They get written up in sensitive electronic areas for active bluetooth devices and could potentially lose jobs.

One older gentleman specifically stated he came home and threw the device in a drawer because he was written up for a violation at work.  He loves the device, but can't afford to lose his job.  Thanks for implementing this as soon as possible.

Moderator Edit: Edited title for clarity and word choice

[tamyp]

I have just bought a Polar watch instead of a Fitbit because they offer flight mode. Flight mode should include disabling of all radio wave emissions, ant+, wifi and bluetooth. Timing of the flight mode - i.e that it can be set to come one (and sync data) at specific times (such as the Polar Verge I believe) would be fantastic.

[YojanaFitbit]

Hi @tamyp, thanks for explaining why you would like to have the option to see a flight mode on Fitbit. This feature suggestion already exists, so I've moved it into a similar request. While we don’t currently have plans to release this feature, we always appreciate the passion and creativity that comes out of this Community. Since we know this idea is important to many of you, we have left voting open to continue tracking interest and will post another update if anything changes. To learn more about how Fitbit decides which suggestions get developed, visit our FAQs.

I hope to see you around.

[Verbile]

I would really like to see a feature like this. I am growing increasingly worried about the radiation from my watch at all times. I'm with @Kanefire -  @Cam125, which Garmin did you get? 

It is unreasonable to see something so requested and supported by the community just brushed aside by Fitbit. Especially to have it restricted on the API level as well. I love the Fitbit brand and all of the features it brings, but this is causing me to look at competitors. 

[SunsetRunner]

Add an option (on Charge 4) which disables Bluetooth on the tracker / watch during sleep mode.

[YojanaFitbit]

Hi @SunsetRunner, thanks for explaining why you would like to have the option to disable Bluetooth on Fitbit devices. I've moved it into a similar request. I think that a lot of users would like to have this option on their Fitbit devices.You can learn more about how Fitbit decides what suggestions get released in our FAQs.

You might be also interested on this other suggestion: Ability to disable Bluetooth in restricted areas.

Thank you again for your participation in the Feature Suggestions Forums.

[BAL757]

I agree with being able to toggle Bluetooth on my Fitbit. I want to get a Luxe, but it doesn’t have this feature. 

[CathyTate]

Option to disable Bluetooth on Tracker (Charge)

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @CathyTate, thanks for sharing this suggestion about being allowing you to disable the Bluetooth on your Fitbit device with us. This idea was already requested in the Feature Suggestions board, so I’ve moved your post here. This will help us to make sure the suggestions don't get confused, or split a popular vote. Click on the thumbs-up to show your support.

[CathyTate]

I now have a Garmin VivoSport .. I miss the Fitbit App, but love the Garmin. If Bluetooth can be disabled I might just come back to Fitbit though.

[BAL757]

I just got a Garmin, too.

Sent from my iPhone

[Melissa2307]

I went to garmin too

[Dragonfly8]

All Fitbits should have the option in their settings to turn Bluetooth on & off. I was so happy to get my Fitbit & excited about enjoying its benefits. Then I found out I could never turn off the Bluetooth. Now I'm disappointed I can't use it at all. Fitbit is losing many customers due its devices inability to turn Bluetooth off & on.

[DavideFitbit]

Hi @Dragonfly8, thanks for sharing this suggestion about the possibility of turning Bluetooth On and Off. I noticed a similar idea was already requested in the Feature Suggestions board, so I’ve moved your post here. This will help the team of developers to make sure the suggestions don't get confused, or split a popular vote and to keep track of popularity and demand over time. Don't forget to add your vote and comments to Support this idea. 

Thank you again for your participation in the Community. 

[Gogi73]

Please make this change possible! I just bought my second Fitbit but I'm going to return it until you guys let us turn Bluetooth off in the device! 

[Aremania]

Looking forward to the day fitbit allows airplane mode & turning bluetooth on and off!

[cadeenglish]

Add the ability to disable Bluetooth capabilities on the app and watch. This feature would minimize all EMF and RF frequencies from the watch. Allow the option to toggle between automatic and manual sync when Bluetooth is on. Make sure the watch isn’t just searching for a paired device all the time

[YojanaFitbit]

Hi @cadeenglish, thanks for taking the time to share this suggestion about having the option to disable Bluetooth capabilities. I've moved it into a similar request. I think that a lot of users would like to have this option on their Fitbit devices. You can learn more about how Fitbit decides what suggestions get released in our FAQs.

Thank you again for your participation in the Feature Suggestions Forums.

[Taex]

Since 4 years Fitbit is ignoring this request. I send my Charge 5 back because there is not option to turn bluetooth off. Now I have to buy a device from Garmin. Vivosmart 4 doesn’t look good but there you can turn off BT. I recommend Garmin over Fitbit.

[RaRunner]

I second this so much. I’m currently thinking I will only use my Fitbit for six months or so because I just don’t like the idea of having a Bluetooth device transmitting directly to my bloodstream 24/7 for an entire year. It’s really frustrating because the notifications are so helpful.

I just can’t get over the constant exposure to radiation given the unsettled science around whether non-ionizing radiation is completely safe or not.

[Matt0965]

Please provide a function to switch off bluetooth on your trackers. Leave it up to the users when to sync tracking data with the mobile phone. Other vendors like Oura ring can do this without problems, I cannot understand why Fitbit is not able to provide this functionality. Your trackers are great but this is a must criteria for healthy people.

[YojanaFitbit]

Hi @Matt0965, thanks for taking the time to share this suggestion about having the option to switch off Bluetooth on your Fitbit devices. This feature suggestion already exists, so I’ve moved your post here. Click on the thumbs-up to show your support. To learn more about how Fitbit decides which suggestions get developed, visit our FAQs.

Thanks for posting and I hope to see you chatting around the Fitbit Forums.

[iklwa]

I would also like to see this feature implemented, knowing now that Garmin has this option and that those is not being seriously considered by Fitbit (among other issues) likely to be sending my Sense 2 back now. 

[GameCarpenter]

Either via detection or schedule, create the option to disable Bluetooth while sleeping.

[TBrowning]

Not sure which Fitbit you have but "sleep mode" essentially disables bluetooth communications. 

Mine is set to auto detect since I do not have a consistent sleep schedule. 

[YojanaFitbit]

Hi @GameCarpenter, thanks for taking the time to share this suggestion about having the ability to disable Bluetooth during sleep. I've moved it into a similar request. You can learn more about how Fitbit decides what suggestions get released in our FAQs. Click on the thumbs-up to show your support.

You can't disable Bluetooth, but as @TBrowning mentioned here on your device you can use 'Sleep mode' to avoid receiving notifications during sleep.

Thank you again for your participation in the Feature Suggestions Forums.