Add a "Find my phone" app in the Fitbit App Gallery

We all misplace our phones from time to time. Since there is Bluetooth connection, it should be simple to reverse the notification and ring your phone. So long as the phone is within Bluetooth range, this should be a feature on the new Versa/Ionic. 

 

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject and updated label

583 Comments
1GR3
Runner
Try to write about it here:
https://www.quora.com/search?q=fitbit
It doesn’t make much sense to complain about it inside the community.
Argus000
Stepping Up

Hello Everybody,

 

Thought I was a little stupid that I didn't locate this feature to find my phone with my Fitbit Ionic... is so evident to have it!

But it seems that it is requested since a very long time here (2015) and that the Fitbit developers can't develop this feature, or don't want to do it, or do not listen to their clients...  or maybe a protected feature by the different phone manufactures?

 

Very disappointed! 

bogdanims
Recovery Runner

hello

 

I just got the approval of "Find My Phone" application - https://gam.fitbit.com/gallery/app/25f6c80d-60ae-4d80-8a54-d3e5775e4ae1

It requires an one time configuration. For now it works only on Android smartphones, but it is a matter of days until the iOS version will be available too. I'm waiting for your feedback.

 

Enjoy it! 🙂

JoshDinsdale
Jogger

@bogdanims could u please provide a full link to the Google play app as I can't seem to find it by searching?

 

Thanks

bogdanims
Recovery Runner
JoshDinsdale
Jogger

@bogdanims thanks. Is it possible to have a trial? As soon as I load the watch app it wasn't me to pay. I don't mind paying but I'd like to test first.

 

Thanks!

bogdanims
Recovery Runner

@JoshDinsdale please use this Promo Code: JoshDinsdale
We'll consider it a champagne launch promo code 🙂

JayinToronto
Recovery Runner

Does it work with the Charge 3 and Samsung A5 (I've had synching issues --
apparently A5 not yet 'approved' by Fitbit:(


Moderator Edit: Personal info removed

ejcortes
Jogger

Well, I paid for it. It works, thanks. 🙂

 
Question: It works only through bluetooth, or does it also work through wifi?
bogdanims
Recovery Runner

@JayinToronto

it works only with Ionic or Versa. Probably I should get a Charge 3 in order to try to migrate this app on that device too.

bogdanims
Recovery Runner

@ejcortes It uses the communication that exists between the fitbit device and fitbit app. So you cannot make a very remotely phone to ring, but normally the distance needed to hear the sound of the phone is comparable to the distance needed for the watch to find the phone.

JoshDinsdale
Jogger

Hey @bogdanims thanks for the code, I wasn't expecting a freebie so I will donate the amount back now that I know it works. 🙂

 

The app seems to work well. It might be worth adding that on newer android phones u need to disable battery optimization (not sure if the app can request that permission at install time?)

Also, on my phone it doesnt ring but plays the default notification sound instead but just ince. Is this a bug? Thought I'd let you know anyway.

 

Other than that, great work! 

 

Josh

bogdanims
Recovery Runner

@JoshDinsdale

1. you are right about battery optimization, this is going to be part of the next update
2. using the alarm sound is the only solution I found to pass the Fitbit team review 🙂 But I'll search for an improvement. Anyway, you can tap the screen several times in order to hear a longer sound.
3. thank you 🙂

JoshDinsdale
Jogger
Excellent, it's great that you are so responsive, the Fitbit team should
really take note of this! 🙄

Thanks again!
Marysbond
Recovery Runner

This is awesome, thank you! And I agree, you are very responsive and I
appreciate the work you have put into this!

Just an FYI - I purchased, put on my phone, it worked! But, I could only
get it to work once. I can't get it to work again?

Smbushwa
First Steps

@bogdamins I paid already 🙂 love the app Thank You!!

bogdanims
Recovery Runner

@Marysbond Thank you for your words 🙂
No, it should work every time the phone was found and you tap on the screen. But frankly, your described scenario happened once on my side too, but later I wasn't able to reproduce it. I just re-opened the native Fitbit app or so and the workflow became the expected one. I would appreciate a lot if you could isolate this behaviour, it would be a very valuable info 🙂

bogdanims
Recovery Runner

@Smbushwa well, to be honest, I hope that you'll lose your phone (for just 1 minute 🙂 ) and that you'll find it by using this app

Smbushwa
First Steps
Lol i lose my phone constantly... I have a 3 yr old
Marysbond
Recovery Runner

I will keep trying and see if I can determine the steps that caused it. Thanks! 

ejcortes
Jogger

Maybe it's the phone's battery saver shutting down processes 

bogdanims
Recovery Runner

@JoshDinsdale@ejcortes
I just released a new Android version that asks the user for background permission.

Intrigued2b
Recovery Runner

This feature should also be available on the charge 3 since it already has Bluetooth. Everyone needs the option to find their phone sooner or later

Marysbond
Recovery Runner
Unfortunately, I tried it two different times yesterday and it didn't work
either time. Thoughts on how to narrow down test cases for you?

LG Thinq
JoshDinsdale
Jogger
I e had mixed results so far, but I'm fairly sure the app isn't to blame
directly. I quite often have issues with syncing my ionic and the Fitbit
android app anyway, and If the Fitbit app and watch aren't syncing, the
find my phone app won't work.

Josh
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