Allow Offline syncing / Store data locally

I think you should be able to sync with your phone and then upload data at a later date. Let us store data locally so that an internet connection is not required to see current stats.

 

Moderator Edit: Added Labels

646 Comments
Demoneque
First Steps

I am disappointed that I cannot change the time and alarms on my Fitbit Surge without having an internet connection.  I am also disappointed that I cannot store my data locally on my phone and then sync it later.

 

I am in the Navy and serve on submarines.  I am without an internet connection for several months at a time and change timezones frequently.  Not being able to make basic changes such as time/alarms on a watch is unacceptable.  I recommend a firmware change that allows you to set the time/alarm directly on the device as you did with adding a stopwatch.

 

Since I go so long without having an internet connection, I dislike that I lose large amounts of historical data over the course of a submarine patrol since I cannot store my data locally.

 

These changes would make a big difference in the quality of the product and would convince me to continue buying Fitbit products.

davemanford
Jogger

I was sold my FB on the understanding that it synced via BT - NO mention of internet being needed.

I see that this bit of the forum has been running for 3 years so I guess the suggestion that FB are in any way interested in user wishes is pie in the sky!

 

tazmania720
First Steps

I am active duty Navy and find myself away from any sort of internet/data connection a lot.  Not being able to sync my Charge 2 to my phone during this period of time causes me to just remove the device while I am out to sea, which defeats the purpose.  This is a must have change for many, and FitBit seems to not care since this thread has been open for 16+ months now and we still "require" a data connection.  Please invest more time into this request and get it to the users sooner than later.  Thank you.  Semper Fortis

Bentbins
Jogger

I have been (accidentally) following this thread for a while, having posted my desire to be able to sync data without an internet connection, like so many others. The most telling thing is the absolute silence from Fitbit about this. I notice that their profits and sales are tanking. If they have the same attitude to customer feedback as is displayed here, they are in big trouble! 

Joltmannen
First Steps
The fitbit is useless for travelling! Please give us the option to sync and store data offline in the app! And please let the fitbit sync timezone from the Phone without internetconnection! And please let us sync silent alarms without internetconnection!
Without this options I think me and many others have to look at others brands than fitbit..
Vlayke
First Steps
I just received an answer from the Fitbit support, after quite a few emails
were exchanged.

In short: there are currently no plans for offline sync capabilities (I.E.
phone is available, but internet connection is not). Also there is no
information on when such plans might be added to the feature list.

Kind of sucks.
Musicmagnolia
First Steps
Dear Fitbit,

I just heard that you have no plans for incorporating offline syncing.
Letting you know I stuck my Fitbit Charge HR in a drawer and have just
picked up the Mio Fuze. It is happily tracking my heart rate, sleep, and
general fitness while syncing with my phone offline and under all
circumstances. I highly recommend the Mio Fuze to all you frustrated
travelers; it's a great piece of technology!
strey
Recovery Runner
I too am giving up on Fitbit because of this idiocy, even though I switched to the newest Charge HR only a few months ago.

Fitbit, you will not receive any more business from me and I will prevent any I can reach from wasting their money on your products. Anyone who asks about mine, or the replacement product I will choose, has been and will continue to hear about a company with brain-dead design in its product and with an equally brain-dead attitude.

I appreciate the mention of the Mio Fuze. Either it or Apple, despite the latter's fitness deficiencies, will receive my business now.



Naotaku
First Steps

Looks like we're not Failbit's target audience. It's apparently for people who only run on a treadmill in the office gym, never travel anywhere, and the toughest hikes they do are to Starbucks across the street. I'm giving up too. I'm telling everybody who asks about my Failbit (wearing the brightest red band on purpose) to avoid this product.
Mine also stopped charging, so when it runs out, I'm done. For good. There's a bunch of great products out there nowadays. I will probably get the Pebble 2 +HR when it's out (should be available later this month). Good bye Fitbit. Good luck everyone \o

davemanford
Jogger
Interesting to see all the replies of this thread. Thanks for the info about possible alternatives. I think, like most of you I’m gone.
I did receive one post which to me sums it up:-
Re: why Internet connectivity required to connect to app


@davemanford There's not going to be a solution as it's not considered a problem. It is working the way it was designed to work. You need both bluetooth to connect to the tracker and internet access to connect to the fitbit servers. People may not like that design choice but that doesn't make it a problem to be solved.


As mentioned before, you can vote for proposed changes to the way it works but there's no guarantee that it will happen.
Lennynz
First Steps

Reply from a moderator to an early post on this thread:

 

"Status: Reviewed By Moderator

This feature could have a big potential impact for users who track their workouts in areas where internet isn't easily accessible, especially during a long hike or run.

Thanks for posting on the Feature Request Board!"

 

Fitbit are obviously just paying Lip Service to this bullient board.  It is also obvious from above posts that they have no idea about customer service, and are out of touch.

 

My own Sh__bit - er - sorry "Fitbit", has developed a problem with the belt - it is starting to de-laminate - only 6 months since I've had it.  That, along with the insane inability to sync between device and phone without internet, and I am returning to device to the shop, and exchanging it for an opposition device that can sync without internet.

 

Fitbit - you have shot yourself in the foot...

 

Alternatives:

Mio

Garmin

Tom Tom

Apple

 

 

 

SunsetRunner
Not applicable
For all the reasons stated in previous comments. The ability to transfer data between a Fitbit device and the mobile app and then when an internet connection is available sync to the website is a critical functionality that is missing from an otherwise good concept. For something relatively easy to conceptualize I find it hard to believe that the functionality is not available by default. Unless it was purposeful omission
Florida_Eric
First Steps

I agree I need this feature as well for when I travel to remote countries or long cruises. I just need a way to get the information stored, and then when I return to where I have an internet connection, say 3 weeks later I can synch it on my dashboard.

XSteveX
Jogger

I'll renew this suggestion.  I sometimes travel totally off the grid with no internet possibilities (e.g. backwoods) or in places with expensive roaming charges.  It is impossible to set my Fitbit alarm in those circumstances.

Natashaonthefly
First Steps

I am amazed and disappointed to discover that I can't even update my alarms or change the settings on my new Fitbit Charge 2 without Internet.  Hiking and camping we regularly have no internet service.  Getting away from all of this is why and where we exercise.  I can't even turn off my alarm, so I can choose to not track sleep, or to wake up at the same time through my entire trip, as long as I decide before I leave an area with cell coverage.  There is no reason not to have a limited offline mode where the data won't sync, or to store the data locally WITHOUT removing it from the device when in offline mode.

 

How many miles did we hike over the last few days?  How many steps and calories?  Wait u till you get back to cell service to find out.  Simply unacceptable.

greatbg1
First Steps

This is really a sad developement, I thought I was doing something wrong at first only to find the fitbit is totaly useless unless you have internet. I travel and spend time off the grid for fun and exercise. If I would have been aware of this limitation I would never have spent the money on this product. Goodbye.

SunsetRunner
Not applicable

Being able to sync to my phone without an Internet connection is an essential feature as far as I am concerned. Without it the usefulness of the tracker is significantly reduced.

 

I often visit places where I have no internet access and no mobile coverage (or very high roaming changes). For example, I was abroad for the last few days but was unable to even set my watch to the local time zone.

Boblepp
Jogger

It must store locally. Only developers sitting in an office all day would design this useless device when out of data range. Who walks in data every time? Vacations? On ships? In battle?mcome on, you're better than that? Store local then sync next time in data. 

ActiveAndry
Recovery Runner

Please allow syncing to be available without the internet. Not everyone is hooked up these days as much as people think, and I would assume especially not in the Fitbit community where people value time away from technology while they are out being active. I just bought the Charge 2 and excitedly started using it a few days ago, but since I discovered it relies so heavily on the Internet, I'm having serious second thoughts. I bought a fitness tracker to help me assess my activity when I am out in nature only to find out that, ironically, I apparently need a lot of technology to use it properly. I have a smart phone and iPad, but without data, so what is the point of having Bluetooth if it doesn't serve a purpose?  I suspect that the Fitbit could be very appealing to campers, hikers, travelers, and older people wanting to get into better shape, but these are also people who are being stigmatized if they don't have Internet connectivity. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

davemanford
Jogger

Given that these posts have been going on for three years with no result it's quite clear that Fitbit have no interest in helping us. It seems to me therefore that the only solution is for those of us who think that this is a problem to post reviews on seller sites pointing out this issue so that new customers know what they are getting into, as Fitbit never mention the issue anywhere. 

Boblepp
Jogger

I agree. I'm retired. Good project start the week.

 

Fight the power!  

No syncing without local representation!

 

Errrrr, something like that.

 

 

Thanks

 

Bob Lepp C.O.F., N.T.D.

Cranky old fart, nothing to do

 

davemanford
Jogger
Brilliant!!
Dave
Bentbins
Jogger
Agree


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Stephen Coppinger
[image: https://]about.me/coppinger
HsMtime
First Steps
I get shocked when I started using this product I never thought I would face such problem which require internet to have sync...  I sware I am trying to sall my fitbit blaze with one day use only because of this issue It was too late to read all what was mentioned in the comment but as you said, Fitbit doesn't seems to response after all this talk since 2014.
GetSauced
First Steps

I would love to see this implemented into the fitbit mobile app or computer app. The main reason I would like to see this is because I depoly onboard a ship, and though the ship does have some internet capabilities you are not allowed to plug in personal electronics into the government computers. So when I go out to the middle of the ocean and the time changes I cannot change the time on my fitbit. To me this seems like a simple thing that could be added. I know many of the people I work with who also own fitbit's that are quite annoyed at the fact of when we change time zones our fitbit's become useless, well not completely but you cant just glance down at the time you will have to remember that it is an hour or two off. 

 

This has me looking for alternatives to the fitbit though I love it, I just cant use it when depolyed for 6-7 months at a time. It makes more sense to get a device that I can update the time on as we change time zones without internet connection. 

 

With that I have noticed that when the data get's "full" on my fitbit it only last a day, tops. I have to charge it every day and that gets pretty old, and god forbit I allow it to die while aboard the ship. Then I am completely screwed which is what happened last time I was underway. The time stays at the time it died, and if I dont turn it on that exact minute of the next day that it died that time is just completely wrong and the device is completely useless.

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