Maintain Fitbit web dashboard going forward

[KBenjamin]

As an older user, my eyesight and hand eye coordination are poor. So, I prefer the website dashboard on my PC. That dashboard keeps directing us to the mobile app. Please assure you will continue maintaining both as I cannot rely solely on the mobile app. Please consider all of your customers when providing tools. Many thanks!

[Husbone]

Can anybody tell me why nobody from either Fitbit or Google has responded to this thread?

[Godmother57]

Because FitBit was taken over by Google and they DO NOT CARE about those of us who are low vision, or the elderly, or anyone who DOES NOT WISH TO USE THEIR MOBILE DEVICES for everything.

I HATE having to try to maneuver the small screen of a cell phone to enter my data.

[Husbone]

Thanks for your response.  I understand what you are saying but don't you think it would be nice if they would make some sort of response so we could put this thread to bed?  I mean that is just being courteous.  After all, they are a business and they should respond even if it is bad news.

[Godmother57]

I totally agree. However, this has been going on since they dropped the dashboard THREE MONTHS AGO, with no response from ANYONE.

I doubt we will EVER HEAR FROM ANYONE.

[lizhuffstuff]

I am guessing it is because a) Fitbit doesn't exist any more and b) all of
these comments are responding to a comment I posted a long time ago, so
Google isn't likely even seeing it. But there is a commenter, can't see
the thread so don't remember his name, who made an outstanding video about
this issue which over 800 of people commented on - on this thread alone.
It's on Youtube, and he's called Professor something...hopefully he will
see this and make the link for you to add your voice where it MIGHT matter.

[malangali]

@lizhuffstuff thanks for the mention - the video about the removal of the Web Dashboard, which is the exact topic of this discussion, can be found by visiting YouTube and searching for "fitbit grandma". The impact on people with visual or other accessibility issues is especially considered.

[Kato93048]

Good question. They obviously don't care what their customers think!

[JackHenry]

Occasionally critiques don't appear.

[pjfarr]

The mobile app has always been awful. Nowhere near as many features and options as the website and too many taps needed to accomplish what the app does offer.

[francesemily]

I’m 78 and just got a Fitbit last spring through my insurance. I loved it, and used it every day, until they deleted the computer dashboard. I haven’t used it since.

The phone app isn’t intuitive for me like the dashboard was. It takes too long, is too hard to see, blah blah . . . all the things others have discussed.

I don’t understand their rationale at all, but I am contacting my insurance and recommending that they choose a different device for their older customers, as Fitbit without the Dashboard is pretty useless to us.

Frances Warden

[ashrobertsdrago]

There is no reason why the web interface should have been sunsetted. When I'm on my laptop, the very last thing I want to do is put my laptop down to pick up a different device to access data that is stored on the internet.

[Larry23420]

Months later and not a peep about this.  You betrayed seniors and people with disabilities with this change.  Why don't you just come out and say, "No.  We don't care."

[Larry23420]

They don't care.  If they do anything, they will move your comment to an existing thread to be ignored with all the others.  Seniors and disabled people can get bent.

[Newfitkitty]

I don't even ever remember there being a suggestion in here on they should remove it.

[Newfitkitty]

@Larry23420 Or they will put it in another section of will not look into or change like they did with the many many many posts of bringing back the games/ challenges.

[wouldprefernot]

This, and the lack of an altimeter in the newer Charge models, are the nail in the coffin for my 10+ year journey with fitbit. My Charge 4 is still hanging on for now, but my replacement will not be a fitbit.

[mEeeeeeeeeeeee]

If you don't bring back the dashboard I will not buy another Fitbit device. I will spend my money on something else.

[Umwhatever]

Agree 100%. I also miss the way the old version calculated the number of calories you had left in the day. It was just easier, better. It helped me lose about 40 lbs and now I fee like my progress has been eroded. I'm gaining it back, not entering my data as faithfully. This is why people don't like to rely on technology. 

[Umwhatever]

If anybody has any suggestions about an alternative with a more "old Fitbit"-like interface, I would love to hear it. 

[Rhondi]

This comment has lots of votes so hoping Fitbit is actually listening. The website says the app has all the features of the dashboard and more, but that's not true - there's no way to save a custom meal/recipe on the app like there was on the web dashboard

[Fulltoss]

My Versa 3 stopped working just like that. I called and was told I have to buy a new one as it’s passed the warranty deadline.  No offer of a discount on another or anything….: Just “ you will have to buy a new one, sorry”.
I have to say that I miss everything about the old Fitbit. No friendly competitions, no conversations, no new friends…..Since these others have owned it’s gone to hell!! As much as I preferred Fitbit over apple. I will be switching over. 

Goodbye my Fitbit family. 👣👣👣👣

[NeedSleep10]

I too (at 84) dislike being forced to use my cell phone to go after information.  I want to be able to read easily, and then cut and paste and store things I want to look up easily in the future.

But what I REALLY hate about the change in FITBIT from the web-based information to phone-based is the loss of all sorts of content, health content I paid attention to.  I can't tell you how angry I now am at Google, who I used to see as one of the good guys.  You don't care about the customers of Fitbit, whom you've now made YOUR customers!

WHY did you have to throw away something that worked!?!?  Adding being able to use the phone  when one is away from one's home computer would have been a nice addition.   But now I just feel unhappy every morning when I am forced to use an inferior product..

[Rev68]

The ONLY effing reason I bought a pixel 2 was because I didn't want to lose access to my nearly 10 years of data on the dashboard. I'm just going to return the **ahem** thing if I can't access it from a browser any more.

[LAW2]

Even with the 7 months of comments, you still have not brought back the Dashboard.  This was the only reason that I had even purchased and entered the Fitbit Community.  I am currently looking for a something new and as soon as I find it and has I what i need I will getting rid of Fitbit.  Apparently, Fitbit does not care that they are losing business as many comments have stated that Users are getting rid of Fitbit to get what "they" need and are looking for.  Thank you for opening our eyes and showing us that Companies do not care about their Customers.

[malangali]

For reasons you'll see when you watch it, I made a follow-up video about the discussion we are having in this forum. All you have to do is go to YouTube and search for "fitbit grandma". That should bring up both videos, original flavor and Part 2. Please share widely, in the hopes that the company will act on our pleas to restore the service so many of us relied on for tracking our health.

The videos are directly on the topic of the removal of the Fitbit Dashboard from the web, and the effect of that on the 👀 visually impaired, seniors, and others with accessibility issues that make it tough for us to access services on our mobile phones. The videos are not objectionable nor in violation of the terms of service. Importantly, Part 2 has a thorough discussion of those terms of service and what that means for you (starting at 4:40), that will probably help you understand your relationship as a consumer with the fitness product you purchased.