Option to turn off step count (or add "Driving Mode") to avoid erroneous steps/floors

[MacWade]

I just got home yesterday from a driving 6 hours in my car and I checked my Fitbit. I was really suprised to see it had given me almost 8,000 steps, 3.24 miles, 134 floors, & way more calories thank I burned while I was sitting in my car.  I looked on the forum to see how to easily delete the steps, miles, floors, and calories so my data would be accurate.  The only way people are fixing it is by manually logging the activity "Automobile or light truck (not a semi) driving" and entering in the duration.  I think that is a cumbersome way to fix the issue everytime I drive because I have to make sure I write down what time I get into and out of my car so I know the start time and duration.  And how does it automatically know the calories burned when everyone burns calories when they are sedentary at different rates.

I think they should add a "Drive Mode" feature that when turned on it won't add steps, distance, floors, & will only add calories burned equal to you sitting in a chair.

You could access the "Drive Mode" either on your Fitbit One or on your phone app to turn it on/off.  If you have a Fitbit One you could press the button till the "Drive Mode" icon appears then hold the button down for 2 seconds to turn it on or off.

On the phone apps you would just go to your device under "Account" and there you could turn it on or off.

You could also have the option to give you an alert when you unlock the phone that reminds you that it is in "Drive Mode" so you don't forget to turn it off when you get to your destination.  It would also be cool if you could use Siri to turn it on by saying "Turn on Fitbit Drive Mode" or "Turn off Fitbit Drive Mode".

[Ton]

@Frogologue 

Sounds rather complicated... No need for intelligent software solutions. A simple virtual on/off switch should suffice, as we've been asking for years. From my unknowledgeable point of view it strikes me as a very simple feature to implement, but apparently they must have some hidden agenda. For sure my next tracker is not going to be a Fitbit, and I have already dissuaded a few people from buying one due to the very reason why this thread was opened. And I hope that many others will follow...

[LeahLiv]

Frogologue... the funny thing is fitbit uses location. So how I'm gonna
'walk' 50 miles in 30 minutes etc. This is so flawed...its a joke at this
point. I told them at fitbit...it is a glorified watch at this point.

[GrumpyCyclist]

You know, the more of these posts I read the more I realise it isn't a Driving Mode we need, it's a bug that needs fixing. The device can automatically recognise if I'm walking, running, cycling, or swimming so I'm flaming well sure it should know when I'm driving and just not register any steps or floors during that time.

Having said that, it registers steps and floors when cycling too.

[troyvishy2]

I think  a "Drive Mode" or "DND" feature should be added that when turned on it won't add steps, distance, floors, & will only add calories burned equal to you sitting in a chair. It can be activated either on Versa or on phone app to turn it on/off.  

This suggestion is due to my Versa counting erroneous steps and stair flight while driving. 

[troyvishy2]

I think  a "Drive Mode" or "DND" feature should be added that when turned on it won't add steps, distance, floors, & will only add calories burned equal to you sitting in a chair. It can be activated either on Versa or on phone app to turn it on/off.  

This suggestion is due to my Versa counting erroneous steps and stair flight while driving. 

[LuciaFitbit]

Hi @troyvishy2, thanks for taking the time to share your feedback with us. This feature suggestion already exists so I’ve moved your post here. Remember to add your vote.

[Stevenew]

Hi @LuciaFitbit ,

I believe it is still in the wrong place - this is not a feature request but another complaint of a bug. Why do all of the fitbit trackers erroneously record steps and stairs whilst driving, chopping, hammering, mixing.

This is a bug, poor software or very poor accelerometers.

Please add it to the Urgent Bugs to fix list - not a feature request. What next - a feature to accurately count steps? Maybe we click the fitbit every time we take a step.

[Synchro2003]

@LuciaFitbit any news on a reply for the thousands of people that have now requested this feature since we've been waiting 5 years for a response? Or shall we just find a piece of kit that actually does the job we paid it to do?

[LeahLiv]

@Synchro2003 they said they do not intend to rectify this at all. It's not
in their plans.

[Ton]

@LeahLiv 

What a bunch of idiots we must appear like... complaining for over 5 years about something that was never gonna  be fixed. They will surely be rolling on the floor laughing for 5 years more... Thank you Fitbit, for taking all this time to acknowledge that. One little consolation is that I have steered away some people from giving you their money, and you certainly will not have any of mine again.

[Synchro2003]

I know..... I was being sarcastic lol x

[tomjm]

I bought Fitbit Versa and please note that Fitbit is honestly a stupid watch. Why I call it stupid is because -

1. I'm able to actually make it count steps not wearing it but by just shaking the watch. Come on seriously are you telling me that you can't fix that issue. Make the watch detect if the watch is actually worn or not. It does have a heartbeat monitor. 

2. It calculates the steps when I drive. The easiest fix for this is to add a DRIVE MODE FEATURE to stop the watch from counting steps. Interestingly my friend uses an MI band and the number of steps it calculates is very less compared to Fitbit so I guess the MI research team has actually come up with a solution I guess. I use a motorcycle and it detects and identifies it as an outdoor bike activity. Trust me this so annoying to see this, because it keeps showing me that I've met my daily targets which I've not even done 10%. 

For the price, FITBIT is honestly a screwed up watch. I've actually recommended my friends to go for an MI band which is way cheaper than the watch and also does a better calculation. Guys you definitely have to do a far better job. I'm honestly disappointed. 

The design and screen layout are really good. I've to say that you guys have done a really good job. But it beats the purpose when some important issues are not fixed, which actually is really annoying.

The ONLY reason I'm not returning it is that its a gift from my sister. I've not recommended Fitbit to any of my friends. 

[YojanaFitbit]

Hi @ssoloski, nice to see you here. I have some questions for you. Why do you want steps off if you're not able to wear it at work? Please note that you can eliminate steps manually by driving mode if they want too. I'll be around. 

[ssoloski]

I'm allowed to wear it at work, I just don't because it gives me nether from 12,000 to 20,000 steps and I'm standing still. What's driving mode? I don't see that

[marky_marx]

@Ton

Have had my Charge 3 all of 5 days and about ready to return it and just get a Garmin....It's been 5 years and Fitbit can't fix the bug that tracks steps when driving...or add a smart alarm to wake you based on your state of sleep. Jawbone had that in 2011 or 2012....not impressed with Fitbit. 

Figure I can go get money back and basically only loose GPS tethering going to a Vivosmart 3. Or pay a little more and get a Vivosport that comes with GPS.

[Jdm2611]

I hate the fact that my Charge 3 counts steps when I’m driving. I drive a bus for a living and I easily hit 12,000+ steps in a day, while my phone health app only counts half of that. Disappointed there is no drive mode option. I think if this does not change, it will be unlikely that I purchase another pricey fitness tracker

[Sandishmily]

@Jdm2611  i drive bus also, finally got rid of my fitbit and got a Garmin. I can  pause my activity tracking on it and then restart the tracking when I'm off the bus. Works great! Garmin ftw!

[Jdm2611]

Nice to know

[LeahLiv]

Sandishmily ..... you wanna cop me a lil garmin? Lol. Good for you man.

[LeslieRenee77]

It would be really great to have a car mode so that when I'm in the car for more than a few minutes I can quickly place my Versa in car mode so that it doesn't count non existent steps.  That would be so helpful and lead to a more accurate step count for those of that commute!  Thank you for your consideration.

[LuciaFitbit]

Hi @LeslieRenee77, thanks for taking the time to share your feedback with us. This feature suggestion already exists so I’ve moved your post here. Remember to add your vote.

[JanetMMcC]

We are not talking about a feature suggestion. We are talking about a major
bug that should be fixed.

--
janet

[LeahLiv]

Welcome @LeslieRenee77 this group and its suggestion is 5 years old. Glad
to have you.

[xykevinr]

Yes please - allow me to delete floors. I don't think this needs much description, since its been covered plenty of times in thread above.

My biggest issue is going for a long walk on a windy day. I want the 5k or so steps recorded, but i don't want the 50+ floors i get. 

Removing the floors by telling the system i'm driving is an ugly hack - since it removes the steps as well, which COMPLETELY NEGATES the point of buying the fitbit.

Come on Fitbit people - how many years do you want to keep this issue alive ?????

Kev

[Survey]

As mentioned elsewhere, fitbit refuse to address the inability to delete steps, floors etc.  This despite so very many users asking for this. Fitbit IT just ignore this yet they must be well aware of how annoying this is for users. Hopefully, someone will recommend a device that allows this so we can all ditch fitbit. Shame as apart from this the device seems Okish.

[LThdwYm4]

Buy a Garmin Vivosmart 4.