"Always on Display" option for Charge 4

Please add the always on mode to the charge 4. It is really disappointing that this feature is not available on charge 4

 

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

105 Comments
Monalfi
Recovery Runner
Please include always-on clock display also on Charge 4
LizzyFitbit
Premium User
Fitbit Moderator
Fitbit Moderator

Hi @Monalfi, thanks for sharing this suggestion about having an Always-On Display option available for your Charge 4 with us. This idea was already requested in the Feature Suggestions board, so I’ve moved your post here. This will help us to keep the forums organized and make sure the suggestions don't get confused, or split a popular vote. Click on the thumbs-up to show your support.

begranter
First Steps

How is this not a thing? I bought this device to track my jogging and give me interval notifications. Having to flip my wrist just to see how much time is left in the current interval is...so dumb. The lack of simple software features on this device is mindblowing.  I guess I'll be returning it and finding a WearOS device that actually meets my very basic needs. 👎

Rachel31
First Steps

Yes..please fitbit an always on is needed in order to use the fitbit as a watch replacement...seems strange to ware both a watch and fitbit inorder to see the time

Sacullu
First Steps
It would be very helpful if the screen back light on the Charge 4 would stay on for a longer amount of time after turning on the screen.
DavideFitbit
Moderator Alum
Moderator Alum

Hi @Sacullu, thanks for taking the time to share your feedback about the possibility of increasing the amount of time the screen back light on the Charge 4 stays on . I noticed that a similar feature suggestion already exists, so I’ve moved your post here, this helps to keeps the boards more organized. Make sure to add your vote as well to support this suggestion, this helps the team of developers to keep track of popularity and demand over time. You can also vote for this idea about the option to customize the time the display stays on. 

 

Thank you again for your participation in the Community!

Sacullu
First Steps
Thank you for including “this idea” as that is what I would like not so
much about display on all the time.
Soldaat
Recovery Runner

Hi @Sacullu 

 

Welcome to the Fitbit community where ideas come to die.

 

We have just celebrated the one year anniversary of requesting this feature and I am proud to announce that there has been no progress or update given since the first moderator changed the status to "Reviewed by Moderator" 5 hours after the feature was requested.

 

Yeah us! I am so proud of everyone and would especially like to thank Fitbit for making this achievement possible! Without you none of this would have happened.

Nexus8
First Steps

I have been using fitbit Charge from v2 to currently v4 and I have been asking for always on display feature on Charge model.

Especially during winter when i wear thick cloth, Charge 4 is under couple of layers of the cloth and by the time I get to it, display is off already. I have the screen on duration to longest. Which means, i need to either press the button or twist my wrist again to watch it. Customers have been asking for this feature from years back and it is disappointing to see it is still not a feature in Charge model. Other more expensive ones has it so technically it can be done on this model but I guess it must be business decision to leave out of cheaper model to push people to buy more expansive one.

I can tell you, after using fitbit for many years now, if I don't get update to get the always on display feature on my Charge 4, this would be my last fitbit I will ever be using as it is clear that Fitbit DOES NOT CARE about what people want...It is getting so annoying not to have always on display to tell the time... 😞

Moysie
Jogger

This is the most annoying thing ever.  The screen wake feature is super inconsistent for me.  I have reset my phone a bunch of times, played with all the settings and it is no better.  I really need the device to stay on while I am running or it is pretty much useless.  I totally loose my rhythm when I have to flick my wrist two or three times then press the screen and buttons.

 

An always on feature for when you are exercising is 100% necessary and I feel I have wasted my money without it.  

Eden3.1
Jogger

Purchased my 3rd Fitbit and for some reason I thought I read that the Charge 4 had an always on option. Totally frustrated to find it does not. Not only that but it is still limited in the time it does display. 

Please add this feature or at least give a longer display option 

 

 


Moderator edit: format

john6996
First Steps

Judging by the dates of these posts It looks like yet another customer suggestion fitbit will ignore.  Charge 4 May well be my last fitbit.

fastpig.
Stepping Up

I wish I found this thread before buying the Charge 4. The lack of an "always on display" option makes this device completely useless for timing calisthenic workouts where it's not possible to flick a wrist, for e.g. planks, front lever on pull up bars etc. It totally defeats the purpose of having a stopwatch app.

 

I am incredulous that this is being marketed as a fitness/sports device. Completely regret this purchase!

mitani88
First Steps

This is absolutely ridiculous! I purchased Charge 4 today and only just realised that I can't put the clock display always on. If I have known I wouldn't have purchased it! Please make this available as the firmware update!

akorsh
Keeping Pace

I just got the Charge 4, I thought I got a lemon since the display just turns off constantly.  But this is a feature!?!  Ha, stupid.  Returning it and getting a different tracker.  Any suggestions?

Rob216
Recovery Runner
I’m fed up with Fitbit and their apparent apathy for our request.

I got a Garmin Vivoactive 3. It has an always on display as well as an
excellent battery life. Built in GPS, lots of activity tracking ability,
and a few Bluetooth smart watch capabilities.

It’s pretty comparable at $130

I won’t be supporting Fitbit any more 👎

I get the distinct feeling this will be deleted
flyinghenry
Jogger

This is very critical during exercise to check heart rate, if we can't have this feature soon, I will start explore other options as well

danielhoh86
First Steps

Fitbit. Please fix this. How hard can it be? I bought the charge 4 with high hopes, and while it is quite useful when it works, so often it is difficult to even see the display, as the sensors are quite unresponsive. It makes me feel like I have been ripped off. It's at once humorous and vexing to me that conceptually it seems like a really easy fix to make a lot of customers happy, but you won't do it. Are you too busy? Please don't send me that same response you sent to everyone else "you're working on it" or whatever. Just fix it. Thanks. 

Soldaat
Recovery Runner

So it looks like fitbit never intended to fix this as it as now a new feature on the Charge 5. So their business model is to get us to innovate for them and then ask us to buy a new device and I guess just chuck the old one in the garbage. Very ethical and responsible business model.

 

Some more warnings for people considering the Charge 4 (and by definition the Charge 5). The screen has so much glare that it will be unusable if you are outside, between the screen sporadically switching on and the glare you will be unable to track your exercise.

 

The GPS in this device is horrendous, if you are running close to a tree it will disconnect. If there is a cloud visible anywhere in the sky, even on the horizon, it will disconnect. In my experience if you start moving it will disconnect. Some people might then wonder why not use the handy feature where you can use your phones GPS... to them I would answer, if I wanted to run with my phone then why would I have bough a device with built in GPS? The GPS in my old Surge works better than the one in Charge 4 which makes no sense, I would have though technology would get better over time.

 

This device is complete rubbish, moderators do not actually help on the Fitbit community boards so in essence they are outsourcing their client support to other users, Do not buy Fitbit. Take your business elsewhere.

 

 


Moderator edit: format

ozscot
First Steps
The Charge 4 needs a clock face that is always on
DavideFitbit
Moderator Alum
Moderator Alum

Hi @ozscot, thanks for sharing this suggestion about the possibility of having an Always On option for Charge 4. 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. 

Ayav21
Stepping Up
I would suggest an always on feature that is only during workouts. I've seen many responses for this request stating that the functionality exists, but it does not. I don't want to have to manually toggle the "always on" setting every time I initiate a workout. I'd like it to be always on when logging a workout, and otherwise off.
YojanaFitbit
Moderator Alum
Moderator Alum

Hi @Ayav21, thanks for explaining why you would like to have the option "Always on Display" on your Fitbit device. 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.

Rachel31
First Steps

I vote to have an always on face.  When my charge 2 broke, i purchased the charge 4, never even thinking that the face would not be always on.  hard to use the device as a watch or to take a pulse.

SunsetRunner
Not applicable

I really do not understand why is it so big problem to add always on option???

Lot of ppl wants it, so you should add it with next update. Who wants it will turn that on, who doesn´t will not use it.

 

Why it is so complicated???

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