How to run dev companion apps without developer bridge active?

[SkipFire]

Is it possible to run developer apps without the developer bridge active?  I want to use the developer app on my Ionic over a period of time before submitting it to the store to test it, but when developer bridge is turned off, the companion app does not respond.  I'm hoping I am just missing something to run my app without the developer bridge being active all the time.

[JonFitbit]

Yes, you can run apps without the bridge. The bridge is only used for installation of the app and companion.

After you turn off the bridge, have you tried exiting your app and relaunching it?

[SkipFire]

@JonFitbit, I have tried exiting the app on the Ionic and the Fitbit app on my companion device and starting both back up, and it does not get the messages from the companion (Kindle Fire HD8) as it does when the developer bridge is active.  I'm working on adding debug display to my Ionic app so I can see what does happen, but I suspect I need to know what is happening with the companion not the Ionic end of things.

[SkipFire · Accepted solution]

@JonFitbit it looks like it doesn't work on some devices, maybe because of app sleep modes or something.  Lumia 950 Windows Phone and 2017 Kindle Fire HD8 both do not work.  I have gotten intermittent success with Galaxy Note8.