Is there any way to keep Fitbit Device App running in background?

[stst09]

Hello, 

I wrote a simple app to continuously monitor and process accelerometer data. With the timeout api disabled, it seems the app kept running after the screen is off. However, if I press the physical button on the left side (Fitbit versa 2), the app will exit and stop acquiring data from accelerometer. 

I wonder if there is any recommended way to keep the app run in background on the Fitbit device?

Thank you!

[Gondwana · Accepted solution]

Unfortunately, there is no 'background'. Only one app or clockface can run at any one time.

You could consider making your app into a nice clockface, so there's less incentive to close it. However, it will still close if any other app is started (Settings, Exercise, Timer, etc).

[stst09]

Thank you very much!

[3v1n0]

For sure you can override the back button, so at least you can make the user to be prompted before stopping an operation.

[Guy_]

Hi Peter

If there is no background facility how does the Timer app continue running in background [or launch itself] so that when the timer reaches 0 it can set the vibration going?

[Gondwana]

Fitbit's own apps (and some of their partners' apps such as for music) have access to capabilities that aren't available publicly.

[Sasoj]

App Timeout API is the closest thing to it. I've used it on my project https://medium.com/@sasojakljevic/designing-building-a-fitbit-smartwatch-app-4e07def03121 

[Guy_]

Hi @Sasoj - you are right, you can keep an App running by using

appTimeoutEnabled = false;

But if you are running a timer app, the timer stops the moment you do something else.  

However I got around the problem by running the timer as an Addon in background to the clock face which might be of interest.