Sleep Measurements and Older Sleep Data Has Changed

[TheVinny]

I've owned numerous Fitbits and still have all of my data from back to 2016! Nothing else but Fitbit devices. But about two weeks ago the sleep metrics and all of my older data all started to change, big-time. I noticed right away because keeping track of my activity along with sleep is a big deal and is the main reason I have been loyal to Fitbit this whole time.

It's as if someone clicked sleep to 'Sensitive' Mode over normal mode. I am getting around 35 minutes less per night now. And when I try to correct my times it rarely gives me anything extra. Just as if I am in sensitive mode (which I tried out one time a couple of years ago).

But the biggest sign of this being a Fitbit metric issue rather than a faulty device is because all of my PAST SLEEP DATA has now changed significantly. Again, I have data for every year going back to 2016. My sleep average for the last whole year of 2024 was 8 hours 13 minutes. In 2023 it was 8 hours 15 minutes. 2024 sleep average for the year NOW is 7 hours 40 minutes. And for the year 2023 is 7 hours 45 minutes average. Same thing with ALL years going back to 2016. 

I'd just like to know if there is anything I can do about it, and, perhaps why Fitbit designers made this change? 

Also, I own 3 different Sense 2 devices and tried using all three within the past 2 weeks. Exact same thing with all three so I know it's not a faulty device.

I also tried resetting sleep setting from normal mode, to sensitive mode, back to normal and still no difference.

The fact it has affected all of my old sleep times, 8 years back, suggest this is a new shift in algorithms by Fitbit designers. At least that's all I can surmise from all of this. Any help or information would be greatly appreciated. I'd like to get back to how it was which was very accurate. It is not accurate now. And I do rely on this information significantly on how I plan my days and weeks. And, again, has changed all of my times in all of my eight years of history. I do have some screenshots if wanted. Thanks so much!

[TheVinny]

Above are two screenshots of my 2024 monthly sleep time, from March of 2024, through September, 2024. The bottom screenshot I sent to a friend in October of 2024 (that's why I still have it). Above that is a screenshot from just now, taken today, of the exact same time period. You can clearly see the numbers have all changed significantly from later last year until now, currently. And it all changed just about 2 weeks ago along with my sleep times, daily, since then.

[TheVinny]

Just bumping this to see if I can get somebody from Fitbit (or anyone)  to help. I saw another thread with several people reporting the same issue. 

[simba464]

Same thing happened on my Fitbit Sense 2.  It’s extremely frustrating.  It’s changed all of my sleep data from the past.  Happened about 3 weeks ago as of today

[TheVinny]

Well, that makes me feel a little better. Exactly same thing here, right about three weeks ago.

At least it’s not a glitch on my end now I know that at least. I probably spent two hours switching out watches checking on my settings turning off on Bluetooth, restarting phone closing app re-checking normal sleep setting, reading stuff online. Hopefully it’s a glitch and not a new way. At this point there is no difference between sensitive and normal sleep settings. It’s all sensitive setting. I’d like to be able to get back to normal setting. Main thing is, with sensitive like it is now even though it says it’s on normal setting. But with sensitive any movement, rolling over, whatever, they count as a awake time or restless. On a normal setting it doesn’t do that. Let’s face it everybody rolls over and movesseveral times a night. without even knowing it or waking up. But not only that it’s been charging me with a awake time up to 15 minutes before I even wake up. In the end it’s about 45 minutes off of my normal times which I keep track of diligently.

why does it matter? Because when I know how much sleep I have combined with my steps active minutes stairs and everything else then I know when to pull in the reins so to speak slow down back off. I carefully watch sleep and activity and just helps me learn to balance things out better. Which is a big deal when you’re 62 almost 63 years old. I hope Fitbit just puts it back to where it has been for the past nine years for me. it makes a difference.

[MidnightGarden]

The sleep tracking issues from a June update seems to be a common thread in this Charge 6 forum. I’m still a Luxe user but just bought the Charge 6 and was about to unbox it today when I read there is a major software “incident” today.

Has your sleep history reverted back to what it was since you posted this question?

[TheVinny]

Nope, still the same. About 35 minutes less every night now. Plus my yearly averages are all still docked as well. I am for sure HOPING it's a glitch that will be caught and corrected. Other than post here, there is nothing else we can do about it. I just add 35 minutes in my head and it takes me pretty much where I actually am so at least I know where I'm at daily and weekly. Which matters because I will make adjustments in my life and activities based on sleep averages. Why go all out when having a lower sleep average week? That leads to over-training issues. And all of the deductions of actual sleep come from supposed 'awake time', which simply is not true. At least it's consistent in its errored deductions. But it should be corrected. When I tried "sensitive setting' once last year I knew right away how off it was. But the funny thing was even that one day that I tried it, it changed my yearly averages as well for any year clicked on. But when I switched back to normal setting, all of my yearly averages that I had clicked on went back to the correct version. So I THINK when/if corrected I will be able to tell by seeing my older numbers that I have screenshots of brought back. And of course daily sleep times will be back to where they should be. 

[Conpepinos]

Same here. Thought my sleep times were plummeting but nothing has really changed. Plus my weekly stats email says a higher amount of sleep times! So what is going on… any response from fitbit here?

[freddie11111234]

it is mainly because the data is getting old and you device is starting to forget the data

[TheVinny]

No, no, no. Data from today, last week, last month, last year and then the past 9 years all changed in one day. The Fitbit algorithm is what's changed, not my device forgetting old data. 

[TheVinny]

Over 3 weeks since I posted this nothing at all has changed and no replies on this thread from Fitbit. ALL sleep times and scores are now based on 'Sensitive' sleep mode. Even though I have 'Normal' mode checked (and rechecked). There is no difference between the two modes now and ALL movement is counted as awake time. In normal mode only extended movements like getting up for a drink of water would be counted that way. I even updated the app this morning and still no changes. 

We have normal and sensitive sleep mode options for a reason. And both options are still there. Only normal mode does not work at all. Is this now how it is premnently or is there a way to fix this on my own or a fix coming? This is really a really bad deal from Fitbit. All three of my Sense 2 watches do the same so it is 100 percent with the app.