Can I install the Windows Fitbit app for Sense?

[Schudney]

I recently updated to a Sense and really like its functionality. With my older Charge units I was able to use a PC based application. Since the new devices work only with smart phone apps is there a way I can run the Fitbit app on my PC?

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[Rufous44 · Accepted solution]

No, Fitbit app for Windows support has been abandoned

[Schudney]

OK, thanks.   It's unfortunate for those of us oldies who prefer larger layouts and more readable texts!

[Guy_]

Hi @Schudney  - it may still be possible to link with the web dashboard while charging from below 50%.

Make sure your watch can reach WiFi when charging as it may attempt to sync if you are logged in on the web dashboard.

[LZeeW]

@Schudney   Your data is synced to your account.  You should still be able to view your data on your PC.  Or you can see your data on your web dashboard at fitbit.com using any web browser.

The down side to the Fitbit app for Windows 10 and the web dashboard is that they are missing many features like the Health Metrics and every Premium feature.  And if you upgrade to Windows 11, you will need to use the web dashboard.  I'm not a Fitbit employee, but I'm positive that there won't be a Fitbit app for Windows 11.

[Caribou]

It's a shame the Windows app and dongle has been discontinued, because I have such huge syncing problems with my Surge and the phone app.  9 times out of 10 it fails on a manual sync, but does seem to sync every few hours automatically.  I also constantly have a little phone icon with a line through it on the Sense screen itself, even though it is clearly connected, because I'm getting call and text notifications from my phone. 

[Guy_]

Hi @Caribou  - having multiple devices using your sense and surge can cause problems.

You may have more success with just phone.

On the Sense try the SimpleCheckUp app it can tell you if you can connect from the watch and when it last synced, so you will know better what is going on.

[Caribou]

Hi, thanks so much for the response.

So, when I went to the "app store" in the Fitbit app to install SimpleCheckUp, it wouldn't connect.  But disconnecting from my WiFi and using mobile data let it connect/install no problem.

I have on my home network a device called a Pi-Hole (https://pi-hole.net/) which blocks adds and trackers on devices connected to my home network.  This blocking is not in effect if I switch my phone from WiFi to mobile data, so that points to Pi-Hole as the issue.

Doing a quick search on a Pi-Hole forum, found others having the exact same Fitbit problems as I have been experiencing with Android phones. Apparently the domain "google-analytics.com" needs to be reachable for some parts of Fitbit to function and that domain is blacklisted by default.

I whitelisted that domain in my Pi-Hole config just for my phone and now the Surge is syncing on demand with no issue!  Seems to be resolved, I will monitor and report back if it isn't.

Thanks for the nudge in the right direction!

[Guy_]

Thanks @Caribou , useful information, it explains more the oops no internet connection