Can I use phone GPS to track my runs?

[CTerp]

Is there a way to use GPS data from my phone for my running?

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @CTerp. It's great to see you here in the forums.

As you may know, your Sense has Built-in GPS which allows to track your exercise without having your phone nearby. That being said, if you prefer using phone's GPS, you can use Mobile Run on the Fitbit app which allows you to capture your route, distance, pace, and more using the GPS sensors on your phone. To find more about this function, please see this help article under How do I use the Fitbit app to capture GPS data?

[CTerp]

Thanks

The reason I am thinking about using my phone's GPS data is the GPS sometimes is way off in my sense and is only logging altitude based on barometric pressure.

It would be nice if you could select which GPS source you want to use in a workout

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @CTerp. It's good to see you again.

You're welcome, and thanks for sharing your feedback about your Sense GPS sensors. I understand where you're coming from and while currently it's only possible to use the Built-in GPS, I'd encourage you to share this and any other idea that you wish to see in the future in the Feature Suggestions board. This is the best place to make your voice heard, as well to get the attention of our developers. See our FAQs to find more about this board.

Please give a try to the Mobile Run function to track your run activities and monitor the progress toward your goals.

[Giampi71]

The right suggestion is this, not yet closed as not planned.

[CTerp]

That one just got my vote

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @Giampi71, @CTerp and @grace3232. It's great to see you around the forums.

@Giampi71 Thanks for sharing this request which has been posted in the Feature Suggestion board.

This request is currently under review and my best advice is to support it by adding your vote. The more votes an idea receives, the better chance it has of getting the attention of the developers.

[deiG]

This feature should be added by common sense, instead of waiting for the users to vote. It's been there for Charge 4 already since long. There's no reason to be absent for the flagship Sense and Versa 3.

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @deiG. It's good to see you around the forums.

Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts about this situation. I understand how helpful it'd be to have phone-GPS along with the Built-in GPS function on your Sense. Our team strives to improve the Fitbit experience with our devices and the feedback we received from our members are a big part of the process as it'll help us to make sure you have a product that meet your needs. I'm sorry for this inconvenience and at this moment my best advice is to add your vote to this idea so our developers can keep tracking this request over time.

[Converse]

@CTerpOne thing I was told about using the Mobile Run feature it override all your step data for the day before you used it. I was told this by some of the moderators here. As my daily score for steps kept going down instead of up between me and my friend it turned out it was because of the Mobile Run feature in the app on my phone when I would turn it on out of curiosity trying to figure out what it was lol I guess the moment it connects to GPS and you move it wipes out the score for the day of steps, but they still showed up in the app just not in the scoring. So if your a person like me who wanted friendly competition between your friends (real world friends) by checking each other daily competitive score becareful using the Mobile Run feature.

Moderator Edit: Formatting

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @Converse. I hope you're doing well.

Thanks for sharing your insights to help our friend. You're right as even though this data will appear in the Fitbit app and exercise tiles, as you mentioned, the steps tracked through Mobile Run won't count towards a challenge. This feature was included in the Fitbit app to track GPS data if you don't have a Fitbit device with GPS connection, or if you prefer using your phone's GPS. However, if you're participating in a solo adventure or group challenge, the best is to use your Sense so you can receive credit for your efforts.

[Giampi71]

Thanks for clarifying that @LizzyFitbit . Still one thing is unclear: is it a bug or is it working as designed? and in the latter case what is the reasons for such choice? Thanks