Google Assistant "Couldn't connect"

[Ryangr0]

Like the title says. Trying to connect google assistant to my new fitbit Sense and it's not working. I don't get a helpful error message, just "Couldn't connect". I've been stuck on this, reading these forums, reddit, etc. Nothing works. Tried changing my country, tried changing my languages to US English etc etc etc.

Hoping for some new suggestions. I suspect I'm not the only one with this issue.

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @Ryangr0 Welcome to the Forums.

Thanks for the details provided, as well for the steps tried prior to posting. Just to confirm, has the Fitbit app been allowed to run in the background? Are all the permissions enabled for the Google Assistant app? Also, what is the model of your phone?

In the meantime, please try these other steps to see how your Sense responds:

1. Remove your Sense from the Bluetooth settings.
2. Check if the Fitbit app is updated.
3. Force quit the Fitbit app and reboot your phone.
4. Open the Fitbit app and log back in to your account.
5. Pull down on the screen to force a manual sync.
6. Try using the Google Assistant app on your Sense one more time.

Please note that your phone needs to have internet connection and be within 30 feet of your watch to get the Google Assistant working. If you have an iPhone, make sure the Google Assistant app is running in the background as well.

[stretchsje]

I've been waiting on Fitbit to fix this issue for months. I even switched phones, still broken.  Like you, tried all the advice out there.  Alexa works fine.

[LizzyFitbit]

Welcome, @stretchsje. It's good to see you here.

Thanks for every step tried prior to posting, as well for confirming that Alexa works fine. I understand your point of view and I'm sorry you're having this inconvenience with Google Assistant. Given this situation, I'd recommend getting in touch with our Support team and sharing the steps you've tried so they can investigate what may be occurring on their end, and help you out with this matter. You can get connected with them via chat or phone by clicking here.

[pthalamy]

Exact same problem here as of December 2021, been having issues for month and also switched phone without improvement. 

Has anyone found a fix since? I'd hate to have to replace my tracker for such a little inconvenience.

[Rmambrose]

Just got a fitbit sense 12/25, trying to connect to Google assistant with new Google Pixel 6 Pro. Same problem listed above. Proposed remedies also fail to fix. I noticed some syncing issues, requiring me to force quit app, cycle Bluetooth, and the watch. 

[Guy_]

There are several issues that may stop the connection.

Using VPN to access the Internet or security software on the phone may stop the communication and it won't succeed..

Normally if you are in a country permitted by Fitbit to use Google Assistant and have setup up BOTH Google Assistant and the Fitbit App profile to use USA location and language it should connect.

Once connected you can reconfigure as you had it and it should still work.

[Rmambrose]

I'm using it in the USA, and not using a VPN, and have used my home network
as well as my carrier's 5G wireless network on the phone. My carrier is
Verizon - and it's possible they have added some security software, but I
haven't installed anything like that yet. (For security I just keep
software up to date, use strong passwords & MFA, avoid biometric
authentication methods, and avoid digital wallet-type applications on the
phone).

It's pretty frustrating to get the newest and best phone and smartwatch in
the same month - both products essentially from Google, and have this kind
of interoperability issue with a core service like Google Assistant.

I read something about an OS update for the Pixel 6 pro getting rolled back
because of problems with dropped calls. I don't know if that could be
related, but based on the age of this thread it sounds like this is an
ongoing issue.

[RunningBugs]

Jan 14 2022 19:34:27 EST

Same issues here.

I also tried to open the Google Assistant App on the watch, and it shows "Something went wrong, but it might work if you try it again." I highly doubt it's not the problem of the Google Assistant on the phone but the App problem on the watch. If the App on the watch won't work, no matter what we do to connect Google Assistant, it should fail the connection. 

Just got my Sense today and very disappointed it by this.