Sense hangs when syncing with iPhone

[hosscat]

my sense usually takes a while to sync to my iphone but today it hangs every single time I try to sync it.  I gets most of the way through but then just stops progressing.  I restarted the app, I turned blue tooth off and on, I uninstalled the app and reinstalled it but it's still happening.  I have the most recent version of the app and I have the most recent iOS version as well.  

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @hosscat, welcome to the Community Forums.

Thanks for taking the time to troubleshoot your Sense prior to posting. I'm sorry this continues happening and just to confirm, do you see an error message when trying to sync? Also, do you have multiple Bluetooth connections nearby? Please note that we recommend to turn off other Bluetooth connections that aren't in use to prevent any interference when syncing.

While you've tried some steps on your own, please give to the troubleshooting tips described in this help article and let me know how it goes.

[CBV2 · Accepted solution]

Bluetooth is a pain, whether it is the Sense to the iPhone or headphones to the TV or other devices. As LizzyFitbit notes, best to turn off other Bluetooth devices, then trying. I've also tried turning off the iPhone completely, after deleting the Fitbit app, and other Bluetooth applications, turning back on, re-installing the app, and so on. Oh, also restarting the Sense. Actually, I would try that first. 

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @CBV2, it's nice to see you around the forums.

Thanks for stopping by and sharing the steps that worked for you. Your post is very helpful and I'm sure your tips will be useful for other members experiencing similar syncing issues with iPhone.

[Coffmcr]

I have found it syncs the best when you pull the Fitbit screen down on the app and hold it down... It will sync the fastest doing that instead of just pulling it down and letting it go quickly.. 

[LizzyFitbit]

HI @Coffmcr, welcome on board.

Thanks for sharing those tips. I'm glad they worked for you and I'm sure others will find your post very helpful when syncing their watches. If you have time, let me invite you to visit the Health & Wellness board where you can make new friends and share your experiences.

[hosscat]

thanks! restarting the sense fixed it!

[JPZKKZ]

I just bought my Fitbit Sense yesterday and spent half the day trying to sync SENSE CONTROLS to my iPhone 8+.  Trying today again resulting in total frustration.  I’ve decided to return the watch.  After doing a lot of research about smart watches wanting one with the best health related features the SENSE stood out.  I’m very disappointed it is so difficult to get it working properly.

[Coffmcr]

I totally understand how you feel. I did a lot of research also and over $200 I expected much better performance.. The battery charging issue is not a plus at all.. Yesterday my husband was trying to sync his watch and iPhone and it took over 5 mins.

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

[Coffmcr]

That is awesome… My husband’s Sense charge is lasting much longer since he restarted it… that is a plus… He doesn’t have patience to having to charge it every 3 days… He loves how he can keep track of his steps and activity.. Good luck

Sent from Mail for Windows 10

[JPZKKZ]

Since sending my first message earlier today I took a deep breath and slowly went through the Fitbit app again to see if I was missing out on something. Well I found the instructions to sync and carefully followed them. This time it worked and I am now connected properly and able to receive phone calls and messages on the watch. I’m keeping the phone for now and see how things go over the next few days.

Sent from my iPhone

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @hosscat and @Coffmcr, it's nice to see you again. @JPZKKZ, welcome on board.

I'm glad that your watches are now syncing correctly and thanks for taking the time to work on this. I understand where you're coming from about going through this situation with your Sense. Every feedback shared in the forums is always taken into consideration to work on our products, services and overall environment. Yours won't be the exception and will be passed along so we can improve the Fitbit experience for all our members.

[ZeldaandLink]

I have this problem every couple days. Is it actually necessary to have to turn off and on all devices, uninstall, reinstall and so forth every couple days? I did not have this expectation when I got sense. This is my 14th Fitbit project and by far the most frustrating. 

[Coffmcr]

We have only had to do it once and has been working much better every since... Every few days not working is really excessive and yes would be a great deal of trouble... Sorry, you are having such issues... Carole

Get Outlook for iOS

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @ZeldaandLink. Welcome to the Community Forums. @Coffmcr It's good to see you here and thanks for sharing your insights.

@ZeldaandLink Thanks for joining this thread and for every step tried prior to posting. I'm sorry that you've had this experience with your Sense. It's recommended to not have multiple Bluetooth connections around as this will interfere with the syncing process. However, you shouldn't be doing the rest of the suggestions shared in this thread daily if you only have your tracker and iPhone tracker nearby. Because this isn't the case, may I know the error message displayed when trying to sync? By uninstall and reinstall do you refer to the Fitbit app? Or do you mean to setup your watch as a new device?

While you've tried some steps, please take a look to this help article which describes what factors may affect the connection and describes some troubleshooting tips.