Sense won't receive text messages notifications

[Karenss432]

When  I check the Bluetooth setting on my phone it says it won't work without app.  But the app is installed

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject and updated label

[Guy_]

Hi @Karenss432  - that is because you need to use the app to make the connection work, the watch only talks to the app not the phone.

To make sure it does r

• Remove the Sense Bluetooth entry 
• logout of the Fitbit App
• Login again
• Go to the phone home screen without closing the Fitbit App
• Click on the sync popup
• Wait for it to pair and link
• Pull down on the App face to sync
• Hey presto!

To make sure it works well, turn off any other Bluetooth from nearby phones or watches.

Also swipe the watch face to the right to get to Quick Settings and make sure neither sleep or do not disturb are enabled.

[SunsetRunner]

Thank you. I did all that and I am still not getting texts. There is a setting under Bluetooth on my phone that says connect to Sense Controls but it does not stay connected. Any ideas on that? Thank you.

Sent from my iPhone

[Guy_]

Hi@SunsetRunner  - have a look at How do I get notifications from my phone on my Fitbit device?  There are things that need be set for an iPhone.

Sense Controls won't stay connected and are only used for music or calls and won't impact text notifications which are done by the Sense Bluetooth entry.

[SunsetRunner]

Thanks for the info on Sense Controls. I get all my notifications on my Fitbit except texts. I did everything that was suggested and still do not get texts. Any other ideas? Thank you!

Sent from my iPhone

[Karenss432]

I get messages now but when I hit open it just goes to the screen that says you're all caught up.

[Karenss432]

When I hit open it opens the message on my phone not the fitbit

[Guy_]

@Karenss432  - that is what it is supposed to do.  It does the same on the telephone.

The notification you see on the phone and watch is only a brief indication of the full message.

You need the actual app on the phone to see the complete details.

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi there, @Karenss432 and @SunsetRunner. @Guy_ Thanks for stopping by to help our members.

@Karenss432 Thanks for letting us know about your Sense. As you know, your watch has the ability to receive your text notifications from your phone. However, as @Guy_ mentioned, the Open option will allow you to open the text message on your phone since you already saw it on your watch. This option will also delete the notification from your watch since it won't exits on your phone either. If you want to learn more about how the notifications work, let me suggest this help article.

@SunsetRunner Thanks for efforts while working on this matter, as well as reviewing the information shared by our friend. Just to confirm, may I know the model of your phone? I'm asking this as depending of your phone's OS, there are certain requirements that need to be me. Please see this help article for more details about it, and make sure to have the Fitbit app updated.

[SunsetRunner]

My phone is an iPhone 13 mini. My phone and Fitbit are both up to date. I was receiving text notifications from this phone on my Versa. But I cannot get the text notifications to show up on my Sense. I am thinking of asking FitBit if I can return my Sense.

Sent from my iPhone

[Clove6060]

Check all your settings. I run the 12 without issue.

[Guy_]

Hi @SunsetRunner  - there can be issues when changing phones or watches if the switchover is not done completely right.

It could be possible that the text messages are being tried to be sent to the old watch.

To make sure turn off the old watch, remove the Sense Bluetooth entry, logout of the app and restart both Sense and phone, login again, to make a fresh pair and link, and sync.

Also as it's a new watch try swiping the watch face to the right to get to Quick Settings and check that sleep or do not disturb have not accidentally been enabled.

[SunsetRunner]

Thanks, I will try that. I have already checked the sleep and do not disturb on my Sense to make they are not on.

Sent from my iPhone

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi there, @SunsetRunner. @Clove6060 and @Guy_ Thanks for your help.

@SunsetRunner Thanks for getting back with the requested information, and your efforts while trying the steps suggested in this thread. I understand how you're feeling and I'm sorry for this inconvenience. Let me explain that when using iOS device, it's required to set Show Previews to Always or When Unlocked for your preferred apps in order to receive notifications on your Sense.

I understand the text notifications used to work on your previous Versa and because you have an iPhone 13 mini, please check those settings and make sure Notification Center is selected as Alert in the Notifications settings of your phone.

[SunsetRunner]

Thanks. My are settings under Notifications has always been set as you described. I am still not getting text previews on my Sense. I get all other Notifications such as Calendar, Alerts, Emails and News.

Sent from my iPhone

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi there, @SunsetRunner.

You're welcome, and thanks for confirming the settings of your iPhone. I'm sorry the notifications are still not working correctly and as last resort, let's try setting up your watch as a new device to see if it helps:

1. Forget your Sense from the Bluetooth settings.
2. Turn off other Bluetooth connections nearby.
3. Reboot your phone and restart your watch one more time.
4. Open the Fitbit app, tap your profile picture > Set Up a Device.
5. Select your Sense, tap Replace Device and follow the on-screen instructions.
6. Set up the notifications one more time and let me know how it goes.

[SunsetRunner]

Thank you for those suggestions. It still does not work. I have received two text previews in the last month- they just happened unexpected but it only happened twice. My old Versa always previewed my texts. I am going to contact FitBit about returning this Sense. I am so disappointed. Thanks for trying!


Sent from my iPhone

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi there, @SunsetRunner.

You're welcome, and thanks to you for the time taken while troubleshooting your Sense. I'm sorry the issue is still persisting and rest assured this feedback will be passed along so we can work on our devices and improve them.

While checking your details, I noticed you already have a case created with our Support team. I'm sure they'll help you with any of your inquiries, so please keep an open communication with them. For any warranty-related inquiry, please check our Warranty Policy here.