Unreliable step counting bug

[Guy_]

There is an issue with the step counting as shown here, with the dated Core Stats.

At 15:38 the watch was indicating an erroneous 13,256 steps

After a sync it was showing a more accurate 8,536 steps

How or why this bug has appeared is unknown. It is due to improper syncing/server processing.

There is nothing a user can do to fix this bug, any attempts could make matters worse and be a waste of time.

If the watch is not connected to the Fitbit App, by closing the app [often not possible] or better by turning off Bluetooth, and the steps are correct it would confirm that as the cause.

For Versa/Sense users [not Versa 4 or Sense 2], the SimpleCheckUp app [first screen] might help to know on the watch when the watch last synced.

When turning on Bluetooth again, it is necessary to manual sync a few times to get the correct steps to show.

This bug is NOT related to any watch firmware update or Fitbit App update and applies to all phone and watch types. There will be no update issued to fix it.

Steps counting bug - Update March 13th:

This may finally be fixed - check steps on your device and manually sync, If the app then shows the same for you it is fixed.

Stress Management Score - Update March 7th:

The missing Stress Management Score that affected all user types [regular or premium] is supposedly fixed now without any user intervention. Though the missing history is not recovered.

For those still not getting it yet please make a separate post/investigation.

[JLeith]

A few imes I have thought that the number of steps showing on my Sense had gone down. Today it buzed to tell me I had completed my 10,000 steps but an hour later it showed 9,000 steps. Does anybody know what is going on?

[sirrius50]

Exactly the same here. Has now happened each day over the past 3 days 😞

[Dinsdale1958]

Mine started yesterday and it will randomly and instantly gain or lose steps, usually 1,000 to 2.000 at a time.  I started keeping track of it and it has done it at least 15 times today alone.  I tried restarting it the watch, but it made no difference.

[Meyer207]

Came here for the same problem. Was over 15,000 steps today now it’s only showing 8,000? And in my activity it has nothing for the times I was walking. Was hoping I would find some answers here. 

[dbottorf]

My Sense has been acting wonky fora couple days too.  Yesterday it told me I hit 10,000, but my phone app said 8,000+.  Refreshed my phone and it told me I had 17,000 + steps.  Refreshed again, then both the phone app and Sense were back to 8,000. 🤷‍:female_sign:

 The Firmware update has also screwed with my battery life as well. It only lasts about 3 days.  What’s up Google Fitbit???

[Ermagerd42]

The inflated step count thing is real and my spouse and I have the same issue as y'all, which in a nutshell is: 

- Look at watch, see 3952 steps, look at phone, see 3952 steps, sync phone with watch, both now say 2066 steps. WTF, Google?

This has been going on for several days now. As best I've been able to determine, the 2066 in the example above is in fact the correct number. So can somebody tell me where the phantom almost-1900 steps came from?

Naturally, as with all things Fitbit-support going back a decade, searching for this problem brings you 78,000 copies of the same information that has NOTHING to do with what you're searching for. No, my watch isn't missing some of my steps, no, I'm not going to change which wrist I tell it I have it on, that's not what this is.

My spouse and I both have Fitbit Sense (generation 1) devices that were purchased in late 2021 to replace our old Charge 4s, which replaced our even older Charge 3s.

Her Sense just received the craptastic firmware update that shortens battery life by never fully charging the battery, to prevent a condition on some watches that ends up with the user actually being burned. Now she gets a lot shorter battery life. This is intentional, there is nothing you can do about it, and Google "generously" offers 50 bucks for the inconvenience, but to get your 50 bucks you have to give your banking information to a third party pay app.

As far as I can tell, Google is working HARD here to lose customers FOREVER. Just a month ago I shelled out some fairly substantial coin for a Google Pixel Watch 2 for a relative who had falling issues. Could I replace his ancient Fitbit with a modern Fitbit that has fall-detection? No, of course not, Google isn't putting fall-detection on any Fitbit devices and never will. 

I actually like the Pixel Watch, and would consider replacing both my unit and my wife's with it, if Fitbit/Google could manage to not screw up constantly and annoy the bejesus out of me constantly. 

Right now, despite loathing everything about every Apple device ever produced, I'm researching Apple watches, to see which ones have fall-detection and the rest of the features I want/need, and to see if I'd have to buy three whole new hateful overpriced iPhones just to make it work, like I would if I wanted to use Airtags.

Yes, this is what it has come to now, I may have to give up three paid-for, functional phones, three paid-for, formerly functional watches, enter an ecosystem I hate with a fiery passion, throw away a decade or so of data (times three people), just because Fitbit can't manage basic sanity much less accuracy in their step count. 

For the LOVE OF GOD get your bleep together Fitbit/Google.

[Tourdefarms]

Our watches are not loosing steps, they are randomly adding steps. I have been able to get mine to go back to a more believable step count by syncing it to the Fitbit app. However syncing multiple times is necessary.

• Im assuming that it is an software issue and that the hardware is working fine.

[Guy_]

Hi All, see the link unreliable step counting bug

[Dorlor]

Thanks. I appreciate the help. Any thoughts on the firmware battery issue?

[Mem11]

Yep, This started about a week ago. I lose then gain thousands of steps in minutes. Shutting off the phone or turning off Bluetooth has stopped the problem. Can't wait to see what happens when I turn Bluetooth back on at the end of the day... Please fix the App/Server problem Fitbit.

[Grimmi]

Thank you so much,  I will try this 

[CATMOMof3]

Thank you for finding that out

[Mom2Jacob]

So it's fixed?  I did so many things yesterday with customer service.  Phone stuff, watch stuff and app stuff.  Personally I think it's a watch problem.

[Mem11]

It's a workaround, not a fix. Have you tried shutting off your Bluetooth? If you do and the problem goes away, then it's not the watch, it's a Fitbit App syncing problem.

[deirdreoneill]

I keep losing steps. I was at 7,000 then it increases to 8,000 then decreased to just under 6,000. I’m concerned it’s syncing elsewhere but I’ve checked and double checked and turned off Apple health. It’s typically after I’ve put in “workout” mode on my watch. 

[SomeOldGuy]

This started on Friday for me and I thought for a second it was just me, but has happened every day since, hopefully they can get this ironed out quickly.  Going to take the suggestion of shutting off the bluetooth for tomorrow's workout as I agree it's a sync issue of some type.

[Gia20]

I got the same issue recently. The streps reduced, it told me I have reached 10k but half hour later my steps became 9K. And the battery seems only lasting for one day rather than 3-4 days in the past. What’s going on recently?

[Han01]

Hi, after I completed the last firmware update my sense has not been counting steps correctly. Noticed that after 6000 steps it jumps drastically by 2000+ steps. I keep a close count on my steps using fitbit so if the basic function is not working, that is not very useful. Can you please assist so the step count works gain. Thanks 

[eculbertson]

Ever since the forced firmware update, this has been an issue. Quite frustrating. Anytime I refresh the app my steps change and even odder, the watch matches whatever the refresh says. 

Also, the battery is super flaky. This firmware update is a mess. 

Hope this is fixed soon.