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 20th

It seems this is still not entirely stable and Google may still be introducing changes.

Small adjustments can appear when auto syncing [every 15 minutes about depending on connectivity] or even manual syncing randomly.

Steps counting bug - Update March 19th

After some more testing and in the absence of any official information from Google - the app finally appears to sync correctly without any unwanted adjustments.

Of note, no action by the user was/is necessary for the syncing to be correct, as the error was only at the Google end.

Steps counting bug - Update March 17th

Some people still noticed minor adjustments to the watch steps when syncing, meaning the problem is still not fully fixed.

Steps counting bug - Update April 7th:

The ensuing minor steps adjusting bug that was still prevalent seems also fixed now.

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. However some minor adjustments still seem to occur.

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.

[Scott337]

Please See this thread

@Han01  My apologies for the incorrect link I posted previously, that was my error.

[eculbertson]

@Scott337 thanks. I know that is an additional issue but they coincided for me so mentioned it. I do in fact think there is something they could do to fix the issue but they will not.  

Either way, watch is flaky whether by battery or steps. 

[vlchristensen]

I'm having problems too. The watch tells me I hit my daily goal, then a few minutes later my step count is reduced to below the goal. This happens a couple more times within the same day.

This started hapenning a few days ago. I noticed that the app (Android) was updated on the 19th, which coincides with when I first started having the problem.

[Mom2Jacob]

I think this has more to do with the versa 3 firmware update but Fitbit said people without versa 3 are having this problem.  Also several people like me use Fitbit on an iPhone 

[MajesticPants]

Noticed this yesterday 23/02/25 and was worried I was being gaslighted by my device 😅 really hope this gets fixed up. I've found so far having the app open is keeping it on track, but this isn't convenient 🙁

[Han01]

Sorry but the link to the Thread above does not work for me. It keeps just taking me to gmail. 

Could you please let me know if there is a solution to my above issue. 

Thanks!

[Guy_]

Hi @Han01 - please see Unreliable step counting bug there is nothing you can do to fix it.

 

[Guy_]

Hi All, to clarify, it seems this incorrect step issue is a general problem unrelated to watch model, phone model, firmware or app versions. As it has been happening for some days already and may not be anything specific to your situation or your watch, though other issues may be.

[Scott337]

I experienced the step count issue last evening. At one point my watch displayed over 12,600 steps (which seemed accurate), then a short time later my watch and phone displayed 10,400 steps. After using the Fitbit app for a few minutes and refreshing everything my step count went back up to almost 13,000 and stayed accurate the rest of the evening.

I would encourage everyone affected to open the Fitbit app > tap your avatar > tap Feedback and submit a user feedback report to Google. That's how we report Pixel phone problems, it can't hurt to report this issue to Google using user feedback. That way the Fitbit team sees our feedback. 

[london2000]

I have the same problem, starting about a week ago. Three times so far it has overestimated my steps by several thousand and then suddenly corrected the mistake, by reducing the step count. I think the problem lies in the software in the watch, and that syncing is correcting the error.

It's very frustrating. I've sent feedback to Google via the Android app.

[Eamonnsionic]

My Sense 2 reset to a lower number twice in recent days.  

[ChristineM-12]

Same here. Since the update, mine has been changing my step count multiple times throughout the day.  And its changing it by thousands (9.6k steps one minute to 8.4k the next).  Anyone have any clue or how to fix it?  

[Eamonnsionic]

I just powered off and on to see if it helps.  Will let you know if it keeps happening. 

[Red1993]

I’m experiencing the same issue. Steps jump around that I have little confidence on the actual steps taken.

Add this to the sudden terrible battery life, spotty GPS and the fact my step streak resets randomly I’m struggling to see the value is sticking with Fitbit and I’ve been around since 2016.

[jlamp]

Same here,  had 18k steps then it dropped to 15K then settled on 14. The last few days my steps change but only decrease throughout the day. 

[hardeeharcarr]

I just finished a workout and should have approximately 6,300 steps. At first my phone showed this correct number but my Fitbit Sense showed that I have 11,700 steps. I tried shutting everything off, turning it all back on, uninstalling and reinstalling the app on my phone, shutting off the sense, turning Bluetooth off and on, etc. The Fitbit has now synced with my phone so now both my phone and fitbit think I have 11,700 steps. I'm a little concerned about this issue because I rely on the fitbit a lot (maybe too much) so I really need to feel like it is as accurate as possible. What can I do? If I do a factory reset, how much of my information will I lose?

[Scott337]

No point in resetting your watch. This is a new bug affecting many different watches, phones, etc.  See this thread:  https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Sense/Unreliable-step-counting-bug/m-p/5727268#M74877

[fourfamily]

Same here. How can the problem be solved?

[Stepomatic]

Same here. Since the update, mine has been changing my step count multiple times throughout the day.  up 3000 down 4000 it has made it realy hard to figure out what I actulay did. I have also noticed tha changes happens alot when I syn to my phone app.  This is not acceptable!

[Fd-156]

Same here.I have a sense.And yesterday I lost around 600 steps.Today I lost almost 3,000 steps.