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]

The battery update and the step count issue are two completely different things. It is only a coincidence that the step count problem appeared a few weeks after the battery update was rolled out to a select group of watches.

[Koda]

I couldn't agree more and I feel the same way about Apple. Note; I've had Fitbits since 2014. My first was the Force (recalled for allergic reactions) then the Charge, Ch HR, Ch 2, 3, 4, 5, Versa 2, and now the Sense. That being said I do use the Apple AirPods Pro. You know the ones they say won't work with anything but an iPhone. They work beautifully with my Samsung Note 20 Ultra 5G. I have a sneaking suspicion that if you want to cough up the bucks, their are other superior Apple devices that will also work. Just hate the cost and wedding bells that go off when I think about buying anything from Apple.

Having used Fitbit and tracked extensive data for 11 yrs there are 2 things that have kept me with them.

1) The extensive amount of data that would be lost (they don't allow you to export everything and you need extensive tech knowledge to do anything with the format its downloaded in.) I've yet to find a conversion app that is accurate and uses all the data I have. Lastly if you use a 3rd party app you're giving all your health data to another company with privacy policies that blow me away! 

2) Every other tracker/watch that I've looked at has their own world of problems and lack of support, including Apple Watches, Garmin, Samsung etc. 🤦‍:female_sign:

[Mom2Jacob]

Actually going on 2 weeks this Thursday 

[Mom2Jacob]

Use the device sync not the pull down sync!  It will run through twice and if you hit the sync once more, your steps will be correct.  Oh also leave Bluetooth off until you’re ready to sync

[Suzbaus]

Hi,

Just received this from Fitbit support.

 rt. 

[Suzbaus]

Hi all,

I just received an email from support that tells me to get an update from Google play, from .47 to .48, from March 11. Interestingly,I was unable to copy their email for some reason! Maybe that will help, who knows?

[Mem11]

I got and Installed the update from the play store last night(4.37 to 4.38). I haven't had the step/syncing problem since. Hopefully we are good to go....

[Rubitooz]

Ive been experiencing for about a week now. I did a huge hike this am. When I got home I’d done 17,300 steps and about an hour ago it changed to 12,051 !!! It’s hugely annoying 

[Mem11]

Unfortunately the update didn't fix it. I went from 2,700 steps up to 5,500 steps and back down again after syncing it a few times.

[Mom2Jacob]

I don't have google play.

[Roxandfoxes]

Having the sane issue. My watch keeps telling I've hit my step target when I'm nowhere near it.

Another nail in the coffin for my fitbit.

[SenseEdmonton]

I have been seeing wild swings after a power walk where steps could be inflated by 5,000 or more and then after a sync it increases.. and then decreases... and increases.. and decreases with in minutes

[ArcadeTechGW]

As have I.  I warmed up with 4 miles before working a soccer tournament last weekend.  I was seeing my steps over 30,000 (not surprising on a full sized indoor field with 8 games) but then down to 24,000.  I actually have another watch I use for soccer, and had that one tracking steps, and they didn't match.  I got 4400 steps on one game with the other device.

FITBIT SUPPORT - PLEASE FIX THIS.

[Mom2Jacob]

Did it fix it?  

[ArcadeTechGW]

Not as of yesterday.  I still hit 10,000 steps! (when I was at 7000 steps).

We'll see today.  Hope springs eternal, but I'm already considering leaving FitBit (and GoogleWatch gets ruled out because it's the same company) and looking elsewhere.

Honestly, FitBit being bought by Google has not been good for FitBit.  Which is sad.

[Mom2Jacob]

I just got off a chat with Fitbit customer service. Of course they're familiar with the problem and they're working on it ASAP to fix it. I tried to tell them my workaround and maybe that would help them find the issue but they didn't seem to interested. They told me even if you have a workaround it's still broken. A few years ago I found a miles issue in the app that really only affected iPhone users. If you look at the individual time frames for miles, they are not miles. They will not add up to what the total miles are and I figured out that it's a convoluted formula to get you to what they should be per hour. The program actually looks at the miles as kilometers and so it turns it into something. I found if you multiply the hour by the formula to convert a kilometer to a mile then it will turn it into a mile and you can get the mile amount. This is never been fixed since it started several years ago. If you have an android, you don't know what I'm talking about. 

[siskiou]

Definitely not fixed with the app update! : 😞 

[ArcadeTechGW]

Confirmed.  I just had the problem again.  I caught it before I got my "first" 10000 step notice.

[Suzbaus]

I tried to update twice but got 4.37 both times. 

[Crank1234]

I’ve had the same problem and it’s since the last update. This is a (free of charge) replacement watch as the last one was rendered useless by an update too. I’ve also noticed that the battery has gone from 8 days usage to 3 since the update. 

I’m done with Fitbit now, I’ve had maybe 5 and they’ve never lasted more than a year, which for a £200 watch is terrible.