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.

[6down3togo]

Sense (v1, current app on my Android v15 phone. I often use BT earbuds while recording with the "Walk" function.  Steps are accurate.

I still get that failure to refresh fairly often when pulling down the screen.  I swipe it out of memory, reopen it, and then it usually refreshes .

.

[Guy_]

Hi @ManuFitbit - thanks for the information but on checking again it is still adjusting steps on the watch, up or down by a small amount at times, after a sync when it shouldn't.

So it's not fully fixed yet.

[Sargal]

I sure hope they keep trying to fix this.

---

Good to know. I’ll try that. Thank you.

[Rge]

My app is still wonky when syncing. I have to sync 3 or 4 times to get my Sense to agree with the app on the steps, but who knows if the step count is accurate?

Moderator Edit: Formatting

[Sargal]

Just a guess. I am on 4.39 version of Fitbit. My versa 3 and app agree. I
usually have once a day problem with syncing. The problem could be in my
internet. Not sure.

[Floweringsoul]

I tried to leave feedback and it will not let me go past the first screen because I am unable to tap the box saying they will email me for more info? Probably don’t want feedback as a lot of people are pissed! 

[Sargal]

Yep. Very safe assumption.

[Sdhb]

I think this issue is resolved.. Is it not? I'm not noticing it anymore on
Android.

[Guy_]

Hi @Sdhb - thanks for asking, I still notice a slight modification in steps on syncing sometimes.

I use the SimpleCheckUp app to know when there will be an automatic sync which happens every 15 minutes and check the steps on the watch just before the next auto sync and often they change.

If you check in the Fitbit App itself it may be too late because it does an immediate sync, though sometimes you can still see the modification.

While it isn't the swings of thousands of steps we had before it is still not correct to adjust watch steps in this way as it can alter other metrics over time.

[Guy_]

Well spotted @Sdhb and thanks for posting - further tests done today seem to indicate the adjustment of steps bug when syncing has stopped.