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Unreliable step counting bug

ANSWERED

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

Step error.png

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 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.

Author | ch, passion for improvement.

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307 REPLIES 307

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 .

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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.

Author | ch, passion for improvement.

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I sure hope they keep trying to fix this.

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

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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

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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.
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0 Votes

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! 

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Yep. Very safe assumption.
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I’m done with Fitbit! This is my third product of theirs that is crap! Three strikes you’re out! I got an unbranded smart watch for $19 on Amazon and it has far surpassed my Fitbit watches! don’t waste your money on this garbage! If this $20 watch lasts me a year I’ll be farther ahead than the amount of money I paid for three Fitbits! 

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