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.

[Capon830]

Not entirely sure about that. My wife has a versa 2 and says she's not experiencing the erroneous step count.

[GlennTX]

My Versa 3 was experiencing the same.  I disconnected Google Fit (Health Connect) and have not noticed the extra steps for a couple of days now.

[andyyapsg]

Indeed the new update did not work at all. It was auto updated on my iPhone 2 days ago, and the flip-flop step count remained till now.

Sent from my little iPhone 8 :sagittarius:

---

I retired my old Sense and switched to a new Sense just about 1 month ago. In my opinion, the problem has nothing to do with the watch.

Sent from my little iPhone 8 :sagittarius:

[Guy_]

Hi All, to avoid confusions please refer to the original post in this topic for the exact details of the Step and Stress Management Score issues.

Will update it if there is any change which should occur at the Google/Fitbit end without any intervention by users. No watch or Fitbit app updates should be necessary.

[JWags14]

Experiencing same issue but with a twist ... calorie count doesn't sync between the main app screen and the deeper dive into daily, weekly and monthly activity. 

For example, main screen will show 2,800 calories burned; when you click on calories, to the "energy burned" screen, it is usually 120 or so calories behind. 

When midnight hits, you lose those calories burned. Last night, right before midnight, watch showed 2,825 calories burned, but app "energy burned" screen showed just 2,766. Today, it still shows 2,766 -- never updated.  

[Rge]

The Stress Management Score returned to my Sense 2 yesterday, but the step count is still messed up.

[Allegic2Aging]

Same here.  Stress management score returned after missing for a week.  Step counts still having issues.

[Mom2Jacob]

I just asked my friend that has a charge 4 to tell me her current steps and to sync with app with just one pull down.  She told me 2515 and

I did one pull down and is say 2515

we keep saying it’s not a watch issue but it kind of is as it only see problems with Versa 3 and Sense (not sure if a number specific).  So the app is perfect for everyone else.  Why is google punishing just these watch owners?  Are these watches the only ones that had the recent firmware updates?  Are they a fire hazard and they want us to change watches?  I don’t think you’d have this problem if you got a different Fitbit.

oh I was wondering if any of you moved your app to google?  What date will that be mandatory?

[siskiou]

My sense didn't get the firmware update. I bought it in Germany. So I don't think the step count (which also affects cardio load and zone minutes, I'm pretty sure) has anything to do with the firmware.

I did switch to Google recently, but the problem didn't start until a couple of weeks later.

[Mom2Jacob]

Thanks for the info. Does your sense have a number on it or is it just one sense?

[siskiou]

I don't quite understand? It's the original Sense model. Bought in Germany early 2021.

[Mom2Jacob]

Did anyone do the 4.38 update?

--------

 

 

--------

Moderator edit - merged messages

[siskiou]

It's not available for me on Android.

 

[Mom2Jacob]

There are several versions of Versa so I was wondering if sense has other versions and if all are affected by issue 

[DerPeisi]

Same strange behaiviour here. 

[Rubitooz]

Done it again this morning.

I was at 4600 by 8.30am. At 8.45 had dropped to just over 3000. This is getting ridiculous
Sent from my Healthy iPhone

Moderator Edit: Personal info removed

[siskiou]

Ah, thanks! I understand now. I don't think there are different versions, but I could be wrong.

Maybe there are different versions, depending on the country it was made for? In Europe you get 2 years warranty, but that's the only difference I'm aware of. My husband and daughter's Sense are both American, and both needed the recent Firmware updates.

[lkiley1]

Having the same problem. Really frustrating. I can't get to 10k steps and I'm doing way over. I'm losing at least 3k steps everyday. I've tried shutting everything down and nothing works. Always been fine before. Started about a week ago. 

[Mom2Jacob]

Don’t sync to app until night.  Make sure you shut off Bluetooth, if possible, all day.  When you sync at night, go to device instead of pull down sync.  Once there, turn on Bluetooth.  The sync will automatically update.  It will run twice, at some point turning on device lock.  This process is what screws up the amount.  If you hit sync one more time, when you go back to today it should match pretty close to what your watch states. I find it helpful to either take a picture of watch amounts or jot down amounts because the process will change your watch to whatever it says on app.

[Paintedhorse007]

Do you think a factory reset would fix it?