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.

[Sargal]

The versa 3 update caused the problem. The watch tracks steps if totally disconnected from iPhone 16 pro. Please quit sending me in circles. My versa 3 was fine before the update that lets me answer the phone on my versa. I don’t need that feature 

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I found that it has to do with the ability to use the watch to answer the phone on the watch. I don’t need that.

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Me too. Remove Fitbit app from phone. The watch returns to its very accurate step count. They need to let us use the phone with ability to answer the phone on the watch.

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I really feel your pain. I had the same experience.
Me too. Remove Fitbit app from phone. The watch returns to its very accurate step count. They need to let us use the phone with ability to answer the phone on the watch.

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Moderator edit - Merged messages

[Scott337]

Hello @Sargal .  I don't think the recent Versa 3 update is the cause. Watches that did not receive that update, and are a completely different model are experiencing this step count issue. The fact that you stated that uninstalling the Fitbit app fixes things points to what Guy posted initially > the problem is in the Fitbit app and it's connection to the Fitbit servers.

~ Scott

[Mom2Jacob]

my watch seems to be doing exactly as it did before but when I sync it to the app is when it gets screwed up. today. I am not syncing up to the app. I’m just using all the data straight from the watch. Last night I thought I was done with my steps so I synced the watch and it stole about 2000 steps leaving me short. I was so mad, I had already sat down to enjoy a little bit of time before I went to bed.

[RaechelR]

I lost 1,500 steps in one day, and other days less. I really hate the firmware update. 

[siskiou]

I think this also affects the cardio load.

The past few days, I reach my goal before noon, when before, when step count was accurate, I had to work on reaching my goal.

Any updates, if anyone is working on fixing it?

[Suzbaus]

Hi,

I raised the issue with the Support team over 6 days ago and have not received a response or follow up at all.

I would suggest that everyone raise the issue through the support page. 

[siskiou]

I chatted with support. No help, apart from the usual troubleshooting. Supposedly they are working on it.

[Tourdefarms]

Did the tell you to restart your modem  😄

[Suzbaus]

That's a new one

[A5kil3s]

I am just frustrated feels lately like all app that updated in the last month or so caused issues.  The step count issue for me seems to be a little better - I am more upset about the draining of my battery.  Ugh!  

[nlsalvatore]

Any word from Fitbit about when this issue will be fixed?  It’s really annoying to have my step count jump up and down at various times throughout the day.

[Suzbaus]

Nothing yet. I had a new issue today my watch display was 11,715, I synced my phone and the steps increased to 13656 on the phone and watch, 2 mins later both dropped back to 11, 000.

[Itslauraevans]

Happened to me too. Frustrating. 

[Eberry]

I've been experiencing some frustrating issues with my Fitbit device. Lately, I've noticed that I'm losing steps on a daily basis, which is incredibly disappointing as it affects my tracking accuracy. Additionally, the battery seems to be draining quite rapidly, which is becoming more and more inconvenient.

I'm starting to wonder if these glitches are intentional, perhaps designed to push users like myself to upgrade to a newer model. I would greatly appreciate it if you could provide some insight into these issues and let me know if there's anything that can be done to resolve them.

[Sdhb]

You should be eligible for a $50usd appeasement, not that it helps much but
don't let them get it out of principle.

[JHSik]

Thanks for the confirmation that it’s Versatile 3 and iPhone as well. I’m going nuts with this.

[JHSik]

Versa 3 not Versatile - auto corrupt got me again!

[Scott337]

I wanted to add a little information that helps support Guy's theory about this being a server-side issue.  I did not open the Fitbit app on my phone at all yesterday, only one time right before bed. I walked over 12,000 steps throughout the day and my watch was correct the entire day. As soon as I opened the Fitbit app on my phone right before bedtime, my watch synced with the app my step count dropped by over -2000. A few manual syncs later, open and close the app, etc. the step data was correct again. So in my experience the less we interact with the Fitbit app (until this issue is fixed) the less you notice anything being incorrect.

[Mom2Jacob]

I’ve been sort of doing the same thing every day. I log on my iPhone numbers every 5K in the day. So I haven’t been using the notifications or syncing on the app. I keep Bluetooth off all day.Everything looks perfect during the day and I manually put in my food and my weight on the app since that’s not something that comes from the watch. All, but one night when I synced at the end of the day, everything worked out perfectly. The one night that didn’t work out it took away steps. my secret is use the device and not the pulldown sync. If you do this, it automatically syncs when you take the Bluetooth and turn it back on.  You’ll notice it runs through the sync once and then it runs it again and that’s the time it makes it screwed up.  If you hit the sync again, it should match what was on your watch when it was OK. Like when you hit your daily goal and you looked at the watch and it looked perfect.

[vee]

I haven’t had any issues and I don’t have a Health or phone app attached, just my Fitbit.  I’m thinking that it’s a Health app or mobile track that’s adding steps and then correcting it. 
sorry I haven’t read all the posts but is anyone having this problem that does not have a phone app attached? When you click on the device does it show a phone icon saying add phone? if there is something already added there I would remove it.  Or the actual Fitbit. when there are two devices adding information there are bound to be some problems,  in my opinion.