Web API data without sync

[enigmapaul]

Is it possible to get specific metrics like heart rate via the web API without requiring the user to open the fitbit app in order to sync?

[Gondwana · Accepted solution]

If the Fitbit app is running in the background (as it should be), syncing should occur automatically every 20 minutes or so. It shouldn't be necessary to open the Fitbit app unless you need to force an immediate sync.

If you don't want to rely on the Fitbit app, or don't want to wait for syncing, you can get some metrics directly from the Device API (SDK). However, you have to write your own comms stuff to get the data off the watch.