Zip only syncs after battery removal

[Twotonetish]

My zip only syncs after the battery is removed.  I followed all the usual troubleshooting,  and then contacted support. They sent a replacement but I'm having the same issue with the new one. 

[Francesbean]

I broke down and bought myself the charge 3 - I don't like wearing it on my
wrist - had a pedometer for over 11 years - that was sufficient for my
needs.
It usually syncs fine with my android. I probably should have gotten the
one that you can use a clip but I'm in a gym challenge and they want you to
track your heart rate so I got the charge 3. =/

[MikeS4570]

I too am having this issue. Been using my Zip for years and noticed it hasn't been syncing. Tried all the troubleshooting stuff to no avail. From reading this it looks like FitBit is not capable of making a correction. Had been working fine on my S8 until about a month ago. Guess will have to look at other options as we cannot wear anything on our wrists at work for safety reasons.

[ElenaN]

Try to do what I'm doing, open the back, move the battery a little, close it again and sync. It seems bizarre but it does the trick.  I do it once a day when is convenient and it seems to be working that way. I do hope Fitbit are trying to work out a better solution. Good luck!

[Francesbean]

I had been doing that, be careful eventually the back doesn't want to
close correctly, I think one of my little tabs broke.

[Mumpie]

It works, most of the time.  HOWEVER, removing the back and even just closing it back up leads to at least 2 potential problems.
1) The mechanism for holding the back in place is of marginal quality at best.  Sooner of later, the back will fail to close or stay closed.
2) More critical is this second one.  There have been warnings about the bottom tab that connects to the negative side of the battery failing to make contact.  Even worse is the design of the tab for the positive side of the battery.  That is a flimsy tab on the side of the case.
If either of the two conditions should occur, all you have is an overpriced, useless, necklace.

The problem is caused by an incompatibility between the bluetooth software in both the Zip and Phone.  It manifested itself when the phone software was updated.  Fitbit has not even tried to correct the problem in the ZIP.  Perhaps they can not due to the hardware that makes up the ZIP.
It seems that syncing is somewhat more reliable over the past month or so.  Likely due to bluetooth or other updates made to the phone or computer.
My ZIP has not been updated from the version at the top of this thread bu my phone and Windows 10 computer have both had a significant number of updates, as had the app on the phone.
I do not have to always remove (or touch, or jiggle, or even open the back to get at) the battery.  It may take two or three tries to get the sync to occur but it usually does.  Sometimes it takes waiting a few minutes before retrying to initiate the sync.
It is a bit better but it is still not as reliable as before this screw-up by Fitbit started months ago.

[Ariz2350]

I have the same problem, only syncs if battery is removed and re-installed.  Have 2 Fit-bit Zips, one app on the phone and one app on the computer. Only have problems with the phone app.

[Francesbean]

Thanks for the insight about the computer. I have a wedding next week and
did not want to wear my watch fitbit, but want all the steps I'll get
dancing 😉
I'll get the app on the computer and wear my zip that day.
Frances

[Ariz2350]

Happy to help. Have fun at the wedding.

Jean

[domccain]

Same here! Wont sync unless take out battery on Samsung  galaxy 8.  

[Francesbean]

Awe, Thank you Jean - I plan to - got my gown made tea length so I can
dance to my heart's content. 😉 Should be plenty of steps.

[Ariz2350]

I don't take my battery out of my Samsung Galaxy 8, I only have to remove
my battery from my Fitbit Zip for it to sync. We have two Fitbit Zips and
one is set up on the computer and the Zip works fine without removing the
battery. Something is missing from the phone that will not allow it to
connect. Wish I knew what it was.

[joshams]

Great to see the conversation still going around this issue but how pathetic that Fitbit continues to do nothing about it.  Hopefully anyone thinking of buying a Zip will check out reviews and be saved the trouble.  Since moving to a Fitbit Inspire I haven't looked back.  It hasn't missed a beat in terms of the data it captures, syncing or general performance.  The only thing is the battery drains fairly fast but I can live with that. Go well fellow Fitbitters!

[5boybev]

I had the same issue all week after the app updated. Restarting my phone fixed the problem. If that isn't one of the million things you've tried, try that.

[5boybev]

Same problem. Restarting my phone fixed the issue.

[Swright19]

Exact same thing happening to me.  I've been using zips since they came out.  I don't want one on my wrist either.  I've called customer support several times.  They are always very nice and supportive but have not solved the issue.  What is the answer to all day sync.  .? Ugh

[Ariz2350]

Thanks, I'll try that and see if it works for me

[5boybev]

I don't use all day sync because I have to replace the battery often enough as it is!

[Babalookan]

Why doesn't fitbit just admit they have no plans to fix the zip syncing error that they created.  taking the battery out every time i want to sync doesn't work for me.  another solution would be helpful. but again fitbit wont admit they messed up. it might be time to move on to a better tracker since fitbit is too money grubbing to listen

[5boybev]

It's left me feeling that they are forcing purchase of an upgrade.

[Seanspar]

I have to agree with recent posts - this issue has been live for months. If there was an effective solution, it would have been implemented by now. Fitbit want you to buy a new Fitbit tracker - they're not going to put much effort into fixing an issue with a non-current model.

I myself binned my Zip weeks ago. I just got fed up with removing the battery every day and replacing it every few days. I'd worn trackers for years and think I know what 10k steps a day looks like by now! I'm also doing more swimming and cycling now than I used to do because they didn't get me any steps.