App keeps asking choice for location services

[JBDow]

I recently updated my iPhone to ios13.  Since then  I get asked to change my choice for location services “only when app is open” to “always on”.  I select “no thanks”, the next time I open or switch to the Fitbit app, it asks me the same thing again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again, and again...(You get the picture).  How do I get the app to remember my choice like it used to?

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @JBDow. It's great to see a new face around and thanks for sharing detailed information about the Fitbit app's behavior.

I know how you're feeling about this constant prompt and let's work on this together. Just to confirm, do you see this prompt when tracking your exercises? Do you have the same issue when using another app that requires location services? Are the location services settings also changed by themselves after getting the prompt? In the meantime, let me recommend to try the following steps:

1. Log out from the Fitbit app in your phone.
2. Force quit the Fitbit app.
3. On your phone's settings, tap on Privacy > Location Services > Fitbit > Never.
4. Reboot your phone.
5. Then go back to the location services settings for Fitbit and select "While using the App.
6. Open the Fitbit app, log back in to your account and monitor your app.

I'll be around, keep me posted.

[JBDow]

To answer your questions...
“do you see this prompt when tracking your exercises?” I have want to track any exercises for a while don’t know.

“Do you have the same issue when using another app that requires location services?” No.

“Are the location services settings also changed by themselves after getting the prompt?” No. I always say “No Thanks” so I wouldn’t expect them to change.

I followed all your recommended steps. The location services question did not appear when I first initialized the app. But every time I have re-awakened the app since then, it has appeared.

Please let me know when there is a new update to fix the last one.

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @JBDow. I'm glad to see you here again and I'm sorry for the delayed response.

Thanks for getting back with the requested information and let's continue working on this together. After investigating on my end, it seems that currently it's required to set the Location Services to "Always" instead of "While using the app" whenever you're using the Fitbit app on your iPhone. I understand how this change will affect you and be sure that our team will keep working on the Fitbit app's functionality based on the feedback posted in the Community.

I'l be around if you need anything else.

[jwalder]

Lizzy, are you saying that there is no way to disable this? That the only way to use the FitBit iOS app is to continually get these notifications every time we open (or even toggle) to the app, and click "no thanks" each time?

[JBDow]

So, if it is required to set the Location Services to "Always" instead of "While using the app" whenever you're using the Fitbit app on your iPhone, Why are we presented with a choice? Other than the annoying message every time I use the App, What is the consequence of not selecting Always to the location services question?

[jwalder]

Exactly.  It’s beyond outrageous.  There should at least be an option “don’t ask me again.”  I guess Fitbit wants to make it so annoying to not use GPS that we do and they can then sell our data.

[jefftom1]

I, for one, would rather have the battery charge last longer than know where I've been.  I know where I've been.

The app should accept the USER's desire to never track location rather than annoyingly keep reminding us that our setting is not what it wants it to be.  Fitbit is supposed to support a healthy lifestyle, not take over the way one lives one's life.

Fitbit, please honor the USER's choices.

[jwalder]

Exactly Jeff.  If this isn't fixed within two weeks, I'm going to file a complaint with the FTC and let Apple know.

[SunsetRunner]

Hello @jwalder , @JBDow  and @jefftom1 

I understand you don’t want your location services on your device. I’m assuming since your on the iOS app forum that you have an iOS device. You can certainly turn your location services to “never” if you chose to. I personally have mine set to never and my Fitbit works fine. (I don’t use the GPS map function on my Fitbit so I don’t feel the need to have it on but know I can always change it if I change my mind) 

Heres how:
go to

iOS device setting> Fitbit> Location  services> select never

iOS device settings > privacy> location services > Fitbit > select never.

😃 I hope this provides you with an answer. 

[jwalder]

Thanks, the problem is that, even with it set to "never" like you described, it prompts us to turn it back on. Every. Time. The pic below shows what I'm talking about. 

[SunsetRunner]

interesting @jwalder 

I don’t get this prompt but I did some digging around and I believe this may help here: https://community.fitbit.com/t5/iOS-App/Receiving-constant-notification-to-turn-on-quot-Location-Ser... It’s worth looking at. 😉

[jwalder]

This problem has NOT been resolved, so it should not be marked as such. It's absolutely outrageous that FitBit's coding team did this in the first place, and then REFUSES to fix it.

[JBDow]

I have also tried the “Never” setting but I still get prompted to change to “Always” every time I wake up the app.

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi everyone. It's good to see you participating in this thread and I'm sorry for my delayed response.

Special thanks to my friend @SunsetRunner for your big help!

@JBDow and @jefftom1, thank for keeping me informed. @jwalder, thanks for the screenshot provided. You did a good job with the steps that were suggested in this thread and I'm sorry that you're still being asked to change the location settings. I understand the frustration that you're feeling and I've escalated this behavior to our team so they can further investigate and bring a solution. I'll update this thread once I have more details from our team.

If you have any other question, feel free to let me know.

[Kimmy92279]

I am also receiving this notification (both in normal iPhone notifications but also every single time I open the Fitbit app). This issue started a few weeks ago for me. I tried turning off Bluetooth but then my Fitbit won’t sync with the app (appears this is necessary). 

It’s very annoying to have to close these notifications every time just to get into my app.

[KateFitbit]

@jwalder, @JBDow following up on @LizzyFitbit's post, our team is currently looking into this issue. I recommend keeping your app and iOS updated. 

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @Kimmy92279. It's great to see you in the Forums.

I've moved your post to this thread  so you can receive more related responses about this situation, and to keep our forums organized.

Thanks for taking the time to share that you're also receiving the same notification on your iPhone, as well for the steps tried on your own. I know how you're feeling about this situation and we've reported this behavior to our team so they can further investigate. Make sure to keep the Fitbit app and your iPhone updated.

Feel free to reply back if you have another question.

[jwalder]

I woke up this morning, and the problem is gone.  Thanks!

[SunsetRunner]

This is awesome news @jwalder ! Happy Stepping! 😃