Can I use a Fitbit device without an account?

[obiguuns]

Why do we need an account to use the app on our phone?  Most people don't need to sync their data with a web service.  Sure, it's handy- but it shouldn't be required.  Please, Devs, add a "I don't want an account" or a "I'll set up my account later" button to the splash screen.  Heck, if it's that important to you, feel free to bug me about it every couple of days or so.  Pop up a window asking me to sign up.  Make it big and flashy.  Do your best to convince me how bright and beautiful my future will be if I only had a fitbit account.  But don't MAKE me get one. 

IRONY * ELEVEN: I had to set up a fake gmail account and a fake fitbit account to post this question.  Don't reply to my new fake gmail account.  I've already forgotten what the name was.

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[Ncranwell]

Totally agreed. I dont like sharing my data. Fitbit should pay for our data, as they could be using it for other business. That is why I stopped using it some time ago. Next time I will buy one where I can have privacy. 

[Rich_Laue]

When you bought an online connected device, it should have been obvious there will be a need to create an online account.

So some users dont want to create an online account for their Fitbit device, but then they go and create the very same online account so that they can write a post about not wanting to create an online account.

So now that you have created a Fitbit account

[Ncranwell]

Hello Rich,What are you trying to say? That even though I dont want to have my data to be sent to fitbit, I have created an account to send this message. This has nothing to do with the fact that I dont want my data used by fitbit. 
Rich , Please do not respond unless you have something better that the silence. 

[QuiteConcerned]

This would be a valid point, if anywhere on the product's packaging it mentioned literally anything - I mean it, ANYTHING - about requiring an online account to use. Despite what you seem to believe, it is not common knowledge that the fitbit is an internet connected device. I've never used one and I sparsely even hear about them. So, when I was given one as a gift, I looked over the packaging and decided I'd give it a go as a simple watch and step tracker.

The fact that it requires an account with fitbit and requires that my fitness data - data I'm actually more insecure about sharing than my age, sex, birthday, etc - be shared with third-parties for marketing purposes is completely unacceptable given:

A) The function of the device as I'd like to use it does not require an internet connection or any sort of tracking or telemetry. I don't buy a wrist watch and expect it to share the times I look at it with various third parties. Again, there was no reason to assume this was an internet connected device, and nothing on the product's packaging which stated it needs to be.

B) This is not a cheap device. The amount that I was told was paid for the device suggests it to be premium device. I do not, for a single uninterrupted moment, believe that anyone's definition of premium includes privacy invasion.

[QuiteConcerned]

Also, not that it matters, but the account I created is -entirely- fake/temporary. You said earlier on that 'It's not a fake email, it's a secondary email.'

In my case, this is incorrect. I did, in fact, make a fake email account using mailinator - the process does not require email verification to post on these forums.

[sfalken]

I've been on the side of the privacy-concerned people on this thread ever since I owned a Fitbit in 2015, so I can totally relate to this thread. However, there seems to be an assumption here that the company that owns Fitbit actually cares what you're thinking. THEY DON'T.

They stopped caring once they got your money. To them, your disappointment and/or desire to return your device over privacy concerns is utterly meaningless in the technical support or client services sense. Your feelings toward privacy are a predictable and manageable business effect; nothing more. They are already aware that a certain percentage of people will complain about privacy. A certain percentage of those people will return their devices. All of these effects on Fitbit's bottom line have been calculated in the same way that insurance companies manage to stay among the richest in the world: statistical analysis.

This forum is just a psychological ruse, a meaningless time waster, because Fitbit knows that they will recover perhaps .09% of those who were going to return their devices if they have the chance to complain about it here. Fitbit will never respond directly to any privacy concerns in any way, except to say "if you don't like it you shouldn't have bought a Fitbit". This forum has the exact same function as those pedestrian stoplight buttons used to try and cross a street: it's just to let you blow off steam. It will change absolutely nothing.

I wish you all good luck finding a fitness device that does not compromise your personal information.

[Rich_Laue]

Hi @sfalken you may want to read the privacy policy again. Yes they do address what they will and will not do.

As for sharing your data, Fitbit will only share the your data with who you ask Fitbit to share it with. The only personal data Fitbit will share is the data you ask Fitbit to share. 

An example would be when a user connects their My Fitness pal to their Fitbit account. 

Fitbit is advertised as being a connected product and a user should be aware of this before buying. Most people will do research before purchasing. 

If you don't want an online connected device, 5 Below has a tracker for you. 

I hope you do not have a smart phone, it is also impossible to. I on the Internet without Google looking over your shoulder. No Google or android account is needed, Google also provides the search engine for apple. 

[_NoName_]

A 'device' does not have to know anything about you to be 'online connected'.  I'm pretty sure every fitbit has an unique ID, then there's bluetooth MAC address, perhaps something else. It's more than enough to differentiate one fitbit from another. And I am 100% certain this is what is used to setup fitbit and to collect/process data. All the personal info is completely unnecessary for a device to operate.

What I'm trying to say is that if fitbit wants an account to setup or operate the device, this account must be based on device's unique parameters. The owner should later decide what personal data, if any, to associate with this account.

[Lars_Holten]

Rich,

I am sure you are trying to be helpful. But you sound rather pedantic and snarky when you mention  'confuses me'  in regard to obiguuns  setting up a fake email. I am just about 100% sure you knew exactly what he was referring to but just wanted to enjoy putting him/her down. Really not very classy for someone who has a 'community legend' moniker.

It is nice you have good feelings about email addresses being secure because 'nobody here, including the moderators have access to your email'. So we can rest assured because email addresses are encrypted on the server?  If not, no email addresses are not safe.  It only takes reading the news a wee bit to realize that hackers are stealing emails and personal data on a grand scale daily. So perhaps it would be good if you gave some reflection on that aspect and acknowledge that indeed being careful of giving out data should be done in a measured and careful fashion. You may not be able to access emails and moderators may not be able to access emails...but that does not make them safe. You did give good advice on considering a dedicated  email account just for fitbit, since using the app really depends on having an account to be fully functional.

Last you may consider using a spell checker and perhaps syntax checker before posting replies. Personally I have difficulty in people who make sloppy posts, especially if they are in the exalted realm of "Community Legend".

Examples:

1)  So your safe.    (So you are safe)  (So you're safe)

2)  throug the forum

3)  but kno img the Fitbit

4) what you have done up to now slurring the day

5)  Yesterday's dates is lost on the tracker    (When deciding whether to use is or are, look at whether the noun is plural or singular.)

6)  No sleep will be able to be anylized

7)  Your tracker basically i will function like a $5.00 tracker

At a minimum here is an online spell checker that could help you out:  https://www.online-spellcheck.com/

Hopefully these hints will help you in the future.  

Cheers!  Lars

[ShadowRaptor]

bought mine a few years ago, forgot the email I used when I set it up. I no longer have an email account. Time on fitbit is out by several hours. I cannot reset it without an email address!! their so-called help is useless. have to trash the watch😒