Fitbit Alta won't Pair with iPhone 8 Plus

[jamiesvb]

Long story but two days ago I purchased an iPhone 8 plus. It took me a bit to get the Alta to pair with the new phone. It worked once I "forgot" the device on my old phone and disconnected the blue tooth on my old phone and shut it down.

Two days later the brand new phone craps out, it's a dud. They give me another phone and guess what!?!? I can't connect my new phone to the Alta because I don't have the old phone to go through the same process. Now, my new phone will not "discover" the Alta through bluetooth or the Fitbit app.

What do I do now???

Thanks

[MarcoGFitbit]

Hello @jamiesvb, have a warm welcome to the Fitbit Community, it's great to have you on board. 

Thanks for describing the situation as detailed as possible, at this moment I would like to suggest you to restart your Alta, then leave it plugged in and charging. Restart your phone and make sure you have a strong WiFi signal and that there are no other Bluetooth devices around that might interfere with the syncing process. Then, try to sync the tracker with your account, as you have already set it up on another device, it should appear in your account once you log in to the app.

If it's still not syncing correctly, please try to set up your tracker as a new device even if it's already listed in your account, this process will reset the connection between the tracker and the phone. 

To set up your tracker as a new device;

1. Open the Fitbit app and tap on the Account symbol at the top right corner of the screen, then tap on "Set up a New Device"
2. Choose your tracker and follow the onscreen instructions to continue
3. When the app asks you to replace your current tracker, please replace it and continue with the process.

I hope this can be helpful, please try this process a couple of times and if your tracker is still not syncing correctly with your account, please let me know. Additionally, if you need anything else, please feel free to reply. 

[DanetteT]

Upgraded to the new Iphone 8 Plus and now Alta OR Charge HR aren't receiving texts or calls. Still get calendar reminders and reminders to move. (YES, they are all checked off on what to 'allow' as notifications.) The device IS paired, so it's not a pairing problem. Old phone had the smartwatches removed as devices before starting new phone. VERY FRUSTRATING, Have installed, deleted, reinstalled ETC with NO positive results. Work in patient care and need these options to work!

Have over $200+ in 'smartwatches' and now can't do anything more than a pedometer. 

PLEASE ADVISE. 

(P.S. Have tried ALL the above listed options...... either need something else OR Fitbit needs an update to their software.... also, saw that when scrolling thru their 'supported devices' iphone stops at 7plus. ?????)

[Lesliepvd]

Ditto. I am not receiving text messages anymore to my phone. SO ANNOYED. Did not know to “remove” it from old phone before I sent it back. I have set it up as a new device in this phone, but still, no texts.

i am a college professor. I keep my phone on silent so I don’t ever get a call in class. The little shake of my wrist is really important! Help! You have to fix this!

[Blanicjo]

My problem also now since September.  The newer phones have Bluetooth 5.0 and the Alta runs on 4.0.  You would think that wouldn’t be an issue but it is.  Until they upgrade the Alta it will not work.  Actually many Bluetooth devices won’t either.  The new Garmen will work with the Alta. 

[Britt2018]

Not sure if anyone is still reading this forum or not, but I too had the same problem when I updated to the IPhone X. "403 Error ....". New phone wouldn't synch with the Fitbit Alta. So, after many crazy attempts...and many choice phases that I'll spare you from... I found it.  At least this worked for me: 

Undoubtedly, if you upgraded from another IPhone you copied over all your apps. The process copies over all  your settings and saves a lot of time. it also carries over  your old phone settings. My Fitbit kept looking, I assume for the old Mac Address from my other phone. So, I went to the new phone, deleted the Fitbit app (I didn't delete the Fitbit before, I just deleted the whole app). I went into the App Store and downloaded a fresh copy and signed in. I had my Fitbit plugged in to my PC at the same time... Bingo! It saw my Fitbit, all my content and settings were there and even had my steps from that morning.... and yes I am getting my notifications, messages reminders etc....

Hope this helps! (Run On, Walk On... etc)

[bhs007]

Thank you so much!  I was struggling with this problem just today, and your suggestions fixed things for me.  🙂 

[Hannah_Eliz]

I was having the same exact problem as you!! I just set it up as a new device and it solved all of my problems

[Mearl]

I followed a thread addressing the disconnect of their Alta not receiving texts and calls after getting a new iPhone 8+. I have my old phone and without looking e the thread again thought I only had to delete the app off the old phone and set it up again on the new phone. Well that didn't work because now my old phone has no service (I have wifi internet at my home) and I can't get to the app store. Now my 8+ can't even recognize my Alta but has the app and somehow see calories burned and my exercise but not anything else! I just got this Alta for Christmas! Help!

[MarcoGFitbit]

Hello @Mearl, have a warm welcome to the Fitbit Community, thanks for joining the conversation. 

If your tracker is not syncing on your account in your new phone and if you have your old still around, please go to your old phone's Bluetooth settings and check if your tracker is on the list of paired devices. If it is, tap on it and select Forget this Device, then try to sync it with your new phone. If your tracker is still not syncing, my best recommendation would be setting up your tracker as a new device to reset the connection between the tracker and your phone.

Don't worry, none of the information already stored in your account will be deleted. 

To set up your tracker as a new device:

1. Go to the Bluetooth settings on your phone and check if your tracker is on the list of paired devices. If it is, tap on it and select Forget this Device.
2. Open the Fitbit app and tap on the Account symbol at the top right corner of the screen, then tap on "Set up a New Device"
3. Choose your tracker and follow the onscreen instructions to continue
4. When the app asks you to replace your current tracker, please replace it and continue with the process.
5. When a pop-up appears asking you to Pair your tracker to your device, tap on Pair and continue.

Finally, please note that the calories burned you're able to see in the app are based on your BMR. I hope this can be helpful, give it a try and keep me posted in case you need anything else. 

[Mearl]

I honestly do not have any clue what I did but just after giving up two hours into removing, deleting and what not, the silly thing started getting my text messages and phone calls. All I know is that it is working now. So glad to know there were others with the same issue and there are ways to fix the problem.

[MarcoGFitbit]

Hello @Mearl, I hope you're doing well, thanks for taking the time to reply and let me know your issue has now been resolved, I'm very glad. 

In case you have some spare time, I would like to invite you to visit our Discussions board where you will find great tips and encouragement from other members and if there's anything else I can do for you, please keep me posted!

[LynseyGrz]

I have tried all these steps and more and I cannot get texts or calls on my Alta HR fro my IPhone 8+ what other steps should I take?

[Uphill]

I also have the iPhone 8 Plus and had the same problem.  After several tries with the IPhone and Bluetooth sweating, I logged out of Fitbit on the iPhone and signed in on my lap top and synced the Fitbit with no problem.  While that was still on I logged back on the iPhone and was able to connect to the Bluetooth and sync in the iPhone. Try it a couple of times if it doesn’t work the first time.

[Uphill]

This is for the Charge 2.

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @Uphill, welcome on board! I'm sorry for the delay in my response and thanks for suggesting other steps to get your device syncing.

I appreciate your patience in getting it to work, and I'm sure you'll crush many steps!

If you need anything else, let me know.

[TracyPA]

I have done the pairing rebooting multiple times. Only stays paired for a short while and I am unable to get notifications from Alta HR to my iPhone 8 Plus. I used to get them in my iPhone 6.

[TracyPA]

I find that I am getting message notifications if I am not on WiFi. 

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @TracyPA, it's great to see a new member around.

Thanks for letting me know about your Alta HR behavior, as well for the troubleshooting steps that you've tried. If the WiFi signal is too weak or overcrowded, it'll be difficult for your device to receive notifications. I'd suggest to try using another WiFi connection if possible to see how it behaves. Also, I'd suggest to try the following steps:

1. Remove your Alta HR from your iPhone 8 Plus, iPhone 6 and any other mobile device.
2. Force quit the Fitbit app. For instructions see the Apple help article.
3. Make sure to turn off other Bluetooth connections when not in use.
4. Go to your phone's settings > notifications > messages > and enable the 3 options under "Alerts". Also, make sure the option "Show in history" or "Show previous" is enabled.
5. Open the Fitbit app and tap the Account icon > Alta HR icon.
6. Tap notifications and when prompted to pair via Bluetooth, tap on Pair.
7. Try receiving a call or text message to test the notifications.