Fitbit app keeps asking for Location access & Bluetooth sharing

[Mingarh]

I have the charge 3 and it has been asking me for as long as I can remember. My husband got the charge 5 for Christmas and it hasn’t asked him once. 🤷🏻‍:female_sign:

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[Pilchard64]

This doesn’t help . The pop up is infuriating . Not everyone wants to use their device the way that you want us to use it. I have no interest what so ever in sharing , allowing others to track my walks etc 

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi everyone, and welcome to our new members.

I've moved your posts to this new thread to keep the forums organized. I understand how you're feeling about those prompts and I'm sorry for the inconvenience this has caused. This isn't the type of experience that we want you to have and please know your feedback hasn't gone unnoticed, and will help us to improve our services.

Usually your location will be requested whenever you're using the Fitbit app to capture GPS data. Because these prompts appear on other occasions, may I know if  the location services were set to Always or While Using App, and the Background App Refresh option was enabled when that happened? Also, let me know the model and OS version of your phones. These details will help me to investigate.

In the meantime and in case you haven't done so, please try the following steps:

1. Log out from the Fitbit app.
2. Check if the Fitbit app is updated.
3. Force quit the Fitbit app and reboot your phone.
4. Open the Fitbit app and log back into your account.
5. Pull down on the screen to force a manual sync and let me know how everything goes.

Hope this helps.

[KBWi11iams]

This request "Location Access and Bluetooth Sharing" pop up comes up by merely opening the app.  The only options are "no thanks" or "open settings." When I open settings, location services are set to "Never" because I do not run and thus do not have a need for GPS data. I have a iPhone 11, iOS 15.1 and a brand new Luxe (thus I have recently linked a new product, but have the same problem as the old product).  The app is up to date.

[Grumpsie]

here’s the fitbit privacy statement 

GEOLOCATION INFORMATION

The Services include features that use precise geolocation data, including GPS signals, device sensors, Wi-Fi access points, and cell tower IDs. We collect this type of data if you grant us access to your location. You can always remove our access using your Fitbit device or mobile device settings. We may also derive your approximate location from your IP address.

It seems therefore the app’s incessant request to change app option from “only when using” to   “Always” may reasonably be interpreted as a form of coercion. It remains unclear if this is because of neglect to modify app behaviour or an intentional business decision. The company response so far is concerning from a user privacy protection perspective. 

[CAtoTX]

Lizzy, by now you’ve gotten plenty of feedback about this pop-up and I’ve seen this same post of yours copied in more than one place.

We have been pretty clear about what the issue is and that we want the pop-up to stop showing up every time we open the app. I guess the question we would like an answer to is: Are you going to fix the problem? 
Thanks. 

[Mingarh]

So he’s had his Charge 5 since Christmas, and it hasn’t asked him once. My charge 3 is still asking, just FYI for everyone wanting to know. 

[cback]

This did not help at all. Cause it’s very frustrating I’m not sure why you’re not listening to us and either fixing the problem or giving a solution

[JBDow]

I perform the step you post described ..... A lot of work, but no help.

The annoying message came up on completion of step 4. After completing step 5, I navigated to the phone's home screen and back to Fit Bit app and got the message as well.

I Phone 12 running IOS 15.2.1.  Fit Bit Versa Version 72.1.15.

[Jglo2]

I think I just solved this for myself - once in the iFIT app, I clicked on the gear in the upper left and then on ‘app settings’ and then on ‘location’ and then turned off ‘automatic”.

So far the constant pop up has stopped when I open the app.

[-terje-]

This is annoying fitbit!

Every. Single. Time. I. Open. fitbit. 
gps gps gps gps gps gps gps gps gps 

Just stop it already. 
I’m so fed up with this that I’ve started looking for a non fitbit device. I rarher stop using than give in. 
just fix it, why don’t you. 

[Jglo2]

It does seem like a very easy fix to NOT override the users preference. Never should mean never, not ‘keep hounding until they enable it’.

The fix I posted about going into app settings and turning off automatic under location seems to have resulted in less pop ups, but I am still getting them so it’s not a fix. It is really annoying, imagine if every app you had did this!

[CPotato]

I don’t understand!? Why are you asking when the pop up occurs. YOU could simply test it and answer your own question with YOUR Fitbit. The answer, by the way, is that the pop up occurs EVERY TIME the app is opened if it’s not set to “always”. It’s maddening and like others said, “easily fixable”. If Fitbit “really cared” about user experience, you would listen to your users and end the pop up. It’s also funny how you suggest logging out of the Fitbit app and rebooting your phone…simply OUT OF TOUCH answer. 

[Ali0311]

After receiving a Luxe for Christmas, I only began having this problem the last 2 days. I have turned off GPS for all exercises. Logged out. Rebooted. Logged back in. Still getting PESTERED to turn on tracking all the time. Fitbit does not need my location to count my steps.

Considering this is a problem since at least 2019, and your stock response hasn't changed, what does updating the app actually have to do with anything at all?

I bought my husband a Versa 3 today, and if this issue isn't resolved, they will both be going back (thanks to Costco's generous return policy) and I'll get a Garmin, which apparently I should have done in the first place. 

[StuckInTraffic]

Has this bug been fixed yet?

I just updated app and have same problem.

The store I bought the fitbit from has offered to

replace it to see if a new one will fix the fault but

with so many other users having their experience of 

fitbit blighted with the same bug, I don't see a warranty

replacement Charge5 fixing the problem.

[StuckInTraffic]

I guess it is because fitbit developers are lazy.

Remember how they said for years that the inability

to show energy in Kilojoules was a "feature" and not

a problem. Users had to complain for nearly 4 years

before that "feature" got fixed.

Maybe this annoying popup has just been labelled a 

feature by fitbit developers and not a bug that they should fix.

[tryingToHide]

they are not lazy just following directions

[BerKe]

Same issue. And it also keeps telling me that it’s bedtime at 22:00. This actually woke me up once. Things can always go wrong, but it’s the lack of appropriate response from Fitbit that really bothers me. Both issues have not been addressed for months now and the replies I see here are textbook customer service answers, not actual communication.

I have been a Fitbit promotor for years but started looking into Apple watches. Actually makes me a bit sad.

[KPFrog]

I have a new Luxe and Iphone.  I didn't have the gear but clicked the icon in the upper left as you suggested.  Then I had to go to "Account" >> "App Settings" >> "Location" then toggled the Automatic to off.  That worked.  Thank you for the clue.

[KPFrog]

I have a new Luxe and Iphone.  I clicked the icon in the upper left. Then I had to go to "Account" >> "App Settings" >> "Location" then toggled the Automatic to off.  That worked.

[KPFrog]

Stop moving this around just to confuse us further.  I thought I had it but it's back again.  I have had a fitbit for YEARS.  I am now fully frustrated and will be returning the new Luxe I received for Christmas and find another option.  There are lots of competitors out there.  I can't believe Fitbit is letting customers remain frustrated.  PISSSSSED.