Please make the app sync without WiFi

[Bryan_MZ]

I know there is another post about this, but it is marked as 'Solved' based on the answer "That's just the way it works."

     Requiring Wifi to sync is less than ideal. We're paired to our mobile device already through Bluetooth. If we're using the mobile app, we don't necessarily care if the web-based dashboard is continually updated. Many people turn off WiFi on our mobile phone when we are out and about to save battery power. This design means we won't see any of our fitbit progress until we get home for the day and reconnect to WiFi.

     Ideally, the phone app would sync in real-time (or even on a user changeable time interval) over the Bluetooth connection, and it would update the online dashboard whenever Internet connectivity is restored.  

     Fitbit is a cool idea, let's help make it better through feedback.

Fitbit: Please consider this a feature change suggestion for the mobile app development cycle.

         - Paying customer

[SunsetRunner]

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@Mike_N wrote:

@Rich_Laue I’m not sure why fixing this deficiency is not in line with Fitbit’s direction. Under my (and other users’) suggestion the Fitbit device and mobile app work just as they do now for people with constant reliable internet connectivity. They won’t see anything different.

I’m just suggesting that the utility of the Fitbit device and app be extended to folks who may be off in the mountains, at sea, or traveling somewhere in the world where internet is difficult or impossible to obtain. Currently Fitbit is near useless in those environments.

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fixing this deficiency needs a complete development on all devices, at a high cost.

of course, this cost will be transfered to customers

all customers, even if only a few are really interested.

do you agree to pay more ?

for those travelling where internet is not available, is it really necessary to wear a Fitbit ?

in this case, i take my Casio G-Schock, and instead a GPS without autonomy on my Fitbit or my smartphone, a true GPS (with a lot of batteries) 

[Mike_N]

@SunsetRunner Thanks for your input. But I have to disagree on a few points.

The notion that “complete redevelopment of all devices” is in my opinion false. The wristband firmware doesn’t need to change at all. The server software will have to change somewhat to accommodate delayed uploads of data for periods when the user was off the grid. But what the server does with the data is unchanged. No algorithm changes at all.

The biggest change is the app. But even here they merely port existing sleep stage and step count / heart rate / calories burned code to the mobile platform (e.g. iOS). The app keeps the accumulated data (and displays it to the user as desired) until the user again has internet, when it is uploaded. Dropbox, iCloud, notes, and a host of other apps know just how to do this. This work can be done by college new hires or perhaps even summer hires. It’s not hard. 

With regard to cost, it sounds like you might approve of Fitbit not improving or fixing the product at all. That philosophy would lower costs greatly. No staff needed. But what kind of product do we end up with?

You argue that the number of Fitbit users benefiting from what I’ve suggested is small. You may be right. But I don’t think so. Campers / hikers / backpackers / bikers / adventurers / world travelers / cruisers all have an interest in tracking activities and sleep, perhaps even more than while at home. I think Fitbit people are more likely than not to belong to these groups.

I didn’t have to travel any further than Malibu (about 90 minutes from my front door) to realize the Fitbit was just dead weight. No signal meant no Fitbit.

[Rich_Laue]

I know many people that sync without Wifi, they just use the cellular network.

[Mike_N]

@Rich_Laue Correct. For purposes of this discussion “wifi” means internet access. 

[SusanneW]

Then how come my fitbit flex 2 was syncing on my data plan up until 1 week ago and now has suddenly stopped doing so?

[Mike_N]

@SusanneW Hi Susanne. Thanks for checking in. That sounds like it may be outside the specific problem we have here. I think you may have run into a separate issue.

Perhaps try verifying your Bluetooth connection is good on the mobile device, any plan limits or provider problems you might have, and that your Fitbit itself is working properly. You might need to reset the Fitbit or your mobile device. Or both. Also try syncing over Wi-Fi. 

[Boost01]

I agree, this is a stupid thing to prevent.

I often travel and have to update my Charge 2 time after getting off a flight. As I am in a foreign country I would have to pay for roaming data, which is not ideal. But because of this restriction I cannot update the time until I find a free WIFI network!

[Mike_N]

@Boost01 I agree 100%. I had problems like that even on a recent Alaska cruise. 

By coincidence, my cable went out last night, taking my internet with it. I get ok cellular service at my house with ATT so this morning I just switched off my dead Wi-Fi and could sync my Alta HR and check my sleep profile. My gf is not so lucky, she has Verizon which has zero service at my house. So syncing for her became impossible. No signal means no sync. Just dumb. 

I have upcoming foreign travel and will again be in the same situation as you, and thousands of other users. 

[rolandvalentini]

I feel the frustration that Internet is needed to do even the simplest of task. 

Sure, get that for some features Internet connectivity is needed, but not even be able to sync the new time when I am traveling on the plane, that i have to wait for an Internet connection to do some basics is frustrating 

have you ever heard about international travels and that international data plans a really expensive and not always wanted? Or our out in the woods and have no connection?

this Internet connection request for everything is a huge oversight 

[clogva1]

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@SunsetRunner wrote:

the sync is done by wifi or by phone connection (3G/4G)

nearly nothing is stored on the phone, all computations are done on the Fitbit servers, and the smartphone only displays results.

that's the way the app is designed

you purchased a connected device, and the meaning  is "you need to be connected"

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Um, there is no option to update (when you first get the device) through 4g/3g. That is what we want. The fastest wifi where I live is painfully slow DSL. The app only allows Bluetooth or wi-fi. We want to use your phone's connection to set up.

[clogva1]

How? There is no option for 4g. I'm trying to set up my Fitbit Versa and it will only allow it if I set up my wifi. 

Step-by-step instructions, please. The answers I'm finding here are lacking in step-by-step. I'm an old person and need this hand-holding.

Thanks.

[clogva1]

I have an Android and don't see this menu. Anyone know how to make it sync/update/setup over 4g?

[Rich_Laue]

@clogva1 if you turn on your phones cellular network and turn off your WiFi the ionic will setup and do the update through the cellular network and the painfully slow Bluetooth. You will be requested to use WiFi just ignore the request. 

[clogva1]

Thanks! Finally got it updated - well, almost. The Versa is ready, but
the app is still "updating" lol
--
*Kelly Sharpe*

Moderator Edit: Removed Personal Information + Format

[MarcoGFitbit]

Hello everyone, I hope you're having a great day. it's nice to see you around @Rich_Laue, thanks for all your help. 

@clogva1, I'm very glad your Versa was able to update. Please keep in mind that you can set up your WiFi connection for your watch in the app later on, it's not necessary to do it when you're setting it up. 

For everyone else, I would like to hank you for your feedback and insight about getting the Fitbit app to sync without WiFi (or cellular data) There aren't currently plans to release this feature as Fitbit trackers sync the information stored in them directly to our servers and need internet connection to do it. You can learn more about how Fitbit decides what suggestions get released here in our FAQs. For now, we will leave this suggestion open for votes (and closed to comments) so that we can continue to track community demand over time. Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback with us and we will let you know if anything changes.

Thanks for your patience and understanding, if there's anything else I can do for you, please feel free to reply. 

[Ajay_T]

@Mike_N,  2 years down and still no change. So that makes me believe that it does not matter. 

Possibly makes my belief stronger that it is all about getting your Data on their servers ( which possibly is more than just the data that is displayed on the app). Your Locations, phone state and others including not to mention possible transaction executed using your NFC ( if you have one of the trackers that allows payment), your choice of food etc. 

If they allow you to Sync via Bluetooth there is a good chance that they will not get their hands on this data or even if they do it might be delayed. The only way to force you to share your data with them is stop your offline sync. 

Being from the IT industry I completely agree that it is not at all a major design change, but it does not support their business model. Just by buying the tracker you cannot get a lifetime of support and SaaS. The main source of income is this data about you and the Analytics and Business Intelligence it can provide to fitbit and whoever is willing to oay for it. As Rich said you accepted the T&C so now your info is mine. 

[BahamasGirl365]

I have wifi off (100% turned off in the settings and everything so It will not connect to wifi until I turn it back on) and just using data my fitbit syncs my steps to the app fine. 

[DrBlake]

Yes you are correct if you "turn off" wifi on the watch, it will still sync via the bluetooth

I believe issue is as mentioned previously but may have been lost in the list of comments.

If your device's you are syncing to the ionic watch with ether phono, PC or tablet must be have connectivity ether via WIFI or Mobile Data.

If the wifi or mobile data is off, on the device then the watch will not sync even with bluetooth on.

Therefore if you are tramping, hiking, for days without wifi or Mobile data coverage then you can not sync your watch to see the stat's. you would need to wait until you get coverage. 

Conclusion: no wifi or mobile data then sync will not work

The problem is, Fitbit did sometime ago market the Ionic for Tramping, Hiking & Biking etc and get great stat's but they misinformed (forgot to mention to) customers it will not work sync without wifi or mobile data.   

Hope this helps in understand the issue

[Mike_N]

@Ajay_T 

Yup. All correct, if not a little dark in its assessment. As the adage goes “if you’re not paying for the product, you ARE the product” (E.g. any social media, map, or purchase app). Can’t argue that.

Problem is, we *are* paying for the product. And if you’re like me, you didn’t realize the “technical shortcoming” until well after purchase. Took me until my first camping trip to discover it. There’s no disclaimer anywhere I could find. But, perhaps due to this thread, there might be now...