Sense won't sync in the background

[NickDV]

Sorry to jump on this thread that appears to have been answered and solved, but I just purchased a new Sense and am having the same issues in tryig to get my iphone 7 to sync in the background.  

I have the fitbit app running in the background and all the blue tooth settings as described in this post.  But when I wake up in the morning and check my watch, I can see that my agenda, weather, etc have not been updated.  Fitbit starts syncing  as soon after I wake up the iphone and have the fitbit app in focus.  But I'd like to see it sync in the background without having to wake up the iphone.  

So is my Fitbit Sense working by design, or is there something wrong with my settings?

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @NickDV. It's good to see you here.

I've moved your post to this new thread to keep the forums organized. Thanks for the detailed information and I'm sorry you're having these difficulties. I understand your point of view as your new Sense should be able to sync correctly. To look into this, may I know if you have other devices in the same room? I'm asking this as having multiple Bluetooth connections around may interfere the connection between your phone and your watch.

That being said, please give a try to the following steps:

1. Forget your Sense from the Bluetooth settings.
2. Turn off other Bluetooth connections nearby.
3. Force quit the Fitbit app and reboot your phone.
4. Restart your Sense.
5. Open the Fitbit app and pull down on the screen to force a manual sync.
6. If asked, tap on Pair and monitor its behavior in the next days.

Hope this helps.

[NickDV]

Hello LizzyFitbit,

Thanks for responding. I tried your suggestions and was able to get my Sense syncing in the background.  Not sure exactly what fixed it, but it may have been removing my old Versa watch from the list of bluetooth devices.  I can see that my Sense now shows updated information as soon as I get up in the morning.  However, in order for this to work, I still have to have the fitbit app running.  Unlike Android phones, the iPhone seems to shut down the app if I swipe it closed and will no longer work in the background. To conserve battery life, I always swipe apps closed.  And I still haven't figured out a way to automate opening the Fitbit app on a schedule without my input.  Just can't believe this hasn't been done yet.  It was an issue with my first Versa and can see may threads about this issue going back years.  Some folks just gave up and went Apple Watch.  Maybe Fitbit should consider integrating a scheduling feature...

Thanks for your help

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi there, @NickDV.

You're welcome! Thanks to you for trying the steps suggested above and I'm glad you sorted this out. I understand your point of view about having the Fitbit app running in the background even after closing it and my best advice is to turn on Background App Refresh. This option allows your apps including Fitbit to refresh their content when on Wi-Fi or cellular data in the background. For more details about it and the impact it has on the battery life, please get in touch with Apple.

To enable this option, just follow these steps:

1. Open the Settings app on your phone.
2. Tap General > Background App Refresh.
3. Look for Fitbit and make sure the toggle is turned on.

Hope this helps.

[Rich_Laue]

Normally I find that the agenda and weather don't sync in the background for me, but when requested it does sync. This results in me haveing to wait a second or two after requesting (by opening the screen). 

As for the background sync, it use to happen only 3 times an hour. I believe it is still this way. Opening the app forces a sync. 

[NickDV]

I have background App Refresh ON and everything appears to be working fine right now ( 🤞 ), however I have to keep the Fitbit app running all the time to keep my Sense synced up.  If I swipe the app closed, then the background sync doesn't work.  So the background sync isn't really a background sync if it doesn't work with the app closed.  This is probably Apple just keeping the iPhone background sync just for their own products.  

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi there, @NickDV. @Rich_Laue Thanks for stopping by to share your insights.

@NickDV Thanks for trying the suggestions shared in my post. While I'm glad your Sense seems to be syncing correctly, I understand where you're coming from about this situation. Every feedback is appreciated as it helps us to evaluate our devices and services, as well as improve the experience with them, and yours won't be the exception. 

See you around.

[Anuraag23]

Hi Nick, 

Even I face the same issue with my Fibit sense and iPhone 13.

I always have to keep the app running to sync data. Were you able to resolve it?

This is a very simple product feature, and FitBit should have tested its functionality. Internet searches are not helping me resolve the issue either.

[NickDV]

Unfortunately no - the only way to have my Fitbit Sense up to date is to keep the Fitbit app running all the time.  Not the best solution, but it doesn't seem to be getting fixed any time soon.  I was trying to use the shortcut app on my iPhone to see if I can get the Fitbit app to launch on a schedule.  But I can't find a way to get that to work either.  Post back if you ever find a way to do that...

[Rich_Laue]

Make sure that the fitbit app has permission to run in the background. 

[NickDV]

Are you saying that you can swipe up and close the Fitbit app on your iPHONE, and still have your Sense sync? Because that is not possible at this time on an iPhone. I know it works on Android phones, but not on iPhones.  I even tried to use automation to schedule FitBit to launch in the morning and it still doesn't work.  

Please clarify.

Thanks

[Rich_Laue]

Swiping the app out of memory will only remove the User Interface it does not stop the Fitbit background services. 

However, if the fitbit app doesn't have; permission to run in the background, you won't be able to sync

[NickDV]

"Swiping the app out of memory will only remove the User Interface it does not stop the Fitbit background services. "

Actually this is exactly what appears to be happening on an iPhone.  Because on an iPhone, swiping up doesn't just remove the user interface but also seems to shut down the app.  I know that is not the case on an Android device, but the Fitbit app will not run in the background even with permissions set (which is set correctly on my iPhone)

Would you please let us know what brand mobile device you are using.

[Lilleri]

Hi @LizzyFitbit ,

even I face the same issue with my Fibit sense and iPhone SE 2020.

I always have to keep the app running to sync data.

I tried all steps proposed, but sync (and find my phone app) seems to work only with fitbit app opened. 

It is a big issue in app functionality. Are there other tests I can do to make it work? I also tried to completely remove and reinstall the app. 

If the problem is related to the app and not to the configuration, do you know if is it planned to fix it soon and when?

thanks, Ilaria

[NickDV]

Hello Ilaria

Unfortunately, this has been an issue with the FitBit app on iPhones for years.  I had this same problem on my first Versa over 4 years ago.  So I doubt it will get fixed any time soon.  Plus I don't think there is really anything FitBit can actually do since it appears to be an iPhone limitation with apps working in the background.  If it's that important to you, then just keep FitBit opened all the time.  Otherwise, you've only other option at this time would be to get an apple watch.  I too was looking to just ship, but having to recharge the apple watch almost every day was a no-go for me.  

Good Luck