Stopped seeing notifications after updating to iOS 13

[KateFitbit]

Update 12/13/2019: Please ensure you are on the latest iOS version, currently 13.3. Also check out the updated instructions in our notification help article. 

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This thread is a continuation of our previous discussion on notification issues introduced with iOS 13. If you are experiencing difficulty with your notifications after updating to iOS 13, please carefully follow the steps in this article, which are also documented below.

These steps should resolve the issue when followed correctly. We realize this process can take some time, and encourage you to proceed carefully and deliberately through every step, even if you think you've already done so.

If these steps do not appear to resolve the issue for you, please try them at least once more to be certain, then respond in this thread with specific details about where you were unable to proceed, or what unexpected behavior you are still experiencing. 

1. GET UP-TO-DATE

1. Update the Fitbit app.
2. Make sure you installed the latest version of iOS. Tap Settings > General > Software update to see if an update is available.

2. CHECK YOUR BLUETOOTH SETTINGS

1. Tap Settings > Bluetooth.
2. Tap the information icon     next to the name of your Fitbit device.
3. Turn Share System Notifications off and then back on. If you don't see the Share System Notifications option:
   1. Restart your Fitbit device. For more information, see How do I restart my Fitbit device?
   2. Tap Allow when you receive a message on your iPhone or iPad asking if you want your Fitbit device to show notifications.
   3. Tap the information icon     next to the name of your Fitbit device
   4. Turn on Share System Notifications.

3. CHECK YOUR NOTIFICATION SETTINGS

1. Tap Settings in the top-left to return to the Settings page > Notifications.
2.  Make sure Show Previews is set to Always or When Unlocked.
3. Verify the settings for each app that sends notifications:

App	Settings
Calendar	Allow Notifications—On Tap each notification type and verify the settings: Alerts > Notification Center—On Show Previews—Always or When Unlocked
Messages	Allow Notifications—On Alerts > Notification Center—On Show Previews—Always or When Unlocked
Phone	Allow Notifications—On Alerts > Notification Center—On Show Previews—Always or When Unlocked
All other apps	Allow Notifications—On Alerts > Notification Center—On Show Previews—Always or When Unlocked

 

4. RESTART YOUR PHONE

For instructions, see the Apple help article.

5. DOUBLE-CHECK

If these steps do not resolve the issue for you, please keep your app up to date, and double-check the following:

• DO NOT DISTURB

This feature prevents your phone from sending notifications. Verify that Do Not Disturb is off:

1. On your phone, tap Settings > Do Not Disturb.
2. Make sure Do Not Disturb is turned off. 

• SET UP NOTIFICATIONS IN THE FITBIT APP

1. With your Fitbit device nearby, tap the Today tab   > your profile picture. 
2. Tap your device image > Notifications. Follow the on-screen instructions to pair your Fitbit device to your phone. 
3. Choose the types of notifications you want to receive. Tap App Notifications and choose the apps you want notifications from. 
4. Sync your device.

Again, if these steps do not work for you, please try them more than once and then let us know specific details about your experience so that we can assist further. Please keep your app up to data and watch this thread for new information. 

[MandyMae]

I have tried these steps multiple times over the last few weeks and still no text messages/phone calls come through. I get notifications from Snapchat/Facebook but no text messages. It also will notify when I make a call but not when I receive a call. I am very disappointed and I don’t know what to do next...

[TMo-83]

I set Show Previews to never for a reason. I shouldn’t have to forfeit that privacy for a fitbit buzz when I get a text message. This will be a deal breaker when considering future fitbit purchases if this issue is not resolved.

[Novee]

I’ve done all the steps and even purchased a new Fitbit hoping it would help. Nope! Just wasted more money. About to return to amazon for a refund. Thinking about purchasing an Apple Watch 

[Laurajaeger]

I’ve rebooted my Fitbit Charge 3 at least 3 times and rebooted my iPhone 7 as well and followed each of these steps closely and I’m still not receiving any text messages on my Fitbit.  Very frustrating!

[Shanjack]

I tried all the recommendations several times and I still do not receive text messages on my Charge 3. Very disappointing!!

[Hazmat36]

IPhone XR

Sent from my iPhone

[Laurajaeger]

iPhone 7

[Dustin1775]

I have tried this many of times and it doesn’t work. I can receive call notifications but not messages. Still waiting for a fix. 

[joanpae]

I have tried several times to go through every step in your guide. It is still not working! The IOS update was on the 10th of October 2019 so it's been two months now, and it is still not working. So dissapointed!
My Versa is new and I only manage to have it for two weeks before text notifications stopped working. If I had known at that time I would never have bought this expensive activity watch. I should have followed my intuition and bought an Apple watch instead.... 

[keekee66]

Exactly! I can't have my messages showing up with content on my screen. Also I've been using Fitbit for years, it's always been set to never and was always receiving my notifications fine. Clearly these steps aren't working for most of us bc its a programming issue on their end, not our individual cell phones and Fitbit. They need to fix this asap.

I've been happy with Fitbit for years which is why I've been waiting patiently for them to fix this, at this point it seems they don't even seem to care about actually addressing the problem. If they don't very soon though I need a device (and company) I can rely on.

[Ribguy7]

I have a Fitbit Versa and iPhone XS.  I was elated with the performance up until the iOS 13 update.  It WAS the perfect way to keep up with texts, phone calls, and all notifications throughout the day at work without your personal mobile phone ringing and dinging loudly. The only notification that I get on Fitbit infrequently is phone call and no vibration.  If I happen to look down, I can see that my iPhone is ringing on Fitbit.  Otherwise, I miss the call.  No other notifications show up on the Fitbit...all since the update. 

I have tried all of the steps; read all of the customer's responses; tried all of the steps repetitively.  Nothing works.  I was hoping that the recent firmware update would take care of the problem.  No - It's a glorified watch.  I'm in the market for another wearable device that will work with my iPhone XS and it won't be Fitbit.

[Laurajaeger]

I’ve been waiting patiently for months for this issue with receiving text messages to be resolved and have watched others use their Apple watches without these annoying issues and I’m thinking about scrapping FitBit altogether and getting an Apple Watch that actually does what it was advertised to do.

Sent from my iPhone

[Leigharch]

This is very frustrating.  I have had a fitbit for probably 8 years (flex, HR charge and Alta) and have always loved it.  Not to mention that I have bought 4 or 5 as gifts over the years.

This new upgraded really wasn't thought out, Fitbit!   Who thought it would be a good idea to do an upgrade a month before Christmas that has completely pissed off the Fitbit community because we can't sync our devices to our phones?

I was able to FINALLY sync my device after wasting more than necessary time but in that time, the loyal customer you had in me has lost faith. With all the competition you have out there, when I am ready for a new device, I will definitely be shopping the other brands.

[Leigharch]

I am right there with you!

[Delgots]

Update didn’t work for my device. I can get calendar notifications but nothing else. 

[Chel1764]

I was finally able to get my text notifications!!!!!!! They key was going under messages in my iphone settings>notifications>messages> show previews...I chose "when unlocked" (since I don't want people reading my texts when my phone is laying around.) Restarted my phone and a text I received while it was turned off popped right up. I then locked it to make sure it would still go to my Fitbit when locked (with out previews showing on the iphone while locked.) So far so good!

[ElyseT]

Thank you!! This worked!!

Moderator edit: all-caps

[Hazmat36]

Tried nothing works

Sent from my iPhone

[Frbdgirl97]

@Dustin1775 @Hazmat36 this works for me... 

On iPhone go to settings - notifications - messages - show previews - when unlocked. You will start getting alerts after that on Fitbit but only see the message on your phone when you unlock it. I have iPhone 11 Pro Max on newest update and Fitbit newest update with an Alta and it’s working fine this way until they fix it.

[MandyMae]

Wow!  I tried this a few minutes after you sent it.  So far it is working like a charm!  After trying all of the other stuff so many times...Thank you!