The Fitbit app is doubling my steps

[SFOTyke]

A couple of days ago, I had completed about 6K steps. I was sat on the sofa a while later when I checked the time on my Sense 2, and suddenly it read over 8K. A little later almost 10K. These readings were the same on both the Tracker and the App. Eventually, it resolved itself back to 6K.

It has just happened again today, jumping from 5,023 to 9,297, and then going back down to 5,023 when I restarted the App.

My brother in the UK has also noticed the same type of issues of late.

[EstuardoFitbit]

Hello @SFOTyke, welcome to the Fitbit Community!

Thank you for sharing this issue with us, I really appreciate the steps you've already taken!

It sounds like your phone might be set up as a connected device in the Fitbit app. This feature tracks activities like walks and runs when you're not wearing your Fitbit, which can lead to double step counting.

To verify, tap the device icon in the Fitbit app's Today page and see if 'Phone' is listed under Devices. You can disconnect it from there.

[KittyBee]

I am in the UK and am also having the same problem.  It started a few days ago.  The steps are almost doubled.  The correct total is achieved by synching the Fitbit app with the Fitbit Sense, but we shouldn't have to do this time after time.  I've just done an experiment by walking 50 steps around my home.  The Sense has clocked up more than 100!  Please Fitbit, can you advise what to do.  My phone is not set up as a connected device in the Fitbit app.

[Tanfam]

Same here. Step count doubles when I sync, then resets to the correct count when I sync again. I’ve always connected the phone to the device via Bluetooth but didn’t have this problem until a week ago. I am using a Sense with version 128.6.17 and an iPhone 15 with iOS 17.7.1.  Don’t see an option to attach a screen recording showing the reset but can send it if you’ll provide an email or link to a ticket.  

[SFOTyke]

I took the advice above to disconnect my iPhone. Like you, I believe my iPhone has been connected in this way for months / years, and I have never encountered this problem before.

After the above change I kept an eye on my App and Tracker and thought the issue had been resolved. However, last night I retrieved my iPhone from the charger and noticed the steps reading ~7,200, which then before my eyes went backwards to ~6,800, which was more accurate.

Technical Details: iPhone 15 Pro Max - iOS 18.3.1 - Sense 2 Version 128.6.17

[cmdonahue]

The app has become very flaky lately.  It stops counting steps, then it syncs and you lose a bunch of steps, then it adds or doubles steps.  Half the time it says it's not paired.  I don't know what's going on, but with the new cardio load stats, it seems to have broken most of the app's functionality.  Rebooting, re-installing, ...  doesn't seem to fix anything.

[John1D]

I’m not sure this is an app problem. The steps are counted on your device and then sync to the app. My Sense this morning gave me 6800 steps and I know what I did was half that. I Sync’d 4 times before both the Sense and app corrected itself. There’s definitely a problem with something. 

[Guy_]

Hi all - it's obviously very frustrating - you can follow more here Unreliable step counting bug

It's related to processing on the Fitbit servers and syncing, the only workaround for now is to turn off Bluetooth and use the watch in standalone mode.

They are working on it and that post may get updated when there is a fix.

[SFOTyke]

Thanks. I'll keep an eye out for an update.