Tracker recording activities when not active.

[philbert68]

Several times a week my Surge 2 records activity when I am not active. Here is an example:

1. I wake up and see NO ACTIVITY on my device.

2. I take off my Surge 2 and shower. 

3. I exit the shower and put on my Surge 2.

4. I put a towel on and walk downstairs to get my clothes. 

5. I look at my Surge 2 and have 22 MINUTES of activity when I have not performed any activity. 

Why is this? And his can it new corrected?

Moderator Edit: Clarified Subject.

[MarcoGFitbit]

Hello @philbert68, have a warm welcome to the Fitbit Community, it's great to have you on board. 

Thanks for bringing this to my attention. Since when have you experienced this situation? We currently don't have a Surge 2, are you by any chance referring to the Charge 2? If so, I would like to suggest you to restart it, then monitor it for the next 24 hours to check if it's still recording activities when you're not active; if that's the case, please set up your tracker as a new device to reset the connection between your tracker and your phone. Don't worry, none of the information already stored in the app will be deleted. 

To set up your tracker as a new device:

1. Go to the Bluetooth settings on your phone and check if your tracker is on the list of paired devices. If it is, tap on it and select Forget this Device.
2. Open the Fitbit app and tap on the Account symbol at the top right corner of the screen, then tap on "Set up a New Device"
3. Choose your tracker and follow the onscreen instructions to continue
4. When the app asks you to replace your current tracker, please replace it and continue with the process.

Additionally, in order to remove the activities your tracker has recorded I would like to suggest you to 

log a driving activity by following these steps:

1. Log into your fitbit.com dashboard.
2. At the top of the page click Log > Activities.
3. Scroll down until you see Log Activities
4. Start typing "Driving"
5. Select the date, start time and duration matching when your tracker counted steps. 
6. Click on Log.

These will delete any information logged by your tracker during that time, including steps and calories burned. 

I hope this can be helpful, give it a try and keep me posted in case you need anything else. 

[philbert68]

Ha! I don't no where I came up with Surge 2! 🙄 It is a Charge 2. It's had the issue since I got it on Feb. 5, 2017. I will do as you suggested and reply with my results. Thanks for getting to me so quickly. Happy New Year!

[MrMarv]

@philbert68 - 

Where exactly is your device when you are in the shower?

The reason I ask, is that we have seen where outside forces in the environment cause steps and activity to be booked. Things like fans which are commonly installed in bathroom ceilings, or anything with an electrical motor. And devices with altimeters will track flights of stars when air pressure changes around them when sitting e.g. opening a car door when the windows have been closed tight.

And when you say "22 minutes of activity" do you mean the "Active Minutes" tile? If so, did the device also post steps during that 22 minutes? How about calories above your BMR?

May I suggest something? 

Try two different tests. For both tests, sync the device and make a note of steps, calories burned and active minutes after you take it off in preparation to take your shower and just before you put it back on.

For the first test, place the device where you normally do. By your post, it seems like you are placing the device in close proximity to the shower.

For the second test, leave it by or on your bed.

I may seem a little silly to be performing tests, but apparently this issue concerns you. I know it would concern me. And if you can find a place to put the device where it won't erroneously post activity then it would have been worth the effort. Even if the tests aren't conclusive, you aren't out much.

Good luck - and welcome to the boards.

[philbert68]

I restart my device a couple of times a week. I'm an IT Guy always telling people to reboot so I figured I'd take my own advice!😂

-- That doesn't help. 

I disconnected and reconnected my Fitbit as a new device.

-- That doesn't help. 

I was going to try the Driving Log thing but my Activity Level is captured in a multitude of 1,2 or 3 minute increments so it's impossible to find an exact time when my metrics are captured. 

  -- That doesn't help.

But I gotta tell ya MarcoGFitbit, I really appreciate your time and help! I'm just going to let this go and leave it be. I tend to waste to much time being **ahem** about things. I just need to chill. Since Feb. 5th, 2017 when I got my Fitbit I've lost 54lbs. I workout regularly, eat very well and sleep more. I'm 49 years old and haven't felt this good in a long time! The Fitbit and MyFitnessPal have OBVIOUSLY helped me!! I've got no complaints.

My readings don't have to be perfect. I WOULD RECOMMEND THE CHARGE 2 OR ANY FITBIT TO EVERYONE. THEY'RE GREAT PRODUCTS AND REASONABLY PRICED!

[philbert68]

MrMarv,

Thanks for taking the time to give me suggestions, I appreciate it! They didn't show any different results. But I'm good. Please see my response to MarcoGFitbit. It's working good enough for me. I'm losing weight, eating right and feeling good!!! I can't complain! 👍

[MrMarv]

@philbert68 - 

As you can see by my signature line, I am also an "IT guy" and have been for over 35 of my 65 years, I  also can get somewhat **ahem** about things. That is why I am always recommending to people to take what they "feel" is happening and put it to a test to verify their "feelings". If they are verified we can move on to a solution. If not, no solution is needed and "no harm, no foul" and life goes on.

I have mentioned in many posts that I'm a bit of a "testing fool".  I am a big believer in unit testing of my projects before turning them over the QA. I want short QA cycles that don't require re-coding. I love coding but love short QA cycles more.