Voice Cues Not Working

[GeoffG1]

So I've checked the settings multiple times and still cannot get voice cues to work.  Is there a trick to getting this to function?  I'm using an iPhone 7 with IOS 10.1 and bluetooth earbuds.  I've tried the test voice and can hear through the earbuds fine, but when I go for my exercise, nothing.  This working for anyone else?  Absolutely love my Fitbit Alta by the way.  Used a Misfit shine for about 2 years.  Simply no comparison.

[SunsetRunner]

@GeoffG1 - I'd like to help but I don't quite understand the question. Exactly where are you trying to use voice cues? Can you please give me an example?

[GeoffG1]

It's my understanding that voice cues are to provide status of an existing exercise session with distance and time provided at the interval selected.  So under Account > Settings > Excercise Tracking > Voice Cues I have set to Play During Excercise. 

So I would expect while listening to Spotify and at least 20 minutes into an excercise session (walking/running) I should hear a voice chime in with distance and time.  This works when using the Preview Voice Cues, but does not when I'm actually excercising.

Hope this helps clarify the issue.

Thanks.

[GeoffG1]

Anyone?

[SunsetRunner]

Good morning, @GeoffG1. I'm sorry to say I have no experience with this feature so have no advice to offer. Since no one else has stepped in with suggestions, you may want to contact Support. 

Edited to to add a note - I just found this related thread. You may want to look at it. 

[GeoffG1]

Yah, what a crap experience that was.  Spent five minutes just to confirm my email address.  Only to be told that they have no such email address.  Really fitbit this is the best you can do.

[DerrickS]

Hi @GeoffG1, I'll do my best to try to help you out here.

First, are you using your phone's GPS to track your workout? Voice cues is only works when you use GPS on the Fitbit App to track your workout (aka MobileRun). Click here to find out more information about MobileRun.

Another thing that I would recommend is to make sure that you are using the latest firmware version on your Alta, version 21.37.11. You can find more information about how to update your tracker's firmware by clicking here.

Hope this helps you out!

[GeoffG1]

Great Derrick, That makes sense to require GPS on the phone as I've learned the Alta does not have it.  I've checked my settings and see that location service for fitbit was set to "Never".  FYI this was the default setting (I believe).  I will check it out and report back after my workout.

Thanks for your input.

[GeoffG1]

Well @DerrickS after yesterday's exercise session I can report that this feature still does not work.  I set location service to always and headed out.  Never did the voice cues trigger.  When I got back I checked the location service and see that the "pointer" icon indicating that an app was using the service was not present.  So it seems the software is not making the request for location.

Am I the only one trying to use this?

[MED17]

You are not the only one. Wouldn't work with my iPhone 6 and won't work with my iPhone 7+. Location services have always been on, still won't work😠

[GeoffG1]

I believe I figured out what the issue is, this feature ONLY works when using the excercise tracking feature.  To activate, select the excercise (pentagon) tile and then the stopwatch in upper right.  From there select Start icon and voice cues should work at the time/interval you set.

I wish Fitbit would provide some sort of documentation on features and funcitons.  Not all of the functions are obvious how to use, this one in particular.

[MED17]

Thank you! Not exactly what I was hoping but I believe you're right. Now I just have to remember to push Start every time😠

Sent from my iPhone

[Mike007]

Voice cues don't work when starting a workout from the Charge 2, auto recognise or with button. Fitbit, can you please make voice cues work when starting a workout in these ways and not only by pressing the button in the app?

[Chubbybuddy]

  don't believe the voice cues work while using a treadmill, mine works great when I walk out side. Once I get to. 5 miles it' says ".5 miles at 11minutes," or what ever pace I'm walking at

[Mike007]

Yeah there's never been an issue if you start your walk in the app, it's when you start it on the wrist that the cues don't work.

[MarcoGFitbit]

Hello @Chubbybuddy, thanks for joining the Fitbit Community, it's great to have you on board. It's nice to see you as well @Mike007, I hope you're doing well. 

Thanks for bringing this to my attention. Please note that Voice Cues only work through the app and when using MobileRun, which only includes Run, Walk and Hike activities. At this moment our team does not currently have plans to release this feature. You can learn more about how Fitbit decides what suggestions get released 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.

I hope this resolves your inquiry, if there's anything else I can do for you, please feel free to reply. 

[dedeckerarno]

Is it possible to start the exercise from the mobile app but also follow it on your fitbit watch?

I put my iphone away when running and use the watch for hardrate.

Now I start them both at the same time and at the end I got 2 different exercises.