Keeping your Fitbit synced with your iPhone or Android device is necessary to get real-time updates on your tracker. However, in some cases, you may run into issues where the Fitbit won’t sync properly, and you can’t keep track of your health and fitness data.
There is no need to worry because there are several ways in which you can fix your Fitbit when it stops syncing and get your device on track again.
1. Make Sure the Device Is Connected to Your Fitbit Account
The initial step for your Fitbit to sync with your smartphone is to ensure that it is actually connected to your account. You can check the help and support site of Fitbit for instructions on how to set up and connect your device properly.
2. Install Fitbit on Your Phone
As simple as it sounds, most people forget to have the Fitbit app installed on their smart devices and then attempt to sync it. All you have to do is –
- Download and install the “Fitbit: Health & Fitness” app from the App Store for iOS, and Google Play Store for Android. Then sign in to your online Fitbit account.
- Press down on the side button on your Fitbit device. This will power it on.
- From the Fitbit app on your phone, press on your profile picture, and then select “Set Up a Device”, located towards the bottom of the screen.
- Finish installing the app accordingly.
3. Update the Device
Yes, you will need to make sure that the Fitbit tracker has the latest firmware version. But before you go and update the tracker firmware, you need to make sure that –
- The battery is charged up to at least 50%.
- A most updated version of the Fitbit app is installed on your smart device.
- Your device doesn’t suffer from common battery problems.
Here is how you will update the tracker:
Step 1: Open the Fitbit app on your phone and tap on your profile picture at the top left corner.
Step 2: Select your Fitbit device image.
Step 3: If the firmware is outdated, you will notice a bar that says “Update Tracker Software”. Follow the steps that will be prompted and update the tracker software accordingly.
4. Sync Your Device
Step 1: Check if an old and outdated version of the Fitbit app is installed on your phone. If not, you have to download and install the latest version from Google Play Store or the App Store.
Step 2: Make sure that the operating system in your mobile device is also the newest one. To check this, follow these for whichever type of mobile device you have:
- iPhone: Tap “Settings (gear icon)” > “General” > “Software Update”. This will then show what version of iOS is currently installed on your phone and if further updates are needed.
- Android: Open the device’s “Settings” app > “System” > “System update”. If there are any new operating system updates that need to be installed, those will be shown on the screen. Otherwise, it means your phone is running on the newest operating system version.
Step 3: Put away any other Bluetooth devices nearby when trying to sync your Fitbit. Keeping other Bluetooth connections in close proximity might mess with the signals and can get in the way of the sync process.
Step 4: Confirm that your Fitbit tracker’s charge is not draining. Fitbit syncing requires a good amount of power from the battery, so if the battery is low, there will be more syncing issues.
Step 5: From the Fitbit app on your phone, open the “Account” icon.
Step 6: Select your specific Fitbit device name from the list.
Step 7: Tap “Sync Now” located towards the bottom of the screen.
Your Fitbit tracker will now be manually synced with your mobile device.
You can also check to see when the last sync took place, as it will help pinpoint the time of the problem. Here is how:
Step 1: On the “Today” tab, tap your profile picture and then the device image
Step 2: Tap the gear icon (Settings). It will show the date and time your Fitbit last synced.
5. The Alternative (Forced) Way to Sync Fitbit
However if your Fitbit won’t sync still after following these steps, try doing the following troubleshooting steps:
Step 1: On your mobile device, check the Fitbit app and close it forcefully.
Step 2: From device settings, toggle Bluetooth connection.
Step 3: Go back and initialize Fitbit from your phone.
Step 4: If you see that your tracker still hasn’t synced after this, then you need to restart your iOS or Android again and then open the app once more.
Step 5: If it still doesn’t sync after restarting it, go to the Fitbit account you created, and log into it from another phone or computer.
Step 6: After signing into your account from another phone or computer, try syncing the tracker again.
Step 7: Get rid of all Fitbit devices listed under your account.
Step 8: Also erase the ones paired with Bluetooth devices on your iOS or Android phone. Then try syncing once again.
Step 9: Try restarting your Fitbit tracker at least 3 times.
6. A Few More Points to Keep in Mind
To ensure you don’t keep facing Fitbit syncing issues, there are some checks you should always do.
- Be sure to check your Bluetooth settings and that it is turned on for both your Fitbit tracker and the device you are syncing it with (Windows computer, iPhone, or Android device).
- Try to keep just one device to sync your Fitbit device with. If you connect multiple devices with your tracker, it might not work properly. You can keep the Bluetooth connection off in one device while you are trying to sync the other one with your Fitbit.
- Disconnect the Wi-Fi when trying to sync. Bluetooth and Wi-Fi together at the same time are likely to cause mixed signals, which can get interfere with the sync process and have trouble connecting.
- For Android users, make sure Location Services is left on, along with background data or background refresh.
- Ensure that the Fitbit application is compatible with your device. If the app can’t run properly on the device, there will be trouble syncing. However, you can use a program called Fitbit Connect that allows you to set up your Fitbit device on Mac or Windows 8.1 computers. Fitbit Connect is free, and you can sync your Fitbit data with your device from the Fitbit dashboard.
- If you left the Fitbit application open on your phone, go ahead and force close it. Then uninstall and install it back again on your phone, and sign in again newly. Then try syncing with the tracker.
7. Do a Factory Reset on Your Tracker
You should come and try this option only after you have gone through all the troubleshooting steps and your tracker can no longer sync.
Unlike restarting it, resetting Fitbit devices is that all your saved data will be deleted. This may be considered a downside, but just like all other smart devices, a reset will erase everything.
But through your online Fitbit account, you will be able to put back the data synced from before. The factory reset option differs based on the Fitbit model and series. So, it is best to not try and poke your tracker with a hard or sharp object in an attempt to perform a hard reset on it.
Fitbit’s help and support site has detailed instructions on how to perform a factory reset on the tracker based on the model.
8. Last Resort
If you have exhausted all the troubleshooting steps and still couldn’t get your Fitbit to sync, then it is best to join the community forums on Fitbit. Check their help and support site for solutions. Most people have the same problems and share their solutions, so you may find the answer you were looking for as well.
If your Fitbit product is still within its warranty period, you might even get a new device as a replacement.
