Fitbit won’t sync? Here are 6 solutions to help you solve the problems. Syncing a Fitbit is a simple process that happens every time you open the Fitbit app.
Page Contents:
However, you may experience issues with Fitbit not syncing with your iPhone or Android phone. In these cases, the Fitbit app will warn you that the fitness tracker cannot be found or that the sync process cannot be completed.
There are several reasons why your Fitbit keeps not syncing. The most common include:
- Wireless connection problems
- Fitbit is no longer paired with your device
- Connect to multiple devices at the same time
- Bluetooth connection problems
- Minor problems in the Fitbit operating system
Eventually, Fitbit won’t be able to transfer your data to the Fitbit app on your smartphone, and you won’t get regular updates on your health and fitness data when you need them.
Fortunately, there are a few solutions you can implement to re-sync your Fitbit with your smartphone.
What to do when your Fitbit isn’t syncing
Note: The instructions in this guide apply to Fitbit Charge 2 and iPhone XR. However, you can follow these steps to troubleshoot syncing issues with the latest Fitbit models.
Before moving on to the specific troubleshooting steps for your iPhone or Android device, here are some essential things you can try:
- Check if your Fitbit is charged. Fitbit trackers usually have a long battery life, but it’s easy to forget to charge it every day, especially if you leave it in your pocket or purse. If your device hasn’t been charged, place it on the charger for about 30 minutes before checking if it will sync again.
- Restart Fitbit to make sure it’s working properly. There are several steps to restarting different Fitbit models but typically involves placing the Fitbit in the charger and pressing the side button for about 10 seconds until it restarts. Restarting will not erase any of your data except notifications.
- Check if the Fitbit app is compatible with your device; otherwise, it will not work properly.
- Make sure your Fitbit device software and your smartphone software are both up to date.
- Check if your smartphone has a Wi-Fi or cellular data connection.
- Make sure WiFi and Bluetooth are not enabled at the same time; otherwise, it can prevent Fitbit from syncing.
- Sync your Fitbit with one device at a time. This prevents conflicts for the tracker, as Fitbit tries to connect to multiple devices at the same time.
- Sign in to another device and try to sync your Fitbit tracker.
Enable Bluetooth on your iPhone or Android device
Your Fitbit syncs data via Bluetooth with your smartphone. If Bluetooth is disabled, the device will not connect to your smartphone, but you can quickly turn it on from your device’s settings.
- On an iPhone, select Settings > Bluetooth and turn on the switch to turn the feature on.
- On Android, select Settings > Connections > Bluetooth and turn on the switch to enable the feature.
Check when the Fitbit device was last synced
You can check when your Fitbit was last synced to give you an indication of when the problem may have started.
- Touch the tab Today > The your profile photo, then tap the image of your device.
- Then, tap the Settings (gear) icon and check under your Fitbit device name to see when your smartphone was last synced. You can also find information about your Fitbit device’s battery level and firmware version here.
Force a manual sync
Even after opening the Fitbit app, you may find that it won’t start a sync. However, you can force a manual sync to get the app to start syncing.
- Tap the Account icon.
- Then, tap on the Fitbit tracker name.
- Tap Sync Now.
Install the Fitbit app
Whether you bought your new or used Fitbit tracker, you may or may not have the Fitbit app installed on your device.
- Download and install Fitbit for iPhone or Android and log in or create a new account.
- Press the side button on Fitbit to turn it on.
- Go Fitbit app on your smartphone, tap the image of the profile to open the Settings Account > Configure a device.
- Follow the instructions to finish installing the Fitbit app on your smartphone.
Update your Fitbit device
If your Fitbit isn’t up to date, it may have trouble connecting and syncing with your smartphone. Updating your device to the latest firmware provides new features, bug fixes, and feature enhancements to help the tracker function properly and reliably.
You can use the Fitbit app or the Fitbit online dashboard to update your Fitbit device. But first, make sure the tracker has at least a 50 percent charge and that you have the latest version of the Fitbit app installed on your smartphone.
Update Fitbit via the Fitbit app
You can easily update your Fitbit tracker via the Fitbit app on your smartphone.
- Select your profile photo.
- Tap your device image.
- Then, tap on the pink banner that appears on the screen. This update banner is displayed only when an update is available.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to update Fitbit. Make sure the tracker and smartphone are close to each other, otherwise the update may fail.
Update Fitbit via Fitbit Dashboard online
To update your Fitbit tracker via the Fitbit online dashboard, you will need the latest version of Fitbit Connect and a Bluetooth connection to a computer.
- Select Fitbit Connect on the right side of the computer taskbar for a Windows PC or on the top right side of the screen on a Mac.
- Then, select Open Main Menu > Check for Device Updates.
- If prompted, log into your Fitbit account. If an update is available, the Fitbit tracker will update automatically. Once updated, you’ll get a notification that your Fitbit is already up to date.
If Fitbit isn’t updating, here are some tips on what to do:
- Charge your Fitbit and make sure the battery life is at least 50 percent or more.
- Make sure you have a reliable internet connection, otherwise the update will fail if the connection suddenly drops.
- Restart the Fitbit tracker.
- Try updating the firmware again.
- If you can’t update your Fitbit tracker using the Fitbit app, use Fitbit Connect to update it or vice versa.
Note: Avoid updating Fitbit at midnight as you may receive incorrect steps for the next 24 hours.
Unpair and re-pair your Fitbit
If you’ve tried all the steps so far and none of them have helped, try unpairing your Fitbit and pairing it again via Bluetooth.
- Open the Bluetooth settings on your iPhone or Android device. Tap your Fitbit to remove it from the list.
- Restart your smartphone and then log into the Fitbit app. Select Set up a device and follow the instructions to re-pair Fitbit to your account.
- Check if it syncs again after the reassociation process is complete.
Reset or erase your Fitbit
As a last resort, you can try resetting your Fitbit device. The reset will erase all your data and restore the tracker to factory default settings.
After resetting your device, you can restore the data synced with your Fitbit account online. However, performing a reset varies depending on the Fitbit model you own. You can:
- Insert a paper clip into a hole on the Fitbit tracker.
- Reset your Fitbit tracker via your device settings.
Note: Some Fitbit trackers like the Blaze and Surge models don’t have a factory data reset option. You can read full instructions here for each type of Fitbit device.
Re-sync your Fitbit with your smartphone
A Fitbit that doesn’t sync is greatly reduced in its capabilities. Ideally, both Fitbit and your smartphone should automatically sync whenever the two devices are nearby.
If your Fitbit doesn’t sync even after you’ve tried all the troubleshooting steps in this guide, we recommend that you contact Fitbit’s support team for further help. You can also check out our favorite Fitbit alternatives for all price ranges. Leave a comment and let us know which solution worked for you.
