Many Android users benefit from Fitbit devices by accurately tracking their progress on their journey to a healthier lifestyle. Fitbit designs their products to be user friendly and intuitive, but what if you run into issues syncing to your Android device?

If you are running into issues syncing a Fitbit to your Android device, there are a few simple steps that can resolve most connectivity issues; this includes toggling your Bluetooth on and off and ensuring your Fitbit and Android device are updated with the latest software.

In this article, we’ll cover some steps you can try when troubleshooting Fitbit syncing issues with your Android device.

Tips for Syncing Your Fitbit with Android

Fitbits can automatically sync data periodically throughout the day. The devices use Bluetooth technology to wireless transmit your progress through the Fitbit app. Additionally, users can sync their Fitbit data on mobile devices (both Android and iOS) or on your computer using the Fitbit Dashboard (Note: this method requires the Fitbit USB dongle, which is included with your tracker).

Besides fitness tracking, you can also check your current battery level and when your device last synced directly from the app or dashboard; this provides an additional level of accuracy and control when monitoring your progress.

With multiple compatible platforms, it is essential to be aware of some differences between using a Fitbit device on an Android operating system versus Apple’s iOS. To make sure your Fitbit device both syncs properly and can receive notification from your Android device, you will need to adjust a few settings:

  • Background Restrictions or Limitations: On your Android device, make sure Bluetooth is turned on (Settings > Bluetooth) and the Fitbit app can run in the background on your phone or tablet.Go to “Settings > Apps & Notifications > Fitbit App.” Turn off “Background Restrictions” or “Background Limits.”Disable Battery Limitations: Navigate to your system settings and go to “Apps > Fitbit App > Advanced > Battery.” From the Battery section, tap “Battery Optimization” and change the view to “All Apps.”Finally, search for the “Fitbit App” and select “Not Optimized.”

After you’ve confirmed that your Android phone or tablet settings have been adjusted, you’ll want to make sure your devices are up to date and running the latest software.

Update Your Devices Before Troubleshooting

Now that we’ve looked at getting started connecting your Fitbit device, suppose you run into issues syncing with your Android phone or tablet? Before you get started troubleshooting, it is crucial to verify a few things to ensure that your device is working correctly.

As is the case with most technology, keeping your devices up-to-date will ensure they are compatible with modern technology and functioning as intended. Here are a few tips to try before troubleshooting your Fitbit syncing issues:

  • Check that your Android device is running the latest software by tapping “Settings > About Phone/Device > Android Version.Additionally, you’ll need to verify your devices (both Fitbit and mobile device) are fully charged and connected to Wi-Fi (or cellular data where applicable).If you have multiple Bluetooth devices connected to your Android phone or tablet, you may run into connectivity issues. Make sure your phone is only managing active connections.Confirm that your Fitbit device and the associated Fitbit App are up-to-date.

Once you’ve made sure that your devices are up-to-date and your settings are configured appropriately, you’re ready to get started troubleshooting syncing and connectivity issues.

Fixing Syncing Issues with Fitbit and Android

When troubleshooting on Android devices, some users may be intimidated by the configuration of the operating system. Fortunately, troubleshooting syncing issues with Fitbit devices is straightforward and user friendly. Here are some initial troubleshooting steps to try if you run into errors syncing your Fitbit to your Android device:

  • Toggle Bluetooth on your Android Device: On your Androiddevice, navigate to “Settings > Bluetooth” and toggle the setting off and back on. Toggling your Bluetooth will effectively soft reset the connection, potentially resolving some preliminary issues.Troubleshoot Using the Fitbit App: Try force quitting the Fitbit app on your Android device, then reopen it.If your Fitbit device itself is unable to sync correctly, you can try restarting it manually (Fitbit Support offers a guide on restarting your device here).Uninstall and Reinstall the Fitbit app on your Android device.

If you’ve tried the above steps and are still running into issues syncing your Fitbit to your Android device, you can try logging into your Fitbit account on a different phone or tablet (or even computer). From there, try syncing to your device to try to isolate the connectivity issue. If the problem persists, remove all Fitbit devices on your account, and try to resync from scratch manually.

In Summary

The ability to monitor and track goals is a core feature of many fitness trackers, and Fitbit is no exception. Their devices are designed to help users take control of their journey to healthier routines. Since they can communicate various information wirelessly, they are prone to potential syncing issues with your devices. Fortunately, Fitbit makes it easy to troubleshoot your device on the Android platform.

Do you have an Apple device experiencing syncing issues with Fitbit? Check out this article for troubleshooting tips!