Fitbit devices are well-established fitness trackers designed to promote healthier lifestyles. They provide users a way to track various information, from your sleep cycle to daily food and water consumption, and more. Additionally, Fitbit wearables and trackers use Bluetooth to sync your data throughout the day automatically. But what if your Fitbit won’t sync to your iPhone?
If your Fitbit does not sync to your iPhone, there are a few steps you can try to resolve the issue, such as disabling and enabling Bluetooth and updating any necessary software.
Fitbit devices are known for their reliability and intuitive app integration. However, as with all technology, there is always the chance that your device may not work as intended. This article will provide some troubleshooting steps should you run into issues syncing your Fitbit to your iPhone.
What Does Syncing Do?
Fitbit devices require syncing to communicate the data they have collected to your Fitbit Dashboard or mobile device. Most wearable Fitbit devices (trackers, watches, etc.) rely on Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) to sync with your devices. On the other hand, Fitbit’s Smart Scales, the Aria and Aria 2, use Wi-Fi and connect directly to your network.
Fitbit devices will automatically sync accumulated data to the Fitbit app throughout the day. Additionally, users have the option to “Sync Now” manually within the app. From the Fitbit app (regardless of the device you’re using), simply tap the “Today” tab > profile image > device image, and press “Sync Now.” Once you’ve completed those steps, the device will automatically begin syncing data.
Determining if Syncing is the Problem
Before troubleshooting your devices for syncing issues, it’s essential to rule out any other factors that could be causing the problem. To determine whether syncing is at the root of it all, take the following steps:
- Verify that your iPhone or iPad is updated to the latest version of iOS (this can be checked in “Settings > General > Software Update”).Make sure your Fitbit device and the associated Fitbit App are also up to date. (If you’re unsure, Fitbit Support offers a helpful article on updating your device).Confirm that your iPhone or iPad is connected to Wi-Fi, and your Bluetooth is turned on.If you have other Bluetooth devices, make sure they are not currently connected on your device, as connecting multiple devices may cause connectivity issues.
If your Fitbit still will not sync, and your device is fully charged, it’s time to troubleshoot further.
Troubleshooting Fitbit Syncing Issues
The troubleshooting process can vary depending on what Fitbit device you’re using. This section will focus primarily on Fitbit Watches and Activity Trackers (though Fitbit Support also provides a troubleshooting guide for their Aria scales).
When you run into issues syncing your Fitbit watch or activity tracker, there’s a simple first step you can try to resolve the issue. Fitbit recommends disabling the Bluetooth connection between your Fitbit and mobile device and reconnecting manually.
- On your iOS device, tap “Settings > Bluetooth,” where you should see the information icon next to the name of the associated Fitbit device.Tap to “Forget this Device.”Re-pairing your Fitbit device is straightforward and can automatically connect using the Fitbit app. Simply open the app, approve the request to pair with a new device, and you’re good to go.
Additional Troubleshooting Steps
Manually re-pairing your Fitbit device can help with a lot of issues. However, if you’re still unable to sync to your iPhone, don’t worry; there are still some steps you can try:
- Toggle your Bluetooth on and off to soft reset your device’s connection.If your Fitbit is still unable to sync, try restarting the device. A more in-depth guide to restarting your device can be found via Fitbit Support here.If your Fitbit device appears to be functioning correctly, it may be an issue with your iOS device. Try restarting your iPhone or iPad to verify if the problem persists.If you’ve tried the above steps and your device is still unable to sync, you can try manually removing it from your Fitbit account. Try logging in to your account from a different iOS device to see if your Fitbit can connect (meaning the issue may be with your iOS device).Finally, if none of the above steps resolve the issue, you can remove all Fitbit devices from your Fitbit account and the connected Bluetooth devices on your iPhone or iPad. After they have been successfully removed, try to re-pair the Fitbit device through the app to see if the issue has been resolved.
The above steps should help you pinpoint the issue through the process of elimination.
In Summary
Fitbit devices provide convenience and accuracy for individuals looking to improve their health or obtain more in-depth insight into their daily routines. However, the ability to automatically sync a variety of information can occasionally lead to syncing issues with your iPhone or iPad. Going through some of these steps will help resolve many preliminary connectivity issues with your device.
Having other issues with your Fitbit, like not being able to track sleep? Check out this article for more troubleshooting tips!