Image source: Fitbit

Here’s how to fix Fitbit Versa, Sense, Charge or Inspire sync issues

Fitbit has a great range of activity tracking devices. For the average person who does the occasional run here and there, their wearables tick most of the boxes. But let’s face it, as much as we like our fitness trackers and smartwatches they are not perfect. Sometimes things will go wrong. Here’s what to do if your Versa, Sense, Charge, Inspire or other Fitbit is not syncing to your iOS device, Android device, tablet, Mac or PC.

Other articles in this series

How do I update my Fitbit?
Experiencing problems with your Fitbit? Where to get help.
How to factory reset your Fitbit fitness tracker or smartwatch
What to do if your Fitbit activity tracker or smartwatch is not charging
How to fix text or call notifications on a Fitbit

more…


Why do I need to sync my Fitbit?

Most wearables these days have displays. This is useful for viewing the current day’s stats. But for longer term trends, insights and other info – you do need to head over to the accompanying smartphone app. Because this is where your long-term data sits. A smartphone’s large display is much more conducive for viewing this sort of information Also, there’s only so much memory on a Fitbit tracker. So you do need to transfer fitness data from time to time to something with a large memory.

Syncing does this for you. The wearable uses a Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) connection to connect to a device – most often a iPhone or Android device. Some Fitbit devices, such as its Aria range of scales, use WiFi to connect and sync.


Why is my Fitbit not syncing?

All electronics and software are susceptible to problems. And the Fitbit on your wrist is no exception. One of the issues that can occasionally crop up is that your Fitbit Versa, Sense, Charge, Luxe or Inspire refuses to connect and sync information.

The software on your smartphone might not be able to find your fitness tracker or it might not be able to hold a connection. You might be getting the message in the smartphone app that sync process is unable to finish. Don’t worry – you’re not alone. These things happen sometimes.

There could be various reasons why your Fitbit is not syncing. So the fix will not be the same for everyone or every time. It could be because of a Bluetooth issue. Perhaps your Fitbit become disassociated from your phone. Maybe the Bluetooth is not switched on, or perhaps there are too many devices using the connection. It could even be a software glitch.

You can check when your Fitbit has last synced in the smartphone app. The information is shown if you click on the Today tab, your profile picture and then your device image. This can also be done via the website dashboard. Simply click on the gear icon and you’ll see the date/time of the last sync under the name of your Fitbit tracker.


How to fix Fitbit sync issues

We’ve pulled together a few troubleshooting steps that address common sync issues. Hopefully, one of these will do the trick. Most likely, this is a connection problem.

There is no danger to trying any of these steps. You data will remain intact both in the smartphone app and the tracker (the only exception is a factory reset). All of these solutions are worth a go if you’re experiencing the problem.

Fitbit not syncing – troubleshooting steps

  1. Do a manual sync

    The Fitbit tracker should automatically sync every time you open up the smartphone app. You’ll be able to see that this is happening in the app.

    If you’ve allowed in the settings of your Fitbit account, there will also be an auto sync performed every 15 minutes – as long as the Fitbit tracker is in close vicinity to your phone or other device. You do need to enable the Sync All Day option for that. Which can reduce the battery life of your Fitbit.

    For smart scales that use the wireless network, the sync is done automatically whenever you weigh yourself. You’ll notice a checkmark on the scale display indicating the sync was successful.

    Another way to sync is manually. Fire up the smartphone app and tap on the Sync Now option. You can do this whenever and how often you want. It is the easiest way of testing whether, indeed, there is a sync problem.

  2. Try restarting

    A common resolution for any problem is the simple old restart. If the Fitbit is not syncing restart both your tracker and/or your smartphone. This is also the solution if your Fitbit is not responding to button presses, taps, or swipes or if it’s not tracking your steps and other stats.

    A restart of your fitness tracker restarts the device, but does not delete any data. It is easily done. For example – on the Charge 3, press and hold the button on the left of its screen for 8 seconds. When you see a smiley icon and the tracker vibrates, your tracker has restarted. You are now ready to use it again. To restart your Versa, press and hold the back (left) and bottom buttons until you see the Fitbit logo on the screen. This should take less than 10 seconds. Let go of the buttons. See How do I restart my Fitbit.

    If restarting doesn’t help, there are a few other things you can do. Read on.

  3. Software update

    Make sure the latest version of the Fitbit app is installed on your phone. Also check to see if the software running on your Fitbit tracker is up to date. This can be done by tapping on Settings > General > Software Update in the accompanying smartphone app.

  4. Make sure your device’s battery isn’t critically low.

    If a tracker isn’t syncing, it may have run out of battery juice. So it might be off or the Fitbit doesn’t have enough battery to perform the sync. Top it up.

  5. Check the Bluetooth connections

    Perhaps it’s a connection issue. Is Bluetooth switched on on your phone? If not you’ll need to switch it on in order for the sync to work. The Bluetooth settings can be found in the settings section on your phone.

    If it is switched on you can try force quitting the Fitbit app. Then toggle Bluetooth on your phone off and back on. Open up the Fitbit app to see if this has resolved.

    You can also use the Bluetooth settings on your smartphone to see if your Fitbit is connected. Make sure there are no other Bluetooth devices around that might interfere with this connection. Switch them off if needed.

    The same applies to Wi-Fi conflicts for Fitbit Aria scales. You can try all of this but instead of Bluetooth, do them with Wi-Fi.

  6. It is best to sync the Fitbit to only one device

    Our recommendation is that you sync the fitness tracker or smartwatch to only one device. Theoretically you should be able to sync with multiple devices connected to the same account but it might lead to confusion. Having both devices around might cause a conflict if the Fitbit tracker tries to connect with both of them at the same time.

    If you’ve used your fitness tracker with an app on another phone, make sure the Fitbit is not connected to that phone instead of the one you are currently using. The easiest way to do this is to switch off Bluetooth on the device you do not want to use to sync.

  7. Try a different phone, tablet or computer

    If it still doesn’t work, log in to your Fitbit account on a different phone, tablet, or computer and try to sync. This will tell you if it is a problem with the Fitbit tracker or the device it is connecting to.

  8. Remove all devices from your account

    If your Fitbit device still doesn’t sync, remove all other Fitbit devices from your account and from the list of connected Bluetooth devices on your mobile device. You will be required to re-pair your Fitbit to your phone. This is easily done via the smartphone app. You’ll see a message asking you to allow your Fitbit device to pair with your device.

  9. Server outage

    This does happen from time to time. The good news is there is nothing for you to do but wait for things to get up and running – the fault is entirely at Fitbit’s end. The bad news is that while you’re waiting you probably won’t be able to open the app, sync your device or even log onto Fitbit’s website. The best place to check if there is a server outage or other technical problem is downdetector.com.

  10. Factory reset your Fitbit

    As a last resort, you can do a hard-reboot of your Fitbit. The bad news about this is that it will delete all the data on your tracker. Meaning you will lose anything that has not been already synced. So it is not the same as a simple restart. But the data that is on your Fitbit account will stay there.

    A hard-reboot will restore the Fitbit to the condition when you bought it. Which means you will need to re-pair the device to the smartphone app and set it up as a new fitness tracker or smartwatch. See How to I factory reset my Fitbit.

Like this article? Subscribe to our monthly newsletter and never miss out!

Marko Maslakovic

Marko founded Gadgets & Wearables in 2014, having worked for more than 15 years in the City of London’s financial district. Since then, he has led the company’s charge to become a leading information source on health and fitness gadgets and wearables.

30 thoughts on “Here’s how to fix Fitbit Versa, Sense, Charge or Inspire sync issues

  • I found that if you goto SETTINGS on the Fitbit itself then scroll down to ABOUT then scroll down to REBOOT DEVICE that works perfectly to sync your device

    Reply
    • Thank you that worked perfect after trying everything else for an hour

      Reply
      • Glad it helped! 🙂

        Reply
          • Glad it helped!

        • Nothing has worked, can’t even get it to sync on my PC

          Reply
    • I cannot get past the front screen with a red cross saying failed to return to factory setting cant sync ?????? What do I do?

      Reply
    • Same here, great 30 second fix to sync issue to my iPad. Was syncing fine, then just stopped finding my Fitbit Charge 3. Restarting Bluetooth did not resolve. Rebooted Charge 3 and iPad immediately synced. Thanks!!!

      Reply
  • This worked before but unfortunately this option disappeared?

    Reply
  • I just figured it out!!!! Go to settings scroll down until you see fitbit, click on it and check if Bluetooth is on! Mine was off so I turned it on.

    Reply
  • Hi
    Can I set up two Fitbit versa’s on one phone. Mine and my daughter?

    Reply
    • Yes but it would be a very tedious process as you’d need to keep logging off one account and logging on the other in the app to view the data.

      Reply
      • I have tried everything to get my charge 3 to sync with my phone. It syncs and then later when i look at my watch its the wrong time so i no it has lost connection. This is the second time this has happened. I sent it of as it was under warranty. It’s out of warranty now. So disappointed, as I liked the watch. Not sure I want to spend my money on another. I only have the watch just over 2 years if that.

        Reply
  • My charge 3 will not pair with my Bluetooth setting, I tried turning the Bluetooth off and on

    Reply
    • I think I’ve solved a common sync problem. Wearing the tracker too tight!! I believe the sensors and blue tooth transmitters are on the bottom of the device, and if wearing too tightly, the signals are blocked by the wrist. loosening the device just a bit seemed to solve the problem.

      Reply
    • You may be wearing the device too tight! blocking the signals.

      Reply
    • Versa 3. It was a month since last sync driving me crazy. I tried everything. I finally had to do the factory reset. My issue seemed to be my Fitbit would no longer Bluetooth pair. Once I did factory reset it was easy to set it up again as if new.

      Reply
  • I have been trying to sync for 2 hours. Tried all of the above with absolutely no luck. 😬😩

    Reply
    • My charge 3 would not sync for hours. I tried everything in the list. Then I put the charging cable on the Fitbit and it synced. I think the battery was too weak for Bluetooth to work correctly. The Charge 3 showed 93% power. I’m thinking this might be an age related program. My Charge 3 has been in use for two years continuously.

      Erik
      Golden, Colorado

      Reply
  • i had to re-setup my charge 3 (as a new device) and it is taking forever and not syncing and ive resetted both my phone and watch ughh can anyone help?

    Reply
  • Solved for me:
    On Charge 3: Settings-About-Clear User Data
    On Fitbit phone App: Tap the Today tab, tap your profile picture, Tap Set Up a Device, Choose Charge 3, Choose “Replace your Fitbit Charge 3”. Follow further instructions.
    Yes, you will lose all your previous data, but for me none of other recommended options worked.

    Reply
    • This worked for me! I’ve been trying to sync my charge 3 with no luck. I removed my device and attempted to re-add to the fitbit app, however it still wouldn’t connect (it got as far as finding the device, but not connecting). I’ve restarted my watch many times and it didn’t seem to help. Found this post and clearing the data then adding the device worked. Thanks!

      Reply
  • OMG thank you so much Anonymous, I have been trying to get my Charge 3 to work and just like Erica I was having the same issue. Clearing the data on the watch was the key for me after days of trying to get the thing to pair and link. One cant do the challenges if its not going to sync the data. Fingers crossed it this is the last time I have to wipe all my data.

    Reply
  • Thanks again Anonymous. My fitbit Charge 3 has not been syncing since Nov 9. I have tried everything to get it to sync…..nothing ever worked until I did the Settings” Clear User data and start over with the Setup new device. IT’s a bummer to loose all that data, but at least it’s syncing again.
    Thanks again!!

    Reply
  • I have a versa lite I got last Christmas, and because the watch band was causing a reaction on my arm I had to stop using it in October. I just got a new metal band for Christmas, but now I cannot get the Fitbit to sync. I have done everything. Restart my phone, restart the device, turn Bluetooth off and on, and I even deleted all data and restored it to factory settings, and it still will not sync. What else can I possibly do?

    Reply
  • I did everything as others have described then tried the clear setting on the fitbit. Am pleased to say that my information is still available on the fitbit app, which was my concern about clearing settings. Thanks for this solution, much time wasted trying to get what was a perfectly functioning fitbit for over a year to an unresponsive item.

    Reply
  • I tried all the tips:
    On Charge 3: Settings-About-Clear User Data
    On Fitbit phone App: Tap the Today tab, tap your profile picture, Tap Set Up a Device, Choose Charge 3, Choose “Replace your Fitbit Charge 3”. Follow further instructions.
    and still will not connect.
    I get as far as the authentication code to connect the Bluetooth and then it quits trying.

    I am so sick of fitbit and their horrible products.

    Reply
  • Only part of my data is syncing (7 out of 9 hours showing instead of 9/9 etc). Have followed all instructions and nothing changing. I see this was an acknowledged problem way back at least 2018 and was being looked at. So … ? Just not good enough – really fed up

    Reply
  • All Your steps is the same steps explained in every “Fix Fitbit” forums, and yes they works – most of times. But, not with mine. I’m so sick and tired with Fitbit, and Google made it even worse.

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.