How do I use GPS on my Fitbit device?

Elevate your workouts by capturing GPS data with certain Fitbit devices. If your device doesn’t have GPS, use the Fitbit app to record GPS data.

Note: To use connected or phone GPS, make sure that Allow Location Access is set to Always or All the time for the Fitbit app on your phone.

Device Name GPS Type

Fitbit Charge 4
Fitbit Charge 5

Dynamic GPS*
Built-in GPS
Phone (connected) GPS

Fitbit Ionic
Fitbit Sense
Fitbit Versa 3

 Built-in GPS

Fitbit Blaze
Fitbit Charge 2
Fitbit Charge 3
Fitbit Inspire HR
Fitbit Inspire 2
Fitbit Luxe
Fitbit Versa
Fitbit Versa 2
Fitbit Versa LE

 Phone (connected) GPS**

*If your phone is nearby, these devices use the GPS sensors on your phone to capture GPS data instead of the built-in GPS sensors on your device. This option preserves battery life on your device. For more information about your device’s battery life, see the related help article.

**Devices with phone (connected) GPS use the GPS sensors on your phone to capture GPS data. Keep your phone near your device during your workout.

Best practices

  • Charge your device to at least 80%, as built-in GPS can cause the battery to drain more quickly.
  • Go outside; then connect to GPS and start your exercise. To make sure the GPS connection is stable, you can wait up to 30 seconds after you see "Connected" on your device's screen to tap the play icon and begin moving.
  • Sync your device regularly with the Fitbit app (at least once every 24 hours) to reduce the time it takes for the built-in GPS sensors to connect to GPS satellites. Make sure the location permission for the Fitbit app on your phone is always allowed. For instructions, see the Apple help article or the Google (Android) help article.
  • Check that GPS is turned on for the exercise. Note that only exercises where you cover physical distance use GPS. For more information, see How do I turn on GPS for an exercise on my Fitbit device?

Troubleshooting tips

If your device can’t connect to GPS satellites, or if gaps appear in the map of your route, try these tips:

  • Follow the recommendations for wearing your device for exercise. For more information, see How do I wear my Fitbit device?
  • Try loosening the band 1 notch.
  • Make sure your device doesn't touch your wrist bone.
  • Wait until GPS is connected to start the exercise.
  • Note that if you’re using GPS for the first time in an area, connecting to GPS satellites might take several minutes. Heavily wooded areas and tall buildings can increase the time it takes to connect to GPS satellites.
  • If GPS didn’t connect the first time, wait 5 minutes before you start the exercise again.
  • (Charge 4 and Charge 5) If your tracker doesn’t connect to GPS satellites, you can end the exercise, change the GPS mode to Phone GPS, and start the exercise again. To change the GPS mode, see How do I manage the GPS settings on my Fitbit device?
  • To reduce the time it takes for your device to connect to GPS satellites, hold your arm parallel to your body near your head and at least 2 inches away from you when you connect to GPS and start an exercise.
    Person with a tracker on his wrist, holding the tracker in front of his chest


Requirements

  • Go outside; then connect to GPS and start your exercise.
  • Make sure that your device can sync with the Fitbit app. For more information, see How do Fitbit devices sync their data?
  • Confirm that the Fitbit app can use your phone's GPS sensors:
    1. Confirm that the Fitbit app can use your location (Allow Location Access is set to Always). For instructions, see the Apple help article.
    2. Confirm that Background App Refresh is turned on for the Fitbit app. For instructions, see the Apple help article.
    1. Confirm that the Fitbit app can use your location:
      1. Allow Location Access is set to All the Time and Location. For instructions, see the Google (Android) help article.
      2. Precise Location is turned on.
    2. Confirm that Background App Refresh is turned on for the Fitbit app. For instructions, see the Google (Android) help article.
  • Check that GPS is turned on for the exercise. Note that only exercises where you cover physical distance use GPS. For more information, see How do I turn on GPS for an exercise on my Fitbit device?
  • Make sure that your phone is within 30 feet of your device.
  • Note that heavily wooded areas and tall buildings can increase the time it takes to connect to GPS satellites.

Troubleshooting steps

See if GPS connects after each step.

  1. Force quit, and reopen the Fitbit app to refresh the connection with your device. For instructions, see the Apple help article or the Google (Android) help article.
  2. On your phone, go to SettingsthenBluetooth and turn Bluetooth off and back on.
  3. Restart your phone.
  1. In the Fitbit app, open Exercise Shortcuts. For more information, see How do I track my workouts with my Fitbit device?
  2. Tap the exercise you want to track, and make sure Connected GPS is turned on.

If GPS doesn't connect, confirm GPS is enabled on your device:

  1. On Blaze, tap the Exercise screen, and find the exercise you want to track.
  2. Tap the gear icon, and make sure Use Phone GPS is on.
  1. In the Fitbit app, open Exercise Shortcuts. For more information, see How do I track my workouts with my Fitbit device?
  2. Tap the exercise you want to track, and make sure Connected GPS is turned on.
  1. Open the Exercise app and swipe to find the exercise you want to track.
  2. Swipe up, and make sure GPS is On.
  3. Press the button to return to the activity screen.
  1. Swipe right or left to the Exercise app , then swipe up to find an exercise.
  2. Tap to choose an exercise, then swipe up through the exercise settings.
  3. Tap GPS to turn it on.
  4. Swipe down to return to the exercise screen.

Open the Settings app and make sure Phone GPS is On.

  1. Open the Exercise app and swipe to find the exercise you want to track.
  2. Tap the gear icon and make sure GPS (Connected GPS for Versa series) is On.
  3. Press the back button to return to the activity screen.
  1. Open the Exercise app and swipe to find the exercise you want to track.
  2. Swipe up from the bottom of the screen to open the exercise settings.
  3. In the GPS section, tap the switch icon to turn on GPS.
  4. Swipe down to return to the exercise screen.

  1. Go outside, then open the Exercise app on your device and tap an exercise. Only activities where you cover physical distance offer GPS tracking.
  2. Wait a few moments for GPS to connect.
  3. Tap the play icon to start the exercise. If the GPS signal disconnects, your phone or Fitbit device continues to search for a signal.

Note: If you previously turned off GPS for an exercise, turn it back on before you start the activity.

On your tracker, open the Settings app > GPS Settings > tap to update a setting. Note that GLONASS and Low Power Mode are for Built-in GPS only.

Setting How It Works
GPS Mode
  • Dynamic: Charge 4 sets the GPS type at the start of the workout. If you take your phone with you, Charge 4 uses your phone’s GPS sensors to map your route. If your phone is nearby but not moving when you start the exercise, Charge 4 uses built-in GPS.
  • Built-in GPS: Charge 4 uses built-in GPS sensors to track your route, pace, distance, and other stats. This option can reduce battery life on your tracker.
  • Phone GPS: Charge 4 uses your phone’s GPS sensors to track your route, pace, distance, and other stats. This option can help preserve battery life on your Fitbit device.

Note: If the GPS signal is lost during the exercise, Charge 4 doesn't switch to a different GPS type.
GLONASS

For exercises with built-in GPS, this setting can shorten the time it takes for Charge 4 to find a GPS signal and enhance GPS performance.

Note: Turning on this option can reduce battery life on your tracker.
Low Power Mode

For exercises with built-in GPS that last more than an hour, this setting can preserve battery life on Charge 4. To enhance built-in GPS performance, turn off the Low Power Mode option.

Note: Turning off this option can reduce battery life on your tracker.

Swipe down from the clock screen and tap the Settings app to open it, then tap GPS then GPS.

Setting How It Works
GPS Mode
  • Dynamic: Your tracker sets the GPS type at the start of the workout. If you take your phone with you, your tracker uses your phone’s GPS sensors to map your route. If your phone is nearby but not moving when you start the exercise, your tracker uses built-in GPS.
  • Built-in GPS: Your tracker uses built-in GPS sensors to track your route, pace, distance, and other stats. This option can reduce battery life on your tracker.
  • Phone GPS: Your tracker uses your phone’s GPS sensors to track your route, pace, distance, and other stats. This option can help preserve battery life on your Fitbit device.

Note: If the GPS signal is lost during the exercise, Charge 5 doesn't switch to a different GPS type.

After you end your workout, open the Fitbit app and tap the Exercise tile to see a workout intensity map that shows your route, distance, heart-rate zones, and pace. Tap the map to see detailed stats about your workout.

GPS-tracked workout in the Fitbit app, where the color of the route corresponds to the user's heart rate intensity

Note: If the GPS signal is lost during the exercise, a map might not appear in the Fitbit app.

If your Fitbit device doesn't have GPS, use the Fitbit app on your phone to capture your route, distance, pace, and more.

  1. Confirm that the Fitbit app can use your phone's GPS sensors:
    1. Confirm that the Fitbit app can use your location (Allow Location Access is set to Always). For instructions, see the Apple help article.
    2. Confirm that Background App Refresh is turned on for the Fitbit app. For instructions, see the Apple help article.
  2. Tap the Today tab and tap the gray + icon on the Exercise tile.
  3. Tap Track at the top.
  4. Choose an activity: run, walk, or hike.
  5. To hear cues during your activity, tap Cues and set the type, frequency, and volume.
  6. Tap Start. During the activity, swipe left to see a GPS map.
  7. When you're done, tap Pause, then tap and hold Finish.
  8. Review your workout summary.
  1. Confirm that the Fitbit app can use your phone's GPS sensors:
    1. Confirm that the Fitbit app can use your location (Allow Location Access is set to All the Time). For instructions, see the Google (Android) help article.
    2. Confirm that Background App Refresh is turned on for the Fitbit app. Open the Settings app on your phone. For instructions, see the Google (Android) help article.
  2. Tap the Today tab then tap the gray + icon on the Exercise tile.
  3. Tap the stopwatch icon in the top right thenTracking at the top.
  4. Choose an activity: run, walk, or hike.
  5. To hear cues during your activity, tap Cues and set the type, frequency, and volume.
  6. Tap Start. During the activity, swipe left to see a GPS map.
  7. When you're done, tap Pause, then tap and hold Finish.
  8. Review your workout summary.

For more information, see How accurate are Fitbit devices?

For more information, see How do I export my Fitbit account data?

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