What should I know about using the Fitbit app on my Android phone?

The Fitbit app runs in the background to keep you connected with certain Fitbit app features such as automatic syncing, connected GPS, and app notifications from your phone.

If the Fitbit app doesn’t run in the background, you may notice issues with app features, such as:

• Delayed or missing notifications from your phone
• Your Fitbit device doesn't automatically sync
• Connected GPS losing connection
• Apps not running or updating consistently on your Fitbit device
• Firmware updates not completing on your Fitbit device

Note that all apps that run in the background affect your phone’s battery life. For more information, see Android (Google) help article.

To use the Fitbit app on your Huawei P20 Lite phone, verify the following settings:

1. On your phone, open the Settings app Apps and notifications Apps.
2. Tap Fitbit Battery.
3. Turn off the Power-intensive prompt option.
4. Tap Launch.
5. Turn off the Manage automatically option, and turn on the Auto-launch, Secondary launch, and Run in background options.
6. Tap OK.

Note that you may see a message on your phone related to power consumption and apps scanning in the background. If you follow the steps in this message, the Fitbit app can’t run in the background and certain features may not work properly. Repeat the steps above to enable the Fitbit app to run in the background.

To make sure your Fitbit device syncs and receives notifications from your Android phone, open the Settings app on your phone and confirm or adjust the following settings:

• Turn off background restrictions or limitations:
  1. Go to Apps & NotificationsFitbit app.
  2. Tap Background restrictions or Background limits to turn off the setting.
• Turn off battery limitations:
  1. Go to AppsFitbit appAdvancedBatteryBattery optimization.
  2. Change the view to All apps.
  3. Search for the Fitbit app and choose Not optimized.
• Turn on location services and allow the Fitbit app to access your location. For more information, see Why is the Fitbit app prompting me to turn on location services?

You receive a Fitbit Sync Service notification on your phone to let you know that the Fitbit app is running in the background. You’ll see this notification even if you close the Fitbit app.

The notification remains on your phone unless you choose to hide it. For more information, see the instructions in Can I hide the Fitbit Sync Service notification?.

What actions can I take in the Fitbit Sync Service notification?

When you open the Fitbit Sync Service notification, you’ll see the last time you synced your Fitbit device, as well as options to sync your Fitbit device without opening the app or to go directly to certain features in the app.

The notification also provides a shortcut to your phone’s Settings app so you can adjust the notifications you receive from the Fitbit app to your phone. To open the Settings app, press and hold the notification and tap All Categories.

Can I hide the Fitbit Sync Service notification?

To hide the Fitbit Sync Service notification:

1. Press and hold the notification.
2. Turn off the notification.
3. Tap Done. The Fitbit app continues to run in the background, but you won’t be notified.

If you hide the Fitbit Sync Service notification, you’ll receive a different notification from the Android operating system letting you know the Fitbit app is using battery resources. All apps that run in the background affect your phone’s battery life.

To hide the Using Battery notification:

1. On your phone, swipe down to see your notifications so that the Using Battery notification is fully visible.
2. Press and hold the notification, then turn it off.
3. Tap Done.

All notifications are encrypted on certain Fitbit devices. For more information, see How do I get notifications from my phone on my Fitbit device?

Encryption protects data to keep it confidential. When data is encrypted, it's unreadable to any unauthorized persons who get access to it. If a notification is unencrypted, the text visible on your Fitbit device is potentially vulnerable to an eavesdropping device. A person who attempts to intercept Bluetooth transmissions might see the contents of the notification. Your personal information stored with Fitbit is always encrypted.

To use all the features in the Fitbit app, you must grant the Fitbit app permission to access certain features on your phone. For example, if you want to add Fitbit stats to a photo, the Fitbit app needs access to your camera.

How do I allow the Fitbit app to access features on my phone?

Grant the Fitbit app permission to access phone features in your phone settings. Tap Settings Apps Fitbit Permissions.

If you’re unsure how to verify or change the settings on your phone, consult your phone manufacturer.

Which Fitbit features need access to my phone?

If you can't log in to the Fitbit app, it’s often because you set the time manually on your Android phone. On your phone, go to Settings Date and Time and turn on "Automatic date and time". Some Android tablets don’t have the "Automatic date and time" option, so you’ll need to manually set the tablet to the correct time. The time must be within 2 minutes of the correct time to log in to the Fitbit app.

Add Fitbit widgets to your Android phone, including the activity goal widget and widgets that allow you to quickly log activity, food, sleep, and more. The activity goal widget allows you to view your progress toward your daily activity goal directly from your home screen without opening the Fitbit app.

Depending on your phone, you can add Fitbit widgets in 1 of 2 ways:

1. Select Apps from the home screen.
2. Select Widgets from the top of the page.
3. Swipe until you see Fitbit.
4. Tap and hold to drag the widget to the desired home screen.

Or:

1. Tap and hold the home screen.
2. Select Widgets.
3. Swipe until you see Fitbit.
4. Tap and hold to drag the widget to the desired home screen.