The Basic Steps to Sync Your Fitbit

Your Fitbit syncs by connecting wirelessly to your phone or computer through the Fitbit app. The device itself doesn't need to be plugged in to sync — it just needs to be charged enough to have power. Open the Fitbit app on your phone or computer, make sure Bluetooth is turned on, and hold your Fitbit within 20 feet of the device you're syncing to. The sync usually completes in under a minute.

If your Fitbit doesn't sync automatically, you can force a manual sync by opening the app and tapping the profile icon, then selecting your device and tapping the sync button. Most Fitbits are set to sync automatically every time the app is open and your device is in range, so you shouldn't have to do this often.

Key Takeaways

  • Your Fitbit syncs wirelessly through the Fitbit app using Bluetooth, not through a USB cable or internet connection alone.
  • Bluetooth must be turned on both on your Fitbit and on your phone or computer for syncing to work.
  • If automatic syncing stops working, restart both your Fitbit and your phone, then try a manual sync through the app.
  • Some Fitbit models require you to set up a Fitbit account and read the official Fitbit app before any syncing can happen.

Check That Bluetooth Is Turned On

Bluetooth is the wireless connection your Fitbit uses to talk to your phone or computer. If Bluetooth is off on either device, syncing won't happen. On your phone, go to Settings and look for Bluetooth — it should show as "On" or have a blue icon next to it. On a computer, Bluetooth settings are usually in System Preferences (Mac) or Settings > Devices > Bluetooth (Windows).

Your Fitbit doesn't have a Bluetooth on/off switch that you control directly. Instead, Bluetooth is always ready to connect when your Fitbit is powered on and charged. If your Fitbit's battery is very low, it may not have enough power to maintain a Bluetooth connection, so charge it for at least 15 minutes before trying to sync again.

Make Sure You're Using the Official Fitbit App

Fitbit only syncs through the official Fitbit app, which you can read free from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store on your phone. If you're using a computer, you can also read the Fitbit app for Windows or Mac from the Fitbit website. Third-party apps or fitness apps that claim to work with Fitbit cannot sync your device — they can only read data after your Fitbit has already synced to the official app.

When you open the Fitbit app for the first time, you'll need to create a Fitbit account or sign in with an existing one. This account is what stores your data in the cloud, so your steps and heart rate show up the same way whether you sync from your phone or your computer. If you've already set up your Fitbit on another phone, sign in with the same account on your new phone and your data will be there.

Restart Your Fitbit and Phone If Syncing Stops Working

If your Fitbit synced before but has stopped syncing, a restart usually fixes it. To restart your Fitbit, plug it into its charging cable and hold the button on the device for 10 to 15 seconds until you see the Fitbit logo appear on the screen. Let go and wait for the device to turn back on — this takes about 30 seconds. Then unplug it and try syncing again.

At the same time, restart your phone by turning it completely off and back on. This clears out any stuck connections or app glitches that might be blocking Bluetooth. After both devices have restarted, open the Fitbit app, make sure Bluetooth is on, and hold your Fitbit within 20 feet of your phone. Tap the sync button in the app if it doesn't sync automatically within a minute.

Forget and Re-Pair Your Fitbit if Restart Doesn't Work

If restarting doesn't fix the problem, you may need to remove your Fitbit from your phone's Bluetooth settings and pair it again. On your phone, go to Settings > Bluetooth, find your Fitbit's name in the list of paired devices, and tap "Forget" or the info icon next to it. Then close Settings and open the Fitbit app.

In the Fitbit app, go to your profile, select your device, and look for an option to "Set Up Device" or "Pair Device." Follow the on-screen steps, which usually involve holding your Fitbit near your phone and waiting for them to find each other. Once they're paired again, syncing should work. This process takes about two minutes.

Check Your Internet Connection and Fitbit Account

Your Fitbit syncs data to your Fitbit account through the internet, even though the wireless connection between your device and phone is Bluetooth. If your phone doesn't have internet access — either through WiFi or cellular data — the sync will fail at the last step. Make sure your phone is connected to WiFi or has cellular data turned on before syncing.

You should also check that you're signed into the Fitbit app with the correct account. Open the app and tap your profile icon. If it shows "Sign In" instead of your name, you've been signed out. Sign back in with your Fitbit account email and password. If you've forgotten your password, you can reset it on the Fitbit website before opening the app again.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why does my Fitbit say it's syncing but the data doesn't update?

This usually means your phone lost internet connection before the sync finished uploading to Fitbit's servers. Make sure you have WiFi or cellular data on, then try syncing again. If the problem keeps happening, sign out of the Fitbit app completely, restart your phone, and sign back in.

Can I sync my Fitbit to more than one phone?

Yes, but only one phone at a time. If you sign into the Fitbit app on a second phone with the same account, your first phone will stop syncing automatically. You can manually sync on either phone, but the app will only push data to the cloud from whichever phone you used most recently.

Do I need to keep the Fitbit app open for syncing to work?

No. Once your Fitbit is paired, it will sync automatically in the background whenever you open the app and your phone is in range. You don't need to leave the app running. However, if Bluetooth is off or your phone is far away, syncing won't happen until you open the app again.

What if my Fitbit won't pair with the app in the first place?

Make sure Bluetooth is on, your phone's location services are turned on (required for Bluetooth pairing on some phones), and you're using the official Fitbit app. If pairing still fails, restart both your phone and Fitbit, then try pairing again. If it continues to fail, uninstall and reinstall the Fitbit app.

How often should my Fitbit sync?

Fitbits sync automatically every time the app is open and your device is in range, which is usually several times a day. You don't need to do anything — just keep the app installed and Bluetooth on. If you want to check that a sync happened, look at the timestamp in the app's main screen, which shows when your last sync completed.