Sync your Fitbit by opening the Fitbit app, turning on Bluetooth, and holding your device near your phone

Syncing sends the data your Fitbit has collected — steps, heart rate, sleep, workouts — to the Fitbit servers so you can see it in the app or on the web. Most syncs happen automatically in the background when your Fitbit is near your phone and Bluetooth is on. If automatic sync isn't working, you can force a manual sync by opening the app and pulling down on the screen, or by restarting both devices.

The sync process takes less than a minute once Bluetooth connects. If it's taking longer or failing repeatedly, the problem is usually a Bluetooth connection issue, an outdated app, or a device that needs to be re-paired with your phone.

Key Takeaways

  • Automatic syncing happens whenever your Fitbit is within Bluetooth range of your phone and the Fitbit app is installed and has permission to use Bluetooth.
  • To manually sync, open the Fitbit app, swipe down from the top of the screen, and wait for the connection to complete.
  • If sync fails repeatedly, restart your phone and Fitbit, then check that Bluetooth is turned on and the Fitbit app has Bluetooth permission in your phone's settings.
  • You can also sync your Fitbit to a computer by plugging the device into a USB port if your model has a USB dock or cable.

Automatic syncing with your phone

Automatic syncing is the default and requires almost no action from you. Your Fitbit syncs whenever it's within about 30 feet of your phone, Bluetooth is on, and the Fitbit app is running in the background. On most phones, this happens several times a day without you noticing.

For automatic syncing to work, you need to have given the Fitbit app permission to use Bluetooth. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Fitbit > Permissions > Bluetooth and make sure it's turned on. On iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth and confirm that your Fitbit is listed and connected. You should also check that the Fitbit app itself has permission to use Bluetooth: on iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy > Bluetooth and make sure Fitbit is listed.

If you haven't opened the Fitbit app in a while, or if you've restarted your phone, the first sync may take a few seconds longer than usual. This is normal.

Manual syncing when automatic sync isn't working

If you notice your Fitbit data hasn't updated in several hours, or if you want to sync right away, you can force a manual sync. Open the Fitbit app and look for your device name at the top of the screen. Swipe down from the top of the app (or pull down on the device card if you have multiple devices) until you see a spinning circle or "Syncing" message. Wait 30 to 60 seconds for the sync to complete.

If the manual sync starts but doesn't finish, or if you see an error message, try restarting both your phone and your Fitbit. To restart your Fitbit, hold the button on the side or back of the device for 10 to 15 seconds until you see the Fitbit logo appear on the screen. Then restart your phone normally. Once both devices are back on, open the Fitbit app and try syncing again.

Fixing Bluetooth connection problems

"Bluetooth not available" or "Cannot connect" errors usually mean your phone and Fitbit aren't communicating. Start by checking that Bluetooth is turned on: swipe down from the top of your phone screen to see the quick settings, and make sure the Bluetooth icon is highlighted or blue. If Bluetooth is off, turn it on and wait a few seconds for your phone to scan for nearby devices.

Next, "forget" your Fitbit from your phone's Bluetooth settings and re-pair it. On Android, go to Settings > Bluetooth, find your Fitbit in the list, tap the gear icon next to it, and select "Forget". On iPhone, go to Settings > Bluetooth, find your Fitbit, tap the info icon, and select "Forget This Device". Then open the Fitbit app and follow the pairing steps as if you were setting up the device for the first time. The app will guide you through finding and connecting to your Fitbit.

If you still can't connect after re-pairing, check that the Fitbit app is up to date. Open your phone's app store (Google Play on Android, App Store on iPhone), search for Fitbit, and tap "Update" if an update is available. Outdated app versions sometimes have trouble connecting to newer Fitbit devices.

Syncing with a computer using a USB dock

Some Fitbit models come with a USB charging dock or cable that lets you sync directly to a computer. This is useful if your phone's Bluetooth isn't working or if you prefer to keep your data on your computer. Plug the dock into a USB port on your computer, place your Fitbit on the dock, and wait for the sync to complete — usually 30 seconds to a minute.

To see your data on your computer, go to fitbit.com in a web browser, sign in with your Fitbit account, and click on your device. Your synced data will appear in the dashboard. You can also read the Fitbit app for Windows or Mac from the Microsoft Store or Mac App Store if you want a desktop version of the app.

If your Fitbit model doesn't have a USB dock — many newer models charge wirelessly — you'll need to sync through your phone or a tablet instead.

What to do if sync keeps failing

If you've restarted both devices, re-paired your Fitbit, and updated the app but sync still isn't working, the issue may be with your Fitbit account or the Fitbit servers. Sign out of the Fitbit app completely: go to the app's settings (usually a gear icon), scroll to the bottom, and tap "Sign Out". Then sign back in with your email and password. This refreshes your connection to Fitbit's servers and often fixes persistent sync problems.

If sync still fails after signing out and back in, try uninstalling and reinstalling the Fitbit app. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Fitbit > Uninstall. On iPhone, press and hold the Fitbit app icon on your home screen and select "Remove App". Then go to your app store, search for Fitbit, and install it fresh. When you open it, sign in again and let it re-pair with your device.

If none of these steps work, your Fitbit device itself may have a hardware problem. Contact Fitbit support through the app (tap the profile icon, then scroll down and select "Help") or visit fitbit.com/support to explore warranty options.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Fitbit not syncing automatically?

Automatic sync requires Bluetooth to be on, the Fitbit app to have Bluetooth permission, and your Fitbit to be within range of your phone. Check your phone's Bluetooth settings and the app's permissions. If both are on, try restarting your phone and Fitbit, then manually sync to see if that works.

Can I sync my Fitbit to multiple phones?

Your Fitbit can be paired to one phone at a time, but you can switch it between phones. To pair it to a different phone, forget it from the old phone's Bluetooth settings, then open the Fitbit app on the new phone and follow the pairing steps. Your data stays in your Fitbit account, so you'll see all your history on any phone you sign into.

How often should my Fitbit sync?

Fitbit syncs automatically several times a day whenever your device is near your phone and Bluetooth is on. Most users see a sync every few hours. You can also force a manual sync anytime by pulling down in the Fitbit app.

Does syncing use a lot of battery?

Syncing uses very little battery on either your phone or Fitbit. The process takes less than a minute and happens in the background. If your Fitbit battery is draining quickly, the problem is usually something else — like a broken heart rate sensor or a device that's constantly trying to reconnect to Bluetooth.

What data syncs from my Fitbit?

Your Fitbit syncs steps, distance, calories burned, heart rate, sleep data, workouts, and any manual entries you've made (like food or water intake). All of this data appears in the Fitbit app and on fitbit.com once the sync completes.