Sync your Fitbit through the official Fitbit app on your phone or through the web dashboard on a computer

Syncing your Fitbit means sending the data your device has collected — steps, heart rate, sleep, workouts — to the Fitbit servers so you can see it in the app or on the web. Most Fitbits sync automatically when they are near your phone or computer, but you can also force a manual sync if the automatic connection has not happened yet. The process takes less than a minute and requires only that your Fitbit is charged and within Bluetooth range of your phone or within USB range of your computer.

Your Fitbit will not lose data if it does not sync for a few days — the device stores up to seven days of activity on its own. However, syncing regularly keeps your data current and ensures you see accurate totals in the app.

Key Takeaways

  • Fitbits sync automatically when your phone or computer is nearby and Bluetooth is turned on, so you may not need to do anything manually.
  • To force a manual sync on your phone, open the Fitbit app, tap your profile icon, select your device, and tap the sync icon at the top of the screen.
  • On a computer, log into fitbit.com, click your profile icon, select your device, and click the sync button.
  • If your Fitbit will not sync, restart both your device and your phone, turn Bluetooth off and back on, and check that the Fitbit app has permission to use Bluetooth.
  • Syncing works over Bluetooth on phones and tablets, but some older Fitbits require a USB dongle or cable to sync with a computer.

Syncing on iPhone or Android phone

Open the Fitbit app on your phone. Tap the profile icon in the bottom right corner. Scroll down and tap the name of your Fitbit device. At the top of the screen, you will see a sync icon that looks like two curved arrows. Tap it. The app will show "Syncing" for a few seconds, then display a checkmark when the sync is complete.

If you have not set up the Fitbit app yet, read it from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store, create or log into your Fitbit account, and follow the pairing steps. During setup, the app will ask permission to use Bluetooth — allow it, because Fitbit cannot sync without Bluetooth access.

Automatic syncing happens whenever your phone is within about 30 feet of your Fitbit and Bluetooth is on. You do not need to open the app for automatic sync to work. If you notice your data is not updating, check that Bluetooth is enabled in your phone's settings and that the Fitbit app has permission to use it.

Syncing on a computer or web browser

Go to fitbit.com in any web browser and log into your account. Click your profile icon in the top right corner and select your device from the menu. Click the sync button — it looks like a circular arrow. The page will show "Syncing" briefly, then confirm the sync is complete.

Syncing on a computer depends on your Fitbit model. Newer models like the Fitbit Sense, Fitbit Versa 3, and Fitbit Inspire 3 sync over Bluetooth if your computer has Bluetooth built in. Older models like the Fitbit Charge 2 and Fitbit Alta require a USB dongle (a small wireless receiver) that plugs into your computer's USB port. If you have an older model and do not have the dongle, you can still sync through the Fitbit app on your phone instead.

If your computer has Bluetooth, make sure it is turned on in your system settings before syncing. On Windows, check Settings > Devices > Bluetooth. On Mac, check System Preferences > Bluetooth.

What to do if your Fitbit will not sync

Start by restarting both your Fitbit and your phone. To restart a Fitbit, hold the button on the side or back of the device for 10 to 15 seconds until you see the Fitbit logo on the screen. Then restart your phone normally. Wait 30 seconds and try syncing again.

Next, check that Bluetooth is on. On your phone, swipe down from the top of the screen to open the quick settings menu and tap the Bluetooth icon. Make sure it is highlighted or shows "on". Then open the Fitbit app and try syncing again.

If syncing still does not work, check that the Fitbit app has permission to use Bluetooth. On iPhone, go to Settings > Privacy > Bluetooth and make sure the Fitbit app is listed and toggled on. On Android, go to Settings > Apps > Fitbit > Permissions and turn on Bluetooth. Restart the app and try again.

If you are using a computer with a USB dongle, make sure the dongle is plugged in and the Fitbit app or web browser recognizes it. Unplug the dongle, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in. If the dongle is old or damaged, you may need to order a replacement from Fitbit's website.

How often you should sync

You do not need to sync manually if automatic syncing is working. Most people find that their Fitbit syncs several times a day without any action on their part, especially if they carry their phone with them. The Fitbit app syncs automatically when you open it, when your phone connects to Bluetooth, and at regular intervals throughout the day.

If you do not sync for several days, your Fitbit will store the data on the device itself. Once you sync, all the stored data uploads at once. You will not lose any steps, heart rate readings, or sleep data by waiting to sync, but syncing regularly makes it easier to track your progress in real time.

Syncing with multiple devices

You can sync your Fitbit to more than one phone or computer. Log into your Fitbit account on each device, and the app will recognize your Fitbit and sync its data. All devices will show the same data because they are all connected to the same Fitbit account.

If you switch to a new phone, log into the Fitbit app on the new phone with the same account you used on your old phone. The app will find your Fitbit and start syncing. You do not need to unpair or reset your Fitbit. If you want to stop syncing on your old phone, you can straightforward uninstall the app or log out of your account.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why is my Fitbit not syncing automatically?

Bluetooth is likely off on your phone or the Fitbit app does not have permission to use it. Check that Bluetooth is on in your phone's settings, then go to the app's permissions and make sure Bluetooth is allowed. If both are on, restart your phone and Fitbit, then try again.

Can I sync my Fitbit without the app?

Yes, you can sync through fitbit.com on any web browser by logging into your account and clicking the sync button. However, the Fitbit app is the easiest way to sync on a phone because it syncs automatically in the background.

Does syncing use a lot of battery?

No. Syncing uses very little battery on both your Fitbit and your phone. It takes only a few seconds and happens in the background. If your Fitbit battery is draining quickly, the cause is something other than syncing.

What happens to my data if I do not sync for a week?

Your Fitbit stores up to seven days of data on the device itself. Once you sync, all the stored data uploads to your account. You will not lose any information by waiting to sync, but syncing regularly keeps your data current in the app.

Can I sync my Fitbit to two phones at the same time?

Your Fitbit can be paired to only one phone at a time for Bluetooth syncing. If you want to use the Fitbit app on a second phone, you will need to unpair it from the first phone first. Both phones can view the same data through fitbit.com if you log in with the same account.