How to sync your Fitbit with an iPhone and track all of your fitness data in one app
- You can sync your Fitbit to your iPhone through the mobile Fitbit app.
- There are also a few tricks you can try if your Fitbit is being stubborn, and won't connect to your iPhone.
- Visit Business Insider's homepage for more stories.
Fitbits may not have been the first fitness trackers invented, or the first to market, but Fitbit's line of trackers are among the most popular and ubiquitous of their kind.
Let's take a look at how to get your Fitbit set up and synced to your iPhone - and how to troubleshoot it if you lose your connection between the devices.
Check out the products mentioned in this article:
Fitbit Charge 3 (For $149.95 at Best Buy)
iPhone Xs (From $999.99 at Best Buy)
How to sync a Fitbit with your iPhone
Getting started
With your new Fitbit in hand (or on wrist), the first thing you'll want to do is download the Fitbit app from the App Store on your iPhone.
Christopher Curley/Business InsiderDownload the free Fitbit app onto your iPhone.
Next, you'll either sign up for a new Fitbit account or log in if you have a pre-existing one.
From here, you'll get to select your Fitbit device model and start the setup process. This will include entering account details and personal information about your height, weight, age and other relevant details to help the device help you achieve your fitness goals.
Christopher Curley/Business InsiderSet up your Fitbit app by selecting your height, weight, age, and what type of Fitbit device you're using.
Syncing a Fitbit for the first time
When syncing a Fitbit for the first time, your device will display a four-digit code that helps you pair the device with Bluetooth. Input this number and you'll be prompted to connect via Bluetooth (make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your iPhone!).
Christopher Curley/Business InsiderYour Fitbit will display a code that you'll need to enter on your iPhone.
You'll also be prompted to receive notifications from the Fitbit app. Even if you're the type of person who dislikes push notifications, for the Fitbit, they can be pretty handy since you may want to track certain health metrics throughout the day.
After this, you'll be taken to your Fitbit's home screen, where you'll see all of the device's relevant tracking metrics, as well as how to set up additional ones.
Modifying your sync options
If you want to change your sync options, select the profile icon in the top left corner of the Fitbit app's home screen on your iPhone. This will show you individual account settings, as well as settings for the Fitbit device itself.
Select your device and scroll down on the device settings screen to the "Sync" section.
"All-Day Sync" will be toggled on by default, but can drain your phone and Fitbit's battery power - though not severely.
Toggle it off, and you can always sync by selecting "Sync Now" on this screen. The app will also attempt to sync whenever you open it.
Christopher Curley/Business InsiderYou can set your Fitbit to sync automatically, or choose to sync it yourself.
When syncing fails
Sometimes your Fitbit will get stuck and hang up while trying to sync. When this happens, it's helpful to go into the Settings on your iPhone, and first try toggling your Bluetooth on and off.
You can also try reconnecting the Fitbit if it's not connected to Bluetooth.
Christopher Curley/Business InsiderIf your Fitbit won't sync, make sure that Bluetooth is enabled, and that your Fitbit is connected.
If all else fails, select the Fitbit in your Bluetooth settings, click "Forget This Device," and then try re-pairing it when it appears back in your Bluetooth screen.
Related coverage from How To Do Everything: Tech:
How to turn off your Fitbit Versa to conserve its battery, or restart it for troubleshooting
How to charge a Fitbit Alta, and what to do if your Alta isn't charging
Here's how long it takes a Fitbit to charge, and how long its charge should last
'Which Fitbit is waterproof?': A guide to the water-resistance of every Fitbit model