Fitbit smartwatches and fitness trackers work with iPhones that run on iOS 15 or later. Ideally, anyone who owns an iPhone 6S or newer can use a Fitbit device. However, the Google Pixel Watch series aren’t compatible with iPhones despite being part of the Fitbit ecosystem.
In this guide, I show you how to connect your Fitbit device to an iPhone, step-by-step. Additionally, you learn what to do if your Fitbit wearable won’t synchronize data to your iPhone.
How to Connect Your Fitbit to Your iPhone
To set up a Fitbit with an iPhone:
- Charge your Fitbit device.
- Download the Fitbit app.
- Complete your profile.
- Add a Fitbit to your account.
- Use the Fitbit for health and fitness tracking.
Charge Your Fitbit Device
Use the proprietary USB cables or a Fitbit compatible charging station (dock) to charge your Fitbit. Leave the device on the charger for at least 60 minutes for the battery to get enough charge.
A full battery charge is great, but a 50 percent battery level should be decent enough to get you through the set up process.
Turn on the Fitbit once you have it fully or partially charged. Choose your preferred language if you’re turning on the device for the first time.
Download the Fitbit App
Go to the App Store on your iPhone and download the Fitbit app.
- Open the app once the download is complete.
- Tap Sign in with Google.
- Select the Google account you’d like to use.
- Tap “continue as a new user”.
- Give your consent to Fitbit.
- Accept Terms of Service and Privacy Policy.
- Tap Agree & continue button.
Complete Your Profile
You do this by filling out the required information.
Ensure your height, sex, and weight are correct because the algorithm uses your height and weight to calculate your basal metabolic rate (BMR), which is an important metric that enables Fitbit to calculate calories your body burns.
Complete this step by updating your email and notification preferences.
Add a Fitbit Device to Your Account
To add a Fitbit smartwatch or tracker to your iPhone:
- Enable Bluetooth on your iPhone.
- Open the Fitbit app.
- Tap Add device.
- Select the type of Fitbit you would like to add to your account.
- Tap “Start Setup”.
- Read the information on the next screen and agree to continue.
- Let the Fitbit app to scan for your tracker or smartwatch and send a four-digit verification code to its screen.
- Enter the code in the Fitbit app.
- Accept the Bluetooth pairing request that pops up on your iPhone’s screen.
- Allow or dismiss your iPhone from sending notifications to Fitbit.
- Update the location access for the Fitbit app.
- Install Fitbit updates if the app asks you to do so.
And that’s it.
One of the best things about connecting a Fitbit to an iPhone is you can have multiple devices connected to the same account provided they are of different types. That makes sense especially if you like to swap wearable devices from time to time.
Keep in mind that if you use multiple devices connected to the same Fitbit account, the algorithm will combine your health and fitness data from each device and give you only the total value.
Use Your Fitbit Device
Now that your profile set up is complete, wear your Fitbit and use it for health and fitness tracking. Placement is crucial. So wear the device to a snug fit by adjusting the bands accordingly so that the built-in sensors work optimally.
You can use Fitbit without an iPhone, only you won’t be able to sync your health and fitness stats to the smartphone in real time. So you’ll need to come back later and sync your data manually to the Fitbit app if you don’t bring your iPhone with you during a workout session.
Sync Your Stats to Your Fitbit Profile on iPhone
Fitbit uses Bluetooth Low Energy to sync automatically to your Fitbit profile when the tracker or smartwatch is in range with your iPhone.
However, you can sync Fitbit manually to have the latest activity data sent your profile, especially after an intense workout that requires in-depth insights analysis.
Why Won’t My Fitbit Sync to My iPhone?
Your Fitbit won’t sync to iPhone because the iOS version is not up to date. You have to update the operating system to iOS 14 or later. Additionally, the device won’t connect to the smartphone if Bluetooth is off. So ensure you turn this on before you begin the sync process.
