Having issues getting notifications to show up on your Fitbit Charge 2? This handy guide will walk you through some troubleshooting steps to get those notifications popping up on your tracker.
Make Sure Notifications are Enabled in the Fitbit App
The first thing to check is whether notifications are actually enabled in the Fitbit app. Open the app and go to the Settings tab. Tap “Notifications” and make sure the toggle is flipped to ON for the notifications you want to receive on your Fitbit (calls, texts, calendar alerts, etc.). If the toggles are off, flip them on and see if that fixes the issue.
Check That Your Phone and Fitbit App Are Compatible
In order for notifications to work properly, you need to have a compatible smartphone and Fitbit app version. Here are the compatibility requirements:
- iPhone 5S or later running at least iOS 12.0
- Android phone running at least Android 7.0
- Fitbit app version 2.38 or later
So make sure your phone meets those minimum OS requirements and that the Fitbit app is up-to-date. You may need to update your phone’s software or upgrade the Fitbit app in your phone’s app store.
Make Sure Bluetooth is On and Working
A Bluetooth connection between your phone and Fitbit device is required for notifications to work. Here are some tips for troubleshooting Bluetooth:
- On your phone, make sure Bluetooth is turned on. This is usually in the Settings area.
- Make sure the Fitbit app has permission to use Bluetooth on your phone. This is sometimes required after a phone OS update.
- Force close and restart the Fitbit app on your phone – this can refresh the Bluetooth connection.
- On the Fitbit, swipe left to the Settings screen and make sure Bluetooth is on.
- Restart both your phone and Fitbit to force a fresh Bluetooth connection.
Try Unpairing and Repairing the Fitbit
If there are still issues getting your notifications after checking the steps above, try unpairing your Fitbit from your phone and pairing it again:
- On your Fitbit, go to Settings > Bluetooth and tap “Forget This Device” to unpair it from your phone.
- In the Fitbit app, go to your account icon > Set Up a Device and remove the Fitbit.
- Place the Fitbit in pairing mode – the Bluetooth symbol will appear on its screen.
- In the Fitbit app, go back to Set Up a Device and select your Fitbit model to pair again.
Once paired, check to see if notifications are coming through. This process will force your phone and Fitbit to re-establish their connection, which may resolve any software bugs that were blocking notifications.
Restart Your Phone
As a catch-all troubleshooting step, completely restart your phone. This will reset all connections and processes and can often resolve little software glitches that may be preventing notifications from coming through.
Wait a few minutes once restarted and then check your Fitbit to see if notifications are working properly again.
Make Sure Apps Have Notification Access on Your Phone
For notifications to display on your Fitbit, the sending app needs notification access on your phone. Check the notification settings on your phone for each app you want to get notifications from:
- On iPhone – Go to Settings > Notifications > Select each app > Enable Allow Notifications and display on Lock Screen
- On Android – Go to Settings > Apps & Notifications > App Permissions > Make sure Show Notifications is enabled for each desired app
Granting notification access permissions for your messaging, email, calendar and other apps will allow those notifications to properly sync to your Fitbit.
Contact Fitbit Support
If you still can’t get notifications working after trying these troubleshooting tips, reach out to Fitbit’s customer support. They can further help diagnose the issue and determine if your Fitbit device may need a warranty replacement.
You can contact Fitbit support by:
- Starting a live chat on fitbit.com
- Calling 1-866-612-8874
Some key details to provide are your Fitbit model, phone make/model, Fitbit app version and steps you’ve tried. This will help support identify potential causes and solutions.
Common Reasons for Missing Notifications on a Fitbit Charge 2
If notifications are still hit-or-miss after troubleshooting, here are some common culprits to be aware of:
- Outdated tracker firmware – Check the Fitbit app to make sure your tracker is running the latest firmware and update if needed. Outdated firmware can cause syncing issues.
- Fitbit app needs reinstall – A buggy app install can prevent notifications from coming through reliably. Try uninstalling and reinstalling the app.
- Phone OS update required – New phone OS versions sometimes require app updates to maintain compatibility. Check that your OS is up-to-date.
- Too many notifications – Fitbit devices have limits on how many notifications can be displayed at one time. Try reducing notifications in your phone settings.
- Defective tracker – In some cases, a hardware defect prevents notifications from working properly, requiring a warranty replacement.
Fitbit Charge 2 Notification Settings
Once you get notifications working on your Charge 2, you can customize which apps you receive alerts from and how they behave on your tracker:
| Setting | Options |
|---|---|
| Calls | On/Off |
| Text Messages | On/Off |
| Calendar | On/Off |
| Emails | On/Off |
| Notifications Per Hour | Up to 10 |
You can toggle these notification settings on or off individually in the Fitbit app. The notifications per hour limit prevents you from being bombarded with too many alerts.
How to Read Notifications on a Charge 2
When you get an alert, your Fitbit Charge 2 will vibrate and the notification icon will flash on the tracker screen. To view the notification:
- Press the side button on your Charge 2 to wake up the screen.
- Swipe down from the top of the screen to access your notification tray.
- Swipe through the list of notifications.
The first 250 characters of the notification will be displayed. Press the side button again to exit notification view.
Conclusion
With notifications enabled in the Fitbit app, Bluetooth connected, OS up-to-date, and permissions granted, you should be able to finally see your calls, texts, calendar events and other alerts conveniently displayed right on your wrist. Use the troubleshooting steps outlined here to systematically diagnose and resolve any notification issues with your Fitbit Charge 2. Reach out to customer support if you continue having problems getting your tracker to display notifications properly. With a few tweaks and tests, you’ll be buzzing with updates and alerts in no time.