Troubleshooting missing Fitbit activity data

Why isn't my Fitbit activity syncing to Paceline?

If your Fitbit activity isn't appearing in Paceline, don't worry — it's usually a simple permissions or connection issue. The steps below will help refresh the connection so your movement is recognized and counted toward your progress.

Troubleshooting Missing Activity Data

Quick Fixes

1. Update your Fitbit app, Fitbit firmware, and phone software to the latest versions

2. Confirm the following settings are enabled:

   iPhone:

   • Settings → Privacy & Security → Motion & Fitness → Turn Fitness Tracking and Health ON

     Why: This allows Paceline to read your phone's motion data and helps the Fitbit app use your phone's sensors.

   • Settings → Bluetooth → ON

     Why: Fitbit syncs to the Fitbit app via Bluetooth before syncing data to Paceline.

   • Settings → General → Background App Refresh → Paceline → ON

     Why: Ensures Paceline can update and import your activity data smoothly, even when the app isn't open.

3. Android:

   • Settings → Apps → Fitbit → Permissions → Turn On Physical Activity and Nearby Devices / Bluetooth, and Location

     Why: Required by Fitbit for Bluetooth scanning, allows Fitbit to sync your heart rate, steps, and Active Minutes.

   • Settings → Apps → Fitbit → Battery → Unrestricted (or Allow background activity, depends on the phone)

     Why: This prevents Android from pausing Fitbit sync in the background.

   • Settings → Connections → Data Usage → Fitbit → Background Data → ON (for Pixel: Settings → Network & Internet → Data Usage → Fitbit → Background Data → ON)

     Why: This ensures Fitbit can send and receive data even when the app isn't open.

   • Settings → Bluetooth → ON

     Why: Fitbit must sync via Bluetooth before Paceline can read your data.

4. Open Paceline and keep it open in the foreground for 3–5 minutes on a strong Wi-Fi or cellular connection (this is important)

5. On the Activity tab, tap and pull down to refresh the data — If your activity appears, you're good to go. If not, continue below

Advanced Fitbit Sync Troubleshooting

1. Delete and reinstall the Paceline app on your phone
2. Re-enable all Required Settings for your phone
3. Make sure both your phone and Fitbit device are charged to at least 50% battery
4. Reconnect Fitbitto Paceline:
   • Paceline → Profile → Linked Fitness Devices → Fitbit → tap to Unlink → Re-link
5. Fitbit app configuration:
   • Fitbit → Profile → Manage Third-Party Apps / Connected Apps → allow Paceline to access Activity & Exercise and Heart Rate
6. Open Paceline and let it sit in the foreground for several minutes to complete a sync
7. On the Activity tab, tap and pull down to refresh the data

If your activity still doesn't appear after 24 hours, please contact us with a screenshot of the missing Active Minutes or Workouts from your Fitbit app. Since we don't have your physical device in-hand, this helps us find where the sync is getting stuck so that we can get you back on track.

Tips to improve reliability

• Keep the Fitbit app installed and up to date
• Keep your Fitbit and phone in close proximity during workouts
• Leave Bluetooth ON so your Fitbit stays synced with your phone
• Open Paceline at least once a week — the more often you open it, the more reliably we can sync your data and maintain syncing permissions
• Open the Fitbit app regularly so your latest activity syncs before Paceline pulls it
• Not every fitness device can automatically track every workout type — check which workouts your device can auto-sense and which need to be manually started
• Some fitness devices default to Sunday–Saturday weeks, while Paceline weeks run Monday 00:00 → Sunday 23:59 (your local time) — update your week start in your device's app settings if you'd like them to match