Notification

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Change phone notifications on my Fitbit device

Your Fitbit device can receive notifications from your nearby phone to keep you informed about calls, texts, meeting alerts, and app updates.

If you can’t get notifications, refer to:

Expand all Collapse all

How do I set up notifications

For more information about encryption, go to How to use the Google Health app on an Android phone.

Step 1. Get up-to-date

  1. Update the Google Health app. For instructions, go to Explore the Google Health app.
  2. Make sure your Fitbit device is up-to-date. For instructions, go to Update my Fitbit device.
  3. Make sure you installed the latest version of the Android OS.

Step 2. Verify your phone settings

Open the Settings app and confirm or adjust the following settings:

Bluetooth settings

Verify that Bluetooth is on. On your phone, tap Settings and then Connected devices and then Connection preferences and then Bluetooth.

Notifications

To get notifications from your phone on your Fitbit device, your phone must receive phone, text, calendar, and app notifications. Check the following settings:

  • Make sure your phone receives notifications while locked. On your phone, tap Settings and then Apps & notifications and then Notifications and then Notifications on lock screen.
  • To receive app notifications, make sure you receive app notifications on your phone. On your phone, tap Settings and thenApps & notifications and then Notifications and find Recently sent.
  • Make sure the Google Health app can run in the background on your phone. For more information, refer to How to use the Google Health app on an Android phone.

Do not disturb

This feature prevents your phone from sending notifications. Verify that do not disturb is off:

  1. On your phone, tap Settings and then Sound.
  2. Make sure Do not disturb is off.

Step 3. Set up notifications in the Google Health app

  1. Open the Google Health app .
  2. At the top left, tap Connections and then your device.
  3. Tap Notifications. Follow the on-screen instructions to pair your Fitbit device to your phone and allow the Google Health app to access notifications. For more information, refer to How to use the Google Health app on an Android phone.
  4. Choose the types of notifications you want to receive and the app you use most for each category. You can choose 1 app per category. The most common apps for these features are:
    • Calls—Dialer
    • Text messages—Messages
    • Calendar events—Calendar
    • Emails—Gmail
  5. Tap App Notifications to choose other apps you want notifications from.
  6. If you want to require that only encrypted notifications can pass from your phone to your Fitbit device:
    1. Tap the arrow in the top left to return to the Notifications screen.
    2. Scroll down and tap Require encryption.
    3. Close and reopen the Google Health app to start the bonding process required for sending encrypted data.
    4. If the bonding process fails, tap Re-enable and try again. Most phones bond immediately or after a few tries, but some phones can’t bond to your Fitbit device. Refer to the list of devices with known issues at How to use the Google Health app on an Android phone.
  7. If you receive messages in a language that doesn't use the Latin alphabet, for example Cyrillic or Arabic languages, your messages may not appear properly on your Fitbit device. To automatically convert unsupported characters into the closest Latin equivalent, tap Enable Transliteration.
  8. Sync your device.
Why are notifications delayed or missing
Step 1: Verify your settings

Notifications may skip or stop occasionally for several reasons. Verify the following:

Check your phone

  • Your phone must be within 30 feet of your Fitbit device to receive notifications.
  • You won’t get text notifications if you have the conversation open on your phone. Your Fitbit device shows new, unread texts.
  • You won’t get notifications if you turned on settings such as focus, do not disturb, quiet hours, or driving mode on your phone.

Check your Fitbit device

Check your Bluetooth connection

  • You're using multiple Bluetooth devices. If you have multiple Bluetooth devices paired to your phone, you may have trouble using more than one at the same time.
  • The connection between your phone and Fitbit device dropped. If you have an Android phone, make sure Enable Notification Widget is on. You can find this with the other notification settings in the Google Health app.
  • Make sure the Google Health app is allowed to run in the background on your phone. For more information about this option on Android phones, go to How to use the Google Health app on an Android phone.

Check for syncing and updates

  • Your device was syncing. Syncing can sometimes prevent or delay a notification.
  • You just updated the Google Health app. Restart your phone and try setting up notifications again.
Step 2: Complete the troubleshooting steps

If you reviewed the list above and can't get notifications to work, try the following:

  1. Make sure notifications are set up

    Make sure your phone is set to receive notifications from your Fitbit device. For more information, go to How do I set up notifications?

  2. Force quit the Google Health app

    Force quit the Google Health app, then reopen it to sync your Fitbit device.

  3. Reset Bluetooth
    1. On your phone, tap Settings and then Bluetooth.
    2. Turn off Bluetooth on your phone.
    3. Wait 10 seconds, then turn it back on.
    4. Open the Google Health app to sync your Fitbit device.
  4. Reset system notifications (iPhones and iPads)
    1. On your phone, tap Settings and then Bluetooth.
    2. Tap the information icon next to the name of your Fitbit device.
    3. Turn Share System Notifications off and then back on. If you can't find the Share System Notifications option:
      1. Restart your Fitbit device. For more information, go to Restart my Fitbit device.
      2. Tap Allow when you receive a message on your iPhone or iPad asking if you want your Fitbit device to show notifications.
      3. Tap the information icon next to the name of your Fitbit device
      4. Turn on Share System Notifications.
  5. Restart your Fitbit device
    1. Restart your device. For instructions, go to How do I restart my Fitbit device?
    2. Open the Google Health app to sync your Fitbit device.
  6. Refresh notifications
    1. Open the Google Health app .
    2. At the top left, tap Connections and then your device.
    3. Tap Notifications, then turn off all notifications.
    4. Restart your phone.
    5. Open the Google Health app and turn notifications back on, then sync your Fitbit device.
  7. Set up notifications again
    1. Tell your phone to "forget" the bluetooth connection to your Fitbit device:
    2. On your phone, tap Settings and then Bluetooth.
      1. Tap the information icon or gear icon next to the name of your Fitbit device.
      2. Find the option to forget the device.
    3. Open the Google Health app and set up notifications again, then sync your Fitbit device.
Which notifications can I get on my Fitbit device

Note that your phone must be within 30 feet of your Fitbit device to receive notifications.

Notification options
Fitbit device Calls Texts* Upcoming calendar events Apps*
Charge 3
Charge 4
Charge 5
Charge
Inspire series
Luxe
Sense series
Versa series
Blaze
Alta series  
Charge 2  
Flex 2    
Ace series      

* Use quick replies (Android only) to send customized responses to text messages and messages from certain apps with Fitbit Charge 3, Fitbit Charge 4, Fitbit Charge 5, Fitbit Charge 6, Fitbit Inspire 3, Fitbit Luxe, Fitbit Sense series, and Fitbit Versa series. For more information, go to How do I respond to messages with my Fitbit device?

How do I turn my Fitbit device’s notification setting on or off
Google Health app

You can turn off notifications from the Today tab in the Google Health app to prevent notifications. To do this:

  1. Open the Google Health app .
  2. At the top right, tap your Profile picture or Initial.
  3. Tap Google Health settings and then Push notifications.
  4. For each item, review and adjust your notifications settings.

Otherwise, follow the instructions below for your specific device.

Ace 2, Charge 2, Inspire, and Inspire HR

Press and hold the button. Tap to change the setting.

Ace 3 and Inspire 2
  1. Press and hold the buttons.
  2. Check your DND and Sleep mode settings.
Blaze
Hold the top right button for 3 seconds.
Charge 3
Press and hold the button.
Charge 4
  1. Press and hold the button, and swipe left to the quick settings screen.
  2. Check your DND and sleep mode settings.
Charge 5, Charge 6, Inspire 3, and Luxe
Swipe down from the clock face to access quick settings. Turn on DND mode or Sleep mode to turn notifications off. Make sure both settings are turned off to receive notifications.
Versa, Versa Lite Edition, and Versa 2
Swipe down from the top of your screen. After your notifications appear, swipe down again to open the control center. Tap the quick settings icon . Make sure you check your do not disturb and sleep mode settings.
Sense and Versa 3
Swipe right from the clock face on your watch to access quick settings. Turn on do not disturb or sleep mode to turn notifications off. Make sure both settings are turned off to receive notifications.
Sense 2 and Versa 4
Swipe down from the clock face on your watch to access quick settings. Turn on do not disturb or sleep mode to turn notifications off. Make sure both settings are turned off to receive notifications.
Google Pixel Watch series
  1. On the Google Pixel Watch, swipe down and tap Settings and then Apps & notifications and then Notifications and then Show all and then Google Health.
  2. For each item, review and adjust your notifications settings.

Tip: You can also reduce visual effects and animations on the screen if you prefer a simpler visual experience. Learn about accessibility features on Google Pixel Watch.

How do notifications work on my Fitbit device
Ace, Ace 2, and Alta series

Ace, Ace 2, Alta, and Alta HR vibrate when you receive a notification. Turn your wrist toward you or double-tap to show the notification. Notifications aren't stored on the device.

Note that Ace and Ace 2 only receive call notifications.

Receive Incoming notifications

Phone calls Name or number of the caller scrolls 3 times.
Text messages Sender and message scrolls once.
Calendar alerts Event information scrolls once.

Notification tips

  • To dismiss a notification, tap once.
  • Your device shows the first 40 characters of the notification. Check your phone for the full message.
  • A plus icon (+) means you have more than 1 notification to read. If you have 3 or more notifications, your screen displays the number of notifications and the corresponding symbols.
  • All notifications are shown horizontally, even if your clock orientation is normally vertical.
Ace 3, Inspire, Inspire HR, and Inspire 2

Your tracker vibrates when you receive a notification. Turn your wrist toward you or press the button or buttons to show the notification. On Inspire series, up to 10 notifications are stored in the Notifications app on your tracker.

Notifications screen

Note that Ace 3 only receives call notifications.

Receive Incoming notifications

Phone calls Name or number of the caller scrolls once. To dismiss the notification, press the button or buttons.
Text messages Name of the sender scrolls once above the message. Swipe up to read the full message.
Calendar alerts Name of the event scrolls once above or below the time and location.
App notifications Name of the app or sender scrolls once above the message. Swipe up to read the full message.

Notification tips

  • Your device shows the first 250 characters of the notification. Check your phone for the full message.
  • To dismiss a notification, press the button or buttons.
  • To delete all notifications, swipe to the bottom of the Notifications app , and tap Clear All.
  • If you clear a notification in the Notifications app , it’s also removed from your phone's notification center. If you clear a notification from your phone, it’s also removed from your tracker.

Temporarily turn off notifications

When you turn on the do not disturb or driving mode setting on your phone, your Fitbit device receives notifications but won’t alert you. Swipe down from the top of the screen to display your notifications.

To temporarily turn off notifications on your Fitbit device:

  • Inspire and Inspire HR—Press and hold the button on your tracker and tap Notifications. The setting illuminates in quick settings.
  • Ace 3 and Inspire 2—Press and hold the buttons on your device and tap DND or Sleep . The setting illuminates in quick settings. For more information, go to How do I navigate my Fitbit device?

If you have an Android phone, you can set your Fitbit device to always send you notifications:

  1. Open the Google Health app .
  2. At the top left, tap Connections and then your device.
  3. Tap Notifications. In the Vibration Settings section, turn on the Always Vibrate option.
Blaze

Blaze vibrates when you receive a notification. Your device stores up to 30 recent notifications and automatically deletes them after 24 hours.

Receive Incoming notifications

Swipe up from the clock screen to display your notifications, and tap a notification to expand it.

Phone calls Name or number of the caller. If you have an iPhone, you can also accept or reject calls on your Fitbit device.
Text messages Name or number of the sender and the message. Note that you can choose to only display the sender in your app settings.
Calendar alerts Name, location, and time of an upcoming event. You receive notifications for events that start within an hour.
Emails Name of the sender and the subject contents of the message.
App notifications App name and the message.

Notification tips

  • To delete 1 notification, tap to open it and swipe right.
  • To delete all notifications at once, swipe up and tap Clear All.
  • Your device shows the first 160 characters of a notification. Swipe up to display the full message.
  • To exit the notifications screen, press the back (left) button.

Answer or Reject phone calls

If paired to an iPhone, Blaze lets you accept or reject incoming phone calls. When you receive a phone call notification, tap the green phone icon to accept the call, or tap the red phone icon to reject the call.

Note that you can’t speak into the device—accepting a phone call answers the call on your nearby phone.

Charge 2

Charge 2 vibrates when you receive a notification. Turn your wrist toward you or press the button to show the notification. You have 1 minute to read it. Notifications aren't stored on the device.

Notification tips

  • A plus icon (+) means you have more than 1 notification to read.
  • To dismiss a notification, press the button.
  • Your device shows the first 40 characters of the notification. Check your phone for the full message.
Charge 3, Charge 4, Sense series, and Versa series

Your Fitbit device vibrates when you receive a notification. Turn your wrist toward you or press the button to display the notification. Notifications are stored on the device.

Receive Incoming notifications

From the clock face, swipe up (Sense 2 and Versa 4) or down from the top of the screen (all other devices) to display your notifications. Tap a notification to expand it.

Phone calls Name or number of the caller appears. If you have an iPhone or Android phone, you can also accept or reject calls on your Fitbit device.
Text messages Name or number of the sender and the message appear.
Calendar alerts Name, location, and time of the event appear.
Email notifications Name of the sender, subject, and message appear.
App notifications App name and message appear.

Notification tips

  • To delete 1 notification, tap the notification and then Clear.
  • To delete all notifications at once, swipe to the end of your notifications and tap Clear All.
  • For longer notifications, tap the notification to receive the full message.
  • To exit the notifications screen, press the back button or swipe down (Sense 2 and Versa 4) or up (all other devices).
  • If you clear a notification from your device, the notification is removed from your phone's notification center. If you clear a notification from your phone, the notification is removed from your device.

Temporarily turn off notifications

When you turn on the do not disturb or driving mode setting on your phone, your Fitbit device receives notifications but won’t alert you. Swipe down from the top of the screen to show your notifications.

To temporarily turn off notifications on your Fitbit device:

  • Charge 3—open the Settings app on your device and find the option to turn off Notifications During Sleep.
  • Charge 4—press and hold the button on your device, and swipe left to the quick settings screen. Tap DND or Sleep Mode . For more information, go to How do I navigate my Fitbit device?
  • Versa, Versa Lite Edition, and Versa 2—swipe down from the top of your screen. After your notifications appear, swipe down again to open the control center. Tap the quick settings icon and then Do Not Disturb or Sleep Mode . For more information, go to How do I navigate my Fitbit device?
  • Sense and Versa 3—swipe right from the clock face to open the quick settings screen. Tap the do not disturb icon or sleep mode icon . For more information, go to How do I navigate my Fitbit device?
  • Sense 2 and Versa 4—swipe down from the clock face to open the quick settings screen. Tap the do not disturb icon or sleep mode icon . For more information, go to How do I navigate my Fitbit device?

If you have an Android phone, you can set your Fitbit device to always send you notifications:

  1. Open the Google Health app .
  2. At the top left, tap Connections and then your device.
  3. Tap Notifications. In the Vibration Settings section, turn on the Always Vibrate option.

Answer or Reject calls

If paired to an iPhone or Android phone, your Fitbit device lets you accept or reject incoming phone calls. If your phone is running an older version of the Android OS, you can reject, but not accept, calls on your device.

For information on using Sense and Versa 3 to take on-wrist calls, go to How do I take on-wrist phone calls with my Fitbit smartwatch?

For other devices, note that you can’t speak into the device—accepting a phone call answers the call on your nearby phone.

To accept or reject a phone call:

  • Charge 3 and Charge 4—to accept a call, tap the check mark. To reject a call, tap the x icon.

    An incoming call on a Fitbit device
  • Sense series and Versa series—to accept a call, tap the green phone icon. To reject a call, tap the red phone icon.

Incoming call from Mom

Charge 5, Charge 6, Inspire 3, and Luxe

Your Fitbit device vibrates when you receive a notification. Turn your wrist toward you to get the notification. If you don't read the notification when it arrives, you can check it later in the Notifications app . Notifications are stored on the device.

Receive Incoming notifications

Swipe right or left to the Notifications app , then swipe up to open it. Tap a notification to expand it. Your tracker shows the first 250 characters of the notification. Check your phone for the full message.

Phone calls Name or number of the caller appears. If you have an iPhone or Android phone, you can also accept or reject calls on your Fitbit device.
Text messages Name or number of the sender and the message appear.
Calendar alerts Name, location, and time of the event appear.
Email notifications Name of the sender, subject, and message appear.
App notifications App name and message appear.

Notification tips

In the Notifications app :

  • To delete 1 notification, tap the notification swipe up and tap Clear.
  • To delete all notifications at once, swipe up until you reach the end of your notifications and tap Clear All.
  • For longer notifications, tap the notification to display the full message.
  • To exit the notifications screen, swipe right.
  • If you clear a notification from your device, the notification is removed from your phone's notification center. If you clear a notification from your phone, the notification is removed from your device.

Temporarily turn off notifications

When you turn on the do not disturb or driving mode setting on your phone, your Fitbit device receives notifications but won’t alert you. View your notifications in the Notifications app .

To temporarily turn off notifications on your Fitbit device, swipe down from the clock screen to access quick settings tap DND mode or sleep mode . For more information, go to How do I navigate my Fitbit device?

If you have an Android phone, you can set your Fitbit device to always send you notifications:

  1. Open the Google Health app .
  2. At the top left, tap Connections and then your device.
  3. Tap Notifications. In the Vibration Settings section, turn on the Always Vibrate option.

Answer or Reject calls

If paired to an iPhone or Android phone, your Fitbit device lets you accept or reject incoming phone calls. Note that you can’t speak into the device—accepting a phone call answers the call on your nearby phone.

To accept a call, tap the green phone icon on your tracker's screen. To reject a call, tap the red phone icon.

Incoming call screen

Flex 2

Flex 2 vibrates and shows a light pattern when you receive a notification.

Receive Incoming notifications

Phone calls Flex 2 vibrates twice and shows 1 blue light and 4 white lights, repeated up to 4 times.
Text messages Flex 2 vibrates once and shows 1 blue light and 1 white light.
Troubleshooting quick tips for iPhones

Updates

Make sure the Google Health app, your phone, and your Fitbit device are up-to-date.

Share system notifications

  1. Tap Settings and then Bluetooth and then next to the name of your Fitbit device.
  2. Turn Share System notifications off and then back on.

If you don’t receive the Share system notifications option:

  1. Restart your Fitbit device.
  2. Tap Allow when you receive a message on your phone asking if you want your Fitbit device to show notifications.
  3. Tap next to the name of your Fitbit device and turn on Share System Notifications.

Show previews

Tap Settings and then Notifications. Make sure Show Previews is set to Always or When Unlocked.

App notification settings

For each app that sends notifications, tap Settings and then Notifications and then the name of the app and verify these settings:

  • Allow Notifications—On
  • Alerts and then Notification Center—On
  • Show PreviewsAlways or When Unlocked

If you still don't get notifications after trying these tips:

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