I didn’t know we could connect and set up Fitbit with PC initially. It was when my phone broke down, and I had to give it for maintenance I came to know about it. I told my friend I wouldn’t be able to sync my Fitbit with my phone for a few days. Then she told me that I could sync my Fitbit with my PC as well!! I felt embarrassed at the moment for not knowing such an important thing. But better late than never, I even learned how to sync my Fitbit to my PC. So, here I share with you a step by step guide to set up your Fitbit with your Mac or Windows PC. Also, by the end of this article, you will learn some ways to troubleshoot when your Fitbit and PC don’t sync.
Setting up the Fitbit with your PC is as simple as syncing Fitbit with your mobile phone. You just need to connect the Fitbit with your PC with the help of Bluetooth or a Fitbit sync dongle. Then set up your device using the Fitbit Connect app.
Prerequisites To Sync Fitbit With PC
Before we begin, let’s know about prerequisites to sync your Fitbit with Mac or Windows PC. You will need the Fitbit Connect app and Fitbit Dongle or Bluetooth 4.0 along with your PC and Fitbit.
Fitbit Connect
Fitbit Connect is a free application developed by Fitbit Inc, for syncing Fitbit with your PC as we use the Fitbit app to sync our Fitbit with our mobile phones, its Fitbit Connect in the case of PC. We can download this app easily from our browsers.
Fitbit Sync Dongle
Fitbit Sync Dongle is a tiny USB device that allows communication between your Fitbit Fitness tracker and your PC. It is to be used when your PC is not equipped with Bluetooth Low Energy(BLE) 4.0 or when Bluetooth connection between your devices is poor. Not all the models of Fitbit come with free Dongle, but you can purchase it from Fitbit Store.
Here is the link: https://www.fitbit.com/eu/store
Bluetooth 4.0
Bluetooth Low Energy(BLE) 4.0 is the version of Bluetooth that consumes a lower battery. It is mostly used in blood pressure monitors, pedometers, and glucometers, etc. Windows 8 and above supports Bluetooth 4. Also, all the recent Macbooks support BLE 4.0.
Are you wondering if your computer is compatible to sync with your Fitbit or not?
Check it out here: fitbit.com/devices
Connect and Set Up Fitbit With PC
In this short article, we will provide you step with step processes to sync your Fitbit with your PC. By PC here, we indicate Mac and Windows PC both. This will provide you the advantage of getting your health stats on your computer, getting notifications on your tracker, getting health alerts on your computer, and many more.
Syncing Fitbit With Mac
You can connect your Fitbit Fitness tracker or smartwatch with your Mac in a few easy steps. You will need your Fitbit, your Apple Computer, Bluetooth 4.0 enabled, or Fitbit sync dongle for this entire process. Here you go:
Step 1: Download the “Fitbit Connect” Application To Your Macbook
Here are steps to download Fitbit Connect to your Mac:
- Go to your browser and type: www.fitbit.com/setup or download Fitbit Connect from App Store.
- Scroll down and click on the pink button, which says
“Download for MAC“
- When the app is downloaded, open it, agree to “Terms and
Conditions” and click on Install.
The Fitbit Connect will be installed on your Mac.
Step 2: Establish Bluetooth Connection
You need to connect your Fitbit with your PC for the syncing process. So, you can connect your Fitbit to Mac via Bluetooth or through a wireless sync dongle.
Connecting via Dongle
- Insert the Fitbit Sync Dongle into one of the USB ports.
- Keep your Fitbit at most 20 feet apart from the Fitbit Dongle.
- After some time, the Fitbit will pair with the app.
Connecting via Bluetooth
- Go to the System Preferences icon on your PC, and switch on the Bluetooth.
- Keep your Fitbit near to your computer(at most 20 feet).
- Connect to the Fitbit from the available devices list.
Step 3: Set up your device
1. Open the Fitbit app on your Mac.
2. Click on “Set Up a New Fitbit Device“[Set Up a New Fitbit Device Or Sync Now will be two given options].
3. You will be given two options[New to Fitbit, Existing User]. Click on “Existing User.”
4. Enter your email and password.
5. Agree to the “Terms and Conditions.”
6. Update your profile
7. Select your Fitbit Device
(It will search for your device which is connected via Dongle or Bluetooth )
Step 4: Enter confirmation Code
When the Fitbit is successfully connected with your Mac, it sends a 4 digit code to your Fitbit; you need to enter that code to your Mac. ( But if you are using Flex, you won’t get code on your Fitbit. Follow the instructions presented on your screen to connect.)
Click on Next.
Step 5: Final Setup
Your screen will display some of the features of your Fitbit. Click on Next to see more Features.
In the end, you will see the “Go to Dashboard” button. Click it.
The click will take you to your new tab, where you will see your stats.
Congratulations, you have successfully synced your Fitbit with your Mac.
Connect and Set Up Fitbit With Windows PC
You can connect and set up Fitbit With Windows PC using the Fitbit Connect app, a Fitbit Dongle, or BLE 4.0 only. You can easily sync Fitbit with your Windows PC using the following steps:
Step 1: Download the Fitbit Connect App
You can download the Fitbit Connect app from the Windows Store app or directly through the browser.
To download through the browser, use these steps:
- Go to your browser and go to the link: www.fitbit.com/setup.
- Scroll down until you find a pink button that states Download For WINDOWS. Click it.
When the app is downloaded by whichever method, open the downloaded file, agree to the Terms and Conditions, and start the installation.
Step 2: Connect The Fitbit To The PC
The second step is to connect the Fitbit to your PC via Fitbit Sync Dongle or Bluetooth 4.0.
Connecting with Dongle
If you have a Fitbit Wireless Dongle, it is quick to connect. Check out the steps to connect Fitbit through Dongle:
- Insert the Fitbit Sync Dongle into one of the USB ports.
- Keep your Fitbit at most 20 feet apart from the Fitbit Dongle.
- After some time, the Fitbit will pair with the app.
Connecting through Bluetooth
These steps can help you to connect your Fitbit to your PC:
- Go to the Action Center and then to All settings on your PC.
- Go to Devices, and switch the Bluetooth on.
- Keep your Fitbit near to your computer(at most 20 feet).
- Connect to the Fitbit from the available devices list.
Step 3: Set Up Your Fitbit To Your PC
Open the in installed Fitbit Connect app. And start the process of setting up:
- Click on “Set Up a New Fitbit Device“[Set Up a New Fitbit Device Or Sync Now will be two given options].
- You will be given two options[New to Fitbit, Existing User]. Click on “Existing User.”
- Enter your email and password.
- Agree to the “Terms and Conditions.”
- Update your profile
- Select your Fitbit Device
(It will search for your device which is connected via Dongle or Bluetooth from Step: 2)
Step 4: Enter confirmation Code
When the Fitbit is successfully connected with your Mac, it sends a 4 digit code to your Fitbit; you need to enter that code to your Mac.
( But if you are using Flex, you won’t get code on your Fitbit. Follow the instructions presented on your screen to connect.)
Click on Next.
Step 5: Final Setup
Your screen will display some of the features of your Fitbit. Click on Next to see more Features.
In the end, you will see the “Go to Dashboard” button. Click it.
The click will take you to your new tab, where you will see your stats.
Syncing The Fitbit With Mobile Or PC: Which Is Better?
Now since we know that we can sync our Fitbit with phones and computers both, let’s compare which is better. By phones, we indicate tablets and pads also. We will give you a brief synopsis on connecting with both phones and mobiles. It’s you to decide which is convenient for you.
Connecting With Mobile Phone Is Better If
- Syncing your activities 24/7 is preferred.
- You want to access and monitor your health statistics easily through your phone.
- You prefer getting notifications on your tracker.
Connecting With Computer Is Better If
- The mobile phone is not available
- You work on your computer for the whole day.
- Saving the battery of your phone is important. (Switching on your Bluetooth for a long time can drain a lot of battery).
- Syncing a few times a day only is your intention.
Troubleshooting Syncing Problems In Fitbit
Even though you follow all the steps for syncing, your Fitbit can sometimes refuse to sync. Most of the time, it can be because all the parameters are not matched, or the connection is poor. So, here we suggest a few steps to troubleshoot syncing problems of your Fitbit with the PC:
Check your Bluetooth Connection.
First of all, make sure that your Bluetooth is turned on. Then check its connectivity with Fitbit. If you detect any connection problems, it is better to use Fitbit Sync Dongle.
And sometimes, when your dongle even doesn’t work well, just unplug it and plug it again. Or you can even change the USB plug where it was plugged.
Reconnect Your Device
Sometimes your device is connected to your PC, but still, it doesn’t sync. In that situation, it is better to remove your Fitbit from connected devices and connect again. You can follow these steps for reconnecting:
– Select your Fitbit from connected devices and click on “Forget” or “Remove Device.”
– Keep your Fitbit nearby so that it appears again.
– When it appears, pair it.
Reinstall The Fitbit App
Fitbit app can misbehave sometimes, so you can just uninstall it and install it again. You can also try logging your account from other devices.
Restart Your Fitbit
Restarting your device can help to fix syncing issues. Various Models of Fitbit have different ways to restart your Fitbit.
You can check the ways to restart your Fitbit here: https://help.fitbit.com/articles/en_US/Help_article/1186.htm
Remove All The Connected Devices
Sometimes you may connect more than one Fitbit to your account. This may hinder syncing your Fitbit with your PC. So, remove all other devices from the connected list. Also, while connecting with Bluetooth, your PC may have many devices connected. Remove that too. This helps to sync Fitbit with your PC.
Conclusion
Connecting and setting up your Fitbit with a PC can help you sync your health statistics to your account. If you want to retain your phone’s battery for a longer period of time, this may be the best option. So consider connecting and setting up Fitbit with your PC, which above mentioned easy steps and enjoys your Fitbit features to the fullest.
