How do I use GPS on my Fitbit device?

Elevate your workouts by capturing GPS data with certain Fitbit devices. If your device doesn’t have GPS, use the Fitbit app to record GPS data.

To use connected or phone GPS, make sure that Allow Location Access is set to Always or All the time for the Fitbit app on your phone.

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Does my Fitbit device have GPS?

Device Name	GPS Type
Fitbit Charge 4 Fitbit Charge 5 Fitbit Charge 6	Dynamic GPS* Built-in GPS Phone (connected) GPS
Fitbit Sense 2 Fitbit Versa 4	Dynamic GPS*
Fitbit Sense Fitbit Versa 3 Google Pixel Watch series	Built-in GPS
Fitbit Blaze Fitbit Charge 2 Fitbit Charge 3 Fitbit Inspire HR Fitbit Inspire 2 Fitbit Inspire 3 Fitbit Luxe Fitbit Versa Fitbit Versa 2 Fitbit Versa LE	Phone (connected) GPS**

How do I get my Fitbit device to connect to GPS?

Built-in GPS

BEST PRACTICES

Charge your device to at least 80%, as built-in GPS can cause the battery to drain more quickly.
Go outside; then connect to GPS and start your exercise. To make sure the GPS connection is stable, you can wait up to 30 seconds after it shows "Connected" on your device's screen to tap the play icon and begin moving.
For Fitbit devices, sync your device regularly with the Fitbit app (at least once every 24 hours) to reduce the time it takes for the built-in GPS sensors to connect to GPS satellites. Make sure the location permission for the Fitbit app on your phone is always allowed. For instructions, go to the Apple help article or the Google (Android) help article.
Check that GPS is turned on for the exercise. Note that only exercises where you cover physical distance use GPS. For more information, go to How do I turn on GPS for an exercise on my Fitbit device?

TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS

If your device can’t connect to GPS satellites, or if gaps appear in the map of your route, try these tips:

Follow the recommendations for wearing your device for exercise. For more information, go to How do I wear my Fitbit device?
Try loosening the band 1 notch.
Make sure your device doesn't touch your wrist bone.
Wait until GPS is connected to start the exercise.
Note that if you’re using GPS for the first time in an area, connecting to GPS satellites might take several minutes. Heavily wooded areas and tall buildings can increase the time it takes to connect to GPS satellites.
If GPS didn’t connect the first time, wait 5 minutes before you start the exercise again.
(Charge 4, Charge 5, and Charge 6) If your tracker doesn’t connect to GPS satellites, end the exercise, change the GPS mode to Phone GPS, and start the exercise again. To change the GPS mode, go to How do I manage the GPS settings on my Fitbit device?
To reduce the time it takes for your device to connect to GPS satellites, hold your arm parallel to your body near your head and at least 2 inches away from you when you connect to GPS and start an exercise.

Phone (connected) GPS

REQUIREMENTS

Go outside, then connect to GPS and start your exercise.
Make sure that your device can sync with the Fitbit app. For more information, go to How do Fitbit devices sync their data?

Confirm that the Fitbit app can use your phone's GPS sensors:

iPhones

Confirm that the Fitbit app can use your location (Allow Location Access is set to Always). For instructions, go to Manage your Location History or visit Apple’s Location services help article.
Confirm that Background App Refresh is turned on for the Fitbit app. For instructions, go to Apple's help page.

Android phones

Confirm that the Fitbit app can use your location:

Location permission is set to Allow all the time. For instructions, go to Choose which apps use your Android phone’s location.
Precise Location is turned on.

Check that GPS is turned on for the exercise. Note that only exercises where you cover physical distance use GPS. For more information, go to How do I turn on GPS for an exercise on my Fitbit device?
Make sure that your phone is within 30 feet of your device.

Note: Heavily wooded areas and tall buildings can increase the time it takes to connect to GPS satellites

TROUBLESHOOTING STEPS

Check if GPS connects after each step.

Force quit, and reopen the Fitbit app to refresh the connection with your device. For instructions, go to the Apple help article or Find, open & close apps on Android.
On your phone, go to Settings Bluetooth. Turn Bluetooth off and back on.
Restart your phone.

How do I turn on GPS for an exercise on my Fitbit device?

How do I start an exercise with GPS on my Fitbit device?

How do I manage the GPS settings on my Fitbit device?

Turn GPS on or off for each exercise. For more information, go to How do I track my workouts with my Fitbit device?

Certain Fitbit devices have additional GPS settings.

Charge 4

On your tracker, open the Settings app GPS Settings tap to update a setting.

GLONASS and Low Power Mode are for Built-in GPS only.

Setting	How It Works
GPS Mode	Dynamic: Charge 4 sets the GPS type at the start of the workout. If you take your phone with you, Charge 4 uses your phone’s GPS sensors to map your route. If your phone is nearby but not moving when you start the exercise, Charge 4 uses built-in GPS. Built-in GPS: Charge 4 uses built-in GPS sensors to track your route, pace, distance, and other stats. This option can reduce battery life on your tracker. Phone GPS: Charge 4 uses your phone’s GPS sensors to track your route, pace, distance, and other stats. This option can help preserve battery life on your Fitbit device. Note: If the GPS signal is lost during the exercise, Charge 4 doesn't switch to a different GPS type.
GLONASS	For exercises with built-in GPS, this setting can shorten the time it takes for Charge 4 to find a GPS signal and enhance GPS performance. Note: Turning on this option can reduce battery life on your tracker.
Low Power Mode	For exercises with built-in GPS that last more than an hour, this setting can preserve battery life on Charge 4. To enhance built-in GPS performance, turn off the Low Power Mode option. Note: Turning off this option can reduce battery life on your tracker.

Setting

How It Works

GPS Mode

Dynamic: Charge 4 sets the GPS type at the start of the workout. If you take your phone with you, Charge 4 uses your phone’s GPS sensors to map your route. If your phone is nearby but not moving when you start the exercise, Charge 4 uses built-in GPS.
Built-in GPS: Charge 4 uses built-in GPS sensors to track your route, pace, distance, and other stats. This option can reduce battery life on your tracker.
Phone GPS: Charge 4 uses your phone’s GPS sensors to track your route, pace, distance, and other stats. This option can help preserve battery life on your Fitbit device.

Note: If the GPS signal is lost during the exercise, Charge 4 doesn't switch to a different GPS type.

GLONASS

For exercises with built-in GPS, this setting can shorten the time it takes for Charge 4 to find a GPS signal and enhance GPS performance.

Note: Turning on this option can reduce battery life on your tracker.

Low Power Mode

For exercises with built-in GPS that last more than an hour, this setting can preserve battery life on Charge 4. To enhance built-in GPS performance, turn off the Low Power Mode option.

Note: Turning off this option can reduce battery life on your tracker.

Charge 5 and Charge 6

Setting	How It Works
GPS Mode	Dynamic: Your tracker sets the GPS type at the start of the workout. If you take your phone with you, your tracker uses your phone’s GPS sensors to map your route. If your phone is nearby but not moving when you start the exercise, your tracker uses built-in GPS. Built-in GPS: Your tracker uses built-in GPS sensors to track your route, pace, distance, and other stats. This option can reduce battery life on your tracker. Phone GPS: Your tracker uses your phone’s GPS sensors to track your route, pace, distance, and other stats. This option can help preserve battery life on your Fitbit device. Note: If the GPS signal is lost during the exercise, your tracker doesn't switch to a different GPS type.