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Can Fitbit Play Music? Decoding the Rhythms of Your Wrist

Yes, some Fitbit models can indeed play music, but not all. The ability to play music directly from your Fitbit depends on the specific model and whether you have a Premium subscription. While some models offer on-device storage for music and connectivity to music streaming services like Deezer and Pandora, others require you to control music playing on your smartphone. Let’s delve deeper into the soundscape of Fitbit and explore the rhythmic possibilities available to you.

Understanding Fitbit’s Music Capabilities

Fitbit’s integration with music has evolved over the years. Early models had limited or no music functionality, while newer ones offer a more robust experience. To understand if your Fitbit can play music, you need to consider a few key factors:

Model: The specific Fitbit model you own is the primary determinant.
Music Storage: Does the Fitbit have internal storage for music files?
Streaming Service Compatibility: Can the Fitbit connect to music streaming services?
Smartphone Connection: Does the Fitbit control music playing on your phone?

Fitbit Models with Music Playback

Several Fitbit models are equipped to handle music playback, each with its own nuances. Here’s a breakdown:

Fitbit Sense & Sense 2

The Fitbit Sense and Sense 2 do not directly support on-device music storage like the older Versa models. They are primarily designed to control music playing on your smartphone via Bluetooth. They can, however, control Spotify.

Fitbit Versa Series (Versa, Versa 2, Versa 3, Versa 4)

The Versa series used to be the flagship for music playback on Fitbit. The original Versa, Versa 2, and Versa 3 offered the ability to store music directly on the device (limited to around 300 songs depending on file size). Users could transfer music files to the watch via the Fitbit Connect software.

However, Fitbit has discontinued support for transferring music to the Versa series. This means that while these devices are capable of storing music, they no longer offer the functionality to easily manage and transfer music files, unless you use third-party apps (if available).

The Versa 4 follows the Sense 2 in that it mainly controls music via your smartphone and supports controlling Spotify playback.

Fitbit Ionic

The Fitbit Ionic, much like the older Versa models, also supported on-device music storage. Similar to the Versa series, the Ionic’s music transfer functionality has also been discontinued.

Fitbit Charge Series (Charge 4, Charge 5, Charge 6)

The Charge series from Charge 4 to Charge 6 do not store music. Instead, they offer music control, allowing you to play, pause, skip tracks, and adjust the volume of music playing on your connected smartphone.

Fitbit Luxe & Inspire Series

The Fitbit Luxe and Inspire series (Inspire 2, Inspire 3) focus primarily on fitness tracking and offer music control features for your smartphone.

How to Play Music on a Compatible Fitbit

Here’s how you can leverage the music capabilities of your Fitbit, depending on the model:

On-Device Storage (Historically, Versa/Ionic): If you have an older Versa or Ionic with music already loaded:
- Connect your Fitbit to Bluetooth headphones or speakers.
- Open the Music app on your Fitbit.
- Select the desired playlist or song.
Music Control (Most models):
- Ensure your Fitbit is paired with your smartphone via Bluetooth.
- Start playing music on your smartphone using your preferred music app (Spotify, Apple Music, etc.).
- Use the music control app on your Fitbit to manage playback.
Streaming Services (Deezer, Pandora – Limited Support):
- If your Fitbit supports Deezer or Pandora, you will need a Premium subscription for these services.
- Download and install the Deezer or Pandora app on your Fitbit through the Fitbit app store.
- Link your Deezer or Pandora account to your Fitbit.
- Download playlists to your Fitbit for offline listening (if the service still allows it).

Managing Music on Your Fitbit

Managing music on your Fitbit requires navigating the Fitbit app and, in some cases, third-party software.

Fitbit App: The Fitbit app is the central hub for managing your Fitbit. You can use it to connect your Fitbit to music services (if supported) and control basic settings.
Transferring Music (Historically): In the past, the Fitbit Connect software was used to transfer music files to Fitbit devices. As previously mentioned, this functionality has been discontinued by Fitbit.

FAQs: Addressing Your Fitbit Music Queries

Here are some frequently asked questions to further clarify the music capabilities of Fitbit devices:

FAQ 1: Can I listen to Spotify on my Fitbit?

Yes, you can control Spotify playback on some Fitbit models (like the Sense 2 and Versa 4) from your phone. However, you cannot download Spotify songs directly to the Fitbit for offline listening unless there is a very old, legacy capability still functioning (which is unlikely). The Fitbit acts as a remote control for the Spotify app on your smartphone.

FAQ 2: Does Fitbit require a Premium subscription to play music?

No, a Fitbit Premium subscription is not required to control music on your phone or listen to music already stored on the device. However, a Premium subscription might unlock some features within the Fitbit app related to activity-based playlists (if supported by the app).

FAQ 3: Which Fitbit models have internal storage for music?

Historically, the Fitbit Versa, Versa 2, Versa 3 and Ionic models had internal storage for music. However, support for transferring music to these devices has been discontinued by Fitbit.

FAQ 4: How do I transfer music to my Fitbit?

Historically, you would use the Fitbit Connect software. However, Fitbit has discontinued this support, making it difficult to transfer music directly to older Versa and Ionic models unless you find unsupported workarounds or third-party apps.

FAQ 5: Can I listen to music offline on my Fitbit?

Yes, technically you could listen to music offline if you previously transferred music to an older Versa or Ionic model, but this is contingent on the music still being on the device and the device functioning correctly.

FAQ 6: How do I connect my Bluetooth headphones to my Fitbit?

Put your Bluetooth headphones into pairing mode.
On your Fitbit, go to Settings > Bluetooth.
Wait for your headphones to appear in the list of available devices.
Select your headphones to pair.

FAQ 7: What music file formats are supported by Fitbit?

When on-device music storage was supported, Fitbits typically supported MP3, AAC, and WMA file formats.

FAQ 8: How much storage space is available on Fitbit for music?

The storage space varied by model but was generally around 2.5GB, allowing for approximately 300 songs, depending on file size.

FAQ 9: Can I use Apple Music with my Fitbit?

You can control Apple Music playback on your smartphone using your Fitbit, but you cannot download Apple Music songs directly to the Fitbit.

FAQ 10: Does Fitbit support podcasts?

You cannot directly download or play podcasts on Fitbit devices. However, you can control podcast playback from your phone using the music control feature on your Fitbit.

FAQ 11: My Fitbit isn’t controlling music on my phone. What do I do?

Ensure your Fitbit is properly paired with your smartphone via Bluetooth.
Check that the music control app is installed and up-to-date on your Fitbit.
Make sure the music app on your phone is running and playing music.
Restart both your Fitbit and your smartphone.

FAQ 12: Will Fitbit ever bring back music storage and transfer features?

There is no official word from Fitbit on whether they will bring back on-device music storage and transfer features. Given their current focus on smartphone-controlled music and the prevalence of music streaming services, it seems unlikely. We’ll have to wait and see if this changes in the future. For now, embrace the music control features and enjoy the rhythm of your life!