Adding Another Fitbit to Your Digital Life: A Comprehensive Guide

So, you’ve decided one Fitbit just isn’t enough? Perhaps you’ve upgraded, gifted one to a family member, or simply want to track different aspects of your fitness journey with separate devices. Excellent! Adding a second Fitbit to your existing account is surprisingly straightforward, and this guide will walk you through the entire process, ensuring a seamless experience.

The Quick Answer: How to Add a Second Fitbit

Adding a second Fitbit to your account involves syncing the new device through the Fitbit app. The app seamlessly handles multiple devices, allowing you to switch between them as needed.

Here’s the core process:

1. Download and Install the Fitbit App: If you don’t already have it, download the Fitbit app from the App Store (iOS) or Google Play Store (Android).
2. Log into Your Existing Account: Open the app and log in using your existing Fitbit account credentials (email and password).
3. Navigate to the ‘Devices’ Section: Tap on your profile picture (usually located in the top left or right corner of the screen) to access your account settings. Then, look for an option like “Set Up a Device”, “Add a Device”, or “My Devices”. The exact wording might vary slightly depending on the app version.
4. Choose Your New Fitbit Model: The app will present a list of Fitbit devices. Select the model that corresponds to your new Fitbit.
5. Follow the On-Screen Instructions: The app will guide you through the setup process, which typically involves:
   • Charging the Fitbit: Ensure your new Fitbit is adequately charged.
   • Enabling Bluetooth: Make sure Bluetooth is enabled on your smartphone or tablet.
   • Proximity: Keep the Fitbit close to your device during the setup process.
   • Pairing: The app will search for and pair with your Fitbit. You might need to enter a PIN code displayed on the Fitbit’s screen to confirm the pairing.
   • Firmware Updates: The app may prompt you to install any necessary firmware updates. It’s crucial to allow these updates to complete to ensure optimal performance.
6. Synchronization: Once setup is complete, the Fitbit app will synchronize with your new device. This may take a few minutes.
7. Device Selection: After both devices are synced, you can switch between the two devices in the app to see the respective data.

And that’s it! You’ve successfully added a second Fitbit to your account. Now you can wear either device, and the app will sync data from whichever one you’re actively using.

FAQs: Mastering the Multi-Fitbit Life

Adding a second Fitbit brings up a variety of questions. Here are some frequently asked questions to help you navigate the multi-Fitbit lifestyle with confidence:

1. Can I wear both Fitbits simultaneously?

Technically, yes, you can wear both Fitbits at the same time. However, Fitbit strongly discourages doing so. The app is designed to track data from one device at a time. Wearing both simultaneously will lead to data discrepancies, inaccurate step counts, calorie estimations, and potentially confusing sleep tracking information. The system might try to merge data from both devices, resulting in inflated and unreliable metrics.

2. How does Fitbit determine which device is actively tracking?

The Fitbit app automatically detects the device you’re currently wearing based on movement and synchronization patterns. Generally, the last Fitbit that synced with the app is considered the active device. However, if you haven’t synced either device recently, the app might use other factors, such as the proximity and movement data, to determine which device is active. To ensure accuracy, it’s always best to sync the device you’re currently wearing and avoid wearing both simultaneously.

3. How do I switch between Fitbits in the app?

Switching between your linked Fitbits is easy. Within the Fitbit app:

1. Tap your profile icon.
2. Look for a section labeled “My Devices”.
3. You’ll see a list of all the Fitbits connected to your account.
4. Tap on the device you want to view data for. This will switch the app’s focus to that device.

4. What happens if I forget to switch devices in the app?

If you forget to switch devices, the Fitbit app might display inaccurate or incomplete data. For example, if you wore your new Fitbit all day but the app was still set to your old one, it would only show data from the last time your old Fitbit synced. To correct this, sync the correct device as soon as possible. The app will then update with the accurate data. Be aware that there might be some data loss if the app wasn’t actively tracking the correct device.

5. Will my Fitbit Premium subscription apply to both devices?

Yes, your Fitbit Premium subscription is linked to your account, not to individual devices. This means all devices connected to your account will benefit from the premium features. You’ll have access to advanced insights, personalized guidance, and additional features regardless of which Fitbit you are actively using.

6. Can I assign different Fitbits to different activities (e.g., one for running, one for sleep)?

While you could dedicate one Fitbit to specific activities, it’s more about managing your active device selection. You could, for example, wear one Fitbit during the day for general activity tracking and then switch to a different one at night for dedicated sleep tracking. However, you still need to manually switch between the devices in the app. Fitbit doesn’t automatically assign devices to specific activities.

7. How does adding a second Fitbit affect my Challenges and Adventures?

Your Challenges and Adventures participation is tied to your account, not a specific device. The app will use the data from your active device to contribute to these activities. Therefore, ensure you’ve selected the correct device in the app to accurately reflect your progress in Challenges and Adventures.

8. Can I give my old Fitbit to a family member and still keep it connected to my account?

While technically possible, this is strongly discouraged. Sharing a Fitbit account with multiple users can lead to significant data inaccuracies and privacy concerns. It’s best to create a separate Fitbit account for each individual. Your family member can then connect the old Fitbit to their new account.

9. How do I remove a Fitbit from my account?

If you want to permanently remove a Fitbit from your account (for example, if you’re selling or giving it away), follow these steps:

1. Open the Fitbit app.
2. Tap your profile icon.
3. Go to “My Devices”.
4. Select the Fitbit you want to remove.
5. Scroll down to the bottom of the device settings.
6. Tap “Remove Device from Account” (or similar wording).
7. Confirm your decision.

This will disconnect the Fitbit from your account, and it will no longer sync data.

10. What if I’m having trouble syncing my second Fitbit?

Syncing issues can occur for various reasons. Here are some troubleshooting steps:

• Ensure Bluetooth is enabled: Double-check that Bluetooth is turned on in your phone’s settings.
• Check the Fitbit’s battery: A low battery can interfere with syncing.
• Restart the Fitbit: Restarting the Fitbit can often resolve minor syncing issues. The process varies depending on the model, so consult the Fitbit’s user manual.
• Restart your phone: A simple restart can sometimes fix Bluetooth connectivity problems.
• Check the Fitbit app: Make sure you have the latest version of the Fitbit app installed.
• Remove and re-add the device: If all else fails, try removing the Fitbit from your account and then adding it again.

11. Will adding a second Fitbit drain my phone’s battery faster?

Having multiple devices connected via Bluetooth can slightly increase battery drain on your phone. However, the impact is usually minimal. To minimize battery usage, ensure Bluetooth is only enabled when you need to sync your Fitbit and disable it when not in use.

12. Can I view combined data from both Fitbits in the Fitbit app?

Unfortunately, the Fitbit app doesn’t offer a feature to combine data from multiple devices into a single unified view. You can only view data from one device at a time. If you need to analyze combined data, you might consider exporting the data from both devices and using a third-party application or spreadsheet to merge and analyze the information. But remember, given that you can only have one active device at a time, data will not overlap.

By following these steps and addressing these common questions, you can confidently manage multiple Fitbits and optimize your fitness tracking experience. Enjoy the journey!