Can You Use Fitbit Without App? Give It A Try.
Fitbit trackers are the go-to gadgets for every fitness enthusiast. However, like other gadgets, Fitbit also has some limitations. For the best experience, you must use the Fitbit app on your phone or computer. But can you use Fitbit without app?
Yes, it is possible to use Fitbit without an app. But if you want to enjoy the full range of Fitbit features, you need to sync it with your official Fitbit account. Though you can use your Fitbit without the app or a smartphone, you have to compromise on some premium features.
Do you still want to use Fitbit without an app? Are you willing to sacrifice features like streaming services, GPS, and sleep stats? Read this article thoroughly to learn how you can enjoy the maximum features of Fitbit without taking your phone out with you.
Can You Use Fitbit Without App Or A Smartphone?
Yes, you can use Fitbit as a stand-alone gadget if you can compromise on features like GPS, streaming services, and sleep stats. Having a Fitbit account with a valid Gmail helps you sync all your activity metrics to keep a record.
Fitbit tracker is nothing but a tracking device that works best if connected to the internet. You can easily remove your account by visiting the dashboard and removing it from there. However, without an account, your Fitbit becomes nothing but a 20$ tracker.
How Does A Fitbit Work Without A Phone?
Without a phone, a Fitbit works like an ordinary fitness tracker that gives you daily fitness data. You can’t store it for later use. However, here’s a method that can help you enjoy the maximum Fitbit features by using a phone only once.
- Create an account with Fitbit and log into it.
- Connect your Fitbit tracker with your Fitbit account.
- Now you don’t need to carry your phone all the time.
- Your tracker will sync with the app whenever you are close to your phone.
This is how you can enjoy the premium features of Fitbit without taking your phone with you everywhere. However, if you don’t have a smartphone or, for some reason, you don’t want to install the Fitbit app on your phone, here’s the solution.
- Buy a Fitbit Dongle.
- Open the Fitbit website and log in to your Fitbit account.
- Connect Dongle to your computer and bring the Fitbit within 2 meters of range.
- If your computer supports Bluetooth connectivity, this option should work for you.
Fitbit Features That Are Only Specific With The App/Phone
As mentioned earlier, you don’t necessarily need your phone to use Fitbit. However, if you don’t use your phone, you have to compromise on several Fitbit features that are only specific to the app. Here are the Fitbit features that you might have to compromise with.
GPS
If you have a Fitbit tracker such as Sense 2, Versa 3, or Charge 4, you can still use the GPS without the phone. It is because these models come with built-in GPS, so you don’t have to connect it to your phone for GPS tracking.
However, cheaper Fitbit models such as Fitbit Versa 2, which lacks a built-in GPS system, can not offer this advantage. If you have such a Fitbit model on your wrist and want to track routes or maps, you must keep your phone with you.
Call Notifications
Some people prefer smartwatches such as Fitbit for its call notification features. If your smartwatch is connected to your phone and you receive a call, you will get a notification on your watch. This enables you to check your notifications without taking out your phone.
However, if you want to use your Fitbit without an app or a phone, you can’t use this feature. Moreover, there is no alternative way to get notifications on your watch screen if your watch is not connected to your phone.
Sleep Stats
If you are a regular Fitbit user, you must know how tedious it is to check the sleep stats on the Fitbit device. You have to swipe the screen to check the sleep cycles, which is quite irritating. Are you okay with that? Yes, you are good to go, even without a phone or the app.
However, how about taking a glance at seven days’ sleep stats at once? All you have to do is to connect your Fitbit to your app and then tap on “today” to check your sleep stats. You can view your sleep stats for the past seven days!
Activity Synching
Have you ever faced a syncing issue? The most common reason for syncing issues of the Fitbit tracker with your Fitbit account is the unavailability of the phone. Though you can connect your device to the computer using Fitbit Dongle, it is not the best method.
So, if you don’t want to use the Fitbit app or the smartphone, you might face some serious activity syncing issues. This will result in the loss of your daily activity metrics, and you can’t access them later. If you don’t have any long-term fitness goals, you can go without the app.
Pros Of Using Fitbit Without A Phone
When talking about the benefits of using Fitbit without a phone, the first thing that we all know is convenience. And that’s the reason why most people don’t want to use a phone. It just feels so good running here and there without the additional burden of a phone.
And another benefit is that you can still track most of your fitness data and view it on your watch screen. The sensors are located in the tracker that keeps tracking your activities and showing the results to you in real-time.
Cons Of Using Fitbit Without A Phone
Though there are only a few benefits of using Fitbit without a phone, you have to compromise on several features. If your Fitbit lacks a built-in GPS, you can’t use the maps and check the routes for your morning walk or a bike trip.
Similarly, you have to compromise on several other features, such as tracking sleep cycles or getting call and text notifications. Without your phone, you can also not see your friends and share your fitness data with them.
Is There Any Fitbit Tracker That Does Not Need A Smartphone?
Though no Fitbit can work as an alternative for your phone, you can get one with a built-in GPS. Fitbit trackers such as Versa 3, Charge 4, or Sense 2 come with a built-in GPS that gives you access to more features even without a phone.
You can use such trackers to check maps and select routes using the built-in GPS. However, you still have to connect it to the phone if you don’t want to lose all your health metrics. So, overall, we can say that there is no Fitbit that can work stand-alone without a phone.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Can you use Fitbit with your computer only?
Yes, you can use Fitbit with your computer by using the Fitbit Dongle. It is a small device that allows you to connect your Fitbit to your computer. However, your computer must support Bluetooth connectivity for this feature.
Can I use Fitbit without the internet?
Yes, you can use Fitbit without the internet for purposes such as activity tracking. However, you must connect it to your computer or phone using the internet to store the data on the app. This allows you to compare your fitness metrics over a specific time.
Can you use Fitbit without GPS?
Yes, if your Fitbit does not have a built-in GPS, you can keep it connected to your phone. The Fitbit will use the phone’s GPS and help you navigate the maps and routes.
Does Fitbit use Bluetooth or Wi-Fi?
Usually, Fitbit trackers and smartwatches use Bluetooth Low Energy technology to connect to phones and tablets. However, the latest Fitbit devices, such as Fitbit Aria and Fitbit Aria 2, use Wi-Fi connectivity to directly connect to your router.
Final Words
Using a fitness tracker without carrying the additional burden of your phone is the dream of many. However, for a Fitbit tracker, you just need a phone and a Fitbit app to enjoy the full range of features.
I hope you have got the answer to “Can you use Fitbit without an app.” This was all about Fitbit and its relation with your smartphone and the Fitbit app. For any questions or suggestions, the comment section welcomes you.
