Can I Have Two Fitbits on One iPhone? The Truth!
Honestly, I thought it’d be a breeze. I’m a tech person, or at least I like to think so. Setting up a new phone, syncing gadgets… child’s play, right? Wrong. The other day, I was helping a friend get their new Fitbit set up on their iPhone, and the whole process was far more complicated than it should have been.
There was a lot of head-scratching. We both thought, ‘can i have two fitbits on one iphone?’ After all, how hard could it be to have two fitness trackers sending data to the same device? Turns out, harder than you’d imagine.
It’s a question I’ve found myself answering a lot, for friends, family, and even on online forums. So let’s dive into the nitty-gritty of using multiple Fitbits with your iPhone. We’ll explore the setup, the limitations, and the workarounds.
The Great Fitbit Sync Struggle: My $90 Mistake
The first Fitbit I ever owned was the Flex. I bought it on a whim, thinking it would magically make me a fitness fanatic. It didn’t. Instead, it sat in a drawer, gathering dust, until I decided to try again with a newer model, the Charge 4. This time, I was determined. I imagined a dashboard filled with charts and graphs, finally visualizing my, previously non-existent, progress. I spent around $90 on a second Fitbit, the Luxe, thinking I could track sleep and steps simultaneously.
I was wrong. Dead wrong. After my first attempt, I realized that I couldn’t, in fact, sync both to my iPhone at the same time. I remember the frustration, the feeling of wasted money, and the sinking realization that I hadn’t read the fine print. I was so busy envisioning the data, I skipped the basic question of feasibility. The Luxe, like the Flex, ended up in the same drawer, feeling abandoned and unloved.
The core problem? The Fitbit app, at least at the time, was designed to work with one device per account. You can have multiple Fitbits, sure, but not actively *tracking* simultaneously on the same account and syncing with the same iPhone.
The app only remembers one tracker at a time. Switching between trackers involves a manual, slightly annoying, process, which I’ll get into shortly.
The Official Fitbit Line on Multiple Trackers
According to the Fitbit website, you can pair more than one Fitbit tracker to your account. However, only one tracker is active at a time. The app is designed to prioritize data from the most recently synced device. That means if you switch to a different Fitbit, you’ll need to manually sync it to update the data, and then it becomes the active tracker. (See Also: How Can I Track My Childs Iphone )
This isn’t ideal if you want to track different activities simultaneously, like a run with one tracker and sleep with another. You’re stuck with choosing the tracker you want to use for the day.
It’s important to know that Fitbit is primarily a pedometer and heart rate monitor. The extra functions, sleep, and even advanced exercise tracking are secondary. At the end of the day, it’s a fitness *tracker*, not a lifestyle companion. This limitation is one reason many people, including myself, eventually look to the Apple Watch or other devices.
How to Use Two Fitbits (sort Of) on One iPhone
First, be prepared to accept that simultaneous tracking isn’t possible, unless you are willing to use a third-party app.
- Set Up Your Fitbits: Ensure both Fitbits are charged and properly paired with your Fitbit account. This is done through the Fitbit app on your iPhone.
- Choose Your Active Tracker: Decide which Fitbit you want to use for the day. Make sure it’s the one you’ll be wearing.
- Sync Regularly: Open the Fitbit app on your iPhone and sync the active tracker throughout the day. This will upload your data to the app.
- Switch Trackers (If Needed): If you want to switch to a different Fitbit, you’ll need to go through the syncing process again. The process isn’t hard, but it’s not exactly intuitive.
- Review Your Data: The app will only display data from your active tracker, but previous data is stored.
The biggest problem? The constant syncing. It is the real hassle. The need to remember, to switch, to make sure you’re getting the data you want. It’s a clumsy solution at best. The sound the app makes as it syncs, a little “ding” sound, becomes a regular occurrence. Eventually, you’ll stop paying attention.
The Contrarian Opinion: Fitbit Is Overrated (for Many)
Everyone raves about Fitbits. They’re the go-to fitness trackers, the ones everyone seems to have. I disagree. For many people, especially those already invested in the Apple ecosystem, the Apple Watch is a superior choice. The integration with the iPhone is seamless, the feature set is more comprehensive (although the price tag is more, too), and the overall experience is smoother.
Fitbit’s strength lies in its simplicity and affordability. It’s a good entry point for people just getting into fitness tracking. However, once you start wanting more, like more detailed metrics, better integration with other apps, or the ability to make and receive calls, the limitations of Fitbit become glaring. The USDA recommends using technology to track your exercise and food intake, but does not specifically recommend a particular brand.
Comparing Fitbit to the Apple Watch: A Quick Glance
Let’s compare the capabilities of Fitbit vs Apple Watch. The table shows features and a subjective rating. (See Also: Is My Att Iphone Unlocked )
| Feature | Fitbit | Apple Watch | My Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|
| Heart Rate Monitoring | Yes | Yes | Both are accurate enough for most users. |
| Sleep Tracking | Yes | Yes | Apple Watch is more detailed, but Fitbit is easier to use. |
| GPS | Some Models | Some Models | Apple Watch has a better GPS experience with quicker lock. |
| Notifications | Yes | Yes | Apple Watch’s notifications are superior. |
| App Ecosystem | Limited | Extensive | Apple Watch wins hands down. |
| Price | Lower | Higher | Fitbit is more accessible. |
| Battery Life | Better | Worse | Fitbit lasts much longer, usually a week. |
The Third-Party App Hack: A Glimmer of Hope
There are third-party apps available that claim to help you connect multiple Fitbits to your iPhone. I’ve tried a few, and the results have been mixed. Some apps can pull data from multiple trackers, but the functionality isn’t always seamless. Many of these apps require a subscription, adding another layer of cost and complexity. You’ll need to do your own research, but be cautious.
I downloaded three different apps. None of them worked exactly as advertised. One app I tested, I tried to sync two different Fitbit models, I spent around $15 testing the app for two weeks. It still couldn’t pull data from both devices simultaneously, but it could pull the data from each individual device, which I then had to manually aggregate myself. I gave up.
The Verdict: Can You *really* Use Two Fitbits?
The short answer is: not really. The long answer is: you *can*, but it’s clunky, inconvenient, and not the ideal experience. If you are a serious fitness enthusiast who wants to track multiple activities simultaneously, you’re better off with an Apple Watch (or a similar device) or waiting for an updated Fitbit model.
Faq: Answering Your Fitbit Questions
Can I Have Multiple Fitbit Devices Connected to One Account?
Yes, you can. You can have several different models linked to your Fitbit account. This is helpful if you upgrade, or have multiple trackers for different purposes. However, only one tracker can be actively syncing at a time.
Can I Wear Two Fitbits at the Same Time?
Yes, you can wear two Fitbits at the same time, but the app won’t be able to track data from both simultaneously. The app will only sync with the active tracker you’ve selected.
Can I Track Sleep and Steps with Two Different Fitbits?
Technically, yes, but not seamlessly. You’d need to manually switch between trackers. One for sleep and one for steps, which would require the previously mentioned syncing and switching process. This is the biggest drawback.
Is There a Way to Use Two Fitbits to Track Different Activities?
The best way is to manually switch trackers as needed throughout the day and sync. You could, potentially, try a third-party app, but with limited success. The results are spotty and unreliable, and some require a paid subscription. (See Also: Will I Get My Iphone On Friday )
Will Fitbit Ever Allow Simultaneous Tracking?
Possibly, but there’s no official word or announcement. The company may change its approach in the future. Until then, you’re stuck with the current limitations.
Verdict
Honestly, the whole experience of using multiple Fitbits with a single iPhone is, at best, a compromise. You’re better off finding a single device solution. If you are serious about tracking, the Apple Watch is a superior device, offering more functionality and a better overall experience.
So, the answer is: you can, but should you? Maybe not. If you are starting your fitness journey, a single Fitbit is a good option. If you want to dive deep into your health data, the Apple Watch might be a better investment. It really comes down to your priorities and what you need.
Ultimately, the key question is what you want to achieve. If you want a more streamlined experience, think about the Apple Watch. If you’re just tracking steps and heart rate, a single Fitbit is fine.
The next step? Think about your needs and read some reviews. Then, go from there.
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