To force quit the Fitbit app, you close it completely on your phone so it stops running and can be reopened fresh. This is the quickest fix when the app is frozen, unresponsive, or crashing on your iPhone or Android device.
How to force quit the Fitbit app on iPhone
The method depends on whether your iPhone has Face ID or a Home button.
On iPhones with Face ID (iPhone X and later)
- Swipe up from the bottom of the screen and pause in the middle to open the App Switcher.
- Swipe right or left to find the Fitbit app's preview card.
- Swipe up on the app's preview to close it.
On iPhones with a Home button (iPhone SE, iPhone 8 and earlier)
- Double-click the Home button to show your most recently used apps.
Force quitting an app on iOS does not prolong battery life. Your iPhone automatically manages how apps run in the background, so you only need to do this when the app is actually misbehaving.
How to force quit the Fitbit app on Android
On Android, you use the Force Stop option in your device's settings rather than swiping it away from the recent apps list.
- Open the Settings app on your Android device.
- Tap "Apps" or "Applications" (the exact name varies by device manufacturer).
- Find and tap the Fitbit app from the list of installed applications.
- On the app info page, tap "Force Stop."
- Confirm your decision on the pop-up message.
This immediately stops the app and closes any background processes associated with it.
What to do after force quitting
After you have force quit the Fitbit app, reopen it by tapping its icon on your Home Screen or App Library (iPhone) or app drawer (Android). The app should start fresh and work normally.
A weak or unstable internet connection can cause the Fitbit app to malfunction. Force closing other background apps can free up device memory and resources. Clearing the app's cache can help remove temporary data causing issues; go to device settings, find Fitbit app, and clear its cache.
If the Fitbit app remains unresponsive after force quitting and reopening, restarting your entire phone is the next recommended step. This clears deeper system-level issues that a simple app close cannot fix. If you need to restart your tracker itself, you can use the steps in our guide on how to restart Fitbit or how to restart Fitbit Inspire 3 for that specific model.
If you cannot find the Fitbit app on your iPhone after force quitting, check our guide on downloaded app not showing on iPhone? how to find apps iOS 16 to locate it in the App Library or Spotlight search.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why would I need to force quit the Fitbit app?
You need to force quit the Fitbit app when it freezes, becomes unresponsive, crashes repeatedly, or behaves erratically. Force quitting stops the app entirely so you can restart it fresh and clear any temporary glitches.
Will force quitting the Fitbit app delete my data?
No, force quitting does not delete any of your data. It only stops the app from running temporarily. Your activity data, settings, and account information remain intact and will sync once you reopen the app.
Can I force quit the Fitbit app on my Fitbit tracker?
No, force quitting is performed on your phone, not on the Fitbit tracker itself. The Fitbit app runs on your smartphone or tablet, so you must force quit it there. If your tracker is frozen, you need to restart the device itself.
What if force quitting doesn't fix the problem?
If force quitting and reopening the app does not resolve the issue, restart your phone. If the problem continues, check for app updates in your device's app store or try uninstalling and reinstalling the Fitbit app.
