To make your Fitbit vibrate when your phone rings, you need to enable call notifications in the Fitbit app and adjust your phone's notification settings, there is no separate vibration switch on the Fitbit itself. The vibration for incoming calls is controlled by your phone's notification settings working together with the Fitbit device’s Notifications menu.
Enable call notifications in the Fitbit app
- Open the Fitbit app and go to the Today tab.
- Tap your profile picture or the devices icon, then tap your Fitbit device tile.
- Tap Notifications.
- Turn on Call Notifications (on some models like Charge 5, call, text, and calendar notifications are turned on automatically). The Charge 2 manual says to tap Notifications and turn on or off combinations of text, call, or calendar notifications. The retrieved help pages also mention App Notifications for app alerts, separate from call alerts.
- Follow the on-screen pairing instructions to connect your Fitbit to your phone.
iPhone settings for Fitbit call alerts
- Go to Settings > Bluetooth on your iPhone.
- Tap the information icon (i) next to your Fitbit device name.
- Turn on Share System Notifications. On iPhone, if prompted, tap Allow to let the Fitbit device show notifications.
- Go to Settings > Notifications and tap the Phone app.
- Ensure Allow Notifications is on, Alerts Notification Center is on, and Show Previews is set to Always or When Unlocked. The iPhone help page lists the Phone app settings as Allow Notifications, On, Alerts Notification Center, On, and Show Previews, Always or When Unlocked. On iPhone, also make sure notification previews are allowed in Settings > Notifications; the page says Show Previews should be Always or When Unlocked.
Android settings for Fitbit call alerts
- In the Fitbit app, open your device tile, tap Notifications, and follow the pairing instructions (the app may ask you to choose one app per category for notifications). On Android, from the Fitbit app, open your device, tap Notifications, and follow the pairing instructions. The Android help page says the app can ask you to choose 1 app per category for notifications.
- On your Android phone, go to Settings > Apps & notifications > Notifications > Notifications on lock screen and make sure notifications are allowed while the phone is locked.
Troubleshooting Fitbit call vibration issues
- Share System Notifications missing on iPhone: Restart your Fitbit device, then check Settings > Bluetooth again for the option. If you do not see the System Notifications option, the help page says to restart your Fitbit device.
- No vibration or notification:
- Notifications not appearing: Verify that call notifications are enabled in the Fitbit app and that your phone’s Bluetooth is on and connected to the Fitbit.
Supported Fitbit models for call notifications
Call notifications are confirmed on Charge 2, Charge 5, and Inspire 2. For other models, check Fitbit’s support site to confirm compatibility. Note that if you also want to receive text messages on Fitbit Versa 2, the same notification settings in the Fitbit app control that feature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why does my Fitbit vibrate but not show who is calling?
Your iPhone’s Show Previews setting may be set to “Never.” Change it to “Always” or “When Unlocked” in Settings > Notifications > Phone app to see caller information on your Fitbit.
Can I change the vibration pattern for calls on my Fitbit?
The vibration pattern is determined by the device model and cannot be customized.
Will my Fitbit vibrate for calls if my phone is on silent?
Yes, as long as call notifications are enabled in the Fitbit app and your phone’s Bluetooth connection is active, your Fitbit will vibrate for incoming calls even when your phone is on silent.
Do I need to keep the Fitbit app open for call notifications to work?
No, the Fitbit app does not need to be open. The notification relay works through Bluetooth and your phone’s system notification settings, so the app can run in the background.
Why did my Fitbit stop vibrating for calls after a phone update?
A phone operating system update can reset notification permissions. Recheck your Bluetooth Share System Notifications (iPhone) or lock-screen notification settings (Android), and ensure call notifications are still enabled in the Fitbit app.
