To turn on GPS on your Fitbit, you enable it per-exercise either in the Fitbit app or directly on the device, depending on your model. The GPS setting is used only for activities that track distance, such as running, walking, or cycling, and it must be turned on before you start the workout.
How to turn on GPS on your Fitbit: An overview
GPS on a Fitbit is not a global setting you switch on once. Instead, you turn it on for each specific workout you want to track. There are two primary methods: Connected GPS, which uses your phone’s GPS signal through the Fitbit app, and on-device GPS, where the tracker itself connects to satellites. The exact steps depend on your Fitbit model, and the option appears inside the workout settings or as Connected GPS, not in the main device settings menu.
Before you start: Phone permissions for Connected GPS
For GPS to work, your phone must grant the Fitbit app permission to access location services. On Android, open your phone’s settings, go to the Fitbit app permissions, and enable Location access and Precise location. On iPhone, allow Location access for the Fitbit app and turn on Background App Refresh. Fitbit says iPhone users may need Background App Refresh on for GPS to work. Without these permissions, Connected GPS cannot connect, even if the setting is enabled in the app.
Method 1: Turn on GPS in the Fitbit app
This is the primary method for most users and works with Connected GPS. To do it:
- Open the Fitbit app on your smartphone.
- Go to Exercise Shortcuts.
- Tap the exercise you want to track (e.g., Run, Walk, Bike).
- Turn on Connected GPS.
Once enabled, start the workout from your Fitbit device. The app will use your phone’s GPS to track your route and distance. Connected GPS only works for exercises that track distance.
Method 2: Turn on GPS on your Fitbit device
Some older Fitbit models allow you to enable GPS directly on the device during workout setup. To do this:
- On your Fitbit, open the Exercise app.
- Swipe to the workout you want to start.
- Swipe up or tap Settings (depending on the model).
- Turn on GPS or Use Phone GPS.
This method is common on devices like the Blaze, Charge 3, and Charge 4. On some older devices, open the exercise on the Fitbit device, go to Settings or swipe up through exercise settings, and turn on Use Phone GPS or GPS. Fitbit’s support pages also state that on some devices you choose the exercise first and then turn on GPS from the exercise settings screen. After enabling it, start the exercise, and the device will connect to GPS before tracking begins.
Model-specific GPS instructions
Fitbit’s help page groups devices differently, and the menu names are not identical across models. Fitbit’s current help page documents GPS steps for Blaze and Charge 3 / Charge 4, and it also says the steps vary by device.
Fitbit Blaze
On the Blaze, GPS is controlled through the Fitbit app. Open Exercise Shortcuts, tap the exercise, and make sure Connected GPS is on. If GPS does not connect during a workout, tap the exercise screen on the Blaze, tap Settings, and turn on Use Phone GPS.
Fitbit Charge 3 / Charge 4
On Charge 3 and Charge 4, enable GPS directly on the device. Open Exercise, swipe to the workout, swipe up, and make sure GPS is on. The option appears in the exercise settings screen after you select the activity.
These steps vary by device, so check Fitbit’s support pages for your specific model if the menu names differ.
Troubleshooting: Why won't my Fitbit GPS connect?
If your Fitbit GPS is not connecting, work through this checklist:
- Make sure Bluetooth and GPS are enabled on your phone when using Connected GPS.
- Verify the Fitbit app has permission to use location services on your phone. On Android, check that Precise location is allowed. On iPhone, ensure Background App Refresh is on.
- Confirm that the GPS setting is turned on for the specific workout you are starting. GPS must be enabled in the exercise settings before you begin.
- If GPS still does not connect, the issue is almost always a missing location permission or an exercise-specific GPS setting that was not toggled on. No separate carrier or network setting is required. If GPS still does not connect, Fitbit’s retrieved help pages specifically point back to location permission and the exercise-specific GPS setting rather than a separate carrier or network setting.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does every Fitbit have GPS?
No. Fitbit does not provide a single universal answer because GPS controls vary by model. Some devices have built-in GPS, others rely on Connected GPS through your phone, and some models do not support GPS at all. The support page does not give a complete public list of every Fitbit model that supports GPS on the page retrieved here. Check your device’s specifications or the exercise settings to see if GPS is available.
Why can’t I find GPS in the app?
GPS does not appear as a main settings option in the Fitbit app. It is enabled inside the specific workout’s settings. Fitbit says GPS is enabled inside the exercise’s settings, so it may not appear until you open the specific workout you want to track. Open Exercise Shortcuts, tap the exercise you want to track, and look for Connected GPS there. If you do not see it, the exercise may not support distance tracking.
Does using GPS drain my Fitbit’s battery?
Yes, using GPS consumes more battery than normal operation. Fitbit devices are designed to optimize power during GPS tracking, but you should expect shorter battery life during GPS-enabled workouts. Turn off GPS when you do not need it to preserve battery.
Can I use GPS on my Fitbit without my phone?
Only if your Fitbit has built-in GPS. Models like the Charge 4 have on-device GPS and can track routes without a phone. Devices that rely on Connected GPS require your phone to be nearby with Bluetooth and GPS enabled.
Why does my Fitbit show GPS as missing for a specific workout?
Connected GPS only works for exercises that track distance, such as running, walking, or cycling. If you select a workout like yoga or weight training, the GPS option will not appear because those activities do not use distance data.
For the wider topic, see Fitbit features and metrics.
