We saw that Fitbit users had been curious if Fitbit charge 5 can track stairs.
Since it was not on the feature list and the official website, I thought to conduct a little research.
Does Fitbit charge 5 can track stairs (floors climbed) or flights of stairs?
No. Fitbit can’t track the stairs you have put on a floor. Also, it can’t track the flights of stairs.
You might wonder if it is a hidden feature of the Fitbit charge 5 or something you have yet to find.
I asked Fitbit’s official assistance, and they let me know that Fitbit Charge 5 can’t track stairs.
But, through my research, I found more information regarding the Stairs tracking on a Fitbit device.
Why Fitbit charge 5 can’t track stairs?
You can’t track the stairs on a Fitbit charge 5 devices because it doesn’t have an altimeter.
Even after you go through a firmware update, you can’t perform stairs racking as there is not the necessary hardware, an altimeter, on your Fitbit Charge 5 device.
Here I have explained how an Altimeter helps to track stairs.
How does an altimeter help to track stairs?
An altimeter’s task is to measure atmospheric change. When you walk, your arm raises and comes down, which is tracked by the Altimeter sensor. That particular movement is counted as a step.
When you increase the elevation by going on to another floor, the atmospheric pressure changes considerably high.
The Altimeter counts up to 10ft to change one flight of stair count.
For example, if you climb up 10ft on the stairs, the Altimeter on your smartwatch will count as an increased 1 flight of stairs.
After going through several resources, I found that there can be some situations in which the Altimeter sends false readings to the smartwatch user.
- In a storm
- Walking in a windy condition
- When there is a large fan above you
- Having an HVAC vent right above you
- Walking without hand movements
- Flying by airplane
- Walking in a grocery store (You pull the cart while keeping your hands still)
- Using a Stair Climber when exercising (Since you don’t actually change the altitudes)
What Are Fitbit Models Which Can Track Stairs?
Although Fitbit charge 5 doesn’t help you with tracking stars, some Fitbit models track stairs.
| fitbit charge 4 | Y |
| fitbit sense | Y |
| Fitbit Ionic | Y |
| Versa 2 | Y |
| Versa 3 | Y |
| Fitbit Luxe | N |
| The Ace 3 | N |
| Charge 5 | N |
| Inspire 2 | N |
Also, I have discovered some common problems you might face with each model and explained how to fix them below.
Fitbit Charge 4 Track Stairs Common Problems and Fixes
How can I see the stairs I climbed on the Fitbit charge 4
On Smartphone
- Open the Fitbit app on your device
- Go to the “Today” tab at the top of the display
- Tap on the “Stairs” icon located on the display
Note: You will see the number of floors on the “today’ tab. But, after clicking on it, you will see the number of floors and other details.
On Your Fitbit Charge 4
- Wake up your Fitbit Charge 4
- Swipe Up Until you see
- “Stairs”
- Tap on “Stairs”
I can’t see my “Stairs” icon on my smartphone and can’t find the stairs I climbed with Fitbit charge 4?
This is not an issue, but you have hidden the “Stairs” icon from your app. Here I found the easiest way to fix that.
- Click on “Edit,” which is at the bottom of the dashboard
- Find the “Stairs” and press + to add it to the dashboard
- Tap “Done”
Note: You can press X or – remove an app in the same way. Suppose you want to re-arrange the order, press and hold on to any icon and then move.
Fitbit sense Track Stairs Common Problems and Fixes
How can I see stairs I climbed on Fitbit Sense?
On Smartphone
- Open the Fitbit app on your device
- Go to the “Today” tab at the top of the display
- Tap on the “Stairs” icon located on the display
On Your Fitbit Sense
- Wake up your Fitbit Sense
- Swipe Up Until you see
- “Stairs”
- Tap on “Stairs”
Fitbit Ionic Track Stairs Common Problems and Fixes
How can I see the stairs I climbed on Fitbit Ionic?
On Smartphone
- Open the Fitbit app on your device
- Go to the “Today” tab at the top of the display
- Tap on the “Stairs” icon located on the display
On Your Fitbit Sense
- Wake up your Fitbit Sense
- Swipe Up Until you see
- “Stairs”
- Tap on “Stairs”
Why is my Fitbit Sense not showing the right floor I am in?
I found this is not an issue but a misunderstanding. What Fitbit devices do is track the floors you have climbed up.
When you get down, it doesn’t deduct the floors from the accurate value. It is just a statement about your achievement.
Fitbit Versa 2 Track Stairs Common Problems and Fixes
How can I see the stairs I climbed on Fitbit Versa 2?
On Your Smartphone
- Open the Fitbit app on your device
- Go to the “Today” tab at the top of the display
- Tap on the “Stairs” icon located on the display
On Your Fitbit Versa 2
- Wake up your Fitbit Versa 2
- Swipe Up Until you see
- “Stairs”
- Tap on “Stairs”
How can I calibrate stairs on my Versa 2 device?
You can’t do that. You may calibrate the steps only on any fitbit device.
Fitbit Versa 3 Track Stairs Common Problems and Fixes
How can I see the stairs I climbed on Fitbit Versa 3?
On Your Smartphone
- Open the Fitbit app on your device
- Go to the “Today” tab at the top of the display
- Tap on the “Stairs” icon located on the display
On Your Fitbit Versa 3
- Wake up your Fitbit Versa 3
- Swipe Up Until you see
- “Stairs”
- Tap on “Stairs”
Why is my Versa tracking too many floors?
I found this error on several Versa Models as users had complained about this matter. It happens due to a firmware issue, and you must update your Versa devices to the latest version.
I found this article on the internet that explains, “How to update my Firmware on my Fitbit Versa device?‘
Conclusion
I have explained everything I discovered through my small research. If you still have issues regarding the Fitbit Devices Stair Tracking, please contact the official Fitbit assistance.
