Ever noticed which GPS between Garmin and Fitbit works better?
While the answer can be conflicting, I’ll show how you can improve your Fitbit GPS accuracy with a few simple tricks.
So, let’s fire away.
Is Garmin GPS More Accurate Than Fitbit?
Yes. Garmin smartwatches have more accurate GPS than Fitbit trackers. A limited number of Fitbit trackers have built-in or connected GPS.
But all the Garmin smartwatches either have built-in GPS or an indirect GPS connection through a smartphone.
Garmin smartwatches have excellent GPS performance.
Their average GPS accuracy is around 3 meters or 10 feet 95% of the time.
Meaning your Garmin smartwatch will save your location within 3 meters of your original location at any given time.
On the other hand, GPS-enabled Fitbit devices are fairly accurate.
Although they are not as precise as Garmin, you will see the exact route you took when you view them on a map.
Most importantly, Fitbit GPS is consistent and reliable 95% of the time.
How Do I Make My Fitbit GPS More Accurate?
Fitbit devices have two types of GPS.
Some Fitbit trackers have built-in GPS, and some trackers have connected GPS. Fitbit Sense, Versa 3, Versa 4, Icon, Charge 4, and Charge 5 have built-in GPS.
These devices will record your position while the GPS is on.
Fitbit Luxe, Blaze, Charge 2, Inspire 2, Inspire HR, Versa Lite, and Versa 2 have connected GPS. These devices will use your phone’s GPS to record your position when the phone is nearby, and the Bluetooth connection is on.
Sometimes, Fitbit trackers with built-in devices will use your phone’s GPS when it’s nearby and connected with Bluetooth to save battery.
However, some people have complained that their Fitbit GPS is not working correctly.
If you see your Fitbit is not giving accurate positions like before, you have to take some action to solve this problem.
Yes, you can solve it at home on your own.
Follow the step-by-step process below to fix the GPS issue.
- Firstly, check whether your app is up to date. If not, update your app. For the android user, you can update it from the Google Play Store. But if you are an iPhone user, you have to update it from the Apple Store.
- Then you have to log out of your Fitbit app. You will find the Logout option in your app menu.
- After that, Force Stop your Fitbit app. You can do that from your phone’s settings. Go to your app list, select the Fitbit app, and Force Stop it.
- Then turn off the Bluetooth on your phone from the Bluetooth settings.
- Now, turn off your phone, let it rest for 1 to 2 minutes, and restart it again.
- Turn on your phone’s Bluetooth.
- Finally, go to your Fitbit app and log in again using your email and password.
Your app should show more accurate GPS data from now on.
Final Thoughts
Although Fitbit devices are basically fitness trackers, they have reasonably good GPS. But if it causes any trouble, you can always follow the simple tricks above and fix the issue.