Google's notifications article lists the phone settings that must be right. Update the Google Health app, the Fitbit and the phone OS. On Android, Bluetooth must be on, the phone must receive notifications while locked and for each app, and the Google Health app must be allowed to run in the background because it carries app notifications, connected GPS and automatic sync. Do not disturb, focus, quiet hours and driving mode on the phone block notifications, as do Do Not Disturb and Sleep Mode on the Fitbit.
The phone must be within 30 feet, you get no text notifications for a conversation open on the phone, and if device lock is on you must have entered your PIN recently. Then choose what to send in the Google Health app under your device. For alerts that do not buzz, Google's alert article says check the alarm was set, Do Not Disturb and Sleep Mode are off and test the vibration motor.
Differential
Likely causes of “Fitbit trackers and smartwatches notifications are missing or delayed”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
Do not disturb or Sleep Mode is on
What separates it There are no alerts at all because Do not disturb or Sleep Mode is on
How to confirm Turn off Do Not Disturb and Sleep Mode on the device and the phone
- 2
The Google Health app cannot run in the background
What separates it Alerts arrive late or never because the Google Health app cannot run in the background
How to confirm Allow background running in the phone's settings, for the app
- 3
The phone is out of range
What separates it Notifications stop when you leave your phone because the phone is out of range
How to confirm Keep the phone within 30 feet, and try again
- 4
An open conversation on the phone
What separates it There is no text alert on the Fitbit because of an open conversation on the phone
How to confirm Close the conversation on the phone, and send a test message
- 5
Device lock is on
What separates it Nothing shows on the screen because device lock is on
How to confirm Enter your PIN to unlock, and try again
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- The exact model name and the firmware version shown in the app
- Which apps are missing and whether alerts, texts or reminders fail
- Whether Do Not Disturb, focus or Sleep Mode was on
Try in this order
0 of 6 completedUpdate everything
ReversibleUpdate everything, by updating the app, the Fitbit and the phone operating system, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Check phone settings
ReversibleCheck phone settings, with Bluetooth on, notifications on and allowed while the phone is locked.
Allow background running
ReversibleAllow background running, by letting the Google Health app run in the background on the phone.
Turn off do-not-disturb modes
ReversibleTurn off do not disturb modes, on the phone and the Fitbit, including Sleep Mode.
Choose the apps
ReversibleChoose the apps, by picking in the Google Health app which notifications to send, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Test the vibration
ReversibleTest the vibration, by testing the device's vibration motor as Google describes, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Quick replies by model
- Google's article lists the Charge 5, Charge 6, Inspire 3, Luxe, Sense 2 and Versa 4; replies with the microphone are on the Sense 2 and Versa 4 and need the Microphone setting on; the feature is available on devices paired to Android.
- Alexa transcription
- Google notes some users may see a transcription error sending Alexa voice replies on the Sense 2 and Versa 4.
- Repair cost
- Notification settings cost nothing. A device that never vibrates after a motor test is a hardware fault; Alibaba's guide puts a mail-in battery service at $45 to $75 and a Charge 6 replacement at $99 to $129.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models Charge 5, Sense 2, Versa 4, Inspire 3, Luxe, Ace LTE.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If a connected, unlocked Fitbit gets no alerts after every setting is right, contact Fitbit support
- !If only one app fails, contact that app's developer
- !If the vibration motor test fails, contact support
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Phone settings, background running and per-app setup.
Alarms, Do Not Disturb, Sleep Mode, device lock and the vibration test.
The link that notifications ride on.
Quick replies and the microphone setting.
The Fitbit brand and its devices.
Exact questions
Common questions
Why do I not get notifications?+
Do not disturb, a background restriction or an out-of-range phone are the commonest causes, per Google.
How close must the phone be?+
The phone must be within 30 feet, per Google, for notifications to arrive.
Why no texts when I am in the message app?+
Google says you will not get text notifications when the conversation is open on the phone.
Does Sleep Mode block them?+
Yes, Google says Do Not Disturb or Sleep Mode blocks notifications.
Do all models reply to messages?+
Quick replies work on the Charge 5, Charge 6, Inspire 3, Luxe, Sense 2 and Versa 4 with an Android phone.
Can I reply by voice?+
On Sense 2 and Versa 4, turn the Microphone setting on.
What does device lock do?+
If active, enter your PIN recently to see alerts.
Do alarms buzz below 8 percent?+
Google says on the Versa, Versa Lite and Versa 2 alarms do not alert below 8 percent battery.
Why did my alerts stop after an update?+
Re-check background permissions and the notification settings.