Google's on-wrist calls article says the Sense, Sense 2, Versa 3 and Versa 4 have a built-in speaker and microphone for taking calls from the wrist, set up under your device, On-Wrist Calls in the Google Health app by pairing a Bluetooth device named like Sense 2 Calls. If you cannot answer on-wrist calls: use the latest app, keep the Fitbit up to date, turn call notifications on, turn phone Bluetooth off and on, restart the Fitbit, remove the Controls or Calls entry from the phone's Bluetooth list and set on-wrist calls up again.
For voice replies the Microphone setting must be on in the Settings app, and Alexa answers in text and through the speaker on a Sense 2 or Versa 4, with a volume icon to adjust it. The Fitbit Ace LTE has its own speaker and microphone; its help says to check the speaker vent on the left side for dirt or water and wipe it with a lint-free dry cloth, and to raise the call volume in Settings. Never poke the sensor holes.
Differential
Likely causes of “Fitbit trackers and smartwatches speaker or microphone is muffled”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
On-wrist calls are not set up
What separates it Calls ring on the phone only because on wrist calls are not set up
How to confirm Set them up under your device, On-Wrist Calls
- 2
A stale Bluetooth calls entry
What separates it The watch cannot answer because of a stale Bluetooth calls entry
How to confirm Remove the Calls entry from the phone's Bluetooth list and set up again
- 3
The Microphone setting is off
What separates it Voice replies fail because the Microphone setting is off
How to confirm Turn Microphone on in the Settings app, and test a call
- 4
Debris or water in the vent
What separates it The sound is muffled because of debris or water in the vent
How to confirm Wipe the vent with a dry lint-free cloth
- 5
Low call volume
What separates it Calls are quiet because of a low call volume setting
How to confirm Raise the call volume in Settings, and test a call
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether the speaker, the microphone or both fail and in what feature
- Whether the device has been wet
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedUpdate everything
ReversibleUpdate everything, by updating the Google Health app and the Fitbit to the latest versions.
Turn on call notifications
ReversibleTurn on call notifications, and check that call notifications are on for the app, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Reset Bluetooth
ReversibleReset Bluetooth, by turning phone Bluetooth off and on again, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Restart
ReversibleRestart the Fitbit, and wait for the clock face before you test again, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Remove and re-add the calls entry
ReversibleRemove and re add the calls entry, by forgetting the Controls or Calls device and setting up on wrist calls again.
Check the microphone setting
ReversibleCheck the microphone setting, by opening Settings and making sure that Microphone is on, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Clean the vent
ReversibleClean the vent, by wiping the speaker vent with a dry lint free cloth, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Which models have audio
- Google's article lists the Sense, Sense 2, Versa 3 and Versa 4 for on-wrist calls; the Ace LTE has a built-in microphone and speaker per its specifications; the Charge 5, Charge 6, Inspire 3 and Luxe have none.
- Alexa on the watch
- Google says Alexa replies in text and through the speaker on the Sense 2 and Versa 4; Google Assistant is being phased out on the Sense and Versa 3.
- 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 calls fail after removing the Bluetooth entry and setting up again, contact Fitbit support
- !If the speaker stays muffled after cleaning, contact support
- !If an Ace LTE fails calls, follow the Ace LTE Help
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Which watches take calls and the Bluetooth pairing and troubleshooting steps.
Alexa on the Sense 2 and Versa 4 and the speaker volume.
The Microphone setting for voice replies.
The Ace LTE's call requirements.
The Fitbit brand and its devices.
Exact questions
Common questions
Which Fitbits take calls?+
Google lists the Sense, Sense 2, Versa 3 and Versa 4.
Where do I set up calls?+
Under your device, On-Wrist Calls in the Google Health app.
Why can I not answer calls?+
Update the app and device, turn call notifications on, reset Bluetooth and set calls up again.
Does Alexa use the speaker?+
Yes on the Sense 2 and Versa 4.
Why does voice reply fail?+
Turn the Microphone setting on, if voice reply fails.
Should I clean the speaker?+
Wipe the vent with a dry lint-free cloth; do not poke it.
Is the microphone on the Charge?+
No. Google lists calls on the Sense and Versa watches; the Charge and Inspire have no speaker.