Learn about Active Minutes on Fitbit and how to troubleshoot syncing issues.

Modified on Wed, Sep 4, 2024 at 6:43 PM

How Do I earn active minutes?

Earn active minutes through 10 minutes or more of continuous moderate-to-intense activity.

How does my Fitbit device calculate active minutes?

Fitbit devices calculate active minutes through metabolic equivalents (METs). This metric, which factors in your body mass, is used to estimate exercise intensity. MET's are calculated through a ratio (source):

Rate of energy expended during an activity: rate of energy expended during rest

1 MET is the rate of energy you expend during rest or sitting quietly, while you typically expend 3 METs or more during a moderately intense activity such as walking. You earn active minutes for activities at or above about 3 METs.

If your Fitbit device tracks heart rate, your heart rate data is used to calculate active minutes for non-step-based activities, such as weight lifting, yoga, and rowing. If your device doesn’t track heart rate, your active minutes for these activities will be lower.

What are Active Zone Minutes or Active Minutes on my Fitbit device?

Earn Active Zone Minutes or active minutes based on your device with heart-pumping activity throughout the day.

How do I earn Active Zone Minutes?

Earn Active Zone Minutes for time spent in the moderate (fat burn), vigorous (cardio), or peak heart-rate zones. To help you maximize your time, you earn 2 Active Zone Minutes for each minute you’re in the vigorous or peak zones. Heart-rate zones are personalized based on your fitness level and age.

Heart-Rate Zone	Active Zone Minutes
1 minute in the moderate zone	1 Active Zone Minute
1 minute in the vigorous or peak zone	2 Active Zone Minutes*

*Your Fitbit device doesn't track your heart rate during a swim workout. You earn 1 Active Zone Minute for each minute of swimming.

Why won't my Fitbit device sync?

If you can’t transfer data from your Fitbit device to your account, or if you stopped receiving notifications from your phone, your device might be disconnected.

Note: If you see the phone disconnected icon on Google Pixel Watch, Sense, or Versa 3, your Fitbit device can't communicate with your phone. Follow the troubleshooting steps below.

How do I manually sync my tracker or watch?

Fitbit devices

With your device nearby, open the Fitbit app and tap the Today tab .
Tap and hold on the screen and pull down.

Or use the Sync Now option:

From the Today tab , tap Devices device image.
Tap Sync Now.

If your device doesn't sync:

Force quit the Fitbit app on your phone. For instructions, see the Apple help article or Android (Google) help article.
On your phone, go to Settings Bluetooth and turn Bluetooth off and back on.
Open the Fitbit app and try to sync your device.
If your device doesn't sync, restart it. For instructions, see How do I restart my Fitbit device?

If you still have trouble, follow the steps below depending on your phone.