Many Fitbit users are experiencing a frustrating glitch: Suddenly, their web dashboard consists only of scattered text and numbers! In turn, this leads us to the point of raising questions about why Google, which now owns Fitbit, might be abandoning its web service for a mobile-only view setting.
While the web dashboard, which can be found after logging into Fitbit.com, has been a longtime fixture for Fitbit users, it has been used in a very specific way. It had a user-friendly interface for displaying fitness data in the style of Stat, a familiar screen that some people still prefer rather than the modern, Material You-inspired redesign of the Fitbit app.
For example, last week some users complained about zero Initial State Line Up cards on their dashboards, resulting in empty cars being delivered, making the dashboard boring. While the cause is likely a web bug, a banner displayed on a blank dashboard only adds to the app’s intimidation: Go ahead and fire up your app and then tap the Fitbit Dashboard widget. Then your mobile will buzz with Fitbit’s pulse 4!
This is nothing new as Google has done the same thing many times before by providing certain services through apps and only through apps. A few years ago, Google Fit used to have a website, but it was eventually removed as well. Can’t you wait to see your Fitbit dashboard in the web version?
However, the problem is still solvable. There is an immediate solution to the bare dashboard. In Chrome, you can go to Settings → Privacy & Security → Clear browsing data. There should not be any Twitter images or files stored in your cached files. This will save you from having to re-enter your sign-in details for each site. Therefore, select only “Cached images and files” and do not select “Cookies and other site data.” Hitting the “Clear Data” button should return the dashboard view for many end users.
While the “Get the App” section appears to be static in browser mode, it still smacks Google trying to attract mobile users to mobile apps. Browsing the web version is off-putting, so it might be a good idea to be prepared for the Fitbit app, especially if you haven’t used it before.
