FitBit Charge 2 Fitness Activity Tracker Set Up And Configuration On iPhone iOS

I had unboxed my FitBit Charge 2 and accessories (see previous post) and now it was time to set it up for its first use. In my last post I showed that within the box there is a piece of paper which says that you should go to www.fitbit.com/setup to configure the device. Once you do this it redirects you to the app store to download FitBit's own mobile app. The first time you open the Fitbit mobile app it presents you with a setup wizard.

1. Hey, there welcome to Fitbit - This screen establishes whether you have an existing Fitbit account or whether you need to create a new one. As this was the first fitness tracker I have purchased, I selected 'join Fitbit'. 

2.Which Fitbit tracker are you setting up ? - I purchased the Charge 2 activity tracker so I selected it from the list.

3. Fitbit charge 2 - There is no information to enter on this screen so select 'Set up your fitbit charge 2'

4. There is no information to enter on this screen so select 'Lets go'

5. How tall are you - Use the scroller to enter your height. In the UK we tend to use feet and inches. For example I am 6ft tall so I looked up a height conversion site to convert it into cm which worked out as 182.88cm precisely. I just rounded this up to 183cm.

Press 'Next' when you are happy with your entry.

6. 'What's your gender ?' - Thankfully Fitbit has not bought into the Gender fluid/Gender neutrality nonsense and still believes that it is significant/important.

Therefore, select your gender using the icons and select 'Next'.

7. What is your weight ? - It seems Fitbit do adapt the app based on country. As I am in the UK it asked for my weight in stones.

Use the horizontal scroller to find your weight and press 'Next'.

8. What is your Birthday ? -  Use the horizontal scrollers to select your birthday and press 'Next'.

* Screenshot doesn't show my real birthday !

9. Now lets put a name to those numbers - Enter name, email and password.

I agree to the Fitbit terms of service and privacy policy - you will need to agree to this or you wont be able to proceed and the 'Next' option will remain greyed out.

I acknowledge that my personal data will be transferred to the United States in accordance with the Privacy Policy. Just as above you will need to agree to this or you wont be able to proceed and the 'Next' option will remain greyed out.

Keep me updated about Fitbit products, news and promotions - This box is optional and as a rule I never tick them as it just leads to emails I never end up reading. However, if they will be of value to you then by all means select it.

Press 'Next'.

10. Read our terms and policies - This is your opportunity to read the terms of  service and privacy policy.

I'm sure like me you will open these up and diligently read every line and satisfy yourself you are legally, morally and spiritually happy with everything !

When you are finished with your studies select 'I agree'.

11. Meet Your Charge 2 - There is no information to enter on this screen so select 'Next'

12. Is your Charge 2 powered on ? (Make sure it's display turns on when you press the button. If nothing happens plug it into the charger) - My Charge 2 device did turn on and app began searching for it. Once it finds it, it takes you to the following screen.

13. Pair your tracker (Enter the number on your trackers display) - You will see for digits appear on your Charge 2 at this point and you just need to enter them into the app using the keypad which appears on-screen. Once you have entered the 4 digit pin it will take about a minute to complete the pairing process.

14. Update available (Keep your tracker close to your mobile device during the update) - Select 'Update tracker'.

15. Plug in your Charge 2 (The battery is abit too low to continue) - It was at this point that I got charger out of the box for first use. One instantly noticeable and annoying thing is that the lead for the charger  is extremely short. If you are intending on charging the device on your desk or side table in the future then prepare yourself for disappointment because it definitely will not reach.

Once you have the phone charging select 'Try Again'.

16. Updating your tracker (This update may take up to 10 minutes, but feel free to leave the Fitbit app while you wait) - It warns you for up to 10 minutes but mine only took 2.30 mins and having the progress bar was helpful.

17. Update complete ! - There is no information to enter on this screen so select 'Continue'.

18. Now for the fun (Walk through the  basics to learn how to make the most of your Fitbit Charge 2) - There is no information to enter on this screen so select 'Next'.

19. Navigation (Use the button to wake your tracker and page through the menu). Having owned the Fitbit for a while now you often need to press the button just to view Fitbit's default screen as the 'Quick View' feature (see below) doesn't always activate 100% of the time.

Select 'Next' to continue.

20. Quick View (You can turn on the display by turning your wrist towards you or by double-tapping the display) -  As mentioned above, although this is a good feature it doesn't always work 100% of the time so in those instances you need to press the button.

Select 'Next' to continue.

21. Fitbit basics (Wear your Charge 2 everyday to track a variety of stats. Your daily goal is set to 10,000 steps and resets at midnight) - You can also view how many steps you have completed within the Fitbit app.

Select 'Next' to continue.

22. Sleep and alarms (Automatically track sleep by wearing your tracker to bed. Use the Fitbit app to set silent alarms) - The sleep feature is fantastic and I will describe it in detail in my 'review of the Fitbit'.

Select 'Next' to continue.

23. Track exercise (Record your exercise to see real-time stats like pace and distance on the display for a variety of sports). 

Select 'Next' to continue.

24. GPS routes using your phone (Connect with the GPS on your smartphone to map routes and get real-time stats like pace and distance) - I noticed alot of people complained online about the Fitbit Charge 2 not being true GPS i.e. it uses the phone's GPS rather than having GPS capability within the tracker itself but personally I have found it to be absolutely fine as I always have my phone on me anyway.

Select 'Next' to continue.

25. Stay connected (Charge 2 will buzz when you receive text messages or calls. Turn your wrist towards you to view a notification. You can configure notifications in your app settings) - This was a feature I wasn't really interested in when I first got the tracker but I find it really useful now.

Select 'Next' to continue.

26. Guided Breathing Sessions (Find moments of calm throughout your day with personalized guided breathing sessions).


Select 'Next' to continue.

27. Charging (Plug the charging cable into a USB port. Connect it to your tracker and make sure the gold pins are aligned) - Good instructions for how to charge your Fitbit but if you are anything like me you had to figure this out earlier when the setup asked you to charge your device for the update.

Select 'Next' to continue.

28. How to wear it (All day : Wear the band loose enough that it can move back and forth. During workouts : Secure the band so it lays flat 2-3 finger-widths above your wrist bone) - This is the optimum position but I had to move it further up my arm to avoid it getting damage by cable weights I was using and it still recorded everything accurately.

Select 'Next' to continue.

29. Wear & care tips

1. Clean your band and wrist regularly with soap-free cleanser.
2. If you tracker gets wet, remove and dry completely.
3. Take your band off from time to time.

After exercise and at the end of each day I clean my Fitbit Charge 2 with an anti-bacterial handwipe/wet wipe. I find this method to be quick and easy and also doesn't risk the Fitbit getting too wet.

Select 'Next' to continue.

30. Which wrist will you wear your tracker on ? - I prefer the left wrist but select what works best for you.

31. Here's a hot tip (You can swap your current band with Charge 2 accessory bands. Just push the button in and slide band up) - I really like the black band as I tend to wear black i.e. black t-shirts and black shorts and trainers at the gym. However, for the more adventurous types the bands now come in a range of different colours and textures.

Select 'Next' to continue.

32. You're all set ! (Get moving and train smarter with Charge 2) - All you need to do now is select 'Done' and you can begin really getting some hands on experience with the Fitbit Charge 2.

You are then taken to the Fitbit app home screen.

Setting up the FitBit Charge 2 was very easy and had it not been for the battery on the Charge 2 being a little low and needing charging midway it would have been even simpler. It is clear that alot of thought has gone into providing a smooth user experience for the initial setup and it provides a good level of information regarding the features to prepare you for first use.

If you have purchased a Fitbit and would like to leave a comment regarding the setup, please do so below.