Fitbit Setup

Create a Fitbit Account

Each participant should have a unique account, and this should be an account to which you have full access. The reasoning here is twofold: 1) to make the account as anonymised as possible (i.e., remove identifiable information such as first/last name and personal email), and 2) to make account recovery possible in case of data loss or incomplete data extraction.

  1. Go to My Account (fitbit.com).

  2. Create an account using a unique email, and log in with the code received.

    This can be any email, but you must have access to this email to verify the account and log in.

    The recommended practice is to use Gmail variations

  3. Record these details in the following format:

    id account password
    participant1 [email protected] password1
    participant2 [email protected] password2
    participant3 [email protected] password3

Device Setup

Make sure to factory reset the device before giving it to a new participant.

To get started:

  1. Download the Fitbit app:

  2. Install the app, and open it.

    • If you have a premade account, log in --> Today tab --> click profile picture --> Set Up a Device.
    • If you don't have a Fitbit account, tap Join Fitbit to be guided through a series of questions to create a Fitbit account.
      • If an account is not already created, make sure to use a researcher-owned email to ensure data can be recovered.

  3. Continue to follow the on-screen instructions to connect device to your account.

    For more information, see the related help article.

Once logged in and device attached, instruct participant to update height, weight, and birth year (exact DOB is not strictly necessary, and is identifiable, so preferable to leave as generic).

  1. Tap the Today tab, and tap your profile picture.

  2. Tap the tile with your name.

  3. Tap Personal.

  4. Tap the information you want to change and make your changes.

  5. Tap Save.

Charging

A fully-charged Charge 5 has a battery life of up to 7 days. Battery life and charge cycles vary with use and other factors; actual results will vary.

To charge Charge 5:

  1. Plug the charging cable into the USB port on your computer, a UL-certified USB wall charger, or another low-energy charging device.

  2. Hold the other end of the charging cable near the port on the back of the tracker until it attaches magnetically. Make sure the pins on the charging cable align with the port on the back of your tracker.

Charging fully takes about 1-2 hours. While Charge 5 charges, double-tap the screen to turn it on and check the battery level. Swipe right on the battery screen to use Charge 5. A fully charged tracker shows a solid battery icon.

Device Return

If you want to give Charge 5 to another person or wish to return it, first clear the personal data:

  1. Swipe down from the clock screen to find the Settings app.

  2. Open the Settings app Device Info --> Clear User Data.

  3. Swipe up, then press Hold 3 Sec for 3 seconds and release.

  4. When you see the Fitbit logo and Charge 5 vibrates, your data is erased.

The Fitbit is now ready to be allocated to a new participant.