Controlling music on your Fitbit is straightforward, allowing you to manage playback directly from your wrist, whether the music is streaming from your connected phone or stored directly on your device.
Accessing On-Watch Music Controls
The quickest way to manage your music playback on most Fitbit smartwatches is through the watch's control center. This gives you immediate access to basic controls like play, pause, skip, and volume.
Here’s how to access them:
- Swipe down from the top of your watch screen. This action typically reveals your recent notifications.
- Swipe down again to open the full control center, which houses various quick settings and shortcuts.
- Tap the music controls icon (often represented by a musical note or headphones symbol). This will bring up your current music playback screen.
Once the music controls are active, you can:
- Play/Pause: Tap the play/pause button.
- Skip Tracks: Use the forward and backward arrows to skip to the next or previous song.
- Adjust Volume: Look for volume up/down buttons or a slider, depending on your Fitbit model.
Controlling Music from Your Phone (Paired Devices)
For many Fitbit devices, the music controls on your watch manage the audio playing on your paired smartphone. This is common for models that don't have onboard music storage or streaming capabilities.
How it works:
- Ensure Bluetooth Connection: Your Fitbit must be actively connected to your phone via Bluetooth.
- Start Music on Phone: Begin playing music on any app on your phone (e.g., Spotify, Apple Music, YouTube Music, podcasts).
- Use Watch Controls: Then, use the on-watch music controls as described above. They will remotely control the playback on your phone.
This method is incredibly convenient for workouts, commutes, or when your phone is tucked away in a bag or pocket.
Managing Music from Streaming Services on Your Fitbit
Some advanced Fitbit smartwatches (like the Sense, Versa series) offer the ability to control and even store music from popular streaming services directly on the watch.
Spotify Controls
If you have a Spotify Premium account, you can use the Spotify app on your Fitbit to control music playing on your phone or other Spotify Connect devices.
- Install the Spotify app on your Fitbit via the Fitbit app on your phone.
- Open the Spotify app on your watch.
- Select a device to play music on from the Spotify Connect options.
- You can then browse playlists, shuffle, skip tracks, and adjust volume directly from your wrist.
Deezer/Pandora
Certain Fitbit models allow you to download playlists from Deezer or Pandora directly to your watch for phone-free listening with Bluetooth headphones.
- Subscribe to Deezer Premium or Pandora Plus/Premium.
- Download playlists to your Fitbit through the Fitbit app.
- Connect Bluetooth headphones to your Fitbit.
- Open the Music app on your watch to select and play your downloaded music.
For specific instructions on setting up these services, consult the Fitbit Help Center.
Troubleshooting Music Controls
If you're having trouble controlling music from your Fitbit:
- Check Bluetooth: Ensure your Fitbit is properly connected to your phone's Bluetooth.
- Restart Devices: Try restarting both your Fitbit and your phone.
- Update Apps/Firmware: Make sure your Fitbit's firmware and the Fitbit app on your phone are up to date.
- Background App: Ensure the music app you're trying to control is running in the background on your phone.
- Permissions: Verify that the Fitbit app has the necessary permissions on your phone to control media playback.
By understanding these different methods, you can seamlessly integrate music into your daily routine and workouts with your Fitbit device.
