How do I listen to music and podcasts on my Fitbit watch?

With the Music app on your Fitbit watch*, you can store and play several hours worth of your favorite songs and podcasts right on your wrist. After you download playlists to your watch, connect Bluetooth headphones or another audio device to listen to your tracks.

*This feature isn't available on Fitbit Sense, Fitbit Versa Lite Edition, or Fitbit Versa 3.

To download playlists to your watch, you need a computer with a Wi-Fi connection and the free Fitbit Connect app.

See How do I download playlists to my Fitbit watch? below for details on how to install the apps and download playlists

Keep in mind you can only transfer files that you own or don't require a license.

For information on how to use the Deezer app to download playlists to your watch, see How do I listen to Deezer playlists on my Fitbit watch?

If you live in the United States, you can also use the Pandora app to download stations to your watch. For more information, see How do I listen to Pandora stations on my Fitbit watch?

ClosedWhat types of music and podcast files can I download to my Fitbit watch?

The music and podcast file types you can download to your watch depend on whether you use a PC or a Mac. Note that some older songs may not transfer due to copyright protections (known as DRM encryption).

PC:

  • MP3 files
  • MP4 files with AAC audio
  • WMA files

Mac:

  • MP3 files
  • MP4 files with AAC audio

ClosedHow do I download playlists to my Fitbit watch?

To download music and podcasts to your watch, create at least 1 playlist of songs or podcasts in iTunes or Windows Media Player to download to your watch.

If you use iTunes, make sure you approve the app to share playlists with your watch:
Open iTunes on your computer then Edit then Preferences then Advanced then Share iTunes Library XML with other applications then OK.

To transfer the music to your watch, choose your device.

ClosedMac

Part 1

Start here the first time you download playlists to your watch. If you previously downloaded playlists, skip to Part 2 to download new music and podcasts.

Connect to Wi-Fi

Make sure your watch and your Mac are able to be connect to the same Wi-Fi network:

  1. In the Fitbit app, tap the Today tab then your profile picture then your device image.
  2. Tap Wi-Fi Settings.
  3. Tap Add Network and follow the on-screen instructions to add your Wi-Fi network or check the Network list to make sure it's already listed.
  4. Tap the network name then Connect.
  5. To see which network your computer is on, click the Wi-Fi symbol on your screen. Connect to the same Wi-Fi network as your watch.

If you have trouble connecting your watch to Wi-Fi, see Why won't my Fitbit watch connect to Wi-Fi?​

Install Fitbit Connect

Install a free software application called Fitbit Connect that lets you download music and podcasts from your iTunes Library to your watch.

  1. On your Mac, go to fitbit.com/global/us/setup.
  2. Scroll down and click the option to Download for Mac.
  3. Double-click Install Fitbit Connect.pkg. The Fitbit Connect installer opens.
  4. Click Continue to move through the installer.
  5. After the Fitbit Connect window appears, continue to Part 2.

Part 2

  1. For best results, sync your watch in the Fitbit app, and then disable Bluetooth temporarily on your phone and computer.
  2. Plug your watch into the charger.
  3. In the Fitbit Connect window on your computer, click Manage My Music.
  4. If prompted, log in to your Fitbit account.
  5. On your watch, open the Music app and then tap Transfer Music. Note that you may need to scroll down to see the transfer button.
    Transfer music screen
  6. Wait a few moments for your watch to connect. Note this can sometimes take a minute or two.
  7. When prompted, follow the on-screen instructions on your Mac to choose the playlists you want to download to your watch. After you choose a playlist, the download starts automatically. If your playlist doesn't appear, click the refresh icon and try again.
  8. Note that if you take several minutes to pick your first playlist, Wi-Fi may disconnect to preserve your battery. Tap the Transfer Music button again to reconnect and continue choosing your playlists.

ClosedWindows PC

Part 1

Start here the first time you download playlists to your watch. If you previously downloaded playlists, skip to Part 2 to download new music and podcasts.

Connect to Wi-Fi

Make sure your watch and PC are connected to the same Wi-Fi network:

  1. In the Fitbit app, tap the Today tab then your profile picture then your device image.
  2. Tap Wi-Fi Settings.
  3. Tap Add Network and follow the on-screen instructions to add your Wi-Fi network or check the Network list to make sure it's already listed.
  4. Tap the network name then Connect.
  5. To see which network your computer is on, click the Wi-Fi symbol on your screen. Connect to the same Wi-Fi network as your watch.

If you have trouble connecting your watch to Wi-Fi, see Why won't my Fitbit watch connect to Wi-Fi?

Install Fitbit Connect

Install a free software application called Fitbit Connect that lets you download music and podcasts from your iTunes Library or Windows Media Player to your watch.

  1. On your PC, go to fitbit.com/global/us/setup.
  2. Scroll down and click the option to Download for Windows.
  3. Double-click Install Fitbit Connect.pkg. The Fitbit Connect installer opens.
  4. Click Continue to move through the installer.
  5. After the Fitbit Connect window appears, continue to Part 2.

Part 2

  1. For best results, sync your watch in the Fitbit app, and then disable Bluetooth temporarily on your phone and computer.
  2. Plug your watch into the charger.
  3. On your computer, open Fitbit Connect and then choose Manage My Music.
  4. Click Personal Music.
  5. On your watch, open the Music app and then tap Transfer Music. Note that you may need to scroll down to see the transfer button.
    Transfer music screen
  6. Wait a few moments for your watch to connect. Note this can sometimes take a minute or two.
  7. When prompted, follow the on-screen instructions on your computer to choose the playlists you want to download to your watch. After you choose a playlist, the download starts automatically.
  8. Note that if you take several minutes to pick your first playlist, Wi-Fi may disconnect to preserve your battery. Tap the Transfer Music button again to reconnect and continue choosing your playlists.

ClosedHow do I listen to music and podcasts on my Fitbit watch?

To listen to music and podcasts:

  1. After you download at least 1 playlist, connect a Bluetooth audio device, such as Fitbit Flyer headphones or a Bluetooth speaker, to your watch. For more information, see How do I connect Bluetooth audio devices to my Fitbit watch?
  2. Open the Music app on your watch and tap a playlist. If you downloaded multiple playlists, you may need to scroll down to choose the one you want.
  3. Tap a track and then tap the play button.

Open the music controls to change tracks or control volume. From any screen, press and hold the back button on your watch and swipe to the Music Controls screen instead of opening the Music app.

ClosedWhy can't Fitbit's music service find my playlists?

If you store music outside of the Music folder on your computer, our music service may not find your files. Add your folders to the list of folders the music service searches so it can find your playlists.

To add folders:

  1. On your computer, open Fitbit Connect and choose Manage My Music.
  2. Click the gear icon in the top right corner then Advanced Settings.
  3. Click the + to add the folders where you store your music to the Music folders list and then click Ok.
  4. Check to see if our music service found your playlists. If not, you may need to add more folders.

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