Fitbit Alta HR User Manual
User Manual Version 1.4
Getting Started
Welcome to Fitbit Alta HR, the heart rate wristband that motivates you to reachyour goals in style. Take a moment to review our complete safety information athttps://www.fitbit.com/safety.
What’s in the box
Your Fitbit Alta HR box includes:
The top and bottom detachable wristbands can be swapped for other colors andmaterials sold separately.
What’s in this manual
We’ll explain how to create a Fitbit® account and make sure your tracker cantransfer the data it collects to your dashboard. The dashboard is where you’ll setgoals, analyze historical data, identify trends, log food and water, keep up withfriends, and much more. As soon as you’re done setting up Alta HR, you’re ready tostart moving.
Next, we’ll explain how to find and use the features that interest you and how toadjust your preferences. For more information, tips, and troubleshooting, browseour comprehensive help content at help.fitbit.com
Set up Fitbit Alta HR
For the best experience, use the Fitbit app for iOS, Android, or Windows 10. If youdon’t have a smartphone or tablet, you can also use a computer and fitbit.cominstead, but keep in mind that a phone is required for call, text, and calendarnotifications.
Your Fitbit account asks for information such as height, weight, and sex in order tocalculate your stride length and to estimate distance, basal metabolic rate, andcalorie burn. When you set up your account, your name and photos are visible to allother Fitbit users. You have the option to share other information, but most of theinformation you provide is private by default.
Charge Alta HR
To charge your tracker:
- Plug the charging cable into the USB port on your computer or a UL-certifiedUSB wall charger.
- Clip the other end of the charging cable to the port on the back of the tracker.The pins on the charging cable must lock securely with the port. You’ll knowthe connection is secure when the tracker vibrates and you see a battery iconon your tracker’s display. The battery icon disappears after three seconds
Charging fully takes about one to two hours. While the tracker charges, you can tapit to check the battery level. A fully charged tracker shows a solid battery icon.
Set up with your phone or tablet
The free Fitbit app is compatible with more than 200 devices that support iOS,Android, and Windows 10 operating systems.
To get started:
- Find the Fitbit app in one of the locations below, depending on your device. Ifyou’re unsure if the Fitbit app is compatible with your phone or tablet, seefitbit.com/devices -Apple App Store for iOS devices such as an iPhone or iPad. -Google Play Store for Android devices such as the Samsung Galaxy S8 and Google Pixel. -Microsoft Store for Windows 10 devices such as the Lumia phone or Surface tablet.
- Install the app. If you don’t have an account with the store, you must createone before you can download the app.
- When the app is installed, open it and tap Join Fitbit to be guided through aseries of questions that help you create your Fitbit account, or log in to yourexisting account.
- Continue following the on-screen instructions to connect, or “pair,” Alta HR to your phone or tablet. Pairing makes sure the tracker and phone or tablet cancommunicate with one another (sync data back and forth).
When you’re done pairing, read through the guide to learn more about your newtracker and then explore the Fitbit dashboard.
Set up with your Windows 10 PC
If you don’t have a smartphone, you can set up and sync Alta HR using a Bluetoothenabled Windows 10 PC and the Fitbit app.
To get the Fitbit app for your computer:
- Click the Start button on your PC and open the Microsoft Store.
- Search for “Fitbit app”. After you find it, click Free to download the app toyour computer.
- If you’ve never downloaded an app to your computer, you’ll be prompted tocreate an account with the Microsoft Store.
- Click Microsoft account to sign in with your existing Microsoft account. If youdon’t already have an account with Microsoft, follow the on-screen instructions to create a new account.
- When the app is installed, open it and click Join Fitbit to be guided through aseries of questions that help you create your Fitbit account, or log in to yourexisting account.
- Continue following the on-screen instructions to connect, or “pair,” Alta HR to your computer. Pairing makes sure the tracker and computer can communicate with one another (sync data back and forth).
When you’re done pairing, read through the guide to learn more about your newtracker and then explore the Fitbit dashboard.
Set up with your Mac
If you don’t have a compatible phone or tablet, you can set up your tracker with aBluetooth-enabled Mac and use the fitbit.com dashboard to see your stats. To usethis method you’ll first install a free software application called Fitbit Connect thatlets Alta HR sync its data with your fitbit.com dashboard.
To install Fitbit Connect and set up your tracker:
- Go to fitbit.com/setup
- Scroll down and click the option to download for Mac.
- If prompted, save the file that appears.
- Find and double-click the file to open the installer program (Install FitbitConnect.pkg).
- Click Continue to move through the installer
- When prompted, choose Set up a New Fitbit Device.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to create a Fitbit account, or log in to yourexisting account.
When you’re done with the setup, Fitbit guides you through an introduction to AltaHR and takes you to the fitbit.com dashboard.
Sync data to your Fitbit account
Regularly sync Alta HR to transfer data to your dashboard. The dashboard is whereyou’ll track your progress, see exercise history, track your sleep patterns, log foodand water, identify trends, participate in challenges, and much more. We recommend syncing at least once a day.
The Fitbit app and Fitbit Connect use Bluetooth Low Energy technology to syncdata with Alta HR.
Each time you open the Fitbit app, Alta HR syncs automatically when it’s nearby.Alta HR also syncs with the app periodically if All-Day Sync is on. To turn on thisfeature:
From the Fitbit app dashboard, tap or click the Account icon ( ) > Alta HR tile> All-Day Sync.
You can also use the Sync Now option in the app at any time.
Fitbit Connect on your Mac syncs every 15 minutes if the tracker is within 30 feet of the computer. To force a sync, click the Fitbit Connect icon located near the dateand time on your computer and choose Sync Now.
Wear Alta HR
Place Alta HR around your wrist. If you need to attach a different size wristband, or if you purchased an accessory wristband, you’ll find instructions in “Change thewristband” on the next page.
Placement for all-day wear vs exercise
When you’re not exercising, wear Alta HR a finger’s width below your wrist bone.
For optimized heart-rate tracking while exercising, keep these tips in mind:
- Try wearing Alta HR higher on your wrist during exercise for an improved fitand more accurate heart-rate reading. Many exercises, such as bike riding orweight lifting, cause you to bend your wrist frequently, which can interferewith the heart-rate signal if the tracker is lower on your wrist.
- Make sure the tracker is in contact with your skin.
- Don’t wear your tracker too tight; a tight band restricts blood flow, potentiallyaffecting the heart-rate signal. However, the tracker should be slightly tighter(snug but not constricting) during exercise than during all-day wear.
- With high-intensity interval training or other activities where your wrist ismoving vigorously and non-rhythmically, the movement may limit the sensor’s ability to provide a heart-rate reading. If your tracker doesn’t show a heart-rate reading, try relaxing your wrist and staying still briefly (about 10 seconds). You should see a heart-rate reading.
Wrist choice and dominant hand
For greater accuracy and ease of use, Alta HR needs to know which wrist you wearit on (right or left) and which hand you consider dominant (right or left). Yourdominant hand is the one you usually write or throw with.
During setup, you’re asked to choose the wrist where you’re going to wear Alta HR.Should you later decide to move Alta HR to the other wrist, change the Wristsetting. You can also change your dominant hand at any time with the Handednesssetting. Both settings are found in the Account section of the Fitbit app.
Change the wristband
The wristband has two separate bands (top and bottom) that you can swap withaccessory bands sold separately.
Remove a wristband
To remove the wristband:
- Turn Alta HR over and find the band latches—there’s one on each end where the band meets the frame.
- To release the latch, press down on the flat metal button on the strap.
- Slide the band up to release it from the tracker.
- Repeat on the other side.
If you’re having trouble removing the band or if it feels stuck, gently move the bandback and forth to release it.
Attach a new wristband
Before you attach a new wristband, first identify the top and bottom bands. The top band has a buckle on it and should be attached on the side closest to the charging port. The bottom band has notches in it.
To attach a band, slide it down on the end of the tracker until you feel it snap intoplace.
Basics
Learn how best to navigate, check the battery level, and care for your tracker.
Alta HR has an OLED tap display that can be oriented horizontally or vertically. You can choose from several clock faces, each with a unique design. Single-tap thedisplay to flip through your stats.
When you’re not using Alta HR the display is dimmed. To wake it up:
- Double-tap your tracker.
- Turn your wrist towards you. This behavior, known as Quick View, can beturned off in your tracker settings.
For best results, tap your tracker where the screen meets the band as shown.
Check battery level
Your fully charged Alta HR has a battery life of up to 7 days. Note that battery lifeand charge cycles vary with use, settings, and many other factors. Actual results willvary.
If your battery is low, when you wake up your Alta HR you’ll see low battery iconafter a few seconds. If you see a critical battery icon you’ll be unable to flip throughyour stats until you charge your tracker. Your tracker continues to track your activity until your battery runs out. Note that heart rate tracking will stop when your battery level is at approximately 5%.
You can check your battery level at any time on the battery screen on your trackeror on your Fitbit dashboard. You must turn on the battery screen in the Fitbit app, it is not on your tracker by default.
Care for Alta HR
It’s important to clean and dry your Alta HR regularly. For instructions and moreinformation, see fitbit.com/productcare
Activity and Sleep
Alta HR continuously tracks a variety of stats whenever you wear it. The information is transferred to your dashboard every time you sync your tracker.
View all-day stats
Tap your Alta HR to see these all-day stats:
- Steps taken
- Current heart rate
- Resting heart rate (optional)
- Distance covered
- Calories burned
- Active minutes
Other stats captured by your tracker are available on your Fitbit dashboard, including:
- Your sleep history, including hours slept and sleep patterns
- The hours of the day that you were stationary vs. active (walked at least 250steps)
- Your exercise history and progress towards a weekly exercise goal
- Your beats per minute (BPM), average resting heart rate, and time spent inheart-rate zones.
Note: Alta HR stats reset at midnight to begin a new day.
Double-tap your Alta HR to wake it up. When you see the clock, tap to see each ofyour stats in turn. If you have an alarm set, you’ll also see the next alarm time.
Check your heart rate
Alta HR allows you to view your real-time heart rate and your resting heart rate onyour tracker. To view your heart rate, tap your tracker until you get to the heart ratescreen where you’ll see your current heart rate. Tap again until you get to theresting heart rate screen to see your resting heart rate. You must turn on the restingheart rate screen in the Fitbit app.
Using heart-rate zones
Heart-rate zones help you target the training intensity of your choice. Your trackershows your current zone beside your heart rate, and on your Fitbit dashboard youcan see your time spent in zones during a particular day or exercise. Three zonesbased on American Heart Association recommendations are available by default, oryou can create a custom zone if you have a specific heart rate you’re targeting.
Default heart-rate zones
Default heart-rate zones are calculated using your estimated maximum heart rate.Fitbit calculates your maximum heart rate with the common formula of 220 minusyour age.
Custom heart rate zones
Instead of using the default heart-rate zones, you can configure a custom zone or acustom max heart rate if you have a specific target in mind. For example, eliteathletes might have a target that differs from the American Heart Association’srecommendations for the average person. When you’re in your custom zone you’llsee a solid heart on your tracker. When you’re not in the zone you’ll see an outlineof a heart.
For more details about heart rate tracking, including links to relevant AmericanHeart Rate Association information, see help.fitbit.com
Track a daily activity goal
Alta HR tracks your progress towards a daily activity goal of your choice. When youreach your goal, the tracker vibrates and shows a celebration.
Choose a goal
By default your goal is 10,000 steps per day. You can change the goal to distancetraveled, calories burned, or active minutes and select the corresponding value youprefer. For example, you may want to keep steps as your goal but change thetarget from 10,000 to 20,000 steps.
See goal progress
A goal progress bar helps keep you motivated. The dots in the bar shown belowindicate that you’re more than halfway to your goal.
Track your exercise
The SmartTrack feature automatically detects selected exercises and records thedetails in your exercise history.
By default, SmartTrack detects continuous movement at least 15 minutes in length.You can increase or decrease the minimum duration or disable SmartTrack for oneor more exercise types.
For more information about customizing and using SmartTrack, see help.fitbit.com
Track your hourly activity
Alta HR helps you stay active throughout the day by keeping track of when you’restationary and reminding you to move.
If you haven’t walked at least 250 steps in a given hour, at 10 minutes before thehour you’ll feel a vibration reminding you to walk. When you meet the 250-stepgoal after receiving the reminder, you’ll feel a second vibration and see acongratulatory message.
For more information on hourly activity, including how to customize the hours youreceive reminders, see help.fitbit.com
Track your sleep
Wear Alta HR to bed to automatically track your time asleep and sleep stages. Tosee your sleep stats, sync your tracker when you wake up and check yourdashboard.
For more information about sleep tracking, see help.fitbit.com
Set a sleep goal
By default, you have a sleep goal of 8 hours of sleep per night. Customize this goalto meet your needs.
For more information about your sleep goal, including how to change it, seehelp.fitbit.com
Set a bedtime reminder
The Fitbit dashboard can recommend consistent bedtimes and wake times to helpyou improve the consistency of your sleep cycle. You can choose to be remindednightly when it’s time to start getting ready for bed.
For more information about how to set bedtime reminders, see help.fitbit.com
Learn about your sleep habits
Alta HR tracks several sleep metrics including when you go to bed, how long you’reasleep, and your time spent in each sleep stage. When you use Alta HR with theFitbit dashboard, your tracker can help you understand how your sleep patternscompare to others of the same sex and age range.
For more information about sleep stages, see help.fitbit.com
Set a silent alarm
Alta HR can gently vibrate to wake or alert you with a silent alarm. You can set up to eight alarms to recur every day or on particular days of the week only. When thealarm goes off, simply double tap to dismiss.
For more information about customizing and using silent alarms, see help.fitbit.com
Notifications
Over 200 different iOS, Android, and Windows phones can send call, text, andcalendar notifications to your tracker. Keep in mind the phone and tracker must bewithin 30 feet of each other to receive notifications. To check whether your phoneis compatible with this feature, go to https://www.fitbit.com/devices
Set up notifications
Check that Bluetooth on your phone is on and that your phone can receivenotifications (often under Settings > Notifications). Then follow the steps below toset up notifications:
- With your tracker nearby, from the Fitbit app dashboard, tap the Account icon( ) > Alta HR tile.
- Tap Notifications. When you’re prompted to pair Alta HR, follow the onscreen instructions. After you’ve paired your tracker, “Alta HR” will appear in the list of Bluetooth devices connected to your phone. Call, text, and calendar notifications are turned on automatically.
- Tap Notifications > Alta HR in the top left corner to return to device settings.Your tracker syncs to complete the setup.
For detailed instructions on how to set up notifications, see help.fitbit.com
Receive calendar notifications
Your tracker will show calendar events and any information sent from your calendar app to your phone. Note that if your calendar app does not send notifications to your phone, you won’t receive notifications on your tracker.
If you have an iOS or Windows 10 phone, your Alta HR shows notifications from all calendars synced to the default Calendar app. If you have a third-party calendarapp that is not synced to your default app, you won’t see notifications from thatapp.
If you have an Android device, your Alta HR shows calendar notifications from thecalendar app you choose during setup. You can choose from the default Calendarapp on your phone or several third-party calendar apps.
See incoming notifications
If your tracker and phone are within 30 feet of each other, a call, text message, orcalendar event causes the tracker to vibrate and the notification to appear on thetracker’s display. If the display is off, turn your wrist towards you or double-tap towake it up. The notification is only visible for one minute. If you have more than one unread notification, you’ll see a plus sign (+) indicator.
For phone calls, the notification scrolls three times with the name or number of thecaller.
For text messages and calendar events, the notification scrolls once.
For calendar events, the event time scrolls, followed by the name of the event.
The character limit for notifications is 40. Note that all notifications are shownhorizontally, even if your clock orientation is normally vertical.
Customization
This section explains how to adjust the tracker’s display and modify certainbehaviors.
Change the clock face and orientation
Alta HR has several clock faces available in horizontal and vertical styles.
Change the clock face using the Fitbit app. For more information, seehelp.fitbit.com
Use Quick View
To preserve battery, your tracker’s screen turns off when not in use. It wakes upautomatically when you turn your wrist towards you (known as Quick View), or youcan wake it up by double tapping your tracker.
For more information about turning Quick View on or off, see help.fitbit.com
Note that Quick View works best when wearing the tracker properly as described in“Wear Alta HR” on page 11.
Adjust your heart rate setting
Your Alta HR uses PurePulse technology to track heart rate automatically andcontinuously. The Heart Rate setting has three options:
- Auto (the default)—Heart rate tracking is active when you’re wearing yourtracker.
- Off—Heart rate tracking is off.
- On—Heart rate tracking is on regardless of whether you’re wearing yourtracker.
For more information about adjusting the heart rate tracker, see help.fitbit.com
Updates
We occasionally make free feature enhancements and product improvementsavailable through firmware updates. We recommend keeping your Alta HR up todate.
When a firmware update is available you’ll see a notification in the Fitbit appprompting you to update. When the update starts, a progress bar appears on thetracker and in the Fitbit app until the update is complete.
Keep your tracker and phone close to each other during the update process.
Note that updating your Alta HR takes several minutes and may be demanding onthe battery. For this reason, we recommend plugging your tracker into thecharging cable before updating.
Troubleshooting
If your tracker is not working properly, review our troubleshooting guidance below.Visit help.fitbit.com for more information.
Heart-rate signal missing
Alta HR continuously tracks your heart rate while you’re exercising and throughoutthe day. Occasionally, the heart-rate sensor on your tracker may have difficultyfinding a good signal. When this happens, you’ll see dashed lines where yourcurrent heart rate usually appears.
If you’re not getting a heart-rate signal, first make sure you’re wearing your trackercorrectly, either by moving it higher or lower on your wrist or by tightening orloosening the band. Alta HR should be in contact with your skin. After holding your arm still and straight for a short time, you should see your heart rate again.
If the heart rate signal is still missing, check your Heart Rate setting on your Fitbitdashboard and make sure it’s set to On or Auto.
Unexpected behavior
If you experience one of the following problems, it may be fixed by restarting yourtracker:
- Not syncing despite successful setup
- Not responding to taps despite being charged
- Not tracking your steps or other data
Note: Restarting your tracker reboots the device but does not delete any data.
To restart your tracker:
- Plug the charging cable into the USB port on your computer or a UL-certifiedUSB wall charger.
- Clip the other end of the charging cable to the port on the back of the tracker.The pins on the charging cable must lock securely with the port. You’ll knowthe connection is secure when the tracker vibrates and you see a battery iconon your tracker’s display. The battery icon disappears after three seconds.
- Press the button on your charging cable 3 times within 8 seconds, brieflypausing between presses. The button is on the end of the charging cable thatis plugged into the computer.
When you see the Fitbit logo and the tracker vibrates, this means the tracker has restarted.
After your tracker restarts you can unplug it from the charging cable and put it backon. For additional troubleshooting or to contact Customer Support, seehelp.fitbit.com
General Info and Specifications
Sensors
Fitbit Alta HR contains the following sensors and motors:
- A MEMS 3-axis accelerometer, which tracks motion patterns
- An optical heart rate tracker
Materials
The wristband that comes with Alta HR is made of a flexible, durable elastomermaterial similar to that used in many sports watches. It does not contain latex.Accessory wristbands are available in genuine leather.
The clasp and housing on Alta HR are made of surgical-grade stainless steel. Whileall stainless steel contains traces of nickel and can cause an allergic reaction insomeone with nickel sensitivity, the amount of nickel in all Fitbit products meets the European Union’s stringent Nickel Directive.
Wireless technology
Alta HR contains a Bluetooth 4.0 radio transceiver.
Haptic feedback
Alta HR contains a vibration motor for alarms, goals, notifications, and reminders.
Battery
Alta HR contains a rechargeable lithium-polymer battery.
Memory
Refer to the following table for information on how long Alta HR stores stats anddata in between the times when it syncs. Stored data consists of steps, distance,calories burned, active minutes, heart rate, sleep, and stationary vs. active hours.We recommend syncing Alta HR at least once a day.
Display
Alta HR has an OLED tap display.
Wristband size
Wristband sizes are shown below. Note that accessory wristbands sold separatelymay vary slightly.
Environmental conditions
Learn more
To learn more about your tracker and dashboard, visit help.fitbit.com.
Return policy and warranty
Warranty information and the fitbit.com return policy can be found atfitbit.com/legal/returns-and-warranty
Regulatory & Safety Notices
Model Name: FB408
USA: Federal Communications Commission (FCC) statement
Notice to the User: The FCC and Industry Canada IDs can also be viewed on yourdevice. To view content:
- While your tracker is charging, press the button on the charging cable sixtimes to see the Regulatory screen.
This device complies with Part 15 of the FCC Rules.Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
- This device may not cause harmful interference and
- This device must accept any interference, including interference that maycause undesired operation of the device.
FCC Warning
Changes or modifications not expressly approved by the party responsible forcompliance could void the user’s authority to operate the equipment.
Note: This equipment has been tested and found to comply with the limits for aClass B digital device, pursuant to part 15 of the FCC Rules. These limits aredesigned to provide reasonable protection against harmful interference in aresidential installation.
This equipment generates, uses and can radiate radio frequency energy and, if not installed and used in accordance with the instructions, may cause harmful interference to radio communications.
However, there is no guarantee that interference will not occur in a particular installation. If this equipment does cause harmful interference to radio or television reception, which can be determined by turning the equipment off and on, the user is encouraged to try to correct the interference by one or more of the following measures:
- Reorient or relocate the receiving antenna.
- Increase the separation between the equipment and receiver.
- Connect the equipment into an outlet on a circuit different from that to whichthe receiver is connected.
- Consult the dealer or an experienced radio/TV technician for help.
This device meets the FCC and IC requirements for RF exposure in public oruncontrolled environments.
FCC ID: XRAFB408
Canada: Industry Canada (IC) statement
This device meets the IC requirements for RF exposure in public or uncontrolledenvironments
IC Notice to Users English/French in accordance with current issue of RSS GEN:This device complies with Industry Canada license exempt RSS standard(s).Operation is subject to the following two conditions:
- This device may not cause interference, and
- This device must accept any interference, including interference that maycause undesired operation of the device.
European Union (EU)
Simplified EU Declaration of Conformity
Hereby, Fitbit, Inc. declares that the radio equipment type Model FB408 is incompliance with Directive 2014/53/EU. The full text of the EU declaration ofconformity is available at the following internet address: www.fitbit.com/safety
Australia and New Zealand
Notice to the User: Regulatory content for this region can also be viewed on yourdevice. To view content:
- While your tracker is charging, press the button on the charging cable sixtimes to see the Regulatory screen.
Without permission, any company, firm or user shall not alter the frequency,increase the power, or change the characteristics and functions of the originaldesign of the certified lower power frequency electric machinery.
The application of low power frequency electric machineries shall not affect thenavigation safety nor interfere a legal communication, if an interference is found,the service will be suspended until improvement is made and the interference nolonger exists.
The foregoing legal communication refers to the wireless telecommunication operated according to the telecommunications laws and regulations. The low power frequency electric machinery should be able to tolerate the interference of the electric wave radiation electric machineries and equipment for legal communications or industrial and scientific applications.
United Arab Emirates
TRA Registered No.: ER51305/17Dealer No.: DA35294/14
Safety Statement
This equipment has been tested to comply with safety certification in accordancewith the specifications of EN Standard: EN60950-1:2006 + A11:2009 + A1:2010 + A12: 2011 + A2:2013.
©2018 Fitbit, Inc. All rights reserved. Fitbit and the Fitbit logo are trademarksor registered trademarks of Fitbit in the US and other countries. A more complete list of Fitbit trademarks can be found at
https://uspto.report/company/Fitbit-Inc. Third-party trademarks mentioned are the property of their respective owners.
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