How to connect Fitbit to your phone

So you have a cool new Fitbit. Congrats! Here's a hint: The first thing you're going to want to do is connect it to your phone.

A large portion of any Fitbit's functionality relies on pairing it with a phone. Connecting the two devices allows you to access more complete fitness data, gives you the ability to change certain settings, and simply creates a much better overall experience.

Here's how to connect your Fitbit and phone, which should be a relatively painless experience.

1. Make sure your Fitbit device and phone are compatible.

If you have a relatively modern phone this likely should not be an issue. But it's worth checking here to make sure your phone and Fitbit are compatible.

2. Check to see what kind of device you have.

There are slightly different measures to take depending on whether your Fitbit is a tracker, watch, or smart scale. We're going to focus on how to connect trackers and watches, since scales are an entirely different category.

Here, though, is a guide to connecting any device courtesy of Fitbit. Scroll down and find your device and get a quick primer.

3. Download the Fitbit app.

You will absolutely need the Fitbit app. You can download it here for Apple devices and here for Android.

Note: If you already have the app and are connecting a new tracker to replace an old one, skip ahead to Step 6

4. Open the app and join Fitbit.

Assuming you're new to Fitbit, you'll want to create a profile. Go ahead and do that.

5. Choose your device and hit Set Up.

Once you join Fitbit, you'll be prompted with a screen that shows a long list of devices. It'll look something like this.

This is the page where you choose your device.Credit: screenshot: Fitbit app

Choose your type of device, and follow the step-by-step instructions from Fitbit. While these instructions might vary slightly from device to device, it's a quite straightforward process. Follow the steps and you will connect, or pair, the devices so you can sync everything from the tracker to your phone. That's it.

6. For people who got a new Fitbit after having an older one: Replace your device.

Again, this isnota step needed for folks who were new to Fitbit and just created a new account.

SEE ALSO:The best fitness trackers for keeping up with your goals

But if you got a new tracker to replace an old one, then you'll need this step. To replace your device you have to:

Adding a device is easy.Credit: screenshot: fitbit appIf I were to replace my current device, I'd continue on from here.Credit: screenshot: Fitbit app

There you have it, the quick and easy process to connect your Fitbit to your phone. If there are ever any issues with that connection — say, for instance, your data isn't syncing — Fitbit has a troubleshooting page here that should help you fix most issues.