Alta HR fall off

[Margaret68]

The wristband started separating from the tracker, and despite watching videos and reading instructions on putting the band back in place, it will fall off again and again.  Is there a way to make sure the wristband is locked in place?  I am not trying to change bands.

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity

[Parkersspace]

Hi Dana, yes this is a deffinite issue with the Fitbit alta band and they will only replace it in warranty hence i kept two little ties around my band so it would last for me.  It's ugly but works to hold the bands on and stop them from breaking. I don't think they tested the alta on real athletes who wear wrist guards, take ski coats and ski poles on and off 7 days a week, etc.  so I would not replace that band if i were you.  Put your money into trying out the new inspire.  I've had mine about two weeks so i'm not sure but it does everything the alta does, though it has a few bugs, seems to auto record a little wonky yet but I'm sure they will get those issues fixed with software updates as it is out longer, in general it is working well, but recorded two of my outdoor bike rides as "Sport" instead and i had to edit it to just say bike so I knew, and it recorded me unpacking my clothes (I think the movement of my arms from suit case to dresser cause this), as a 12 minute swim! lol.  anyhow other than that the HR seems good, the band seems a better design as it's thinner at the joining portion so not as likely to catch on sleeves and stuff.  If you really want to keep your alta, take your broken band and do what I have done in this photo if you like, It held my fitbit alta on for the past 6 months through 7 days of teaching skiing all winter.  I just used the smallest size zip ties, tightened them on to the actual join of the band and fitbit and it allowed the clips not to open and come loose and the rubber/plastic band didn't get the stress when i took my coat and poles on and off. I was going to keep my alta till it broke like this but my husband bought me the inspire for mothers day.  So i loaned my alta to my daughter in law who is waiting for her Charge 3 to come in, her's broke when i told her i had no problem swimming with my inspire the waterproofing seemed fine, so she hadn't wore her charge on her swims out of fear even though it says water proof to 50 m and bad me, her Charge quit working after the swim.  They are sending her a new one.  I had no problem with the inspire.

[DanaMcNeely]

Thanks for the reply and the advice. I'm laughing because their "rigorous product testing" also did not include 69-year-old gals whose only exercise is 6000-7000 steps daily walking and the occasional Silver Sneakers gym class. Sounds like you get your money's worth out of your device. Best wishes and thanks for the friendly advice.

[Jaaaaay]

Brought my fitbit back at the end of November 2018. I’ve been wearing it for less than 6 months and it’s been falling off more and more. I have small wrists as well, and only take it off daily to shower. I feel like it’s going to fall off my wrist any second. Not very impressed - I may consider the Apple watch instead next time. 

[Parkersspace]

Get hold of fitbit support, send them a photo of your band where it has worn and they will send you a new one.  Make sure you do it before your warranty is up. The first or second time i guess mine broke i did a little video showing how easily it pulled apart so they could see how it came off so easily, i just used my phone.  Here's my little video showing them how my band came apart. You might want to make something like this. https://youtu.be/x_N4VCvIfkw  (note in the video i said Canada Post but it was USPS i was on line waiting for, I'm from Canada originally)

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@Jaaaaay wrote:

Brought my fitbit back at the end of November 2018. I’ve been wearing it for less than 6 months and it’s been falling off more and more. I have small wrists as well, and only take it off daily to shower. I feel like it’s going to fall off my wrist any second. Not very impressed - I may consider the Apple watch instead next time. 

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[PoshyKaren]

Yes. I had the wrist band replaced 4 times by Fitbit support. The warranty was up November 2019, so now no more free replacements for their known defective product. I was given an Apple Watch November 2019 and love it. It has never fallen off. I have had zero issues.

I loved my Fitbit but I can’t continue to give a company more money that won’t stand behind their product, when they know it is defective.

Moderator edit: removed personal information

[Arkansas]

I could not agree more.  Extremely frustrating.  FitBit - please fix design flaw!  I don't want to lose mine and have come so close countless number of times. 

[PoshyKaren]

They told me not enough people have complained about the issue in order for them to warrant it a defect.

Moderator edit: removed personal information

[Arkansas]

Then we should post continually - how many is enough?

[jbcampo]

Oh please. they are full of baloney. We have seen tons of complaints about this issue. Once the original clip gets dislodged, it get weakened, then continually falls off. luckily mine was still less than one year old so they replaced the band. but in meantime, I bought a Garmin Vivofit 3, which doesn' have detachable wrist bands. Now, fitbit, sorry, but you are my backup device for when the Garmin battery dies. Fitbit still seems to sell devices with detachable wrist bands. It would behoove them to design the bands so they don't detach. cheaper in the long run, and a lot better for customers who may give up on their brand because of this type of silly reaction.

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @DanaMcNeely, @Jaaaaay and @Arkansas, welcome on board. @Parkersspace, @PoshyKaren and @jbcampo, it's nice to see you around. I'm sorry for my delayed response.

@Parkersspace, thanks for your great help and your advise to get the band connected. @DanaMcNeely, @PoshyKaren and @jbcampo, thanks to you for taking the time to get in touch with our Support Team and sharing your feedback about this situation. I totally see where are you coming from and I'm sorry that you've had this experience with your Alta HR. Our team constantly works on our products based on our Community posts, so they can be improved and you can be motivated toward your goals.

@Jaaaaay, thanks for letting me know that you're having the same issue, as well for taking care of it. I've been informed that you already have a case created with the Support team and they're providing with assistance. Let me recommend to contact them so you can receive more details about your case.

@Arkansas, thanks for joining the conversation. Because you're also having this issue with your Alta HR, I've gone ahead and requested a case so our team can give you a hand. Keep an eye on your inbox.

I'll be around if you need anything else.

[Arkansas]

Thank you, FitBit!! The AltaHR is the only tracker that fits my small wrist
(and it's on the last notch!), so this tracker is very important to me.



I received incredible support and prompt responses from FitBit Support.
It's impressive to know that a company stands behind their product and
listens carefully to their customers.

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @Arkansas. It's nice to see you around.

Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback in regards to our Support Team. I see where are you coming from as the Alta HR is also one of my favorite devices, and I'm glad you've enjoyed the experience with your device. If you need anything else, let me know.

See you around.

[claudia612]

I finally gave up on the bands and bought some "watch" like bands on amazon. Have had them for over a year and none of the same disconnect flaws. All my fitbit ones gave up within 6 months or so. 

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @claudia612, it's nice to see a new member around.

I appreciate you for taking the time to share your feedback. Fitbit was designed to motivate you toward your goals, and I'm sorry about the inconvenience experienced with Alta HR. Our team will make sure to work on our products based on our Community posts to improve their functionality and design.

If you need anything else, let me know.

[GenericMS]

Similar experience here with the Amazon bands. It's been more than 6 months and the first Amazon band (from the set of 3 purchased for about $10) is still firmly attached to my Alta HR. Same look but better quality than the warranty-replacement bands I got from FitBit.

[DanaMcNeely]

Thanks, Good to know. I’ll try the Amazon replacement bands.

Moderator edit: removed personal information

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @GenericMS and @DanaMcNeely. It's nice to see you around!

@DanaMcNeely, thanks for stopping by and your willingness to try the suggestion posted by our friend @GenericMS. Also, thanks for the feedback about the replacement bands. I'm glad to hear that the other bands are working on your Alta HR, and our team will make sure to work on every product to improve your experience with them.

See you around.

[Janishibb]

I had the same issue and the only thing that fixed it was buying a new band, I found some at kohl’s starting at 30.00 dollars. Hope this helps 

[Arkansas]

Thank you! My lost FitBit was returned to me a few days later, but I had
already ordered another new tracker from Amazon before it was located and
returned. Once I got it back, the band continued to constantly fall off
both sides of the tracker, so I taped the bands to the tracker
(uncomfortable and unsightly, but effective) until I received my replacement
tracker yesterday. This AltaHR tracker and band are slightly different and
larger, so maybe that will help. FitBit sent me a replacement band at the
time I lost my tracker, but I didn't have a tracker to attach the band. I
was planning to return the replacement band to FitBit, but I may hang on to
it for a bit (pardon my pun!) in case this new one doesn't work out and I
lose it. I hope FitBit is working on a permanent solution since they do
listen to their customers and surely don't want their customers to be bad
advertisements with taped devices. Some of us just have tiny wrists!

[Susan_oliver]

Am ready for your hey to "escalate" the matter. Band fell while I was in bed last night.

Moderator edit: removed personal information