Can I change my fitbit alta battery?

[Meeka333]

My fitbit alta doesn't work unless it is plugged in. I think there may be an issue with the battery, is it possible to replace the battery?

[DenisMa]

This happened to me on a brand new out of the box Alta.  Unfortunately customer service did nothing for me but offer a 25% discount.  Love a company that doesn't stand behind it's product.

[Odyssey13]

Hi @DenisMa  you might want to try the Inspire series of trackers The Alta was retired quite some time ago.

[QualityMatters]

It only lasted 2.5 years. I don't want to buy a new one every 2-3 years. the quality should be better. China made products....

[QualityMatters]

Same! Not only can I not afford, I really don't support needing to buy a new fitbit every 2-3 years...It should last longer.

[QualityMatters]

 Mine is seconds...so unfortunate. Buying another just can't be the solution every 2-3 years. Might as well buy a knock off for $20 then. China made products are becoming worse and worse.

[Imaredhead946]

If you or someone you know is experienced at soldering, there's instructions for how to replace the battery in the link below and it tells you what kind of battery to buy (Amazon has them).  I'd only do it as a last resort which is where I am.  The new Alta replacement, Fitbit Inspire HR, doesn't stay charged but a few days whereas my Alta HR stayed charged for a week ir more.  Don't know why Fitbit didn't just make the Alta / Alta HR waterproof and leave everything else the way it was since Alta is a better tracker.  Anyway, here's the link and although you probably don't need it now maybe it will benefit someone.  

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Fitbit+Alta+Battery+Replacement/126347

[Imaredhead946]

It's not made to easily change the battery like a traditional watch but IF you have electronic soldering skills, the BATTERY CAN BE REPLACED.  If/when the battery finally dies, and it will in a couple years when the warranty is longer valid, there's no reason to spend $150 on a new Fitbit when you can spend a few dollars on a new battery (unless you enjoy spending $150).  I'd only do this as a last resort when the warranty runs out but instructions and the type of battery needed are in the link below (or just Google how to change the battery):   

https://www.ifixit.com/Guide/Fitbit+Alta+Battery+Replacement/126347

[BungeeSue]

I'm very disappointed that Fitbit would produce a product that would end up as garbage because the battery can't be replaced. 

This is very out-dated thinking. How long can a person expect their Fitbit to last?

[Jeanine648]

How old was your Fitbit before you started having these issues with the battery?  I got mine as a gift June of 2017 and the battery is just toast now.  Not sure I want to buy another one if you can't just change the batteries.  What did you end up doing?

[Imaredhead946]

Hi.  If your tracker is an Alta (but NOT an Alta HR),  you can buy a battery for the Alta on Amazon and replace it IF you know how to solder electronic boards.  The battery will cost around $15 after shipping charges are added on.  Your other option is call Fitbit's Support and ask if there's anything they can do to help (they won't be able to) and ask them to email you a 35% discount if they don't offer it. Tell them you know they've given other people a discount.

I got my Alta HR in February 2018 and never took it off except to shower and it quit on me last week.  I took my Alta HR cover off and lifted the display and discovered the internal parts of the Alta HR are different from the Alta and the battery in the link I posted is compatible only with Alta and not my Alta HR. ☹️. I'm still searching for info to find the correct battery for mine. I'm fairly certain it can be fixed if I get the right battery.   It may use the same as the Charge 2 HR because they're "supposed" to be the same inside but I'm not positive. 

Once I discovered the internal parts of the Alta and Alta HR were different, I reassembled and called Fitbit Support.  I told the guy I knew my warranty was up and asked if there's anything I could do to fix it.  He had me go through some troubleshooting. I told him how much I really liked the Alta HR and that I hated the Inspire and couldn't afford to spend $150 on the Charge 4 (it's newly released a few months ago) or the Versa 2 (both can run for a week on a single full charge).  He ended up sending me a 35% discount to buy a new device from their website. Unfortunately, the coupon isn't valid for the Charge 4 but will save me $70 on the Versa 2 smartwatch which has some very cool features but it's HUGE!  It's 1.5" x 1.5".  I'm going to buy either the Versa 2 or the Charge 4 (it's a bit wider than the Alta and has its own gps) but I am going to keep looking for a compatible battery for the Alta HR.  I really, really, liked it.

Btw, if you shop at Kohl's, they have the Charge 4 for $149.99 (same price as Fitbit's website) but you could use Kohl's Cash to help pay for it if you have any Kohl's Cash. That would save you some money assuming you had to shop there for other stuff to get their points and cash.  I like the Charge 4 specs because the battery will run for 7 days like my Alta HR.  I don't want anything that has to be charged every few days.  

Sorry, I know I wrote a lot but I used bold font on some of the more important info.   Hopefully, you can fix yours or get Fitbit's Support to give you a 35% discount like they did me.  Good luck! I hope you find a satisfactory solution.  Cheers! 🍀😊

[BungeeSue]

I've had mine for 3 or 4 years. I love the watch, but don't like how the
bands break so easily at the end.

My sister's Alta died and she bought a new one. Why can't we buy a new
battery?

There are other choices. I have an old Garmin that can have a battery
replaced. The watch bands aren't good, though.

I'd buy one that has a regular band next time.

[BungeeSue]

I'd try a different person at Fitbit or go higher up the chain.  Out of the box should have a warranty. 

[Odyssey13]

@BungeeSue  out of the box doesn't always mean it's new. Saw a post the other day where someone had a new device two years ago and never opened it. The warranty information states the warranty is from the day of purchase, not from the day the box is actually opened. 

[Jeanine648]

WOW, Thanks so much for all your info. I had received my Alta in June
2017 from my sister; so , it was older than yours. I never took it
off either. I started having issues with the battery about a month
ago I think. I finally called yesterday and they offered by, thru a
link, a 45% discount on a new Fitbit. They don't make the Alta any
longer and I would get the Inspire for $45.47. I asked about how much
an extra band would be and when I looked it up it was $24....that's
nuts. I did find some on Walmart.Com for about $10. When I first got
my Alta I could not get the band to clip shut so I started ordering
the 'regular type' watch bands from Walmart.Com too.
I don't think I want to mess with putting in a battery. I saw on one
of the posts that someone got a new watch and it stopped working very
soon after and she was not offerred anything.
I'm still deciding if I want to get another Fitbit or not. I, also,
did really get used to knowing steps, etc.
But, again, thanks for your info. It gives me a little more to think
about. My goodness...a GPS.

Jeanine

[Jeanine648]

Yes, mine was just over 3 year old.  I hardly ever took it off though.  I could NEVER get their band to work so I bought 'regular watch' bands through Walmart and they worked great; now I still have 2 left.  I was told none of the 'new' Fitbits will work with my bands; of course.  

My thoughts exactly, why can't you buy a replacement battery.  I'm still deciding if I want to spend the money for a new one or not.  I may check out Garmin though; thanks for that info.  

I'm just not really happy with customer support at the Fitbit; guess they want us to just keep buying new ones when the batteries go out?  Nuts, no thank you.

Jeanine

[Phalls]

I got this Alta for Christmas and once charged and I take it off the charger, it won’t turn on. I have tried the reset three times in 8 seconds with a gap between. I have also tried holding the reset for five seconds. Once disconnected from charger it just won’t go. So disappointed. Wanted it for sleep pattern

[DramaQueenDiva]

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@Phalls wrote:

I got this Alta for Christmas and once charged and I take it off the charger, it won’t turn on. I have tried the reset three times in 8 seconds with a gap between. I have also tried holding the reset for five seconds. Once disconnected from charger it just won’t go. So disappointed. Wanted it for sleep pattern

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Hi @Phalls it's supposed to turn to the blank screen once it's off the charger.  When you put it on your wrist, does it turn on?

[Phalls]

No it doesn’t. I have hit reset lots of times and nothing happens

Sent from my iPhone

[BungeeSue]

I think it involves soldering.

I charged my watch for a couple of days and it lasted longer before going
to sleep.