Clasping and switching your Alta wristband

[MatthewFitbit]

One of the trickiest parts of getting started with a brand-new wristband tracker is simply learning how to get it clasped properly. The following post can help you with that!

How do I clasp my Alta wristband more easily?

• Before putting the wristband on your actual wrist, you can clasp and unclasp your wristband repeatedly using both hands. This will help to loosen the holes in the band a little bit, and should make it a bit easier to clasp when it's actually on your wrist.
• As detailed in this help article, most people have success with "pinching" the clasp between two fingers when they go to put it on. This will usually be more effective than simply pushing hard against your wrist, which is both awkward and potentially uncomfortable.
• An awesome tip that has been shared by @Gmadiane is to place a drop of olive oil on the holes and push the clasp through. This seems to have worked for quite a few other users. Thanks for sharing!
  
• Once your wristband is clasped, make sure that both the metal prongs are securely in their holes, as shown below on the left. If one of the prongs is still loose, as shown on the right, then the band is not yet secure and may come off your wrist unexpectedly.
  

We're confident that you'll be able to get your alta clasped with just a little practice. Don't be discouraged if it's difficult at first - it definitely gets easier over time!

How do I change my Alta wristband?

Fitbit Alta's wristband is detachable from the top and bottom of the tracker, so that you can replace it with accessory bands of different color or material. For help with detaching your Alta's wristband, check the steps in this help article, or watch the video below. 

[LesleyJW]

I thought the band clasps were a pain when I first got my alta so bought some buckle bands.  I have to say that I find the clip bands more comfortable and less bulky to wear.  The clip holes do relax after a while and are then easy to do up.  I would recommend getting some rubber clasps though (cheap as chips) to prevent accidental loss.

[Nurseanne]

Sounds great!!

Sent from my iPhone

[NancyJC]

I use a small plastic membership card or cards that you put on a key ring and hold it under the bands, top and bottom, below the 2 holes then press the top down til it clicks in. I use the 4 & 5 hole and it works very easily every time. I make sure it is straight across, not a an angle. Good Luck!

[Savysam]

Good idea! I've been trying to stick my finger underneath the band with a thumb on top of it. While that works, it also leaves the band too loose on my wrist. So I'll be trying this next. Thanks for the tip! I had my Alta actually fall off my wrist because I'd only gotten 1 of the metal nails/knobs (whatever) all the way thru the holes.
Sometimes I'm just too lazy to bother with the Alta because of that band and I just wear my ugly old Charge HR with the scratched up screen. I dread having to fiddle with the Alta to be able to wear it but, it sure is pretty and it works very well. Stupid problem that Fitbit will eventually solve, but it will cost previous owners like me, more money to buy the "new, improved " band.

[teresatmt]

@Savysam I agree that the band can be so frustrating. My husband had to put our bands together. However, You don't have to remove the band by undoing the tabs again...omgosh that would be frustrating. Just undo it where it connects to the fitbit itself. I find that so easy. However, I do need to loosen the band holes up because I have another color band that came with mine, I'm jazzed to change in to.

[JuanJoFitbit]

@LesleyJW Thanks for joining us in this thread! I really appreciate your great feedback regarding the rubber clasps idea. This helps us to keep improving our services and products. You can also create your idea in our Feature Suggestions board so people can vote for it and be reviewed by our developers.

Let me know if more questions arise my friend! 

[teresatmt]

Following up on switching to my other band. I did it today. All by my little ol self. My husband use brut strength on my black one, non of which I have, so I tried a suggestion from this community. After lining up the two holes, I laid it down on the back of a hard cover book and pushed really hard and I heard them click in. Hurray. Now I have a purple one.

[Shar5000]

This was genius! Thank you. I was going t take this back.... tried the other suggestions and still couldn't. I really appreciate this option!

[Sandra252]

Brilliant!  Thanks for sharing this!  I was about to return mine too.

[NancyJC]

Glad it worked!

[Sandra252]

I still had to use a meat tenderizer and rolling pin to pound it closed!
Will be looking for a new band anyway.

--

"Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can
change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." - *Margaret
Mead*

[CFH-David]

Hi, 

I purchased the Alta for my wife who has athritis is not able to click the band in place.  I have done it off her wrist almost 40 times;  that was hard enough; and she is still not able to attach the band! I was going to purchase the Stainless Band but not sure how that attaches but wanted her to try the Alta first.  At this rate I don't see us keeping it.  Maybe we will try the Charge 2 but she loved the look and metal band for the Alta.  Glad I had her check it out before Christmas. 

[JuanJoFitbit]

@Shar5000 A warm welcome to our Fitbit Community! I'm so glad to hear that the tips and suggestions above helped you to keep your tracker and you will be able to achieve your goals.

I'd like to invite you to visit our Discussions board, where you can share your experiences, meet people and create new topics.

Hope to see you in the Community more often my friend! 

[RPFarrah]

Yeah, on the stock band it IS hard to clasp until it gets loosened up with use.  The good news is that there are a BUNCH of alternatives to that band for women available online.  Here are a couple of links:

https://www.amazon.com/Henoda-Leather-Bands-Fitbit-Strap/dp/B01J0RK5JE/ref=sr_1_4?s=sporting-goods&i...

https://www.amazon.com/bayite-Replacement-Leather-Watch-Fitbit/dp/B01IQIAE08/ref=sr_1_9?s=sporting-g...

https://www.amazon.com/Fitbit-TreasureMax-Replacement-Wristband-Accessory/dp/B01EYJVE2U/ref=sr_1_10?...

https://www.amazon.com/bayite-Metal-Fitbit-Silver-Rhinestone/dp/B01IKPCP2C/ref=sr_1_11?s=sporting-go...

Enjoy!

[LucyAP]

Awesome help @RPFarrah! It's great to see that you've visited the Fitbit Community @CFH-David! If you want to check out Alta Stainless Band, you can do it in this thread: Type of Closure for Stainless Steel Band. Also, if your wife is having an issue clasping her Alta, you can check this thread: Clasping and Switching Your Alta Wristband. 

Good luck and keep me posted! 😉 

[SunsetRunner]

I only got my Alta this last week and I have been having problems getting it to snap. It was very frustrating because I've been wanting one of these for a long time and was able to buy it on sale. Just today I decided to switch the bands around and it only took me a few seconds to snap back on my wrist. I don't know if this would be a solution to anyone's problem and if someone else has already suggested it (I didn't go that far down in the comments), but it seemed to work for me. Hopefully I won't have anymore problems, we shall see the next time I have to take it off and put it back on.

[teresatmt]

@SunsetRunner, congrats to you for not giving up and coming up with a new option to share in the community! I pressed mine into a book. Would you explain to me what you mean by switching the bands around to snap it in easier? Thanks

[Shilpa71]

I recently got my alta. It seems its impossible to puton the band. I am going to return it.

[Raiberg]

I leanred from members in this forum to put some oil (I used coconut oil) in the wrist band's whole - 

and, like in the artcicle above: pinch the band into position. it works great.
Funny: Now I like this kind of band lock!

My humble suggestion: The band should come with information how to handle the challenge of closing it securely. This would shorten the learning curve and would not let customers frustrated.

Moderator edit: format

[JuanJoFitbit]

@Shilpa71 Welcome to the forums! before you return your Alta, I would like to share Erick's post which has great tips that explain how to put on your tracker.

Let me know if this was helpful for you!