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. 

[10M]

There are so many posts here about how hard it is to fasten the band, and so many others with "work arounds'' or tips and tricks to overcome the problem. Can Fitbit be so insensitive to its user's needs that it doesn't see the need to develop a decent strap? Surely that can't be too hard? I used to have a Jawabone and that strap just grasped your arm. No need for fasteners at all. It was great. How about a decent strap Fitbit? And preferably one that doesn't cost more than the original item!!!

[SunsetRunner]

You can get third party bands with watch band type closures for about $10 on Amazon. Lots of nice colors and styles. 

[10M]

Thanks Carol but that's not really the point. If I had a product and so many of my customers complained about the same aspect of it, if I were smart, I'd take notice and fix it. FitBit doesn't seem to care. 

[tepia53]

I use the side clasp with my turquoise band because the holes are tighter on that band but I know I won't lose it. I would rather have them be a little tight.

[nonfatlatte]

Wow... freindly. 

[Golflady123]

I have had my Alta Fitbit one month. It has fallen off twice in bed and I lost it today when I went out to eat. It took me 5 hours to find it but the restaurant was a nice helping me located. The clasp just does not work. I am now afraid to wear it and I contacted customer support. What really irritated me was that customer support said this wasn't a big issue with the Fitbit. Then I find all over the internet problems of hundreds of millions of people having the same trouble. They keep wanting me to try a different band but they're all the same type. I love my Fitbit but afraid to wear it's not going to work.

Moderator edit: word choice

[SunsetRunner]

Really?! You are using the Fitbit Forum to urge bad reviews? First of all, there are NOT "hundreds of millions of people having the same trouble." Where in the world did you get that? Yes, you will see complaints on the forums. But this is where people come for answers to their questions. The people happy with the bands are typically not posting here. Fitbit makes several different models, with several types of bands. You pick one out. If you don't like it, then return it for something else that better suits your needs. Or purchase a third party accessory.

People all over the Internet are buying third party accessories for their electronics ... Kindles, iPads, smart phones, etc. People are not urging bad reviews of these products because they don't offer everything possible that someone may want. 

Sorry for the rant but someone has to try to pull this discussion back to reality.

[ErickFitbit]

Everyone -- If you're experiencing trouble getting your Alta clasped, I suggest checking out some of the tips that we've compiled, as well as a how-to video, here.

If that still doesn't help get your Alta clasped, feel free to get in touch with our Support Team. Let them know the details of your experience as well as everything you've already tried. I am confident that they'll be able to present you with alternative options to help get you back on track.

[scootrn2]

Carol-B, I'm one that loves the alta (including the band) & I know quite a few people that are very happy also.  You are right,  those liking alta & have no problems rarely post.  I'm am sorry for those having problems or losing their alta tracker. I promise it will get easier. don't give up.

Moderator edit: format

[tepia53]

I love my Alta. I've been wearing it for a year now and never had fall off.

[10M]

Theproblem with trying tobuy third party ones is that they are for sale on Amazon in the US not in Australia and they don't ship the bands to Australia. I've checked. I still don't see why your developers can't come up with a more satisfactory solution. 

[michellesrover]

I will try this again and try not to be "offensive" to the Fitbit moderator so as not to sensored again. I think that I make a very good point and in a very non hostile non confrontational way.  

I agree.  Fitbit should be able to make a product that works immediately when you purchase it. Not that you have to use work arounds or purchase additional things to use the product you just bought.  I think the frustration you are hearing from a few people is that they purchased a product that they believed they could use with a completely different fastening system - the Charge. Through no fault of their own, Fitbit no longer makes that product - it also had a faulty band.  Further, through no fault of their own, Fitbit warranty replaces that product with the Alta.  To go even further through no fault of their own, they cannot fasten the band on the Alta, some because of physical disabilities as is the case of my family member,  and are not able to return or exchange the product as you might had you originally purchased it from a retailer and just not cared for it - as many have suggested here.

I have seen the moderator post several times to view the video. I have watched it and for someone with dibilitating arthritis it just does not work. I have seen several people post in response to the moderator that the video instruction cause brusing on ones wrist when following the instructions - and indeed it does.

I have called customer support and they have no options... except to take a loss on the product and buy a completely different tracker or buy an over priced replacement band from Fitbit to the tune of $175 plus with a different fastening system... they didn't suggest the olive oil nor warm water nor reeming the holes larger nor after market bands. They did not even direct me to watch Fitbit's on line video.

There are some really nice aftermarket bands on Amazon from China.  That is, as someone said, not the point.  Fitbit should be able to make that a factory option band to make their product accessible and usable. They have the same type of band available on their other products even - the Charge 2. The frustration is that customers not chosing this product, the Alta, initially but being warrantied this product with no other choice should not have additional costs to make the product usable.

Moderator edit: format

[Savysam]

Exactly everyone's frustration and disappoint with Fitbit. I've given 3 Fitbit charge HR trackers as gifts, own a Fitbit One, Fitbit Charge, Fitbit Charge HR and unfortunately the Alta as well. I just received an Apple Watch Series 2 as a gift from my husband. It has a band that clasps via a metal post but, it goes on with total ease and has a safety slot for the excess band length that slips into a slot on the band's opposite side. So simple. But as far as functionality goes I love Fitbit products.
The Alta band is a total screw up and it's astonishing that it isn't being addressed....as in fixed.
Stupid video. Everybody knows how it is supposed to work. It just usually doesn't. I'm sure Fitbit knows this. they do not care & that is disappointing to me. I bet this response gets the ax.

Sent from Shelley

Moderator edit: format

[Jackydc]

Try olive oil

[msjb]

I eventually ran my Alta band under hot water. That softened it just enough to be able to fasten it.

Sent from my Windows Phone

[SunsetRunner]

I've used that method with success, also. Only had to do it 4 or 5 times then it snapped and unsnapped like a charm!

[SunsetRunner]

Has anyone bought the silver bracelet? Wondering if it is small or large for the fit and if it looks nice.
Sent from my iPhone

[Fitfit1]

Stupid wrist snap. Doesn't snap without another person struggling and still doesn't stay.  Not good thinking or QA/QC at this company.

[Cing56]

I feel really fed up that I can't put my Fitbit on without someone helping and I have to keep swapping wrists as I keeping getting pains in them after wearing it for a day. (It's not tight). I want a strap with a buckle or something stretchy. There is clearly a problem with the strap or there wouldn't be this number of grumbles. 

[marmor]

I've already lost one Alta though I thought it was securely fastened. I have purchsed another, but feel the clasps need better security.  Is there any warranties available on Altas...?