Charge 5 battery charge drops badly

[SamCinna]

Someone gifted me Charge 5 and the 'Device Info' shows activation date of 4/30/2023. Initially if I charged the Fitbit once, I didn't have to charge it again for almost a week. Now, in a matter of 6-7 hours, the charge/battery power drops so badly (from 60% to 20%). 

The charger is that of magnetic kind.

Here are my questions:

1. Have other experienced the same and how did they resolve it?

2. Based on the activation date, is it still under warranty? Can this be fixed by Google/Fitbit?

3. Why is the customer service this bad where I can't find a person to talk to?

4. For other customers (probably Google won't answer this), what are good alternatives to Fitbit watches?

Moderator edit: clarified subject.

[MarioSFitbit]

Hi @SamCinna and welcome to the forums. 

Thank you for your message. I'm sorry to hear that you are experiencing this issue regarding the battery of your Charge 5. 

Firstly, please confirm if your phone's operating system is updated. For more information, refer to Check & update your Android version or Update your iPhone or iPad.

Confirm if you have the Always On Display mode ON. 

• Swipe down from the clock face to access quick settings.
• Tap the Settings app and then display settings and then Always-on display.
• Tap Always-on display to turn the setting on or off.
• Or, you can tap Off-hours to set the display to automatically turn off during certain hours.

You can also take a look at the following help article: File a warranty claim for your Fitbit device.

[SamCinna]

Thanks MarioSfitbit for your answer. Please note the following: (a) I am using the iphone (and not Android) and that OS is up to date. The issue with the Fitbit charge has been happening for more than 4 months but I just got around to posting it here. Since then the iphone OS has been updated several times already. 

(b) I also have restarted the device many times since then (if that has anything to do with anything). 

(c) As far as 'Display always on' - yes, it has always been on ever since I got it in 2023 but didn't have any issues until probably March 2025 and it has steadily gone worse since then. If the display is not always on, how would one use it to check time in the middle of the night, which is one of the uses for it (and we wear it 24/7 to track activities as well as sleep).

(d) Since I have already done what you suggested (updating the OS), I guess I will file a warranty claim. 

But if you have any other suggestions, please provide the same. 

Thanks, 

---

Circling back to provide some updates ...perhaps it would help others...

1. There is a customer service line...since this post doesn't allow me to post it here, you may need to do a look up on the web.

2. I called the above number and the tips were: (a) to turn off all the notifications/gps etc. (b) To turn off 'display on always'.

Mine was off already for (a) but doing (b) above did help the situation. 

With this, I will close this thread.

[alec]

I've owned a Fitbit Flex, and currently own a Fitbit Charge 5. Both had problems, and I didn't receive any warranty or anything after a year and a half of use.
They're disposable products.
I recommend you buy another brand. There are many better models.

[SamCinna]

Sadly I have come to the same conclusion. I also have owned Versa and now Charge and neither one has impressed me that much. The only functionality I use them for are: keep track of steps and sleep hours. Not sure if you are allowed to recommend any other models here, but I will do some searches as well.