Fitbit Charge 6 straps won't attach

[MoonlightCure]

I recently upgraded from a Charge 5 to a Charge 6 and am running into one maddening issue. Half of my straps which connected perfectly to my Charge 5 simply refuse to stay securely connected to the 6. I never get a secure click and the strap won't stay on. Some work fine, some won't. Is there something I'm missing or is my Charge 6 defective? 

Moderator edit: Subject for clarity.

[RiekoC]

Hello @MoonlightCure 

It sounds like you have a defective strap connection on your Charge 6. The Charge 5 straps should work on the Charge 6. 

Since you said you purchased your device recently, you should see about getting a replacement device from where you bought your Charge 6. If it's been longer than the routine return policy allows, you should contact Fitbit support (<-- click link) to see about getting a replacement under warranty. 

[RodrigoMFitbit]

@RiekoC Thanks for your help!

@MoonlightCure Welcome to the forums. Thanks for your post about the band of your Fitbit Charge 6 not latching. 

As @RiekoC suggested, you can claim warranty with support. There you have this option "Broken Band?". Click or tap on it and follow the instructions on screen. They will provide you with a suitable resolution. Thanks in advance!

[mikey_pdx]

@RiekoC @RodrigoMFitbit  I think both of you missed the point of @MoonlightCure 's post. I'm having the same issue. Let me clarify:

• I had a Charge 5, recently I upgraded to the Charge 6.
• I had some cloth elastic straps that I bought for the 5 (that stayed connected to the 5 without issue) that DO NOT stay connected on the 6.
• The strap that came with the 6 DOES stay connected.

In my case, it's the connection at the top of the unit that doesn't stay locked in. The bottom one is fine. 

[Baltoscott]

@mikey_pdx — I’ve had the same experience. All the third-party bands I bought for my CH5 simply would not stay attached to the CH6. Some seem to snap in, but still came off after a couple of uses. I just threw them away.

There seems to be some sort of minor difference in the CH6 pod. However, I have two Fitbit designed CH5 bands (hook and loop, and the leather one) that attach perfectly to my CH6. And I’ve bought one set of 3rd party bands that was advertised as fitting the CH6 and they seem to work fine. My take away is that CH5 bands — made by Fitbit — fit the CH6 as advertised.  If you are having problems with one of those, I’d argue that you have warranty claim.

[mikey_pdx]

@Baltoscott - yep, the Fitbit-made bands for my CH5 snap in and stay in the 6, the 3rd-party ones don't. I like the 3rd-party elastic ones I had, so will have to look for a new set. The ones I bought for the 5 weren't expensive anyway. Just annoying to have to buy new ones when they were expected to fit.

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One thing I tried yesterday that worked for me with my 3rd-party straps (that I bought for the 5) was to push the release tab the opposite way (towards the unit) that you do to release it. So - holding the end of the strap in place, I pulled the release tab toward the center of the 'pebble' and it clicked, staying in place. Posting this in case it helps anyone else.

[amheyman]

Would you sharing where you got your 3rd party band that works with the Charge 6? The 3rd party silicone, infinity bands I purchased for the Charge 6 stayed on (same exact band as fitbit's version only slimmer) but were too long so I had to send back. The metal mesh 3rd party band I purchased falls off constantly so I am negotiating with the supplier now to send it back (bought it from their Etsy shop). They asked me to send photos of the band connectors and I did. The 3rd party connector for the Charge 6 is noticeably different from the connector on Fitbits leather band (from the Fitbit online store). I did not own a Charge 5 so can't speak to that. All my 3rd part Fitbit Sense bands worked flawlessly. 

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I've had to send back a stainless steel mesh 3rd party band because it falls off my new Charge 6.  I did not own a Charge 5. The silicon infinity style 3rd party bands have all stayed on. 

[mikey_pdx]

@amheyman  -  I bought these from Amazon for my Charge 5: https://a.co/d/9z8Ap4K   I can only get them to work with the Charge 6 by pulling the release tab toward the middle of the pebble while holding the end in, until it clicks. I only have to do that for the top connection, for whatever reason the bottom one clicks in just fine like it did on the 5. 

[amheyman]

thanks! Was hoping they would have a listing for just the connectors. But since you do have trouble with one side (I have similar issues with my Charge 6 and a 3rd party band I'm sending back (once I convince the maker that it won't work) only its the bottom connection on mine. The top one is better but not totally secure. The bottom is hopeless. The leather band from Fitbit works perfectly. I'm going to wait and see on getting different bands. Very frustrating. My Sense took every band I bought for it.

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I tried that on my Charge 6. Didn't work. 

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Thanks! I think I'm going to stick with the Fitbit brand straps for now though. Disappointing!

[sheilab3]

I am staying away from third party ‘cheap’ bands.

i have had problems with most Amazon bands in the last few years for inspire & luxe. Examples is material feels cheaper, gaps between watch and straps, colour wears faster and fasteners faulty. Ones for charge 4 were OK but that was when the quality was better.

i bought one for new charge 6 and while it clicks in place securely the attachment is not smooth. When  you swipe up you can feel your finger catch on the plastic of the band because it is not flush to watch.

i guess you get what you pay for but I wish Fitbit offered more colours for each style. I would pay more for a quality strap.

[Ab27]

I’m having the exact same issue, I bought the charge 6 and the band that came with it connect fine. I purchased 3rd party nylon bands from Amazon which are labelled to fit charge 5 (assuming they we’re interchangeable) and the top latches no problem but the bottom on mine won’t connect at all and pulls apart. I have tried to push the latch to connect it but it isn’t working and I don’t want to force it and break it. 

[eretak]

Pushing the tab the wrong way fixed my issue - thank you! They seemed like they wouldn’t connect at all, now since they’re so finicky installing a new band takes a minute or two instead of a couple seconds. But I’m glad my bands aren’t broken! Strange that the band it came with and the sport one I ordered don’t clip in nicely at ALL. The only one that works as intended for me is the woven band.

[Delsie]

I have some very nice bands that served me well on my Charge 5. Now they fall off my Charge 6 -- yes, only on one side of the watch. I've only had my Charge 6 for three days. I put my more expensive metal band on the watch and pulled it to check its security. It seems secure but falls off a few hours later. If Fitbit had any bands I liked, I would buy them. I do not find silicone bands very attractive. Leather is rather thick and masculine for women's fashion. I keep trying, but this is really not a good situation. The 5 and 6 are not the same.

[TráBach]

Please tell us WHICH 3rd party band you bought and where that actually will stay attached to the 6.  I've had NO luck, including Speidel, who has always been great for me.  Nothing stays attached to the 6 except the ones made by Fitbit.  I hate that.

[Delsie]

ALL my old Charge 5 bands would not stay attached to Charge 6, even the expensive ones. So I ordered new ones (3rd party) that specifically stated Charge 6. NONE of them stayed attached either. I sent it all back, including the Charge 6 unit, and ordered a new Charge 5 to replace my old one. All bands work perfectly.

[Crit200]

Fitbit has confirmed to me that the attachment for the Charge 6 has been slightly modified so that they will only use original Fitbit bands, aftermarket ones will not work.

[Delsie]

Of course. The bands are overpriced and obnoxiously sporty with few options. Google seems to have been deliberate in this move, but eventually the Amazon manufacturers will catch up. 

[mikey_pdx]

I have a set of aftermarket bands that I bought for my Charge 5 that work on my Charge 6. The top connection doesn't stay unless I push the release latch toward the middle of the unit until it clicks, but that works every time for me. Bottom connection works fine every time, no messing around with the release latch.

I think there's a lot of variation in the manufacturing tolerances that's causing problems for a lot of people, but I haven't seen anything official from Fitbit saying they don't support 3rd-party bands for the Charge 6. 

These are the ones I bought: https://a.co/d/890h7vw 

[Delsie]

I purchased that exact set but they did not work. I tried all kinds of tweaking,  and one side would stay attached but not both. My charge 6 appeared to be secure with some bands but they failed after an hour or two of wearing. I sent all of it back to Amazon and got another Charge 5.

[Crit200]

I chatted with them last night and they admitted that only fitbit bands would stay on properly

Apparently others may attach but fall off when moving arms a certain way