How to repair an ionic stuck in a boot-loop

[ionicuser30]

My Fitbit Ionic is stuck in a boot loop. The only thing that I can try is a factory reset (three button minus right bottom release after 15s and vibration) and it doesn't seem to work at all. Tried it over and over many times. It never shows up to pair and is constantly stuck at the splash screen. This happened after a firmware update. 

Fitbit support will not send a replacement because I did not purchase the item for an "authorized retailer", which is really unacceptable. It's a software issue and I have no way to reflash the mcu firmware to solve the problem and this really violates the principle of the "right to repair". Is there any way I can get the watch fixed, free or otherwise? Or should I make a decorative necklace out of it?  Happy to listen to creative ideas on how to make use of a malfunctioning ionic watch as well. 

Moderator edit: subject updated for clarity 

[edwardsnjd]

@AngelDeath Thanks for the tip but I'm afraid I had no luck.  Even after leaving the device uncharged for a couple of months it immediately returned to being stuck in a boot loop when I attached the charger again.

Fitbit support were very helpful and once they understood the situation they agreed to send me a replacement.  So far so good with that replacement.

[TonyLorimer]

I too found customer support brilliant and my replacement has been working well for six months. Love my Ionic - can’t find anything to touch it!

Still heart in mouth when I update software tho!

TIP

I found charging issue due to sweat corroding terminals on watch.

FIX

Tiny square of insulating tape over terminals when wearing - peel off to charge.

Works a treat!

[mutwillig]

HI,

my ionic is also stuck in a bootloop. I tried to do do a hard reset, but it doesn´t work at all...

Any ideas, what i can do?

Thanks for your help,

Matthias

[AL2ATL]

OK - after seeing eveyone say they got to the red "x" screen, I gave up just like everyone else. Thank you for mentioning that you persevered and got it to work by adding back the Ionic to the fitbit app on the phone. That worked for me as well. Unbelievable. I was about to chuck my 2nd Ionic in the trash.

[TonyLorimer]

Don’t bung it in the trash!

I’ve had several due on me now. Swap them over and leave in the back of the cupboard till battery zero. 

Fire them up in six months and bingo ! Back to life!