Charge 2 battery drains quickly after update

[Ackster]

OK I've finally had enough. It's seems that for the whole of 2019, i have not had a perfectly charge 2.

All was good until they started screwing with the app and firmware. 

Everything worked as it should and was getting a modest 4-5 days out of the battery.

Then came the first big app upgrade and both the HR leds stopped working and the HR showed no readings. 

Then came the firmware and suddenly my battery needed charging daily, and I was lucky if it got through my 8hr shift. At this point I considered it dead and useless and almost bought another brand. (I actually did buy my Mrs a Samsung for her birthday at this time). 

Then 1 led returned and HR started working with another app upgrade along with improved battery.

So now I had 'half' a HR monitor, and ok-ish battery life. 

A few weeks later, despite not seeing an update, my battery life was the best ever, lasting around 7-9 days depending on activity levels. Excellent I thought, until I realised the HR wasn't working yet again.

Thinking that Fitbit were now incapable of producing half decent battery life with working heart rate monitor, I have up and learned to live without the HR and saw the longer battery as a trade off. 

But then tonight, I thought I'd give it another shot and took the official advice of making sure HR is turned on, re-syncing, and if all else fails, restart the tracker by plugging it in and pressing the button.

Well, before I plugged it in, the battery showed 50%.

Seconds later, after coming back on, it was 9% and telling me to charge it.

I really have giving up now. These trackers have been nothing but trouble since about 3 months after getting the original Charge HR 3 years ago. 

Peeling straps, replaced under warranty twice, then strap went again just 2 months outside the warranty (and only 3 months after receiving the 3rd watch as a replacement).

And since then its been riddled with nothing but software problems. 

(Ironically, the replacement strap I bought for the 3rd watch is still in perfect condition nearly 2 years later).

I've finally given up on this useless little black brick I have on my wrist and will be going for a different brand as a Christmas present. 

It was perfect as it was when I bought it (apart from the straps) before they started ruining the app, which is also rubbish compared to the old one. 

If it ain't broke, don't try to fix it as you have turned a great watch into a worthless peice of plastic. 

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity

[Weegem]

It is very clear there are problems with battery in Charge 2 but when this is raised with Fitbit the reply is to clean charge points and try different wall or USB ports. Not responsibility to customers and total silence about a failed model. Shocking customer service. Like you I will no longer purchase Fitbit products.

[AArroyo]

And Fitbit got bought....

[Ackster]

OK, leaving the politics out of it, something has happened again since Sunday this week. 

It has been fine for weeks, if not months, with the battery lasting about 5 days, hr working, notifications coming through with the only number displaying being that of my Mrs even when other people ring. 

To be fair, it's generally only her that rings anyway so didn't really bother me that bit. 

But since Sunday, I've noticed the battery problem has resurfaced. I noticed it had got low on Saturday, so I charged it and thought nothing more of it. Until Monday evening before I went off to play football and noticed it needed charging already. 

Thought maybe it was because it had only had a quick charge so again thought nothing more. 

Until last night, Tuesday, when I woke up in the night to look at the time and it had died completely.

So I left it on charge for the rest of the night, and lo and behold, within minutes of unplugging it, it was already 95%.

At the time of writing this, it was down on 25% and it's now back on charge, looking like it was not even going to last 24hrs.

I haven't change anything. No settings changed. Usage not changed. Doesn't appear to have been an app update. But suddenly again, battery is shocking. 

Oh well, thankfully Christmas is coming, and I've asked for a nice new watch from a different brand. Fingers crossed. 

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi @Ackster, @Weegem and @AArroyo. Thanks for joining this thread and I'm sorry for the delayed response.

I understand how you're feeling about your Fitbit devices not working correctly and appreciate every step that you've taken to get them working. Our team constantly reviews the comments that are posted in the Community to work on our products. I'm sorry that you've gone through this experience and be sure that your feedback will be passed along as they help us to evaluate our procedures and improve our overall environment.

In regards to your Charge 2 battery's behavior, I've gone ahead and requested a case on your behalf so our Support team can take a deeper look into this and give you a hand. They'll send you an email with further details so keep an eye on your inbox.

If there anything else, please let me know.