Charge 3 - erasing data if screen is dead?

[AileenNoyle]

Good morning,

I have an old Charge 3 that I would like to send to recycling, and I would like to erase the saved data on it (or factory reset).

I haven't used it in a couple of years. I upgraded to a Charge 5 when the Charge 3 started to have screen brightness problems (I could hardly see what was displayed, even with maximum brightness!).

I would like to send it to a recycling center following Google's procedures, but I'd like to make sure that my data is erased before proceeding.

Now, I have tried to charge the Charge 3 for a bit, and it gives some signals of being alive when pressing the side button (long vibrations after holding for few seconds) or when I plug it to charge (short vibration), but that's about it. Nothing is displayed.

Any suggestions on how I could proceed?

[LZeeW · Accepted solution]

@AileenNoyle   If you can't see the screen to erase the data, then no one else can, either.  If you used Fitbit Pay, don't worry.  Fitbit Pay was deactivated in most places in July 2024. I believe it's safe to recycle it without clearing your user data.  

[AileenNoyle]

That is reassuring to hear, thanks a lot!

I will then start the recycling process 🙂