This is going to sound crazy

[IamMichael]

Short version: The very day I declined FitBit's offer to buy a new device, my Charge 4 went from about 5 days of battery life to LESS THAN 1 DAY.

Full Version: A few weeks ago the strap on my almost 2-year-old FitBit Charge 4 started snapping off. I replaced the wrist band, same problem. Only on the top of the device.

I researched online, and found other people with the same problem. I contacted FitBit Support via chat, and asked them if I could buy a replacement for the coupler which seemed to be attached with 2 very small screws. After several minutes and lots of questions, I was told that my case was being transferred to the Warranty department.

I told the support person that my FitBit was out of warranty, and I'm happy to pay for the part. No matter, the case had to be transferred to Warranty where they would "email me with options."

Received an email on May 30th: "Although your device is outside the scope of Fitbit's warranty terms, we want to offer you a 35% discount on a new Fitbit device."  This was the only option. No mention of replacement parts or anything like that. I was very frustrated at that point.

After a couple of days to cool off, I checked out the FitBit store to see what they had. The device I was considering was $299 on sale for $199. So everyone was getting a 33% discount. I entered the code they gave me for what I thought might be an additional 35% off. NOPE. The cost was now $194.

My frustration growing, I responded to their email on June 2. I told them that I was happy with my FitBit Charge 4. I liked the battery life and the features, and I was not in the market for a new device. Would they please consider selling me a replacement part?

I received an email response saying that since "so much time has passed" my case was closed. Are you kidding me?

Here's the best part. I promise I'm not making this up. That very night my FitBit's battery ran out at some point during the night. I didn't get an email warning, it was just completely dead in the morning. That had NEVER happened before. I was concerned, but figured maybe I had missed an email or didn't pay attention to it running down. I charged it up to 100%. By the end of the day it has run out AGAIN!

The day I told them I wouldn't buy a new FitBit my reliable Charge 4 which NEVER lasted less than 3-4 days suddenly didn't won't last a day! I'm not big into conspiracies, and I don't want to accuse FitBit of intentionally forcing my device to become practically useless, but the situation is VERY suspicious.

Anyway that's my story. I post this hoping anyone else with a similar story can shed some light.

[Ogihal]

Since FitBit changed hands, almost everything has become unreliable, even the website has broken links.  The last update FitBit made to the app on iOS has removed all the Premium Features and my Premium account is still active) and replaced with a "Server Issue - please try later' message now happening for over 3 days. I do not have the same issue on Android (but I do not update the software on it, so still using the older version. It would have been easy to push an update to the FitBit during the night if the phone you have the FitBit sync'd to was on. Once installed all kinds of changes could have been made.

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[IamMichael]

Update. My Charge 4 no longer lasts through the night. I took it off the charger at 10pm, and when I woke up the next morning at 6 it was completely dead. I reset the device, and made sure all battery-draining options were turned off (GPS, etc.). So I went from 4-5 days of battery life to less than 12 hours literally overnight. And all this happened immediately after I contacted support and declined their offer for me to purchase a new device. Ugh.

[TessKcam]

I too am not a big conspiracy person but my Fitbit has been working perfectly and suddenly as of Saturday night I have a blank screen. It won't power on despite reboot and making sure it's charged. I'm suspicious since apparently the Charge 4 has been discontinued, they're trying to force us all to buy new ones. I've only owned mine 14 months! 

[JuanFitbit]

Hi everyone. Thank you for your messages and feedback. 

You comments do not go unseen and we really appreciate your comments. This helps us improve our services and products. 

I can assure you all, that we do not have access to any device to make it not work. 

I appreciate that some of you already contacted Support. In that case,  please continue working with them, they'll be more than glad to support you further. 

For those who haven't done so yet, give our team a call or chat with them. They'll gladly will have a closer look at your cases. 

See you around. 

[Ogihal]

The chat part of the website has a broken link and implies chat no longer exists. I have been trying to use it for a few weeks now

Sent from my iPhone

[TessKcam]

Juan, 

I suggested support escalate my case to someone else who could help me try and revive my FitBit since reboot wasn't working and never heard anything back. So... (Shrug)

I have zero interest in staying with a company if the product only lasts 14 months. My friend has had her Garmin for three years, so my new Garmin arrives this week. 

[Ogihal]

Something to try, based upon information provided for an Apple laptop I have from a battery mfg.  Fully charge for over a day, then discharge as fast as possible (i.e. keep the display on continuously) until the device is totally discharged. Then fully charge again.  It gave me better battery life on the laptop. It still died months later and then I replaced the battery, something I expect only Fitbit (i.e. Google) could do but I expect they would rather you purchase a newer model.

[Ogihal]

When you get you new tracker be sure to talk with your friend about how often she charges her device.  These new batteries have limited charge cycles  and how they are charged/discharged makes a big difference on battery life.  I recharge my Charge 4 about once a week when it gets down to less than 25%.  I have had my Charge 4 since they were first shipped.  I have not exposed the Charge 4 to water or heavy vibration.