Anyone else having difficulty switching bands?

[Iliyana]

I have the SE version. I have no problem getting the woven band off and on. I get one of the silicone sides on no problem. The other side? The pin keeps popping out. (Yes, it’s angled, pin pressed down, I’m aware of the ridges...) I’m about to give up. Bands shouldn’t be this difficult to switch out. 

Anyone else experiencing issues it is it just me? I’m wondering if it’s my Versa. Especially since I’m only having difficulty on one side. (Always the same. )

[Ebaird]

Omg THANK YOU! I’ve been trying to get the stupid band in for an hour and laying it down on a flat surface like you suggested worked! It instantly went in no problems at all. 

[SunsetRunner]

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@Ebaird wrote:

Omg THANK YOU! I’ve been trying to get the stupid band in for an hour and laying it down on a flat surface like you suggested worked! It instantly went in no problems at all. 

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Glad it worked. The bands are such a pain to fit! There are so many nice third party ones out there but so far the only ones I have managed to fit are the genuine Fitbit ones! 

[Atwill]

I struggled for a couple of hours trying to fit the larger silicon band. The problem was that I could not get the pin at the “top” end near the release toggle to find the hole in the watch body to lock into.  I succeeded by fitting this end of the pin first the fitting the fixed end of the pin by compressing the pin with a sharp blade and slipping it into place. Ie the reverse of what Fitbit show on the video. before you do this you should try fitting the band without the pin to get to know the correct strap angle and you should try fitting the pin on its own to get to know how that works      

[Cryfreedmb]

The larger woven band for the Versa seems like it's just to big.  The smaller band slips right in no problem. The end of the larger band is too big to fit into the slot.  I'll give it another shot but it may have to go back cause of this reason.   Terrible job by Fitbit to have this defect.

[Lizhz]

Initially I had so  much trouble changing the versa bands I was ready to send my versa back. But I went on Amazon and tried a $12 band And it went on in less than a minute. I now have four or five various bands I Purchased from Amazon and I change them daily without a problem. The official Fitbit bands I’ve given up on. 

[ShelBell75]

OMG razerf15 you are my HERO for the weekend lol!

Just for clarity I received a Fitbit Versa as a Xmas gift but recently bought a Samsung Active watch since I can pay at the register with this watch. They have the EXACT same horrible pins.🤬

Anyway I spent HOURS in frustration yesterday trying in vain to attach this beautiful new rhinestoned stainless steel band. I was determined to make it fit because when I tried the pins by themselves they snapped right in, same for the band without the pins - fit perfectly!

I gave up and resigned to visit a jewelry store today and pay someone to do what should be a simple task.... until I found your post this morning and everything changed!

I tried it the way you said and it worked within SECONDS!! I was just coming from the wrong direction - once I flipped the watch around it popped right in!!

Thank you so so so much for your helpful hint, I really appreciate it. 🥰

[JSommers]

I’m breaking up with my Versa and my Apple 5 watch is waiting on me when I get home.

Sent from my iPhone

[sharronp69]

I love the woven band. Had no problem with it. But, the silicone band is a pure pain in the a** to attach. I've totally given up on the band.

[JamieF95]

I broke up with my Versa last October and started a new relationship with an Apple Watch series 4. I’ve never looked back! It’s too bad too because I was fully immersed in the Fitbit sphere.

Jamie

[ohiocalling]

Hi has anybody tried reducing the width of the silicone band, it looks/ is  to wide to fit?

How about putting the band in very hot water to soften it?

[ohiocalling]

Just tried soaking band in boiling water made it softer and was able to lever ban in with a sharp knife.

Locate pin with lever on it first then depress other pin with knife and press it i......Be careful knives are sharp!!!!!

[cvm2721]

I was really struggling with mine too and then read this and decided to try it. Worked right away. She is right, with the silicone band, you need to angle to strap until it is almost straight up and then it goes in pretty easily. I got both straps done in about 1 minute, whereas before, when I was trying to put them in the same way I put in the canvas straps, I struggled for 10 minutes before giving up. Turns out that the silicone straps are just way more particular about the angle than the rest of the straps.

[SydneyLeonard]

The only bands I have purchased are direct from Fitbit.  The one that came with the watch us too wide to install.

[Lizhz]

I had the opposite experience. The genuine Fitbit silicon bands did not work for me - I tried two and literally tried for hours over 2 days. Almost sent Versa back. Bought $10 band from Amazon and it took less than a minute to change.  I now have 4-5 Amazon nonFitbit bands and change on a daily basis. You should try one!

[SteelerGirl0531]

I have the same problem. lavender woven goes on fine.  I get one side on - with the buckle - and the other side will not go on either.  

[MarithaFer]

It is all about the angle, thanks for the help!

[sharronp69]

I no longer have to worry about Fitbit bands, because I got rid of that Versacrap and switched to the Galaxy Active 2 watch. A lot easier to switch bands and much more stylish than the Versa.

[JMChat]

I struggled with the silicone band for 2 days until I FINALLY realized the band won't lay down flat.  The little metal tab on the band has to lay flat into the matching slot on the Fitbit.  So the band is actually standing up at a 45 degree angle from the Fitbit.  Then it clicked right in.

[NavySeaDog]

There is a trick... with multiple engineering degrees it still took me 20 minutes of fussing about to figure it out...ready... hold on... here is the trick: the silicone straps are designed to sit at about a 45 degree angle up (e.g. place the Fitbit - I have a Versa 2 - on its face with the back pointing up). Then, when inserting the strap it should be at a 45 degree angle to the Fitbit. I was trying to push the strap into the Fitbit on a horizontal plane; a parallel plane to the glass on the Fitbit - even grabbed a screw driver to try to force it in place... was getting ready to use a razor blade to trim off what I thought was excess silicone but alas, I raised the strap up and came at it from a 45 degree angle and it easily snapped into place... good luck! 

[pdr468]

The woven band is fine. When I try to switch to the classic band, though, I cannot get it on. I get one side in fine, but the other side seems to be too big for the watch. I need help.