Since last app update (v3.87 Aug 2023) Versa 2 battery life down to 1 - 2 days

[richesm2]

Noticed that my Versa 2 battery life has dropped from about 5 days to about 1 day. This has happened over the last few weeks . I have been checking stats on the watch a more recently but only using the app on the phone once a day maximum (I dont use always on display on the watch). I dont use anything but the  basic tracking functions and text notifications (no more than one or two per day)  and no GPS use etc. I see there is no All Day Sync option these days to turn off. Puzzling over this and then thinking maybe the battery has a finite life that has suddenly come to the end, being about 18 months old I thought I'd do a bit more investigation and then noticed the last app update coincides with when battery life suddenly started it's sharp decline. If I can't get more than a day from the device, its pointless having it as I like to check sleep data as well as overall daily activity - this is why I wouldn't go from anything from Apple or the nice looking Google watch. I dont want to replace/update it yet as I dont think I've had enough life from it yet. My Charge 2 lasted much longer till the glass screen split and also my Garmin vivosport after that. I want a few more months from this before I replace it and I'd prefer to stay with Fitbit as long as older devices arent being killed off by updates to drive sales of updated/newer models.

[Guy_]

Hi @richesm2 - it isn't a battery issue normally but something causing higher battery usage.

The most common problem is either moisture got in and there is internal damage or a software or sync issue.

To tackle the latter hold the button for 10 seconds till it vibrates and the logo appears and wait for it to start.

Also turn off the phone's Bluetooth (when not syncing). And see if either make a difference.

[Josienoz]

Thank you, I thought it was me, it seems like my Versa2 isn’t holding a charge anymore. It used to go 5 days, now I get maybe 2. When I take it off the charger the date and time are wrong. It’s not syncing with my Bluetooth either. I’m paying for premium and most times don’t get my stats. Dealing with this has my stress level up but I can’t see it on my tracker. I’m done!

[scottbuss1]

Mine stopped holding the charge suddenly in early August as well. I now
get about 10 hours from it vs 4-5 days. Same use, no settings changed.
Have been doing factory resets and more, no change.

[Guy_]

Hi @scottbuss1  - as mentioned earlier, unfortunately it would seem your watch is showing symptoms of water damage.

If it gets hot when charging stop immediately.

[scottbuss1]

Thanks Guy, I was afraid of something like that. It is entirely possible
as I use it when swimming. Just so sudden.

[jeanninemarie.s]

I do not agree with your diagnostic.  There are a number of individuals experiencing the same battery issue post update.  

Please take this into consideration.  

[Guy_]

Hi  @jeanninemarie.s - did you follow the suggestions posted earlier?

Updating the Fitbit App should have no influence on watch battery life if the Bluetooth is turned off [on all devices running the Fitbit App] and the watch has been restarted.

[jeanninemarie.s]

Instructions were followed with no success. I suspect the battery is being
drained due to updates. Planned obsolescence.
Until recently the battery was being recharged once every 1-3 weeks. This
dramatically changed this month of August. I am now having to recharge it
daily.
I have NOT changed how I use it. I do not wear it in water or get it wet.
I do not use most of the features and still it is draining.
The battery should last me 6 years according to FitBit. My watch was put
into service in 2021. Based on the overwhelming complaints by end users
the life is around 2 years.
Fit Bit needs to revisit the recent update in my opinion.

[richesm2]

Yes I agree that it is most likely  a software or sync issue as there is definately no chance moisture has got into it.  It has been fully powered off since I first noticed the issue and that didn't resolve the issue but to be more methodical I've tried again. I've left it on the charger for a full 2 hours and then done another power cycle and now I'm checking how the battery lasts. Overnight it used 15% and wasn't within range of my phone and that seems a liitle higher than I would expect but I'll see what's gone after a full 24hours. I'll fully charge it again, restart it  and then turn off bluetooth on the phone (luckily I don't use bluetooth on it for anything else) and do checks again for another 24 hours.

[richesm2]

Update to this:

Fully charged - 2 hrs and then restarted. The watch lasted 2 days and was at 40% but overnight it died. Sleep monitioring stopped after 4 hrs (from the stats) and no morning wake alarm. I put it on the charger and  after just a15 mins, was showing as 47% charged. That seems a bit fast . So as well as the battery not always holding charge as it did before August, it is now seems to be shutting down (it actually did this two nights previous but at that time I thought it was just down to battery drain). Maybe  it does have a battery fault that co-incided with the August software update, maybe not. Im dissapointed in it for failing on me - especial when average stats is something I've been monitoring lately - missing a days numbers ruins those numbers Not sure where I'll go from here with it. I'd replace it even though just

[jvj4114]

I agree. The same issue has happened to me in the last couple of days. All of a sudden the battery now lasts less then a day when it used to last 4-5 days. This must be an issue with the update. Please resolve it Fit Bit! 

[r0zebud]

I have been having the same issues where my battery drains. I have been charging it every day and it's a bit disappointing because it does not allow me to get my stats. Wanted to use it to exercise this morning but the battery is again drained. This is ridiculous. I do not want to upgrade. I prefer to keep the versa 2 so I can have access to my personal music. My versa did not get wet so it's definitely not water damaged.

[richesm2]

OK so after a bit of monitoring, I find my Versa 2 now loses 15 to 20% of its charge overnight. I dont know what it's doing but it is since start of August. The rest of the day  often doesn't take any more than that so actually I'm mostly good for 2 days now rather than the 4 I used to get (depending on general usage). To be certain I now charge each day as it's a real pain if it dies at any point. I accept this is the situation and will live with it for now and consider what my next fitness tracker will be. This is so pointing at that software update and I'm really annoyed that there was no choice or warning given for users with maybe slightly older devices that the battery life could be drastically affected. I was quite happy before, didnt want any new features etc  and not really ready to replace - the great thing before was it's excellent battery life..

[Guy_]

@richesm2 - with that usage at night, are you using an Spo2 clock face?

With a scheduled watch sleep mode during the night it should use half that because it dims the display if lit and stops it lighting unless you want it to.

With Bluetooth off see how that goes too.

[jeanninemarie.s]

The consensus that the August software update has negatively impacted
battery life is growing.

The manufacturer copy and paste response does not satisfy FitBit Versa
users. Fitbit needs to take a genuine look into these complaints to
prevent losing market share.

The price point for the device does match the value of the device with
current battery life issues

[jeanninemarie.s]

Always display feature is off
The bluetooth is off at night until i reconnect in the morning

Yes i do use sleep and O2 features which updates in the morning

I pay for a device that is supposed to do many many things. I do not use
these features and since August use even less.
I can imagine the frustration of premium subscription end user.