Versa 2 battery keeps draining since the update

[Cataryn83]

I just had the latest update on my Versa2. Since then I have noticed a few issues. One being the HR monitor is very intermittent whether it works or not.  I've also been having so many issues to get it to sync. Have to restart the fitbit and my phone constantly to have it work.  But my biggest issue is the battery appears to be draining so quickly since the update went through. It dropped from 60% today with barely any use down to 20% by bed time. It's super frustrating.  

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[MarreFitbit]

Hi there @Cataryn83, welcome to the Community Forums. Thanks for sharing the details about the issue with your Versa 2. I understand how frustrating this can be. 

As you may know, your Versa 2 battery should last up to 6 days. However, as with other electronic devices, the battery will depend on the features and how often they're used, such as the GPS, Spotify app or the Always-On display. While this doesn't mean that you shouldn't use them, please take into consideration the conditions that impact your watch's battery.

That being said, I'd recommend to change the clock face to one designed by Fitbit and please confirm if you've followed the tips and recommendations to maximize your watch's battery life described here.

Hope that helps! 

[Mr.Savington]

I'm having the same exact problem.  My Versa2 was working perfectly until about 2 weeks ago when I applied the Firmware upgrade.  The battery previously lasted 5-6 days.  Now it doesn't even last 2 days.  I have contacted support, and I was told that my device is defective but out of warranty.  I got it for Christmas last year, so it was barely 13 months old when this problem started (a month beyond warranty).  Let me repeat; my device functioned PERFECTLY before the firmware upgrade.  I have not changed ANYTHING on the device (no new apps, no new clock face, nothing)! 

This problem was obviously caused by the firmware upgrade, but FitBit refuses to acknowledge this.  They offered me a discount on a new device.  I can't afford to buy a new device every time FitBit decides to roll out a new firmware version.  I suddenly see "Health Metrics" in the app.  I'm guessing the addition of these features is causing the battery to drain.  I don't want those features!  I want my battery life back, and I do not want to buy a new device.  FitBit needs to rollback that firmware upgrade until the battery issue can be solved.

[MarreFitbit]

Hi there @Mr.Savington, welcome to the Community Forums. We acknowledge the limitation we have on our part particularly on what you have experienced. We‘re taking into consideration your comments and sentiments with regards to our products and services.

Thanks for your question about why we offered a discount towards a new Fitbit product instead of a replacement of your existing Fitbit product. Our limited warranty provides repair or replacement of products that have a defect while still in the warranty period. Your device is out of the warranty period, and therefore is not eligible for repair or replacement, but we want to offer you a discount to thank you for your loyalty to Fitbit.

Please note that our products are indeed designed and made to last (this goes for each product component) however, there is not an infallible way to ensure that no issues will be present in the long run. Because of this, our Warranty Policy is set into providing as much coverage as we can.

For more information about our warranty, see fitbit.com/legal/returns-and-warranty.

We thank you for being a customer and hope that the discount will help keep you in the Fitbit family. If you have any other questions, please feel free to get back to our Support Team. 

[Mr.Savington]

Thanks for the response.  I appreciate that you are "taking into consideration your comments and sentiments with regards to our products and services."  However, that doesn't currently help everyone who is experiencing this problem after the firmware upgrade.  I'm having to charge my Versa 2 device about every day and a half, which is extremely frustrating. 

It seems obvious to me from the posts I've seen here and elsewhere that this is a common issue.  We're being asked to remain FitBit customers by buying a new device (at a discount, but they are still expensive) when our devices were working perfectly until the "upgrade."  That's a tough pill to swallow, especially knowing that any future firmware upgrades could cause similar problems as soon as the device is out of warranty.  I've been hopeful that the problem would be fixed when enough of us spoke up, but not one person from FitBit has told me that you acknowledge this specific problem and that a solution is being pursued, which will be rolled out.  I have called and spoken live with a representative (and even a supervisor).  I have emailed with the support team.  Finally, I have posted here.  If this problem cannot be addressed with my Versa 2 device, I'll find it very difficult to give a new FitBit device a chance.  I'm hoping someone will reply and tell me that the problem is acknowledged and will be addressed.

[Sjmmjs]

I feel your pain. The exact same thing happened to me. They gave me a code to purchase a new device with a discount. 
this morning, Apple indicated they would repair or replace all Apple watches that would not hold a batter since the update. I wonder if Fitbit would do the same? If not, this will be my last of five Fitbit purchases!

[Mr.Savington]

I completely understand and agree.  The really frustrating part is that every person from FitBit with whom I talked didn't even acknowledge that this is a problem.  They kept telling me that my Versa 2 is "defective" and out of warranty.  It didn't just become defective overnight.  The firmware upgrade clearly caused this.  I'm not saying it's a simple solution on their end (I work in software & get that it's not easy to roll out a fix of this magnitude).  However, don't sit here and lie to me, telling me that I'm the "only one experiencing this problem" when clearly that is NOT the case.  That's what upset me even more.  I hope they are working on a fix.  I've been a FitBit customer for many years, and they've had great products; I've owned at least 3 different devices over the years.  As I've said, though, it's tough to consider buying another after this experience.  They can still make it right by acknowledging the issue and saying they're working on a fix, but as the days go by, I'm less and less confident that will happen.

[GavinYang]

yes I noticed that my fitbit uses a lot more battery than when I first got it. Hope Fitbit can have an update. I haven’t had one for like 5 months or so.

[ronicasper]

Not sure how to start a new conversation, but i have only had my Versa 2 for about 2 weeks and it is lasting 3 days maximum and i am literally just tracking steps etc, nothing special, dont feel you should be advertising 6 days when it's half that, tempted to send it back as not meeting the need, would not have purchased it knowing this information

[Mr.Savington]

It's VERY interesting to see that the battery life of a NEW device is also being affected by the latest firmware upgrade.  You should be able to get a replacement since your device is still under warranty.  I'm just not sure that a new device would do any good since yours is practically new and has the issue.  It seems like they have a major issue with the latest firmware that needs to be resolved ASAP.

[MarreFitbit]

Hi everyone!  Thanks for your feedback, I understand where you're coming from. We‘re taking into consideration your comments and sentiments with regards to our products and services.

As pointed out above, please note that our products are indeed designed and made to last (this goes for each product component) however, there is not an infallible way to ensure that no issues will be present in the long run. Because of this, our Warranty Policy is set into providing as much coverage as we can. When a tracker suffers damage while under warranty, you can contact Customer Support. Discounts and replacements depend on tracker model and other factors.

I've followed the tips and recommendations provided in this post and you're still having issues, the best way to get help for this problem is to chat with us online or give us a call. Click here to get connected. I'd suggest to share this community link (thread) so our Support Team can be aware of the steps you've already done, this way you can also avoid repeating yourself once again.

We hope your issue is solved soon. 

[Mr.Savington]

I don't see how you aren't recognizing the real problem here (or at least you aren't admitting it).  Our trackers have not "suffered damage" (as you stated in your last reply).  We downloaded a firmware "upgrade," which causes the battery to drain very quickly.  I have repeatedly contacted FitBit support (as you suggested, both via phone call and via chat) to no avail.  They tell me my Versa 2 is "defective."  I tell them it was perfectly fine before the "upgrade."  They offer me a discount on a new product when my device worked PERFECTLY before the firmware change.

The firmware definitely caused this issue for me.  I don't want to spend money on a new device.  I want another firmware release (one that is an actual "upgrade" and not an update that breaks my device) or I will be buying another company's fitness watch when I get a new one.  Your replies are an attempt at spin.  There is no spin that can fix the issues that the firmware caused.

[Sjmmjs]

This problem of a draining battery after a recent update, appears to be a colossal situation among multiple people. We’ve contacted your support people. We’ve tried troubleshooting. Our Fitbits are defective if we are all experiencing the same issue. My question is: How much longer to we comment and wait until your company makes this right?

Sent from my iPhone

[tomaszp]

Fitbit has been doing it for years, to the point that I suspect they do it on purpose to kill older devices with their "updated" sw so you buy another one. Sort of what Apple was doing. There were many threads here with people describing how the sw upgrade would kill they fitbit and fitbit response always was "go and buy a new one". 

[Kaydee1067]

I am having the same issues. I am using a Fitbit clock face. I never turn Always On on. I don't play music on my Fitbit and yet the battery is draining and it keeps dropping the sync. The app on my phone is never the same as the watch. This is very frustrating. I find myself constantly restarting the watch and my phone. I don't know if this issue is with Apple or Fitbit, but it has me to the point where I am looking at other devices.  Please provide a resolution. For what I am able to do consistently with the watch, I could have gone with a less expensive model and gotten the same results.

Update: Exactly. I have been a Fitbit user for years. When my Fitbit Alta stopped responding, I figured it was outdated. I researched between the Fitbit and the Apple Watch. The biggest selling point was the iphone said it had to be charged everyday and Fitbit said 4-6 days depending on usage. Now I find myself charging every day and a half and having sync problems. What gives? Like you, I would be hard-pressed to purchase another Fitbit device after this if the problem can't be resolved.

I'm done after this. This is my third device. I'm big on customer service. If customer service is not up to standard, I look elsewhere for a company who respects and appreciates their customers.

I was wondering the same thing. If that's true, that's horrible.

[MarreFitbit · Accepted solution]

Hi there @Kaydee1067 @Sjmmjs @Mr.Savington @tomaszp, I totally understand where you all are coming from. Thanks for your feedback as it helps us to keep improving. 

If you have any further questions, please make sure to check my previous post.