Versa 2 battery won't hold a charge

[nicj6]

doesn’t hold charge … says 100 quickly drops to 80s then within h minutes screen crashes completely.  Can the battery be replaced? 

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[MarreFitbit]

Hi there, @nicj6. Welcome to the Fitbit Community Forums. Thanks for bringing this to my attention. I'm sorry to hear that the battery of your Versa 2 is draining quickly. I understand your concern, I will do my best to help you with this!

As a first approach, I'd recommend making sure that your phone's software version is updated. For more information, refer to Check & update your Android version or Update your iPhone or iPad

If you haven't done so yet, please try all tips and recommendations provided here Extend your Fitbit device's battery life

Regarding your inquiry, we as Fitbit do not do it or suggest to replace the battery as that could permanently damage your watch. The battery on Fitbit devices are not replaceable nor interchanged. 

Before doing something to your Fitbit device, please review the section Availability or repair facilities/spare parts  and Exclusions and Limitations from this article fitbit.com/legal/returns-and-warranty.

[DarBar]

I am having the same problem. After trying absolutely everything, my watch doesn’t hold a charge for 14 hours. I’ve only had it for 3 years and what I understand you to be saying is you can’t fix it? Is that true?

[SueMc10]

I am also having a problem with mine with regards to the battery draining quickly. I've not had my watch very long either, it was a replacement watch as my last one had a problem, although different from battery draining. I've already tried the things mentioned with no change.

What are my options now?

[Mark235]

Yes, the battery can be replaced if you are handy. It is funny that Fitbit states that they recommend not trying to replace the battery because you might damage the watch. I would say that if your battery is dead and the Versa doesn't work at all then you can't make the situation any worse by trying to change the battery. Most of the watches with a battery problem are well past the warranty expiration so there is no risk of voiding a warranty that doesn't exist. 

The battery you need is Versa 2 replacement battery 

Instructions for replacing the battery on Youtube 

Glue required to seat the crystal after replacing the battery from Amazon.

You can still buy old new stock Versa 2s on Amazon for about $70. They are brand new, never used, still in the sealed box. I just bought one as a spare.

[Guy_]

Hi @Mark235 - thanks for your insights which can be useful as a last resort.

If anyone can't get a new replacement Versa 2 cheaply it might be possible to get a phone repair shop to do the battery replacement for you, if they don't charge too much.

If replacing the watch with a Versa 4 be aware it doesn't have all the features of a Versa 2 so could be considered a downgrade.

[Mark235]

I agree with your comment that the Versa 4 could be considered as a downgrade for some users. I personally don't use any of the features available on the Versa 2 that are not available on the Versa 4 so that wasn't an issue. Probably the only benefit of the Versa 4 for some people is that the Versa 4 has a GPS receiver but for me that is only a battery drain. 

I had considered the Versa 4 thinking that perhaps the sensors would be more accurate being a newer design (2022 vs 2019). My Versa 2 sporadically has bursts of very high heart rate readings which I know are not accurate. Gemini (Google's LLM AI) when posed the question states that the Versa 2 has more accurate sensors but I'm not sure that is accurate.

I bought a new Versa 2 recently as a backup because I don't see anything else on the market that comes close to meeting my wants/needs. The Garmin would be my choice if I had to change but then I would lose the integration of much of my Fitbit data because only select Fitbit data series can be imported by the Garmin system.

[Guy_]

@Mark235- thanks, the glitches you saw on your Versa 2 are probably not representative but due to some particular condition. The Versa 2 with older sensors are generally more accurate for a wider variety of conditions and people, while the later watches have more difficulty in some circumstances, especially some movements.

The Versa 2 also has a better vibration than later watches, one is less likely to miss notifications, and older Fitbits have loads of additional apps which makes them quite universal; for many things, meaning less need to consult the Fitbit app.

Of course all comparisons depends on ones needs which are often completely different.