Sense battery draining after iOS app update

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi there,

Our team has released the new Fitbit iOS App 3.43 version and it should be available for all of you. Please make sure to download it from the App store as this will resolve the battery short life issues experienced on your Sense. Take in mind that this and future Fitbit app versions will require iOS 13.4+.

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Hi everyone. Thanks for your continued reports.

Our team is aware of the Sense not holding charge when syncing with iOS devices and they're working to bring a fix as soon as possible. In the meantime, we recommend force quitting the Fitbit app on your iOS devices to prevent the battery from draining when syncing.

I've moved your posts to this thread so we can keep our team informed of this situation. Your patience is truly appreciated and please know your feedback hasn't gone unnoticed.

See you around.

[SunsetRunner]

I have literally been complaining to support every day for like a week or two? Maybe longer.  Feels like forever. My battery doesn't even last a day.  They told me to do all this stuff (change my watch face, turn off this setting, turn back on the setting, etc.) and then told me that I had background update that I needed to complete.  I kept checking the backgound update status and I'm finally at 100% and asked what is next and got "oh eventually you'll get prompted when it's your turn to download the new firmware update and maybe it will fix your battery issue" (clearly I'm exaggerating and being a little flippant because I'm irritated).  They told me that if this doesn't work they would "trouble shoot further". 

Basically they don't care if it works or not so hopefully it works.

[SunsetRunner]

Did you do a factory reset after the update or disconnected bluetooth as mentioned in ealier posts? Please do let us know and update us if the charging issue rears it's ugly head after your update. What phone model are you currently using? 

I haven't received the update as of yet so I'm curious as to how your update will go in the next few days. 

[colemom4]

Mine holds a charge for less than 12 hours. When I call support they are all over the place with how to fix it. This is over a year since your problem. I’ve updated everything, deleted all unused apps, synced ever two hours as requested by Fitbit Customer Service and the best they can say is it’s an IOS problem and they don’t know when it will be fixed.  I am heading out on a 5 day backpacking trip and charging every 10-12 hours is not going to happen.  I’m so frustrated.  

[Jen_5]

A 6-8 hour charge is all it holds now after IOS update?

You all replaced 4 or 5 defective Versa 3 Fitbit’s in one year. I upgraded to the Sense recently, and now this? So many glitches.BTW guys, we STILL don’t have all our IOS notifications from like 2 years ago.. Are you guys ok at Fitbit? Yikes LOL

[Teecher]

Hi @SunsetRunner, The update installed very easily for me. My phone is a iPhone XR and has the latest version of the Fitbit app. I’m not prepared to turn off Bluetooth on my phone as too many other devices require it. After the update I did not do a factory reset after updating but had previously done one about 10 days ago. That forced an update to the previous version of the Sense firmware. It’s now been about 18 hours since I updated my Sense and the battery has only drained by 4% so if this continues I should be back to getting five days plus from each charge. Hopefully you have a similar outcome with the update. 

[Clove6060]

I did the update yesterday and no need to do a reset. I was getting a 20% drain every 24 hours before the update and that is still the case post update. I was concerned initially after reading all the issues people were having post update.

[SunsetRunner]

Thank you for the reply. Looks like the battery drain issue has been resolved, Let's see the updates from other Sense users should any one care to further post their findings. 

[DaveS3]

What resolved the issue with no firmware or app update?

[SunsetRunner]

I dont know what specific changes on the firmware update was done. My concern is the reported fast drain on the Sense's battery after the firmware update. It appears 2 users have now reported no issues on the battery drain after the update. Crossing my fingers when the update arrives on my app that all will be well. 

We shall see....

[Mama_Lady808]

Day 2 after factory reset.  It didn't fix the battery drain issue, problem is still there. 

[SunsetRunner]

@ Mama_Lady 808 disappointing news, what phone are you using with your Sense? 

[Mama_Lady808]

Right ?! 🙄 I have an iphone 8.

[LVdL]

I always turn the Bluetooth off, I only sync manually, but instead of the battery issue, you will notice that after a night's sleep, he doesn't want to sync anymore. You have to try a whole range of things for it to sync again, so clearly a software issue. 😒

[SunsetRunner]

Makes me very hesitant to update to the latest firmware if the battery drains in 2 days. That is like using my original Versa. 

Started looking at Garmin watches for options, yet, browsed their forums, the Venu 2 also has software issues. Some of the Garmin Venu 2 reviews uses Fitbits as their benchmarks for sleep scores. I suppose bugs will be ever present no matter which platform/brand is used. 

Although, my original Versa didn't have any issues...

Will just keep monitoring this thread and see what happens...

[Teecher]

Hi @SunsetRunner , It’s been a full day since installing the update and my Sense battery drained by 9%. Everything appears to be still working well. It would appear that the issue lies in varying phone models.

[CoachMaya]

I did the update and now My sense is unable to stay charged for more than 24 hours. Is there anything that can be done?

[DaveS3]

Android note 8 - went to sleep at full sense battery, woke up with 4% battery. Not fixed or better at all. Edit: since fully charging my batter this morning, I'm down to 94% 2 hours later which seems more in the normal range. no idea what was different last night although I always have my phone nearby so it's not any change in availability of the phone to the sense. 

[Deechte]

> I did the update and now My sense is unable to stay charged for more than 24 hours.

> Is there anything that can be done?

@CoachMayaare you an iPhone user? There's a thread about iOS battery issues.

[Jen_5]

When will this be resolved? Thanks :star:️

[You_Need_QA]

My sense completely drained 3x yesterday after the update.do you even QA your software releases? If so, that process is completely broken and needs to be rebuilt from the ground up. I'm a software engineer and I know a bug like this getting into the wild is bad, really bad. I really hope you rollback to the previous release asap or get this fixed today for your sake. I've got an apple watch in my cart and I'm just waiting to pull the trigger on it