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.

[MJMBCLS]

This last update has resulted in some type of battery drain. Ever since I received the update, my sense will drain in 24-36 hrs where I was getting 4-5 days of use before. 

[Guy_]

@MJMBCLS  if you use an iPhone, it's a known iOS Fitbit App problem.

[JNM14]

I am having a similar issue, but mine started after I updated to the most recent firmware on my Sense (128.5.38) just a couple days ago. I also checked and have the most recent IOS app as of June 9th (but my battery issues didn’t start with that, it started with the firmware update). 

Ever since the firmware update (with out changing any other settings or usage habits) suddenly my watch can’t even hold a charge for half a day (when I use to go 3-4 days)! 

What can I do?

[Debz47]

They have admitted full responsibility for this and are working on an App Fix for it. I have been told to wait for maybe up to a month, they have given me a case number. I will be asking for a full refund if it is not fixed by then, apparently a replacement watch will have the same issue. Mine is 4 months old and I appreciate they are trying to fix it but that is no use to me if I cannot use it for what it was purchased for, running/walking with GPS etc. 

[JNM14]

Wow. Thanks for the info. This is a big problem for anyone experiencing this issue. It makes our watches completely useless. I agree, full refunds are in order if a fix doesn’t happen soon! 

[Dallyjojo]

My sense also not holding charge at all.  This is really bad issue Fitbit for your product. 

[SteveS_39]

I had the same problem up until the beginning of the week.

Using the SPO2 face and lots of exercise, drained only 18% over 24 hours.

To fix, upload the latest firmware and the latest ios fitbit app version and restart all devices.

Versions installed for me are: Firmware=  128.5.38

IOS app version=3.43.1 (1057)

The latest version can be forced by going into app store and searching for fitbit.

If the app shows the open button from the list, view the details and the open button will change to update.

Hit the update and all will be good.

[Richiemcc]

I only got my Sense a month ago and it was working ok for first 3 weeks. But now if there is 100% charge when I go to bed, it is completely dead when I wake up 6-7 hrs later. Extremely disappointed as I’ve been wearing Fitbits for 10-11 years and never had this issue.

Tried factory resetting, turning off GPS on all exercises (one of the reasons I upgraded from Blaze), turned off notifications and changed every battery saving setting I could but still no difference.

At this stage I wouldn’t recommend a Sense to anyone.

[DavidSha]

I am having the same issue just purchased my Sense and after 2 days the battery went from 99% this morning to -4% tonight Malaysia time. How do I fix this please 

[Angiegia]

Thanks so much so far so good 👍👍

Sent from my iPhone

[JNM14]

Hey,
Thanks so much for the info!

However, I tried to force the app update and did what you said. The open button changed to update, I clicked it, it started to download Then my iPhone popped up a message that my phone storage was full 😒 which seemed to interrupt the update before it was completed.

Now when I check my version of the app it still shows 3.42. When I try to force the update again it won’t give me the option (the button won’t change from “open” to “update”)... 😩😩😩. Any ideas? I really wanted this to work!

Sent from my iPhone

[Angiegia]

Don’t press open press near the icon then you can update

Sent from my iPhone

[Lycia77]

The forced update did resolve the issue for me.

However, I decided to move on to an Apple Watch. I was so unhappy with the customer service from FitBit, I couldn’t continue to support them as a company. They declined to honor my warranty over this issue (Sense was still under warranty). They sent the guidelines for returns, suggesting it was no longer in the eligible period as I had bought my sense right around when they came out in October 2020. Finally, they wouldn’t even extend out my Premium membership as a courtesy, even though it was unusable due to having to keep the app closed. Honestly, it was a shame to lose years and years of data with FitBit, but the generic canned response of “thanks for patience - we are aware of the issue” with no attempt to do right by their customers was enough for me to leave. I gave the Sense to my boyfriend who has an Android phone. I have no interest in staying with a company who can’t even throw me a one month extension on my Premium membership after their issue results in me paying for something I can’t use.

Sent from my iPhone

[Timr13]

Make sure you force the Fitbit app 3.43. I had the same issue and once I forced the new version, my batter power was good.

Tim

[JNM14]

Unfortunately, it still only says “open” and won’t give me the option to “update”. Am I missing something? I have done what was suggested here and above by Steve. If anyone has ideas, I would so appreciate it! Thanks. 

[Dallyjojo]

My sense showing v3.42.  I go into update and it tells me that there are no updates!

shopping for Apple Watch after this

[Dallyjojo]

This forum is very confusing with different suggestions on how to resolve the problem.

force update 3.43 - I can’t it’s telling me I’m all up to dat (currently on 3.42).

restore to factory settings - no Thankyou, I’ve set up my Fitbit just how I want it.

power off / on - really!!?, I think the issue is bigger than this action!

’a fix soon’ simply not good enough.  These watches are expensive and are no good to us in this current state.  Not a good ‘blip’ for sales.

[Indiaharris]

I’m in the exact same boat! My battery on my sense is lasting a day or less depending on steps! It used to last me 4/5 days before the update! 

[SteveS_39]

Go appstore and view app details - update should be available from there

Steve

[Nonie1972]

Go to App Store. Click on your icon in top right. Then purchased. Then my purchases. Then type Fitbit in search box. Open it up so it takes the full screen. 
when you go in this way it should say update. If not you must have the most recent version.