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+.

---

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.

[matttarasuk]

I updated my firmware a few days ago and now my battery is draining in less than a day. I turned off gps and  always on and it seems to be getting worse.

[Dallyjojo]

thank you Lonie1972, very clearly guided and now im updated to 3.43.

fingers crossed this solves the issue. 

[Timr13]

When you say firmware, is thst the actual watch or the app? The key is to ensure thst the app has the most recent update (3.43.1). This has to be manually added by going to the App Store and clicking on the app description (not open) and update.

Tim

[matttarasuk]

I updated my watch to 3.42 since I got a message. Now it says my Sense is up to date. That is when my battery drain issues started.

[matttarasuk]

Ok I updated the app too to 3.4.3.1.

I hope that fixes it.

[JNM14]

Thank you Nonie1972. You would think if it’s not allowing me to update (even after following your steps here, I also tried restarting my iPhone several times, logging out of the App Store, etc.) that it would mean my Fitbit app is updated. However, when I look at the details of the version that is running on my iPhone it continues to show 3.42, so it is evident my app is NOT updated and the App Store will not give me the option to force the update to 3.43.1. This entire thing is becoming quite frustrating. I truly appreciate all the help and ideas from this community and it sounds like it’s been helpful for many. It’s just too bad I can’t get it to work. I have tried searching online for information on this too without finding much specific help. 

[JNM14]

Does anyone know if I delete the app, will my data still be there if I reinstall the app and sign in? Or will all my data be lost? 

[Teecher]

Your data will still be available as it’s stored in your Fitbit account. Uninstalling the app and re-installing it should fix the issue for you. 

[Nonie1972]

I believe it will as the app shows the data not owns it. Have you checked on the Fitbit website to see if your data is there. If so, I’m pretty certain that when you delete and reload the app, it should restore? 

[Timr13]

You need 3.43.1 for the most up to date. It’s a manual update…when in the apps and have Fitbit up, don’t press open, but press Fitbit Symbol and you should be able to update to the latest.

Tim

[ghostestMostest]

I did a factory reset on the watch and the battery is now draining at a normal pace with all features enabled. iPhone and Sense 

[Naomib78]

Over the past week or so, my sense has lost all of its charge within about 12 hours. I charged it one night to 100%, wore it for bed and by 6.30 am it was dead again. This has happened frequently for about a week. Two weeks ago, I was getting.about 4 days with charge and it never fully drained. I’ve switched off things that could be draining it but it’s still the same. 

It’s really poor. I only bought in February (and it wasn’t cheap) and currently it is not to standard and is very frustrating. 

I hope you fix it quick. 

[N8teGee]

Hi @ssgesq.

Have you tried restarting your Sense to see if that helps? Press and hold the button for 10 seconds (until you see the fitbit logo).

Has anything else changed other than the FW update? Like installing a different clock face or apps on the device? 

[QM2]

Does the fitbit team test these updates before turning them loose?? This is crazy. My sense is basically unusable after this update. Extremely frustrating.

[QM2]

BS. Does not resolve the problem.

[SunsetRunner]

I have waited a week before the banner about the new firmware appeared. I forced updated the app twice. Then I updated the firmware. It went from 69% to 63% in two hours but I was fiddling whit it. I did a factory reset and recharged it. It's now 76% at 1630 and it was 100% Friday at same time. That means should be 50% in 4 days. No issues with sync or notification. I seems fixed to me. However NO Breathing Data Rate since December which is still disgusting. Any admin to explain this?

[LVdL]

I mainly had syncing issues 2 weeks ago, so I was happy to see a fitbit software update on Friday. However, the battery draining issue is now worse than before. Lost 50% of battery in just a few hours without bluetooth even being on and while fitbit app on phone was not active. 🙄 Iphone (7) has latest iOS version and also the fitbit app is up to date. It's starting to get more than frustrating... 😣

[Mark150259]

I bought a sense to replace my ionic in December last year. Worked fine until May with no issue and I was getting 5 to 6 days battery life. Then for no reason started discharging battery at 10% an hour. Called Fitbit and they eventually agreed my sense is faulty and sent me a replacement. Now one month later the same thing has happened with the new one, the battery has drained in less than 24 hours from a full charge and I have not changed any settings. This watch is useless and I am now considering an Apple watch. 

[Musubi]

Im on sense software version 44.128.5.38.  Over the last 2 weeks I decided to factory reset my sense because I was struggling to have it synch with my iPhone.  After re-pairing my Sense I noticed again, massive battery loss at a rate of 20% / hr.  It was atrocious.  So I started going through a process of elimination after reading all the form notes.  I started by changing my watch face back to the default.  Then systematically began removing apps starting with the SP02 sensor and working my way to a skeleton list recharging the Sense in between each change.  There was no change in the battery loss rate.  Eventually I decided to unpair my Sense from my phone and remove it from being connected via Bluetooth and Hola, my battery level stabilized massively.  

Here is where it is frustrating.  Two nights ago I factory reset my sense once again and re-paired it to my phone.  I added only my key apps back in one at a time and thought if I see huge drains, I would just shut off bluetooth and measure.  Unfortunately my Sense suddenly decided to behave.  No ridiculous battery drain and no odd lagging which I saw prior.  My Sense is synching well.  So I am not sure what just happened.  The Apps that I am running are the following (I am using the SpO2 signature face again)

* Spo2

* Today

* Timers

* Maps

* exercise

* Alarms

* Weather

* Altimeter

* Find my phone

* ECG

* Clocks

* High low heart rate

* (I am configured for wifi.  I thought wifi was the big suck but it hasn't been over the last 2 days)

In conclusion for now, I feel like it has something to do with the interaction with my iPhone.  I thought I had pinpointed it until I factory reset and paired it up again and it stabilized.  I will keep poking at this, but just wanted to share.

[Mountie87]

I have the same issue, full charge may last 6-8 hours