Sense battery draining after the update

[Karin-L]

Before the firmware update, my Sense would consistently last a week between charges - I've had it for a few years and it has pretty much always been a week. But now it drains by 25% in a single day. My usage is the same, and I haven't changed the way in which I charge it. There is no reason why battery drain should be so drastically different from one month to the next, the only thing that's happened is this firmware update. 

Based on Google's email, this update was intended to fix supposed battery-draining issues... I didn't expect it to CAUSE battery drain. 

What happened? 

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[Scott337]

The update did not fix battery drain issues. The update changed the battery charging behavior to prevent possible overheating. Your watch battery does not hold as much charge as it did before the update.

[Karin-L]

Ahh shoot 😞  this is what I get for skimming an email. 

So, for a Sense user who never had overheating problems, this forced update is another google ploy - effectively make my device less and less usable, so hey look at that, I'd do well to buy something new. 

[Scott337]

From what I understand this update had nothing to do with whether or not the watch had overheating problems in the past. This was for a specific batch of batteries manufactured by a specific company. 

[samntim]

I'm exactly the same. I charge mine while having a morning coffee, same time every day and it would be between 50 - 60% left Now, it's around 8%! No idea what to do or who to contact. I can't afford a new watch!

[Mikethecrowbar]

My battery used to last 6-7 days until I did the firmware update, now it lasts 3-4! This happened immediately after doing the update. Fitbit seem to do this regularly. I’ve had Fitbits for 10 years, and Fitbit seem to do this, firmware update, battery performance falls off the charts, offer you a replacement if your in warranty (but the new device is still only covered by your original warranty, ie if you have 6 months left on your warranty, the replacement is only covered for 6 months) if not they offer a discount on an upgrade! EVERY single one of my fitbits this has happened to. This is the last time. I’m looking for an alternative. 

[Myainumi]

Here is the battery graph after the firmware update. I updated on February 14th at 13:00 JST.
I guess the capacity is about 60% of what it was before...

[Mikethecrowbar]

It’s funny, I got another notification about a firmware update on Monday,
miraculously, my battery life seems to have extended again. Looks like I’ll
need to charge it again after 6 days!!

[Organiclady]

The same thing has happened with me. I've always been impressed by how long I can go between charges maybe 5-7 days. Now I'm charging it daily or every 36 hours. This only happened after the urgent firmware update about the battery! 

[FatimaFitbit]

Hi there everyone! It's great to see you all here in the Fitbit Community!

Thank you so much for reporting the situation with the battery performance of your Fitbit devices.

I suggest you read this article: Sense and Versa 3 Battery Performance Program You can submit a request to find out if your device is impacted here.

Follow the tips from this article too: Can I extend my Fitbit device's battery life? 

If the situation continues, please try to contact customer support: Contact Us 

[Myainumi]

Here is the battery graph after the firmware update, 13 days.

[RaechelR]

After the update it drains 25% at night when I'm asleep 7 hours in do not disturb. 

I have always had texts, calendar, etc turned off. I went from 6 or more days per charge to 2 days or less. Worst firmware EVER. Not sure I trust Fitbit anymore. I've had Fitbit more than 10 years. 

[RaechelR]

Same, never had overheating. So they forced me to update firmware and now it depletes battery at least 3 times faster and steps are getting lost too. To fix a problem I never had.

Raechel Sykes 

[RaechelR]

6 to 7 days for me and now I get 2. Immediately after update. Zero settings changed by me. It's the firmware. When I put a review on Fitbit app, they insulted me by putting a link to settings. 

[Astrid84]

Same problem here. Ever since the last firmware update a few weeks ago, my sense's battery lasts 2 days max, whereas before it would last 7 days. Yesterday evening I quickly charged my watch to 76% to wake up to 25%. Not ok!

[TallloN]

Mine never overheated at all...I would charge it on Sunday and it would
last the week and recharge it on Sunday again..we should be able to roll
back the firmware to the one that worked for us.

[TallloN]

This will also cause the battery to fail quicker charging every 2 days now
instead of changing once a week will kill the life of the battery...

[Vipergunman426]

This may be a dumb question but I can't find the answer anywhere lol. How are you viewing those graphs? I feel like I charged mine to full lay night and woke up to 23%.

[gateswood]

My Sense is four years old. I never got an email about this battery issue. I can't remember the last time I did a firmware update. The battery performance has slowly degraded. Now I get the 25% low battery notification every 3 to 3½ days.