Versa 4 experience

[ScottMelrose]

Been having issues ever since I got my Versa 4 in early January. It was burning through the battery very quickly. Did a reset and it started working without a recharge for about 5 days (still too quick since I only use it to track steps and related data). Now I have to recharge it every 2-3 days even if I reset it. When it syncs with my Fitbit app there is nothing in the graphs for steps/calories/floors/miles. This has been happening since I first got it. The calories it displays are as if I don't move - about 62 per hour. It doesn't "catch up" with the calories until overnight. So when I sync it in the morning it shows calories, though about 10% less than my One would record for similar steps/miles/floors.

So I am now in the market for a new tracker. I just need to find one that I don't have to wear on my wrist like the Versa 4 allows and the One always allowed.

$200 down the drain. Expensive lesson learned.

[Guy_]

Hi @ScottMelrose - it seems there may be a syncing problem which is causing the issues.

Constantly trying to sync can cause excessive battery usage.

What you can try is restarting the watch after a full charge and turning off the phone's Bluetooth.

This will put the watch into standalone mode and you can then simply check the battery level with a pull down on the watch face to get to Quick Settings.

Also in the Fitbit App, device page check your watch is connected to the account and the phone isn't, as this can give weird results if that isn't correct.

If the watch lasts more than 5 days (it should) it is fine. I've have seen over 11 days on mine when not being worn in standalone & sleep mode, face down.

[ScottMelrose]

I sync once a day, when I wake up. I found that multiple syncs would reset the steps on my Versa 4.

I keep my Versa in the pocket of my pants as I don't like wearing watches. It is in a case specially designed for the Versa 4.

And I only check the battery level on the watch. Again, I sync once a day and it is the only time I open the app.

And I already have Background App Refresh turned off but can't turn off Bluetooth as I use it for other apps.

[Guy_]

@ScottMelrose- if you need to keep Bluetooth on, logout of the Fitbit App and swipe off the Fitbit window and in Android for stop it.

The calculation of calories can be based on time rather than synced activities, especially if the phone is also connected, do make sure it isn't and that the sync is successful. It won't necessarily be immediate and so it would be good to sync again a little while later.

That said, calories require the heart rate measurement which if the watch is in your pocket might not get any meaningful data. So it may be based purely on estimated calories over time instead.

If you don't like wearing the watch on the wrist, a chest strap may or may not suit you and provide much better measurements, including actual calories.

[ScottMelrose]

I'm not going to wear it on my chest like some sort of holter monitor.

The only time the app is open is when I sync it in the morning. It is closed at all other times.

And the charges are only lasting 3 days now (the last three times) even though the only tool on the watch that I have activated is the steps monitor. Nothing else is activated. And now it is getting closer to 2 days as it is already down to 39%. And resets don't seem to help that.

Also, when I sync the Versa none of the hourly graphs are populated except for the calories graph which shows a flat line for each hour.

[Guy_]

@ScottMelrose - if you keep the watch in your pocket you may only get steps or floors.

The Fitbit App runs in background, you'll need to logout to stop it, and preferably turn off Bluetooth when you can to stop all communication with the phone.

However having your watch in your pocket can cause the display to wake frequently or stay on which can use a lot of battery, (especially, but not only, if you have wrist wake enabled). 

[ScottMelrose]

I don't believe the app runs in the background as I have turned off "Background App Refresh".

And here we are 36 hours after my last recharge and it is already down to 60%. It was at this speed of battery life diminution when I finally decided to find a replacement for my One.

And again, none of the hourly graphs work.

And I do not have wrist wake enabled. I have no other functions activated.

[SunsetRunner]

Disable the sp02 

[Guy_]

Thanks @SunsetRunner - while the SpO2 will consume a bit more battery, at night only, it is not renowned for making a very short battery life on this model but can be a useful thing to consider.

One way to check if it is an issue, is to monitor battery level before and after bed.

Removing the Spo2 app will obviously increase battery life a little but then you don't get the health results.

In this case the cause is most likely watch over use during the day which can be confirmed by comparing daytime battery usage against nighttime usage.

[ScottMelrose]

Thanks for the suggestion but I don't have it turned on. Unbeknownst to me, there were a couple of heart settings turned on to notify me. I have turned them off. Will see what that does.

And at about 9:00am this morning I am down to 22%. This is ridiculous.

---

And now as of 7:00am Tuesday I am down to 27%. TWO DAYS LATER! I bought this because my One was needing a recharge this often.

I don't keep the app open. I don't have any features but the steps tracker in use.

This is absurd. A horrible waste of money.

[Guy_]

@ScottMelrose - could you please charge it fully and in the Fitbit App, device page (Connected to), remove the phone from the account (if connected) and Add more devices, select your Versa 4, and replace.

Once it is setup properly try wearing it on your wrist and see when worn normally if the battery lasts as expected, at least you will be able to keep an eye on ii in case anything odd is happening.

[ScottMelrose]

As of 4:30pm on Thursday the Versa is down to 23%. Less than 36 hours later.

I only had the app one to sync it. I just did what you suggested re: the remove/add but cannot wear it on my wrist.

[Guy_]

@ScottMelrose  - ok, please charge it again, put the watch in sleep mode and logout of the Fitbit App, then place the watch face down with the straps pinned out of the way so the lights stop flashing and see what the battery level is after 2 days.

This is to see in standalone mode and at rest how long the battery will last which will determine if the watch is ok or not.

[ScottMelrose]

Just so I understand the, the next time I charge it I put it in sleep mode (is that the crescent moon on the same screen as the Settings?), turn it upside down, and then come back in two days? BTW, I'm not logged into the app now. I only log in when I sync it in the morning and then log out.

Thanks.

[Guy_]

@ScottMelrose - yes, the half moon on the Quick Settings screen when you pull down on the watch face.

The sensors on the back must ideally be clear of anything moving nearby, like straps, passing hand movements, etc.

[ScottMelrose]

After two days of sleeping the Versa is at 44%.

[Guy_]

Thanks @ScottMelrose - if you haven't used it at all that's a bit on the high side, it may just need a few more adjustments but the watch seems fine generally. Bear in mind that battery usage is not linear, after a while it can drain more quickly above 80% and below 20%.

Have a look here 

Can I extend my Fitbit device's battery life? 

[ScottMelrose]

A bit high? That would mean that one more day of sleeping and it would need to be recharged (which it probably did but I'm not getting battery low notices anymore). At 6:30am this morning it was down to 4%. This is not right. The manual says this:

"A fully-charged Versa 4 has a battery life of 6+ days. Battery life and charge cycles

vary with use and other factors; actual results will vary."

But with the few things I use it for the need to recharge is way too fast. A huge difference between 6+ and 2.5.