Zip battery drain after iOS 2.39 update

[KateFitbit]

Fitbit update 10/9/2017: This has been resolved in update 2.41.1. Please update your app  if you continue to experience this issue. Thanks again for your reports and patience. As this issue is resolved, I'll be closing this thread for further comments. 

I've merged a few posts together because we received several reports of battery draining for Zip users on iOS after the 2.39 update. Our team is currently investigating the root cause of this issue and will be hard at work to get a fix out as quickly as possible to get you all back on track. Once I receive an update from them I will update this thread and will make sure to keep you all in the loop.

Also note, we have had reports that turning off all-day-sync has helped as a workaround and worth a try until this issue is resolved. 

Thanks for your help with reporting this and for your continued patience.

[MJANEM]

I have this problem all the time. This is my 3rd zip and I can't tell you how many batteries. I have even changed brands of batteries thinking maybe it's the battery. I love the zip because it's small but not very happy with the full, medium, low battery constantly. Right now I have a brand new Duracell battery in it and it says empty!!!!

[TheRealToni]

This issue is taking much more time than the unit is worth.  The battery issue is with the batteries; not the Fitbit.  The Samsung android update is a Samsung issue; not the Fitbit.  However,  if Fitbit can patch whatever Samsung did,  this would resolve the issue completely.

[Deberswhls]

I am right there with you. I am going yo try shopping for a brand tracker other than fitbit. They have advanced their other modules and features and are trying to apply the same operating program to all their fitbits. The Zip does not use all these features, very basic and the software they are trying to use across the board of their products just drains our batteries with no benefit if the extra programming. Zip should have its own basic software for what it uses only! And yes, I'm mad they did this. Their programmers are asleep at the switch.

Sent from my iPad

[Deberswhls]

I don't use Samsung so I'm nit following you.

Sent from my iPad

[TheRealToni]

Sorry to be unclear.  I have a Samsung Android cell phone with ATT service. When Samsung did some upgrade in early August 2017,  the fitbit went crazy.  That is the trouble.  Others have commented on the battery issue and it has become part of the discussion.  I have a similar issue with batteries but not as bad as some.  Just hoping that Fitbit can communicate with phone manufacturers to resolve/patch the problem.  I really like the fitbit  and hope I can continue to use it.

[Jayembea]

I used the battery supplied with my replacement Fitbit, so I assume it should have lasted more than a week. Also I am not using a Samsung, I sync direct with my ipad.

Sent from my iPad

[Deberswhls]

I also use my iPad. I don't own a Samsung android which is what someone earlier said was the problem. My fitbit batteries used to last 2-3 months. Problems started since last software update to the Fitbit app. I found five different apps linked to it to upload info that I have now disabled. The Zip only tracks steps and does not monitor heart, sleep and pulse which is what the other apps that the update automatically loaded track. It just runs the battery down trying to sync that. I do use weight watchers app which I have since I first got my Zip two years ago. When I change my battery again tomorrow ugh 😑 I hope what all I disabled from the update does the trick.

Sent from my iPad

[walkalittle]

Hi Susan307, I am also having problems with short battery life on my Fitbit zip.  The first message I received only hours after purchasing my zip pedometer was that the battery was low. I ignored the message and my zip continued to operate for almost 3 months before it went dead. I have just replaced the battery with the CR2025 button battery as recommended and two days later I get the low battery message. I wonder if there is a faulty batch of Fitbit zip pedometers being sold?

Walkalittle

[Susan307]

I’ve had my “new” zip for about four months,, so I don’t think it’s from a faulty batch, even though that’s plausible. As long as I’ve been a zip user, I’ve never had a battery indicator issue that didn’t eventually clear itself up once everything was reset. So this time I can’t help but think it’s an app problem from fitbit. It does get tiresome when they say over and over that the battery was faulty, the contacts weren’t clean, the contacts were worn out, etc., etc., and tell me to do the same checks again and again.

[Deberswhls]

I've had my zip a couple years and this is a new problem for me. I think it's the software updates.

Sent from my iPad

[Kasper88]

Hi,

I have now got two.

I have never had a problem with battery issues with my first Fitbit until about 4-5 mths ago, to the point where I went out and bought a new one. Thought the Fitbit had died.

Now I am having problems with the new one. Only about 2-3 months old.

😬😬
Sent from my iPad

[Margie1987]

I'm suddenly getting just a day or two out of my batteries.  I went through an entire package of older discount batteries, two days at a time, and thought OK, they are old and low-quality.  Then I bought a pair of brand-new Duracells and have had the identical problem.  

I'm a great fan of the Fitbit Zip, and would never wear a bracelet all day.  I'll be watching for a solution and checking out other manufacturers in case I have to make a change.

[stp17]

I agree with everyone, the batteries are not lasting.  This is my fourth one and it only lasted two days.  I have not changed the settings, but I turned off the sync now mode and still no luck. The reason I got this is because I cannot wear the watch at work.

[Deberswhls]

I too purchased the zip because I cannot wear a wristband. My battery is staying at medium since changing the settings and disabling all apps it syncs with other than my weight watchers app. Anxious to see once I have to change the battery what it will stay at. Before changing my settings and finding the apps the update loaded I would have had a dead battery two or three days ago. I hope this it it as I love my Zip.

Sent from my iPhone

[Susan307]

I doubt this is my problem, but please let me know how to check which other apps it syncs with. I haven’t changed the settings on anything, so it should be lasting about 3 months like it did until two weeks ago. (i.e., it isn’t syncing with anything different, but I’d still like to know.)

[Deberswhls]

Login to fitbit.com from computer and go to your settings. In there is a tab that brings up applications you are using.

Sent from my iPad

[Froggyfun]

I am also having issues similar to those described here.   I just bought my fit bit zip in May. It worked perfectly until August when it said the battery was running low. I purchased new batteries CR 2025 and replace the battery.  Within three days it was telling me the battery was nearly dead. I  inserted another new battery, and within three days the same thing happened.  I went to a completely different store, purchased a different brand of CR 2025 batteries, and again within three days it says the battery is nearly dead.   I love how unobtrusive the tiny zip is. Please fix this problem for me! I don't want toga either to tell people I wasted my money on a fit bit! 

[StacyLC]

@LucyAP 

Could you help me with mine also? I purchased mine less than a year ago. The battery that came with it only last a month and I purchased a new one with no issues until the most recent battery change. 2 weeks ago my FitBit was showing low battery so I purchased a new one. Within 3 days it was showing low battery again. I went through all the steps that were listed in these forums before trying another new battery. Last Tuesday I purchased a new battery, yes I'm purchasing the proper battery, and today it's showing low again. Could there be an actual problem with the Zip? I shouldn't have gone through 2 batteries in 2 weeks,

[Nam71429]

Sorry for what happened. Fitbit immediately gave me response and tried to help me by fixing it. But didn't work , they were going to send me one , cause I still had warrantee that they were very kind to ck on but I haven't received my Fitbit so I now after maybe a month have to delete the apps from Fitbit and will use my iPhone instead. I just got so used to Fitbit but well nothing is forever.

😊

[Kasper88]

Go to Fitbit.com direct with your issue.

Thks

Sent from my iPad