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Fitbit fitness trackers aren’t just easy to use. They’re also easy to charge. Except for Fitbit Zip and Fitbit One, the rest of the models feature rechargeable lithium-ion batteries that you can easily recharge using a USB cable.
More often than not, charging the device is as simple as plugging the USB cable into a power outlet or a computer, connecting the charging end to the Fitbit, and letting the device charge on its own.
In this post, we take a look into the basics of charging a Fitbit, lengthening the battery life, storing the device when it’s not in use, plus a lot more.
So let’s get down to it.
The Right Way to Charge a Fitbit
First, remove the Fitbit from its strap.
Connect the pin-out end of the USB to the tracker. And then have the connector attached to either a power outlet or USB port of your laptop or desktop computer.
Every Fitbit has a LED indicator that lights red to indicate that the device is charging. If you don’t see the red light, simply check if you have connected the USB cable properly.
Note that it takes 60 to 120 minutes for the device to fully charge. The red light will go off to indicate that the tracker’s battery now has 100% charge.
And the best part is, the charge usually gives you a run time of 5 to 7 days, which means you only need to charge the device once a week.
How to Extend the Battery Life of Your Fitbit
Now that you know how to charge your Fitbit activity tracker and smartwatch the right way, it’s time to extend this even further and look at ways to extend the battery life.
When charging any Fitbit fitness tracker, make sure the temperature in the room is not above 115° F or below 32°F. That’s because charging fitness trackers in extremely high or low temperatures has a negative impact on their battery life.
Make sure the screen of your Fitbit doesn’t go on or off unnecessarily. Sometimes this happens when you sway your arms and it can affect the battery life. The best thing to do is to make sure the Fitbit stays fixed in one position in your arm. Simply fasten the band and you’re good to go.
If you are a Fitbit Ionic, Versa Series, Charge 3 owner, or Charge 2 make sure that the auto brightness is on or manually adjust the brightness to a lower level. This will save you some charge.
Disable notifications such as app alerts, reminders, and alarms unless you’re sure you really need them. Just use your phone instead, so you don’t have to charge the Fitbit all the time.
We recommend that you avoid animated clock faces because they consume a lot of energy. Plus, you don’t really need the animation anyway.
Always make sure you monitor the use of music apps and GPS, and make sure you turn them off when they’re not in use.
One last thing to observe is that you must never charge your Fitbit overnight.
How to Store a Fitbit Device Long Term
If you’ve decided that you want to store your Fitbit away for a while, make sure you do it the right way.
First, make sure you charge the device until the battery is full. Then, turn it off completely. When you intend to store your Fitbit for long, it isn’t a good idea to leave it plugged into the charger.
It’s important to note that the charge will last for roughly 6 months. So you just have to recharge the battery after every six months if you intend not to have the Fitbit on your wrist for an extended period.
We also advise that you put the tracker back in its packaging, and then store it away in a cool and dry place – far away from the reach of children.
Making Sure Your Device Never Runs Out of Charge
Here’s a scenario that you’ve probably found yourself in:
You are in the middle of an engaging activity, like jumping using your Smart Jump Rope and the charge runs out.
You not only lose the rhythm but also get demotivated because you have to go back home and charge the tracker, not to mention that you have to wait for at least 2 hours for the battery to charge.
It’s annoying. And while you won’t find yourself in this can of situation often, you know how inconveniencing it can be.
The best thing to do is to make sure you check the battery level of the Fitbit before hitting the road for your morning workout.
If the battery is low, plug it into a power outlet or your laptop and wait for two hours for the device to charge.
Final Words
As you can see, charging a Fitbit fitness tracker is not that difficult at all.
Plus, we’ve given you some points that can help you to extend the battery life of the device that you currently own.
Whether you own a Fitbit Inspire HR or you’re a fan of the latest Charge 3, all these tips do apply to your device.
Fitbit Zip and Fitbit One owners don’t need to follow these tips, as their replaceable batteries aren’t rechargeable. They only have a long life, which promises an extended runtime.
Common Questions
How do I Check the Battery Level of a Fitbit?
To check your Fitbit’s battery level, head to “today tab” on the Fitbit app.
This tab is located in the top right corner of the application. Alternatively, you can tap on the tracker’s screen to see the battery level.
Are there Fitbits With Replaceable Batteries?
Yes, there are only two Fitbit trackers with replaceable batteries. These are Fitbit One and Fitbit Zip.
What we love about these two is that they have a decent battery life. Both can last more than 5 months without the need to replace the battery.
However, we do recommend that you change the battery between the 5th and the 6th month for convenience.
