Fitbit has issued an urgent alert to users of some trackers – check your device now.
If you own a Fitbit to track your daily workouts, it would be wise to check for an update being released by the fitness firm. It appears some of these popular wearables have been hit by a worrying bug that could cause their batteries to overheat. Fitbit, which Google now owns, has called the glitch “a potential risk for users” so it’s definitely not an alert you want to ignore.
Currently, it seems only Fitbit Sense and Fitbit Versa 3 devices are affected but it’s still worth making sure your watch is fully updated with the very latest operating system.
Explaining more about the issue, Fitbit said: “Fitbit determined that a limited number of Fitbit Sense and Fitbit Versa 3 devices (‘Impacted Devices’) are at risk of their batteries overheating, which poses a potential risk for users and requires an immediate firmware update.
“The firmware update will reduce the risk of the battery overheating and reduce battery capacity. The update will begin to roll out to impacted Fitbit Sense and Versa 3 devices over the next month, starting on 21 January 2025.”
Both of these smartwatches were released back in 2020. They have since been replaced by the Sense 2 and Versa 4, which don’t appear to be affected by the battery problem.
“This issue does not affect all Sense and Versa 3 devices; if your device is not impacted, the battery will perform the same as before”, Fitbit added.
Along with the warning, Google has also provided a link for customers who own the device to find out if they are affected.
This simply involves entering your name, email address, address and phone number via an online document. If your device is deemed to be dodgy, Fitbit is offering you $50 (£40) compensation.
You have until January 21, 2026, to register for the compensation.
This isn’t the first time Fitbit has had issues. Its first-ever smartwatch, the 2017 Fitbit Ionic, was effectively recalled in 2022 when Fitbit admitted all models could be affected by a battery issue that had caused overheating and some skin burns to wearers, according to the BBC.
On that occasion, Fitbit offered all customers a full refund of $299, even if they had kept the device.
