Fitbit has revealed two of its popular activity tracker smartwatches are affected by an issue that could cause their batteries to overheat, calling the flaw “a potential risk for users”.
The fitness firm, which is owned by Google, posted a “consumer notice” on its website on Tuesday January 21 informing owners of the Fitbit Sense and Fitbit Versa 3 that their smartwatches could be affected by a serious issue (as spotted by TechRadar).
“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”, Fitbit said.
“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Both smartwatches were first released in 2020 and have since been replaced by newer models the Sense 2 and Versa 4, which don’t appear to be affected by the battery problem.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.
It provided this link for customers who own the device to find out if they are affected, which involves entering your name, email address, address and phone number. If your device is dodgy, Fitbit is offering you $50 compensation, converted to your local currency if you’re outside the US.
“It may take up to one week to receive verification that your device is eligible for appeasement and up to three weeks for your appeasement request to be processed”, Fitbit said. “We may request additional information to verify your device or registration.”
You have until January 21, 2026, to register for the compensation.
The firmware update Google is talking about is much like the updates your Fitbit Sense or Versa 3 will have got in the course of you owning it. When you sync the app, sometimes new software is available for download.
Such updates can add new features but they can also address issues such as this battery problem, though it is concerning that Fitbit says it is a “potential risk”. Until you receive the update or find out if your device is affected, you might want to consider not wearing your Fitbit.
The company has had similar issues in previous years. Its first ever smartwatch, the Fitbit Ionic that was released in 2017, 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 $299 refund even if they kept the device. This time around it looks as though the company believes the overheating issue for the Sense and Versa 3 can be remotely fixed, presumably why compensation of just $50 is being offered this time.
Either way, it’s not a great look for the popular fitness firm, which recently said it would not make another Fitbit-branded smartwatch akin to the Sense and Versa 3. After Google acquired Fitbit, the Pixel Watch series was released, which is where Fitbit’s smartwatch tech seems to have ended up.
Last week Express.co.uk reported a software bug that affects at least two Fitbit models has not been fixed despite customers reporting it at least six months ago. Affected trackers no longer automatically track the distance travelled by the wearer, one of the devices’ core features. Fitbit did not respond to requests for comment.
