Fitbit trackers and smartwatches needs a safe reset or will not reset: Google's erase article gives the model-specific route. On the Charge 5, Charge 6, Inspire 3 and Luxe, swipe down from the clock screen to the Settings app, open Device Info and tap Clear User Data. On the Sense and Versa series, open Settings, About and tap Factory Reset. Before giving a device away or returning it, erase it to remove apps, stored data, personal information, cards for contactless payments and saved settings, and remove the device from your account in the app, since a device paired to a new account is cleared automatically.
For a device that is only misbehaving, try the restart first: it turns the device off and on without losing activity data, and fixes a frozen or blank display, a device that will not sync, one that is unresponsive to taps and buttons or one in a continuous reboot loop. On the Fitbit Ace LTE, use the top button, Settings, System, Disconnect and reset, or reset from the Fitbit Ace app while the PIN is unlocked. Restarting first costs nothing and keeps your data.
Differential
Likely causes of “Fitbit trackers and smartwatches needs a safe reset or will not reset”, and how to tell them apart
- 1
A frozen or misbehaving device
What separates it A restart does not help because the device is frozen or misbehaving
How to confirm Erase it after syncing, so that your data is safe
- 2
You are selling or giving it away
What separates it The next owner needs a clean device because you are selling or giving it away
How to confirm Erase it and remove it from your account
- 3
A failed setup
What separates it Setup loops again and again because of a failed setup
How to confirm Remove it from the app and erase, then set it up again
- 4
A device with payments
What separates it Cards must be removed because the device has payments set up
How to confirm Erase to remove contactless cards; remove Suica in the app first
- 5
An Ace LTE with a problem
What separates it Cellular or calls fail because of an Ace LTE with a problem
How to confirm Use Disconnect and reset, and set the watch up again
Before you touch a setting
Record this first — changing settings destroys the evidence
- Whether the data is synced before you erase it
- Why you are erasing: a fault or a sale
- Whether the device carries payment cards
Try in this order
0 of 7 completedRestart first
ReversibleRestart first, by trying the model's restart, which keeps your data, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Sync
ReversibleSync, by syncing the device so that your data is safe before an erase, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Erase
ReversibleOn a Charge 5, 6, Inspire 3 or Luxe use Settings, Device Info, Clear User Data; on a Sense or Versa use Settings, About, Factory Reset.
Remove from your account
ReversibleRemove from your account, by removing the device from your account in the app, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Set up again
ReversibleSet up again, by setting it up as new with the Google Health app, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Ace LTE
ReversibleAce LTE, and use Settings, System, Disconnect and reset on the watch, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Contact support
ReversibleContact support, and if it will not erase, contact Fitbit support with the model, and then test again to see whether it helped.
Model-specific
What is true of this model and not of its siblings
- Erase by model
- Google's article: Charge 5, Charge 6, Inspire 3 and Luxe use Settings, Device Info, Clear User Data; Sense and Versa series use Settings, About, Factory Reset; other devices clear automatically when paired to a new account.
- Ace LTE
- Reset from the watch with Settings, System, Disconnect and reset, or from the Fitbit Ace app under Settings, Device Control, Reset, if the watch PIN is unlocked.
- Other models this page answers
- These steps also fit models Charge 5, Sense 2, Versa 4, Inspire 3, Luxe, Ace LTE.
Stop boundary
When this stops being a self-service repair
- !If the device will not erase, contact Fitbit support
- !If you are selling it, confirm it is removed from your account
- !If an Ace LTE will not reset, contact the Ace LTE Help
Evidence ledger
Sources behind this answer
Model-specific erase steps and removing the device from your account.
Restart before erasing.
Turning the device off.
Factory reset for the Ace LTE.
The Fitbit brand and its devices.
Exact questions
Common questions
How do I erase a Charge 6?+
Settings, Device Info, Clear User Data, per Google.
How do I reset a Versa 4 or Sense 2?+
On a Versa 4 or Sense 2, use Settings, About, Factory Reset.
Do I need to remove it from my account?+
Yes, remove it from your account when giving it away.
Does erasing remove cards?+
Yes for contactless cards, but not Suica, which you remove in the app first.
What happens if I pair a new account?+
Google says other devices are cleared automatically when paired to a new account.
Can I erase without the phone?+
Yes, you can erase it without the phone, from the device's settings.
How do I reset an Ace LTE?+
Long press the top button, Settings, System, Disconnect and reset.
Will erasing fix syncing?+
Sometimes; try the restart and re-setup first.