How to Reset Your Fitbit

Sometimes, the best thing to do is start over

by
Joli Ballew
Joli Ballew
Writer
Joli Ballew is a former freelance contributor to Lifewire and Microsoft MVP, Lynda.com trainer, Microsoft Press author, and college professor.
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Joli Ballew
Updated on March 26, 2020
reviewed by
Ryan Perian headshot
Ryan Perian
Lifewire Technology Review Board Member
Ryan Perian is a certified IT specialist who holds numerous IT certifications and has 12+ years' experience working in the IT industry support and management positions.
our review board
Article reviewed on Mar 23, 2020
Ryan Perian

If your Fitbit activity tracker isn’t syncing with your phone, tracking your activities properly, or responding to taps, presses, or swipes, resetting the device might resolve those problems.

How you reset a Fitbit and return it to factory settings differs from device to device though, and some models don’t offer a factory reset option. To find how to reset your device, skip to the section below that matches the Fitbit model you have.

These instructions apply to the Fitbit Flex, Charge, Blaze, Surge, Iconic, and Versa. Have a Fitbit Alta? See our piece on how to reset Alta and Fitbit Alta HR.

Fitbit resetting while connected to a computer
Miguel Co / Lifewire

A factory reset deletes all previously stored data, as well as any data that hasn't yet synced to your Fitbit account. It also resets settings for notifications, goals, alarms, and so on. A restart, which can also resolve minor problems, simply reboots the device and no data is lost (except saved notifications). Always try a restart first and use a reset as a last resort.

How to Reset a Fitbit Flex and Fitbit Flex 2

You’ll need a paperclip, the Flex charger, your computer, and a working USB port to reset your Fitbit Flex or Flex 2. Turn on the PC and bend the paperclip into an S shape before you begin.

Screenshot of a black Fitbit Flex 2
Fitbit

To reset a Fitbit Flex device to factory settings:

  1. Remove the pebble from the Fitbit.

  2. Insert the pebble into the charging cable.

  3. Connect the Flex charger/cradle to the PC’s USB port.

  4. Locate the small, black hole in the pebble.

  5. Put the paperclip in there, and press and hold for about 3 seconds.

  6. Remove the paperclip.

  7. The Fitbit will ​light up and go through the reset process. 

How to Reset Fitbit Charge and Charge HR

To reset a Fitbit Charge and Charge HR you work through a process to erase the data on it and data associated with it. You’ll need your Fitbit device, the charging cable, and a working USB port to get started.

Screen shot of the Fitbit Alta HR in pink.
Fitbit 

To reset a Fitbit Charge device to factory settings:

  1. Attach the charging cable to the Fitbit and then connect this to an available, powered-on USB port.

  2. Locate the button available on the Fitbit and hold it down for approximately two seconds.

  3.  Without letting go of that button, remove your Fitbit from the charging cable.

  4. Continue to hold down the button for 7 seconds.

  5. Let go of the button and then press it again and hold.

  6. When you see the word ALT and a screen flash, let go of the button.

  7. Press the button again.

  8. When you feel a vibration, let go of the button.

  9. Press the button again.

  10. When you see the word ERROR, let go of the button.

  11. Press the button again.

  12. When you see the word ERASE, let go of the button.

  13. The device will turn itself off.

  14. Turn the Fitbit back on.

How to Reset a Fitbit Blaze or Fitbit Surge

The Fitbit Blaze doesn’t have a factory reset option. All you can do remove the tracker from your Fitbit account and tell your phone to forget that particular Bluetooth device.

A screenshot of a black Fitbit Blaze Activity Tracker.
Fitbit 

To remove a Fitbit Blaze or FitBit Surge from your Fitbit account:

  1. Visit www.fitbit.com and log in.

  2. From the Dashboard, click the device you'd like to remove.

  3. Scroll down to the bottom of the page.

  4. Click Remove This Fitbit (Blaze or Surge) From Your Account and click OK.

  5. Now you’ll need to go to your phone’s Settings area, click Bluetooth. Locate the device and click it, and then opt to forget the device.

How to Reset a Fitbit Iconic and Fitbit Versa

Newer Fitbits have the option to reset the device inside Settings. However, you still need to remove the Fitbit from your Fitbit account and forget the device on your phone.

Screenshot of special edition Fitbit Versa in lavender.
 Fitbit

To remove a Fitbit Iconic or FitBit Versa from your Fitbit account:

  1. Visit www.fitbit.com and log in.

  2. From the Dashboard, click the device you'd like to remove.

  3. Scroll down to the bottom of the page.

  4. Click Remove This Fitbit (Iconic or Versa) From Your Account and click OK.

  5. Now you’ll need to go to your phone’s Settings area, click Bluetooth, locate the device and click it, and then opt to forget the device.

  6. Finally, click Settings > About > Factory Reset and follow the prompts to return your device to factory settings. 

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