To turn on your Fitbit Sense, press the button on the side of the watch until the device starts or vibrates. If the watch is already on its charging cable, you can wake the screen by tapping it twice or pressing the side button.
How to turn on your Fitbit Sense
The only documented way to power on the Fitbit Sense is to press the side button. The power button on the Fitbit Sense is located on the left side of the device, near the bottom. Press the button on the side of the watch and hold it briefly until you feel a vibration or see the screen light up. If the watch is charging, you can also wake the display by tapping the screen twice or pressing the side button once.
What to do if your Fitbit Sense won't turn on
If pressing the side button does not turn on the watch, the first step is to connect the device to its charging cable. Fitbit instructs users to connect the Sense to the charger before beginning setup, and this step also applies if the watch is unresponsive. Once connected to power, allow the watch to charge. While it is charging, tapping the screen twice or pressing the side button should turn the display on. If the device still doesn't respond, try performing a hard reset. To perform a hard reset on the Fitbit Sense, press and hold the button on the side of the device for about 15 seconds. If the watch still does not respond, check that the charging cable is securely connected to both the watch and a working power source. The official Fitbit documentation does not describe a separate boot menu, a minimum charge time, or an alternate button sequence for a completely drained Sense. If you need to manage power usage later, you can review the Fitbit battery and power settings in the device menu to extend runtime. If you ever need to turn a Fitbit off, the process is handled through the device settings rather than a single button press.
Setting up your Fitbit Sense for the first time
The Fitbit Sense is set up using the Fitbit app on an iPhone, iPad, or Android phone. Follow these steps to connect your watch to your account:
- Download the Fitbit app from the Apple App Store (for iPhones and iPads) or the Google Play Store (for Android phones).
- Open the app.
- If you already have a Fitbit account, log in, then tap the Today tab, tap your profile picture, and tap Set Up a Device.
- If you do not have a Fitbit account, tap Join Fitbit and follow the prompts to create one.
- Follow the on-screen instructions to connect your Sense to your account.
The setup process will guide you through pairing the watch with your phone and configuring your personal settings. After setup is complete, the watch will sync data with the app automatically.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is my Fitbit Sense not vibrating when I press the button?
If the watch does not vibrate, the battery may be completely drained. Connect the watch to its charging cable and let it charge for a while before trying again. If it still does not vibrate, check that the charging pins on the watch and cable are clean and making contact.
Can I turn on my Fitbit Sense without the charging cable?
Yes, you can turn on the Fitbit Sense by pressing the side button without needing the charging cable, as long as the battery has some charge. The charging cable is only required if the battery is too low to power the device.
How do I know if my Fitbit Sense is charging?
When you connect the Sense to its charging cable, the screen should light up and show a battery icon. If the screen does not turn on, tap the screen twice or press the side button to wake it while it is connected to power.
Does the Fitbit Sense turn on automatically when placed on the charger?
No, the Fitbit Sense does not turn on automatically when placed on the charger. You must tap the screen twice or press the side button to wake the display while it is charging.
What should I do if the Fitbit logo appears but the watch freezes?
If the logo appears but the watch does not proceed to the setup screen, try pressing and holding the side button for about 10 to 15 seconds to force a restart. If the issue continues, ensure the watch is charged and try the restart again.
Can I turn on my Fitbit Sense using the Fitbit app?
No, you cannot turn on your Fitbit Sense using the Fitbit app.
How long does it take for my Fitbit Sense to turn on?
Typically, it takes a few seconds.
For the wider topic, see Fitbit battery and power settings.
