A factory reset clears all data and returns your Charge 2 to its original state

A factory reset wipes your Fitbit Charge 2 completely — all your activity history, settings, and paired devices disappear. You would do this if the device is frozen, not syncing with your phone, or if you are giving it away. The reset itself takes about a minute, but you will need to set up the device again from scratch afterward, which means downloading the Fitbit app and pairing it to your phone once more.

The Charge 2 has no button menu or screen options for resetting. Instead, you reset it by plugging the device into its charger and holding it there for three seconds while the screen is off, then when ready unplugging it. The screen will flash, and the Fitbit logo will appear. That is the reset happening. When you unplug it, the device will be blank and ready for setup.

Key Takeaways

  • A factory reset erases all activity data, settings, and device pairings from your Charge 2 permanently.
  • To reset, plug the device into its charger with the screen off, hold it there for three seconds, then unplug when ready.
  • After reset, you must read the Fitbit app and pair the device to your phone again before it will track activity.
  • A reset fixes freezing, syncing problems, and unresponsive screens in most cases.

When a reset is the right fix

Not every problem needs a reset. If your Charge 2 is just running slowly or a single feature is not working, try restarting it first — unplug it from the charger, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in. That often solves minor glitches without erasing anything.

A reset is necessary when the device will not respond to taps, will not sync to your phone even after closing and reopening the Fitbit app, or shows the Fitbit logo but will not load the main screen. It is also the right move if you are selling or giving away the device and want to remove all your personal data.

Step-by-step reset instructions

Make sure your Charge 2 is not currently syncing with your phone. Close the Fitbit app on your phone completely before you start.

Take the Charge 2 off your wrist. Locate the charging cable — it is a small clip that holds the device flat against two metal contacts on the back. Plug the device into the charger. The screen should turn on and show the Fitbit logo or a battery icon.

Press and hold the device against the charger for exactly three seconds. You do not need to press any buttons — just keep the device seated firmly in the charger. After three seconds, unplug the device from the charger when ready. The screen will flash, the Fitbit logo will appear, and the device will vibrate. This vibration means the reset is complete. The screen will then go blank.

Wait 30 seconds for the device to fully power down. Then plug it back into the charger to turn it on again. You should see the Fitbit logo followed by a setup screen.

Setting up your Charge 2 after the reset

Once the device powers back on, it will display a setup screen. Open the Fitbit app on your phone and tap the account icon at the bottom right. Select "Set Up a Device" and choose Charge 2 from the list. The app will search for your device — make sure Bluetooth is turned on in your phone's settings.

When the app finds your Charge 2, it will ask you to confirm the pairing. Tap "Pair" on both your phone and the device. The app will then walk you through entering your personal information again — height, weight, age, and gender. These details help the device calculate calories burned and distance traveled accurately.

After you finish the setup in the app, your Charge 2 will sync and begin tracking. Your activity history before the reset is gone, but the device will start recording new steps, heart rate, and sleep data when ready.

Troubleshooting if the reset does not work

If the device does not show the Fitbit logo or vibrate after you unplug it, the reset may not have registered. Try again, but this time hold the device in the charger for a full five seconds instead of three. Some units are less responsive and need the longer hold.

If the device still will not reset, the battery may be completely drained. Leave it plugged into the charger for 15 minutes without attempting a reset. Then try the three-second hold again. A completely dead battery can prevent the reset sequence from starting.

If you see the Fitbit logo but the device freezes during setup, unplug it, wait one minute, and plug it back in. Then open the Fitbit app and try pairing again. Sometimes the device needs a moment to stabilize after a reset before it can communicate with your phone.

What happens to your data after a reset

All activity data stored on the device itself — steps, heart rate, sleep records, and workouts — is deleted permanently. However, if you synced your Charge 2 to the Fitbit app before the reset, that data is still saved in your Fitbit account online. You can view your history in the app even though the device no longer has it.

Any custom watch faces, alarms, or reminders you set up on the device will be erased. You will need to set these up again after the reset is complete. Your Fitbit account settings, like your personal profile and goals, remain unchanged in the app — only the device itself is wiped.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will I lose my activity history if I reset my Charge 2?

The activity data stored on the device is deleted, but your history in the Fitbit app remains if you synced before the reset. Your steps, heart rate, and sleep data from before the reset will still be visible in the app on your phone.

How long does a reset take?

The reset itself takes about one minute from the moment you unplug the device until it powers down completely. Setting up the device again in the Fitbit app takes another five to ten minutes, depending on how quickly your phone finds and pairs with the device.

Can I reset my Charge 2 without the charger?

No. The reset requires the device to be plugged into its charging cable. You cannot reset it using a different charger or USB cable — it must be the original Fitbit Charge 2 charger with the two metal contact clips.

What if my Charge 2 is frozen and I cannot unplug it?

If the device is unresponsive, try a restart first: unplug it from the charger, wait 10 seconds, and plug it back in. If that does not work, leave it plugged in and let the battery drain completely — this can take several hours. Once the screen goes dark, plug it back in and attempt the reset.

Do I need to reset my Charge 2 before giving it to someone else?

Yes. A reset removes all your personal data, activity history, and account information from the device. After the reset, the new owner can set up their own Fitbit account and pair the device to their phone.