So you’ve bought a new Fitbit and you’re wondering whether it’s okay to give the old one to someone else? You’ll find this guide incredibly helpful.
Generally, you can give your old Fitbit to someone else provided you’ve erased the device to delete all personal app and data. For older Fitbit models, unlinking the device from the Fitbit app should erase your personal data. You’ll also have to delete the device from your account.
It takes less than 5 minutes to get an old Fitbit ready to transfer to someone else.
And provided you do it right, you won’t have to worry about losing your data, or someone else accessing your personal information.
How Do I Transfer a Used Fitbit to Someone Else?
Gifting an old Fitbit to a friend or a loved one is easy. But it’s not as straightforward as unfastening from your non-dominant wrist and handing it over.
If you’re going to give a used Fitbit away, you must do so in a way that doesn’t compromise your personal information.
So:
1. Sync Your Fitbit to Your Account
A Fitbit smartwatch or fitness tracker can sync automatically to the companion app throughout the day, as long as the device and your smartphone are in range.
However, if you intend to give someone else the device right away, you first do a manual sync. To do this:
- Ensure your phone and the device are in close proximity.
- Open the Fitbit app.
- Tap Today.
- Select profile and go to device image.
- Tap the Sync Now option.
Syncing your device saves the most recent data to your Fitbit account in the companion app and the web dashboard.
2. Factory Reset Your Fitbit
The las thing you want to do is to hand your device over to someone else before factory reset.
Why?
It’s because your Fitbit has stored data, personal details, credit or debit card information, and apps customized specifically for your needs. And you don’t want anyone else to have access to these, even if you don’t have trust issues with them.
It’s important that you erase the device to remove all app and personal information. So that when you give the tracker or smartwatch away, the new owner will start using it as if it were new.
The way to delete all your data varies based on the model. So be sure to check out the guide to factory reset Fitbit to learn more about your model.
3. Delete Fitbit from Your Account
This one is a no brainer. So it should take you a maximum of 60 seconds to complete.
If you’re using an iPhone or iPad:
- Launch the Fitbit app.
- Tap Today and then your profile picture.
- Select the device you would like to remove, scroll to the bottom of the page, and tap the remove option.
- Follow the instructions that appear on the screen.
If you’re using an Android smartphone:
- Launch the Fitbit companion app.
- Tap Today and then your profile picture.
- Choose the image of the Fitbit device that you want to delete from your account.
- Select the trash icon.
- Follow the instructions displayed on the screen to complete the process.
You can also delete the device from your account using the web interface. And this option is suitable for you if you use your laptop more than you spend time on your Android or iOS smartphone.
- Click the gear icon in the Fitbit web dashboard.
- Select the image of the tracker or smartwatch that you want to remove.
- Scroll to the bottom of the page and click the option to “remove device”.
- Follow the instructions displayed on the screen to remove the device.
4. Remove Fitbit from Your Phone
The final step is to force your smartphone to forget the Fitbit device that you would like to give away.
To do this:
- Go to Settings on your phone.
- Choose Bluetooth.
- Scroll through the available devices to find your Fitbit tracker or smartwatch.
- Tap the gear icon next to the device.
- Select Forget to delete the device.
And that’s it.
You can now pass your old Fitbit tracker or smartwatch on to a friend, a colleague, or one of your loved ones.
How to Set Up a Used Fitbit for Another Person
There’s only one last step left to complete before you can transfer your Fitbit to someone else.
And that is to setup the device for the other person.
I have a complete Fitbit setup guide that you can refer to if you don’t remember how to complete this step. So be sure to check it out right away.
The one thing I love about Fitbit when it comes to the initial setup is that the process is easy and straightforward. So setting up the device for another person shouldn’t take more than 10 minutes to complete.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Do I Need to Transfer My Fitbit Login with the Used Device?
You should not transfer your Fitbit logins with the used device. Your personal information is personal and confidential and must remain that way for as long as Fitbit exists.
In this respect, I can’t stress enough how important it is to sync your recent data, reset your Fitbit, and delete the device from your account before the transfer.
The last thing I want when transferring Fitbit ownership to someone else is he or she having access to my personal information.
2. Do You Have To Reset a Fitbit Before Selling?
You must reset your Fitbit before selling to clear your personal information.
Remember, the device contains trivial data, such as your health and fitness metrics, credit/debit card information, preferred apps, and even notifications.
Some of these details are sensitive and must remain confidential. As such, ensure you reset the Fitbit before you sell it as a second hand item.
3. Will Fitbit Work On a New User?
The Fitbit you give to another person should work just fine as long as it’s in good condition.
If anything, the transfer process doesn’t alter the functionality and performance of the device.
Usually, all you do is to delete your personal information, remove the device from your account, and set it up once again for a different person to use.
