Fitbit Ionic recalled due to reports of burn injuries — How to claim your full refund

FitBit Ionic recalled by Google
(Image credit: Future)

A Fitbit Ionic recall is underway due to reports of it burning users with Google offering a full $299 refund plus 40% off the purchase of a new Fitbit to owners. The recall of 1.7 million watches is a massive blow to the Google-owned Fitbit brand, but after multiple reports of burns caused by the watch's battery overheating, Google was left with little choice. 

According to the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, worldwide there have been 174 reports of the battery overheating and burning users. There are 78 reports in the United States with two victims claiming to have suffered third-degree burns, while four victims reported second-degree burns (via Ars Technica)

Fitbit released this statement, "Customer safety is always Fitbit’s top priority and out of an abundance of caution, we are conducting a voluntary recall of Fitbit Ionic smartwatches. We received a very limited number of injury reports - the totals in the CPSC announcement represent less than 0.01% of units sold - of the battery in Fitbit Ionic smartwatches overheating, posing a burn hazard. These incidents are very rare and this voluntary recall does not impact other Fitbit smartwatches or trackers."

How to request your refund for the Fitbit Ionic

  • Go to the Fitbit Ionic recall site
  • Select your Country and State/Territory
  • Click or tap on Register
  • Complete the survey with your name, address and Fitbit account information

The CPSC advises owners to immediately stop using the Fitbit Ionic and initiate the recall process.

If you check the Fitbits FAQ page, you can get all the details on the recall and refund process. Currently, Fitbit is offering a full refund of the $299 retail price and a coupon for 40% off the purchase of "select Fitbit devices." It's been suggested that it would be a good idea to wipe your personal data from the unit before you send it back. You can do so by going into the settings and choosing factory reset. 

Fitbit has been a leader in the fitness wearables market for years, but this could be a major blow to the brand, which is still in the process of integrating with Google following the acquisition and faces increasing challenges from both Apple Watch and the resurging Wear OS

Mark Anthony Ramirez

Mark has spent 20 years headlining comedy shows around the country and made appearances on ABC, MTV, Comedy Central, Howard Stern, Food Network, and Sirius XM Radio. He has written about every topic imaginable, from dating, family, politics, social issues, and tech. He wrote his first tech articles for the now-defunct Dads On Tech 10 years ago, and his passion for combining humor and tech has grown under the tutelage of the Laptop Mag team. His penchant for tearing things down and rebuilding them did not make Mark popular at home, however, when he got his hands on the legendary Commodore 64, his passion for all things tech deepened. These days, when he is not filming, editing footage, tinkering with cameras and laptops, or on stage, he can be found at his desk snacking, writing about everything tech, new jokes, or scripts he dreams of filming.