There are two main ways to reset a Fitbit Charge 6, and the method you pick depends on the situation. If the screen is frozen or the watch isn't responding, a force restart can help without losing any activity data. If you're selling the Charge 6 or handing it to someone else, you need to erase its stored data and saved settings.
The Charge 6 runs Fitbit OS and pairs with the Google Health app on Android 11+ or iOS 16.4+. Important note for new setups: you must use a Google Account. Fitbit-only accounts are no longer accepted. To set up your Charge 6 again after erasing it, connect it to its charging cable, open the Google Health app, and sign in with a Google Account.
Force Restart When the Display Is Frozen
If your Charge 6 is stuck on a screen, won't swipe, or feels completely unresponsive, a force restart is the first move. This is a hard reboot, it doesn't erase your data, preferences, or paired phone info.
Connect the Charge 6 to its charging cable. Once it's connected, press the button on the flat end of the charger 3 times, pausing one second between presses. Then wait 10 seconds or until you see the Fitbit logo on screen. The watch restarts and goes back to your watch face. You can also try this restart if the display is completely black.
One quirk of the Charge 6: the side button isn't mechanical. It's a haptic/inductive sensor, it buzzes when you squeeze it but doesn't physically move. So don't worry if it feels different than a normal button; just squeeze firmly at the indentation on the left edge of the case.
Factory Reset From the Settings Menu
If you need to wipe the Charge 6 clean before selling or gifting it, use Clear User Data in the settings menu. This removes apps, stored data, personal information, payment cards, and saved settings. If you use Suica, remove it in the Google Health app before handing over the watch; erasing the device doesn't remove Suica.
Swipe down from the clock screen to find the Settings app, then tap it to open it. Tap Device Info, then tap Clear User Data. After erasing the Charge 6, you'll need to set it up again before using it.
Be aware: you also need to remove the Charge 6 from your account before handing it off. To do that, open the Google Health app, tap Connections at the top left, select your Charge 6, and tap Disconnect device. Follow any on-screen instructions to finish removing it.
Unpairing From the Google Health App
If your Charge 6 is still connected to your phone and you're switching to a new Fitbit, disconnect it from the Google Health app. Refreshing the connection can also help with syncing problems. Before removing the device, keep it near your phone, open the app's Today tab, and pull down to sync your latest activity data to your account.
Open the Google Health app on your phone. Tap Connections at the top left, then select your Charge 6 and tap Disconnect device. Follow any on-screen instructions. Next, open your phone's Bluetooth settings, find the Charge 6, and tap Forget or Unpair to remove its Bluetooth connection as well.
You can use these steps when switching to another Fitbit model. Syncing transfers your sleep data, step counts, and heart-rate trends to your account. If you're giving away the Charge 6, also erase it using Settings > Device Info > Clear User Data before handing it over.
Setup After a Reset, What to Know
Once the Charge 6 is wiped, connect it to its charging cable to begin setup. Open the Google Health app on your phone. If you're already signed in, tap Connections at the top left, then Add device and select the Charge 6. Follow the on-screen instructions, keep Bluetooth on, and keep your phone near the tracker.
When prompted, you'll need to log in with a Google Account. If you try to sign in with a legacy Fitbit-only account (one that hasn't been migrated), setup will fail. Tap Sign in with Google and choose your Google Account, or tap Sign In > Create account if you're starting fresh. The Charge 6 has built-in GPS (plus GLONASS), so it can track pace and distance during exercises without your phone. Also, Google Maps and YouTube Music on the watch require you to sign into those Google services separately during setup.
If you encounter a sync failure after setup, keep your Charge 6 near your phone and open the Google Health app. On the Today tab, tap and hold the screen and pull down to sync manually. If that doesn't help, restart your phone, reopen the app, and try syncing again. Then restart the Charge 6 and try again when the clock face appears.
When the Haptic Button Isn't Working After a Reset
If the side button doesn't respond to a squeeze after a factory reset, try restarting the Charge 6. A restart can help when the tracker is unresponsive to taps, swipes, or button presses, and it doesn't erase your activity data.
Try connecting the watch to its charger and force restarting it (press the button on the flat end of the charger 3 times with a one-second pause between presses, then wait 10 seconds or until the Fitbit logo appears). Check whether the button responds after the restart. If it still won't register, check for a low battery and leave the watch connected to its charger.