Press and hold the left button to power on your Versa

The Fitbit Versa powers on by pressing and holding the left button — the one on the left side of the watch face — for three to five seconds. You will see the Fitbit logo appear on the screen, followed by a startup sequence. Release the button once the logo shows. The device will take about 30 seconds to fully boot.

If the screen stays dark after you hold the button, the battery may be empty. Plug the Versa into its charging cable and wait at least 15 minutes before trying again. The charging cable connects magnetically to the back of the watch; you will feel it snap into place.

Key Takeaways

  • Press and hold the left button for three to five seconds until the Fitbit logo appears on screen.
  • If the screen does not respond, charge the device for at least 15 minutes using the magnetic charging cable.
  • After the Versa powers on, you will need to pair it with the Fitbit app on your phone to set the time and sync data.
  • Once paired, the Versa will turn on automatically when you raise your wrist or tap the screen.

What happens after the Versa turns on for the first time

When you power on a new Versa, the screen will show setup prompts. You will be asked to select your language and then connect to Wi-Fi. Have your Wi-Fi network name and password ready. The Versa will also ask you to pair with the Fitbit app on your smartphone — this is required to set the correct time, date, and time zone.

If you are setting up a used Versa, it may ask you to sign in to an existing Fitbit account or create a new one. If you do not know the previous owner's account information, you can factory reset the device by holding both the left and right buttons for ten seconds, then going through setup again as a new device.

Waking the screen without fully powering on

Once the Versa is turned on and paired, you do not need to use the power button again in normal use. The screen wakes automatically when you raise your wrist toward your face — this is called wrist raise. If wrist raise is turned off in settings, you can tap the screen to wake it, or press any button.

To turn the screen off without shutting down the entire device, straightforward lower your wrist or wait for the screen to time out on its own, usually after a few seconds of inactivity. The Versa stays powered on in the background, tracking your steps and heart rate even when the screen is dark.

Charging the Versa when the battery is low

The Versa battery typically lasts four to five days with normal use. When the battery icon shows red or the device stops responding, connect it to the charging cable. The magnetic connector on the back of the watch will align with the cable automatically — you do not need to force it or worry about polarity.

A full charge takes about two hours. You can use the Versa while it is charging, though the screen may dim slightly. If the Versa will not turn on even while plugged in, leave it charging for at least 30 minutes; sometimes a completely drained battery needs extra time before the device will respond.

Troubleshooting if the Versa will not power on

If pressing the left button does nothing, first check that the battery is not completely empty. Charge the device for 30 minutes, then try again. If the screen still does not respond, try a force restart by holding both the left and right buttons together for ten seconds. You should see the Fitbit logo even if the device seemed dead.

If the Versa still will not turn on after charging and a force restart, the device may have a hardware issue. Check whether the charging cable works with another Fitbit device if you have one available. If the cable works on another device but not your Versa, the watch itself may need service. If you purchased the Versa recently, contact Fitbit support with your proof of purchase.

Turning off the Versa completely

To shut down the Versa entirely, press and hold the left button for ten seconds. The screen will show a power-off icon and ask you to confirm. Press the left button again to confirm the shutdown. The device will go completely dark and stop tracking until you power it back on.

Most users do not need to power off the Versa; it is designed to stay on and track continuously. Powering it off is useful only if you are storing the device for a long time or troubleshooting a problem. If you straightforward want to stop seeing notifications, you can turn off notifications in the Fitbit app instead of shutting down the entire watch.

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does it take for the Versa to fully start up?

The Fitbit logo appears within a few seconds of pressing the left button, but the device takes about 30 seconds total to fully boot and be ready to use. During this time, you may see the Fitbit logo or a loading screen. Do not unplug or press buttons again during startup.

Can I turn on the Versa without the charging cable?

Yes. The charging cable is only needed when the battery is empty. Once the Versa has been charged at least once, you can power it on and off using the left button. The cable is not required for normal operation.

What if the Versa turns on but the screen is very dim?

A dim screen usually means the battery is low. Charge the device for at least 15 minutes. If the screen is still dim after charging, check the brightness setting in the Versa's settings menu. You can also try a force restart by holding both buttons for ten seconds.

Does the Versa turn on automatically after I charge it?

No. The Versa will not power on by itself after charging. You must press and hold the left button to turn it on. Once it is on and paired with your phone, it will stay on in the background and wake the screen automatically when you raise your wrist.