The issue: The unit is controlled via a wired remote which houses the battery. To my surprise, the firmware completely disables the mask if the remote is plugged into a USB-C power source. You cannot use the mask while it is charging.

This feels like a massive design oversight (or intentional limitation). Not only does it prevent you from using it if you forgot to charge it, but it also means that once the internal lithium-ion battery inevitably degrades in a few years, the entire £300 device becomes e-waste. Shark’s own documentation states the battery is not replaceable and the warranty is only 2 years.

Technical details found so far:

• Model: FW312UK
• Battery Specs: 9.62Wh / 2200mAh Lithium-Ion (housed in the remote).
• Charging: USB-C (3-hour full charge).

Has anyone successfully opened the remote yet? I’m curious if the shell is clipped or glued, and if the battery uses a standard JST connector or if it's soldered directly to the PCB.

Beyond battery replacement, has anyone looked into a way to bypass the "no-use-while-charging" software lock? Being able to run this directly from a USB-C power bank would solve the longevity issue entirely.

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