Fitbit OS 3.0 - Versa Firmware Release (32.33.1.30)

[AlessFitbit]

Fitbit Update 1/10/19: 

Hi all!

Big thanks to everyone for your feedback on the release of Fitbit OS 3.0!

Since the majority of users have now updated to 3.0, I will be closing this thread from further comments to help keep our Community discussions on-topic.

If you are experiencing an issue outside of the firmware update process, I invite you to start a new thread on this forum and we will be happy to assist you there. 

Thanks again and happy stepping! 

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Fitbit Update 12/26:

Hey, everyone! We're aware that some of you may have noticed a fast battery drain on your Versa watches after completing this firmware update. Our team is investigating the root cause of this issue and whether it was caused by this update or other factors are involved. 

In the meantime, if you're experiencing this problem please try a restart on the device then consider switching to a Fitbit made clock face! Many 3rd party clockfaces (especially those with animations) are known to use up more battery. If you try this out and are still seeing a fast battery drain, we can connect you with Customer Support for next steps or you can reach out to them and create a case. 

We look forward to getting you all back on track! 

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Fitbit Update 12/22: 

We've released Fitbit OS 3.0 out to 100% of users. Please make sure you have the latest version of the Fitbit app (2.84) before downloading the newest firmware. 

We're excited for you all to have the newest Fitbit OS, but please let us know if you have any questions about this update. Happy Holidays, everyone! 

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Hi, everyone!

I am excited to announce the release of Fitbit OS 3.0! (Firmware Version: 32.33.1.30)

We've started to roll out this update and it's currently out to 20% of Versa users. This is a progressive rollout, and all Versa users can expect to have it soon. We roll out releases in phases as a cautionary measure so that we can monitor performance closely and make adjustments if needed.

WHAT'S CHANGED?

Please check out this help article to see what's new in this update.

HOW DO I UPDATE?

Step by step instructions for updating your Versa can be found here. We recommend updating your Versa over a home Wi-Fi network as this can greatly reduce the time it can take to get set up. For more information on connecting your Versa to Wi-Fi, check out this article.

If you run into trouble updating your Versa, please follow these steps:

1. Restart the watch. 
2. "Remove" the watch from your account inside of the Fitbit app.  
3. "Forget" the watch from your phone's Bluetooth settings (along with any other Fitbit devices paired to your phone)
4. Try the update again.  

*If anyone isn't seeing the TODAY app after updating, please try the following:

1. Make sure you're running the newest version of the Fitbit app (version 2.84) 

2. Connect to Wi-Fi in the Fitbit app, plug your Versa into the charger and let it sit. This will automatically update the Today app. 

Looking forward to hearing everyone's feedback on the latest release. If you have questions, please let me know in this thread!

[Juliekeip12]

I did the update on Monday morning and since that update my battery life has been terrible. I used to get at least 4 days before needing to charge it and now it last only a day, if I am lucky.

I have restarted it, done a factory reset and repaired the watch to my app. I set my notifications to what I had before and still not luck with the battery life. Any suggestions?

[SunsetRunner]

I had exactly the same problem . eventually the watch would only last a few hours and then nothing at all. 

I called Fitbit support, they checked the watch's charging history, confirmed there was nothing else I could do (I did factory reset and everything you did) and they're sending a new one. 

I'd give them a ring .

[SunsetRunner]

@AlvaroFitbit

I've tried contacting them, but phone and by email. Even had a supervisor tell me basically that I was SOL.

Maybe you could pull some strings. The photo of the box barcode is in my profile.

[Subodh_Benjamin]

Hi,

Does anyone face the issue regarding clearing of notifications on the watch?

I am not able to clear notifications on watch post the firmware upgrade. I've swiped the notifications manually, also pressed the "clear all" button to clear the notifications but no luck. Every time I pull down the notification bar I can see all the notifications uncleared.

Anyone?

[KentuckyHouse]

I just tried it and the first time I tapped the "Clear All" button, it didn't do anything (nothing cleared, even though the button gave me the animation that I'd touched it). Then I pressed it a little longer (held my finger on it longer), and they cleared. 

It's certainly finicky about clearing those notifications.

[NASA_X]

Hi, just wondering what phones people are using with their Versa? 

Identifying your phone make/model along with the problems experienced could be a key info that can help the developers figure out the root cause to some the problems and fix them faster.  Its hard to imagine that some issues are not going to be phone + Versa combination related.

Anyone here experiencing problems with their Versa (+ Pixel 2 XL specifically) after this update?  I haven't updated my Versa with this release yet due to of all the issues raised.

Thanks!

[KentuckyHouse]

I've used my Versa since launch (early April) with a variety of phones across both iOS and Android (phones are my hobby, so I switch fairly often). 

iPhone 8 Plus

iPhone X

iPhone XS

iPhone XS Max

Pixel 2 XL

Pixel 3 XL (currently have this phone)

Note 8

Note 9 (currently have this phone)

The watch worked/synced/etc perfectly with every one of these phones right up until the 3.0 update. I never had a single issue. No battery drain, notifications came through immediately and reliably, etc. 

Post-3.0 update, it's been a nightmare. Notifications stop every 24-36 hours. The battery life has taken a big hit. I used to end the day with around 88-90% battery remaining (7:15am-11:30pm), but now I'm ending the day with around 70% battery remaining with the same exact use and used for the same amount of time each day. 

As far as the notifications go, it seems that rebooting the watch can get them working again, but sometimes even that doesn't work. Sync is way more spotty than before (I've got all-day sync turned on and always have, yet from time to time the watch will go 5 or 6 hours without syncing until I manually force it). It also seems to have issues reconnecting to the phone if I go out of range now when it never had that issue before the 3.0 update. 

For 8-9 months, I couldn't have been happier with the Versa. But the last 2-3 weeks have been awful. so much so that I've begun trying other smartwatches to see if I can find a replacement. Unfortunately, I've yet to find it because I enjoy the size/weight of the Versa over other watches, because the vibration motor on the Versa is superior to every smartwatch I've owned except the Apple Watch, and because the battery life of other smartwatches just can't compare. 

Here's what I've tried:

Galaxy Watch 46mm: I've actually tried this watch 4 times now and I just can't get used to the weight. The size is fine (it's big, no doubt about it) and the battery life is outstanding for a full-featured smartwatch, but it's heavy.

Galaxy Watch 42mm: This would be the winner for me if it weren't for the fact that Samsung made the stupid decision to use 20mm bands as opposed to the industry standard 22mm. I've got a literal drawer full of 22mm bands and if I opted to keep this watch, they'd go completely unused. Battery life was really good (not as good as the 46mm, but it's got a much larger battery). The size was perfect as well.

Garmin Vivoactive 3: This seemed like a winner. Great fitness tracking, top-notch heart rate sensor, lots of face options via Connect IQ. But again, 20mm bands! I could deal with it for the price (less than $200), but then I started wearing it and felt the vibration motor. It rattles the whole watch and makes it sound like a tin can is attached to your wrist. Needless to say, that one didn't last long and was returned.

I've still got my Huawei Watch 2 Classic in a drawer, but the battery life is awful on that thing. Even doing a reset and using stock watch faces hasn't helped. I'm just not a huge fan of Wear OS because of the battery life.

Sorry for the long post, but I'm really upset about my Versa and how it's been acting since the update. Fitbit needs to do something and they need to do it now. There's no excuse for an update this bad to ever make it out into the world and ruin people's watches.

[urmoluts]

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@NASA_X wrote:

Hi, just wondering what phones people are using with their Versa? 

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I had sony z5 compact (android 7). with this gps was most time ok with versa. With huawei p10 lite (android 😎 did not work at all. With Oneplus 6 (android 9) never worked. Only gps work is iphone 5s with latest os. But iphone 5s is not ok today for everyday use. So i use it when i go to run or need gps with versa.

[SunsetRunner]

I use Versa + G6, Android 8 that is up to date (Verizon wireless). I am not having battery issues as it will last 2 days and I routinely charge it when it gets down to 70% as it behaves better that way. I don't have music or notifications turned on as a matter of personal preference. My weight and sleep stats reappeared this morning so I am a happy camper at the moment. I sync with Windows 10 laptop routinely and sync with phone when about once a week or if Versa is having an issue...like the time is off by a few minutes.

[NASA_X]

Hi KentuckyHouse, I saw your older post on which phones you've used the Versa with when it was working, which is really useful for all us Versa owners out there!  Can you clarify which phone & Versa combinations you tried with the update and experienced the battery drain and notification issues (stops, finicky)?

Is one of the features the fact that my launch-day Versa, which worked perfectly across multiple devices and platforms (iPhone X, Pixel 2 XL, Note 8, Note 9, Pixel 3 XL) for 8-9 months now has battery drain and notifications that stop after 1-2 days? 

Thanks for sharing as well, urmoluts and Gingerk3, much appreciated!

[KentuckyHouse]

Hey NASA_X! I'm glad to see my previous long post has been reinstated. 

Post 3.0 update, I've used the Pixel 3 XL and Note 9. Both have shown the same battery drain and notification issues. I've done resets on the watch, made sure everything was updated, yet they persist. 

Only rebooting the watch seems to fix the issues (at least the notification issue). 

[NASA_X]

I can see your reinstated post now as well!  Great info/details, and thanks for taking the time to write all those details out for us all!  Lets hope there is a fix to these issues soon!

[AlessFitbit]

Fitbit Update 1/10/19: 

Hi all!

Big thanks to everyone for your feedback on the release of Fitbit OS 3.0!

Since the majority of users have now updated to 3.0, I will be closing this thread from further comments to help keep our community discussions on-topic. 

If you have not yet updated to OS 3.0 and have questions, I recommend checking out my lead post here for step by step instructions. 

If you are experiencing an issue outside of the firmware update process, I invite you to start a new thread on this forum and we will be happy to assist you there. 

Thanks again and happy stepping!