Fitbit OS 4.0.2 - Firmware Release (68.9.15)

[MattFitbit]

Fitbit Update: 10/30

Hi, Versa Smartwatches family,

We're happy to announce that Fitbit OS 4.0.2 (Firmware Version: 68.9.15) has now gone out to 100% of all users. Please download it if you haven't already. 

We always recommend keeping your watch and the Fitbit app up to date on the latest versions to have the best experience. 

---

Fitbit Update: 10/9

Hi everyone,

We’re excited to announce the release of Fitbit OS 4.0.2 (Firmware Version: 68.9.15). 

We've begun releasing this new firmware to customers. This is a progressive rollout which means everyone will receive it at different stages until it has been completely released to all users. We roll out releases in phases as a cautionary measure so that we can monitor performance closely and make adjustments if needed. 

*Firmware releases are not distributed based on region or location and can reach anyone no matter where you reside. We do not recommend performing a factory reset to force the update to your device as your data will be lost and you may not get the update. Please be patient and wait until you see the update banner inside of the Fitbit app to begin the firmware download.

WHAT’S NEW AND FIXED

 
This release includes bug fixes and improvements.

HOW DO I UPDATE?

Step by step instructions for updating your Versa can be found here. 

To update Versa Lite Edition, leave on all-day sync and let the Fitbit app run in the background on your phone. When the update is ready, you’ll see a notification in the Fitbit app.

If you run into any trouble updating your Versa or Versa Lite, I recommend reviewing these troubleshooting tips. 

We appreciate your patience while we work to roll this out to everyone. 

[SunsetRunner]

@MattFitbit  I just purchased a Versa Lite and it worked great. Tonight the update showed up on my app for the tracker and I updated it. Now the app can't see my versa lite.  I have done every trouble shooting thing there is and I have resorted to doing a factory reset.  I was hoping I could ignore the update and everything would be fine but it doesn't appear that I can ignore the update.  I purchased this from QVC and I have until January 30th to return it. If this problem doesn't get fixed fast it will be returned and I will never buy a Fitbit item again.

[Chrisp65]

Save yourself the time and effort send it backChris 

[SunriseRun427]

@SunsetRunner 

Similar thing happened to me. At least one other person, including myself, can assert that in some instances, connecting the tracker to a W10 PC via USB can help remedy the issue.

[SunsetRunner]

How does connecting it to a computer remedy this? Spare no details.

[SunriseRun427]

Others have found that simply connecting the tracker via USB resolves connectivity issues.

However, perhaps my experience was a little different from yours, but for me the solution was to connect the tracker via its USB cradle to a Bluetooth enabled Windows 10 PC. From within the Windows app, I could set up my tracker as a new device. Thereafter, I re-synced it with my iPhone and a few days later downloaded the update again. The second time around, it installed flawlessly within 20 minutes and I have had no problems using the Versa since. Tracking, time-keeping, battery life, and messaging are all top-notch.

Good luck.

[rustynailvn]

My fitbit versa lite stuck at updating... thank you for the tip and now it up again though the app still suggest to have the new firmware update but will not do anything now to avoid trouble

[NickePekka]

I am too scared to do any firmware or updates to my Versa anymore. I have my third Versa in use and the updates have bricked my previous ones or then they have just stopped working by themselves. Luckily Fitbit have replaced them on warranty. Now everything seems to work so I will never update anything.

[SunsetRunner]

Can you bypass using the Fitbit app all together? All the information that I need I can get right off the watch. When it comes time to sync I have no problems plugging into a computer and syncing it that way.

[SunriseRun427]

---

@SunsetRunner wrote:

Can you bypass using the Fitbit app all together? All the information that I need I can get right off the watch. When it comes time to sync I have no problems plugging into a computer and syncing it that way.

---

As far as I'm aware, as long as your tracker is synced, you can access and update your stats on Fitbit's Dashboard web landing page.

[SunsetRunner]

@SunriseRun427 @NickePekka @rustynailvn @Chrisp65  Does anyone have any experience with any of the Garmin trackers?  Are they better or do they basically have the same issues as Fitbit?  I can't seem to find any forums for Garmin devices.

[pbug56]

It's been well over a year since I was able to connect my Versa to my S8+.  And since the last update it takes numerous tries, rebooting the Versa, to actually sync.  I manually synch the Versa because if I leave it on auto my phone gets very hot and quickly runs down the battery.  So at this point I think I need to ignore whatever this update is - I can't tell whether it's just app or the Versa itself, but the previous release was such garbage I don't want to make things worse.

[pbug56]

But how do you sync a Versa to a PC?  Bluetooth only?  That last worked for me a month after I got my Versa, and never since.  Does it help to plug in the cradle to the PC?

[SunsetRunner]

I just may send it back @Chrisp65  but I'm going to try what @SunriseRun427  suggested first.  And I'm going to avoid using the app altogether and just sync with the computer.  I connect my My Fitness Pal account to my Fitbit account and use that to log food.  MFP is way better than Fitbit's app for food tracking.  It gives you more than just the macronutrient breakdown and it will copy over to the Fitbit automatically when they are connected.

[SunsetRunner]

@pbug56  Yes.  You bypass using any wireless connectivity and plug the charger right into the computer with the Fitbit device on the charger of course.

[RottieLover]

@SunsetRunnerNo experience with them, but check out the forums. I googled garmin forums. They have some of the same issues. Syncing being one. Same with Samsung.

[Ginofs]

Re: Just using a PC without the Fitbit app on a smartphone.  
Don’t forget that the Fitbit was originally designed to work entirely on a PC, interfacing via Bluetooth. The original Fitbits came with a Bluetooth dongle for this. Indeed, the PC version of FitBit works through the web and has everything you’d need. After all, not everyone has a smartphone.

[pbug56]

Went into the app on Win 10 and could not find any way to tell it to sync
via the cradle.

[pbug56]

1. I could not find any way using the Fitbit app for Windoze to sync via
the Versa cradle. Versa was in the cradle which was plugged into the PC.
2. Should I install the Fitbit update? Says V4, does not give ANY detail,
does not say if it updates the Versa at all, and all I hear are about new
problems that you get with the update.

[SunriseRun427]

@pbug56 

Does the Windows PC have Bluetooth capability? As far as I'm aware, all the newer trackers use Bluetooth to sync - maybe some of the higher end ones can do it over WiFi, too (probably more complicated to set up, tho').

[Ginofs]

Pbug:

 I tried connecting my Versa to Windows 10 through the charging cradle (after turning off all Bluetooth on the PC and my iPad and iPhone. There was no connection possible through the USB port to the cradle. It’s just for charging. So far, my Windows 10 PC’s Bluetooth doesn’t talk to the watch.

In the past, I had successfully used the Bluetooth dongle to sync with an older PC, and that worked.  I’m not going to fool around with that any more. What seems OK is to sync to my iPhone, which works perfectly, and then I can cruise the Fitbit web site with the Fitbit app on Windows 10, all the web data is there. 

I would be wary of installing the latest FitBit update - to version 32.68.9.15.

It DID solve the problem of clearing notifications on the watch. But for me, it resulted in my heart rate display while tracking exercise to be intermittent. The app receives all heart rate data perfectly, but the heart rate display turns on and off (mostly off). This isn’t a problem when not in the exercise mode.