Fitbit OS 4.1 - Firmware Release (70.7.14)

[AlessFitbit]

Fitbit Update: 1/9/2020

Hey, Versa Smartwatches family!

I hope everyone is enjoying the start of the New Year. Before the holidays, we released this firmware out to 100%.

If you still don't see the update for Fitbit OS 4.1 (70.7.14) because it's brand new or perhaps was gifted to you for Christmas, please continue syncing the watch and make sure you have all-day sync turned on. You will soon after see the banner prompting you to update to this firmware.

Thanks for your patience and hope you continue enjoying this update! 

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Fitbit Update: 12/5

Hi, Versa Smartwatches family!

We’re excited to announce the release of Fitbit OS 4.1 (Firmware Version: 70.7.14). 

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

The update includes a variety of new features and enhancements, including: 

• Smart wake: Smart wake will gently begin to wake you with subtle vibrations during the optimal part of your sleep cycle (during light or REM) within a 30 minute window prior to your pre-set alarm. This allows you to wake up feeling refreshed. 

• Clock face switcher: You will now be able to store up to five clock faces right on your device and quickly change from one to the other using the new clock face switcher.

• On-wrist Sleep Score: The score will now be available in the on-device dashboard that can be accessed by swiping up from the clock face. You can still see it alongside your sleep data within the Fitbit app after you sync.

• Exercise app improvements: The redesigned Exercise app will now display all 20 workouts in a new streamlined list on your wrist. 

• Battery notification: When your battery is running low, a new feature will automatically disable notification vibrations and if on, the always-on display on Versa 2 to preserve your battery life. 

• Agenda app: A new Agenda app allows you to see your calendar right on your wrist. 

For more information on the new features included in Fitbit OS 4.1 check out this article. You can also check out our press release. 

HOW DO I UPDATE?

Step by step instructions for updating your Versa/Versa 2 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, Versa 2 or Versa Lite, I recommend reviewing these troubleshooting tips. If you have any issues after completing the update, when in doubt, try a restart on the watch. 

How to restart your watch:

1. For Fitbit Versa, press and hold the back and bottom buttons until you see the Fitbit logo on the screen. For Fitbit Versa Lite/Fitbit Versa 2, hold the back(left) button for 10 seconds.
2. Let go of the buttons.

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

[PaddleOn]

You shouldn't have to turn it off. I never turn mine off-use it to track my sleep!

Sent from Yahoo Mail on Android

[Julie4605]

Yes thank you. Why would the battery drain 35% when it is shut completely down.Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

[KellyandPeanut]

Reset doesnt fit it

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi everyone. Thanks for continue participating in this thread and I'm sorry for the delayed response.

I appreciate your efforts in troubleshooting your watch prior posting or with the suggestions posted by other members. I understand how you're feeling about this firmware update and I'm sorry that you're going through this experience. Be sure that your comments are passed along to our team so they can work and improve the performance of our watches.

For the ones that have issues with the battery not lasting, since your post didn't mention let me share with you some factors that affect the battery life, such as using a 3rd party or animated clock face, receiving too many notifications, using always-on display (Versa 2 only), GPS tracking, music or any other app installed. While this doesn't mean that you cannot use these features, but just to take into consideration the conditions that may affect your watch's battery. That said I'd recommend to restart it, charge it as described here and monitor its behavior. If the issue persists, please confirm the model of your Fitbit so I can move forward and share your details with our team.

@Sri24, I've confirmed that your Google Pixel 3XL is a compatible device, so let's do some steps together. First, remove your Versa from the Bluetooth settings, uninstall and reinstall the Fitbit app, reboot your phone, open the Fitbit app, sync your watch and set up the notifications one more time. Give it a try and keep me posted.

@W-Minnig79, thanks for your efforts while trying to pair your Versa 2. Just to confirm, do you see an error message when doing this process? May I also know your phone's model and OS version? Is the Fitbit app updated to the latest version? Please provide me with this information so I can continue helping you.

@Bman5024, about your watch not charging, if you're unable to see a green light on the back or feel a vibration, I'd recommend to try the steps described in this help article to get your watch working properly. Let me know how it goes.

@Julie4605, thanks for bringing the issues experienced with your watch to my attention. It's odd that it's showing a previous day data and just to confirm, is your watch syncing correctly with the app? Also, have you tried restarting it? About the buttons, our team is further investigating this unusual behavior and once we have details from the team, I'll share them with you.

@lilblulamp, since your watch isn't syncing correctly may I know if you're getting an error message during the process? Also, have you tried every step described in this help article? If the issue persists I'll need you to provide me with your phone's model and OS version so I can continue helping you with this.

@SunsetRunner, since you mentioned that your watch reboots by itself when checking your info, may I know if you've tried to perform a manual restart? If not, please give it a try and let me know how it goes.

@Mithril and @kelsey.kristine, thanks for sharing details about your watches and the steps tried on your own. I've checked with our Support team and apparently they already took your cases under their wings. Please keep an eye on your inbox, you'll get some information about your cases.

@balubadan, thanks for attaching a picture of your watch's screen. Although you've tried charging it, please try to perform the steps that are described in this help article to get your watch working. If the issue persists, let me know so I can continue helping you.

@CarameliPod, since the sleep tile isn't appearing on Fitbit Today, I'd recommend to do some steps. On your watch swipe up to open Today. Then scroll all the way down, tap on settings and make sure there is a check mark for "Sleep". Please note that you can select up to 7 stats.

I'll be around.

[SunsetRunner]

Hi @LizzyFitbit, I've restarded manually the device but nothing changed. The Today app works a little but then the device reboot itself 

[PBank]

The issue that keeps being pointed out is that the battery drains when the device is powered off. Its not about having a third party clock face or all day syncing...it drains when its supposedly shut down

[BDHolmstedt]

My sister received her new update a couple days ago and i am still waiting ;D. when will the update be fully released to everyone?

[Julie4605]

I will clarify. I always shut my watch off at night and never had an issue
with the battery charge until this latest firmware update. The watch loses
35% battery life in shutdown mode. How can a battery lose that much life
when it's not on. It has nothing to do with the issues you mention. It's as
if the watch is not shutting down correctly and pulling battery life
because of it. If the watch is shut off, it should not pull battery life.
Also when I have it in shut off mode when I turn it on next day it does not
cycle to the current day or ot does not recognize it is after midnight.
Thanks for your interest.

[lilblulamp]

I have tried everything and I have already supplied my phone and Fitbit model... It is simply saying it can find the versa/device... I have also just bought a new phone and the new phone, a pixel 4 is having the SAME ISSUE.... It is the update you did that broke the "device"... I'm am sick of this run around... You are not fixing anything nor offering a new one... This is insane...

[PaddleOn]

Just spitballing here but it sounds like most of the problems people are having fall into 2-3 camps with a couple things in common. Syncing issues, issues with getting notifications, issues getting phones to recognize the Fitbit. And then the battery draining issues. Seems to me the one thing these all could potentially have in common is Bluetooth. Even the battery drain could be because the device is constantly "trying to connect" in Bluetooth.  The phones that are draining while shut off don't fit into this scheme but I wonder if this update has somehow adversely affected the device's Bluetooth?

My problem is totally different but just thought I would put this out there.

[Aditya98]

The update totally screwed up by watch. The battery drains within 6-7 hrs & has to be rebooted everytime to just start. Can i uninstall the current upgrade & go back to the older one

[tokadap]

Guess what?  This update enables AirPod volume control!  This has been a key missing feature from the beginning. I’m glad that it has finally been resolved. They should have mentioned it in the release notes. 

[Joukie]

I have exactly the same for the battery when I put it off over night. I have the original Fitbit versa (1) and already reinstalled to factory multiple times. Unfortunatly the issue remains. A standard Fitbit clockface, no continuous synchronization etc, all setting are set for a better battery life time. 

[MikeD73]

Don't turn it off!  I've done some experimenting.  The Versa (series 1) that I have doesn't shut down when it's told to.  The only way to turn it back on is a 2 fingered salute (AKA reboot) before the battery dies.  Fitbit must be aware of this and I may be wrong but it would really help if someone from Fitbit actually would reply.  Even if to prove me wrong.

[Julie4605]

Thanks for the info. But I never had issues turning it off until I upgraded
the firmware.

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi everyone. Thanks for getting back and sharing more details about your Versa and its behavior after the firmware update. Let's continue working together.

@SunsetRunner, I appreciate your efforts with the restart. I've requested a case on your behalf so our Support team can take a deeper look and give you a hand with this matter. Please keep an eye on your inbox.

@PBank, @Julie4605, @Aditya98, @Joukie and @MikeD73, thanks for checking the information from my previous post, as well for clarifying that the battery drains when it's powered off. I understand your concern about this behavior and I've shared your information to the team so they can investigate. I'll update you once I have more details.

@BDHolmstedt, thanks for your question and this firmware is still progressively rolling out to all our members. At the moment I'd recommend to wait and keep the Fitbit app up-to-date so your information can continue being tracked. We'll update this thread once it's fully released.

@lilblulamp, thanks for confirming that you've tried the steps from our help article, as well for your patience. I understand your position and I'm sorry that you're having this experience with your watch. Since our possible troubleshooting was exhausted, I'd like to confirm some details with you. First of all, I verified that your Google Pixel 4 isn't a compatible device, meaning that the Fitbit app hasn't been optimized to work with that model. I was unable to find the model of your second phone in your previous posts and to confirm whether the compatibility of your phone is the cause of this situation I'll need you to provide me with the model and OS version of your second phone. I'll look forward to your reply.

Keep me posted.

[RottieLover]

Here's another update on my Versa, after running the latest firmware.

Notifications are still working.

Still getting 6 days of battery life

I really like being able to store clock faces in my watch.

Agenda is working.

Watch & non-compatible phone still syncing.

So far, everything is working great. After previous update, notifications have worked even better than originally & are still working the same.

[UCGFM]

@CarameliPod after I updated my Versa, I only had 3 parameters left in my Today app and couldn't add nothing else in the app parameters (on my watch meanwhile everything was in my phone app). After a reboot of my phone (I turn off my phone at night), all parameters were available the day after.

Have you tried that ?

[sarah_lin8]

agenda app not working... bummer was really looking forward to it 

[Konaneil]

LizzyFitbit,

Thank you for your interest and focus in this update problem. This thread has kept me and I'm sure many others safe from updating our Versas until the problem is solved. Your focus and communication has reawakened my hope that maybe Fitbit does care about its customers.

Could you please also look into the long-standing problem with the Versa one and maybe the two not accurately tracking heart rate. If you search you will find several threads that talk about this. Two are very long, one started all the way back in March 2018. As I'm sure you know all health tracking; exercise, calorie burning, sleep and everything else rely on this function being accurate. If the Versa doesn't give the user accurate information they might as well be wearing a Timex.