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. 

[SunsetRunner]

Did the update several weeks ago and the heartrate monitor stopped working. I did all the troubleshooting ideas support told me to do and nothing worked. The only thing they would do is offered me 25% off a new watch... this is my second watch since July, third in a year and a half. The first defect replacement was because water got into the watch itself right before the warranty was up. This problem happened 5 months after I received a replacement! I think Fitbit should take care of this problem since their update caused it! I won't purchase another one. I will go with another brand. I hate it too because I loved my Versa and recommended it to everyone. Not anymore! 

[Evans5150]

Call again and DEMAND to speak with a supervisor after they walk you through the troubleshooting.  It's the only way to get anything done.  If everyone here starts getting to supervisors then MAYBE something will get done.

[Rassid]

I firmly believe once the update has been done to your watch and you have an issue with it. It cannot be fix anymore cause they are offering a replacement to your watch or a 50% off to a different model.

[Evans5150]

Especially in my case.  i can't even get it to turn ON consistently.  So if they were to release a firmware update to fix this then I can't even get it on my old watch since I can't get it to turn on.  And when it does it sometimes only lasts about 15 minutes and then it's off again for days.

[PoloChrissy]

Yes. If I allow my fitbit versa to die before I get it on the charger (like
while I'm asleep) it will not power backbone or charge for at least 2 days.
I am able to get it back on on the 3rd day by pressing the side button on
lower right button at the same time for 45 seconds. This has happened
twice. My versa is on good shape and this has only occurred since the
firmware update about a month or so ago.

[FBitHWGoodSWBad]

I have turned off all day sync, don’t play music, turned brightness to normal and changed it to manual screen on(need to press button). HR is on. Changed the clock face to a mostly black clockface. I charged the versa overnight atleast 9hrs, then put it on at 7am it cannot last until 7pm. I don’t use the timer or exercise functions. It also seems to charge quite fast 0% to 44% charge in 40 minutes. Is it charging to actual full capacity or like apple did and is only charging to a lower that actual capacity but reporting 100% charge?

[Jop-Purnell]

Thanks for your feedback.

As far as I know I can charge it to 100% and it still lasts a few days.

But the versa constantly and randomly restarts or resets.

Too many bugs

#thinkingaboutagarmin

[marcosuseche]

I know that most (if not all) of the shared experiences in this forum are negative, but I would like to share mine with Fitbit OS 4.1. It is not a formal procedure, it is just my experience.

In my family we have one versa classic and two versa 2. I was surprised by the amount of negative experiences in this forum and, by contrast, the high percentage of positive reviews from new customers in Amazon. Thus, I thought that maybe the problem is not present in a “fresh” watch, and I decided to eliminate from my versa classic the third-party clock faces and to run a factory reset before any OS update.

With OS 4.1, the update process was smooth, and it took short time. After that, my versa classic has worked without any problem, 100% connection and sync with my Iphone 7, and 5 days of battery life.

My wife’s versa 2 was new and the experience has been also positive, not issues at all with her Iphone XR. We are impressed with its 7-9 days of battery life! and it is a beautiful watch.

My daughter’s versa 2 was configurated before the new firmware, and she decided not to take any chance with OS 4.1, which is an option that many users are taken.

I think, it is a shame and a big punch for Fitbit reputation, the amount of people negatively affected by OS 4.1, but even worse it has been Fitbit’s response for its customers. There is a lack of clarity, and the feeling is that the technical support just follows a handbook instead providing effective solutions. It is the same strategy that they apply about the SpO2 sensor, and other issues…. no real answers.

[VannerT]

Hi, did you get a solution to your issue? My Versa is doing/done the same thing and is no longer working.

[Bokieman]

Try turning your Versa off (hold left and right lower buttons until the
screen turns black and the Fitbit logo appears) three times in a row. This
has reduced the battery drain on my Versa.

Sincerely,

Penny Watts

[SunsetRunner]

Well on a whim I decided to try to restart my Versa, again, just to see if anything would change with the heart rate monitor. It started working!!! I couldn't belive it! But the CS person I chatted with just wanted me to buy a new one... I'll keep this until it dies (again) or I can afford the Garmin I want, but for now it's working like it should! Keep your hopes up everyone. 

Oh, and I checked and nothing has changed with the version it's on. It's still 32.70.7.14

[mlharris]

@VannerT the solution that customer support gave me was to buy a new Fitbit device, if you are out of warranty. If you are still in warranty, they will send you a replacement. 

[Bokieman]

Not yet, other than a posting that their applications team is working on a
solution and they will roll it out when available. No time frame was given.

So we wait...

Sincerely,

Penny Watts

[SunsetRunner]

I totally agree with everything that you said in your post and have posted similar comments regarding pulling this firmware until the issues were fixed or a properly and thoroughly tested firmware was issued.  I even suggested that to Fitbit Support via Twitter.  This was also suggested by various users and as you can see by the multitude of posts Fitbit chose to ignore and kept pushing this firmware knowing that it has major issues.

I opted not to do this buggy firmware after seeing all the posts come through after it was released.   I will not do another update until Fitbit can issue a very thoroughly tested and tested again that will make the devices perform as advertised!

No amount of enhancements are worth me bricking my device or dealing with the various issues users are having to contend with due to Fitbit's nonchalant attitude and responses towards it's users....who are their customer base.  I guess they don't care of loosing more and more customers. 

[juschwartz]

@DavideFitbit I've done all the tips provided in article to extend battery life. Now, the battery lasted a day and a half with the modifications. This is far from what it lasted before.

[Rassid]

Still not working except use it as a watch. That’s it, touch screen still not working, battery doesn’t last long, notification is delayed and inaccurate reading.

[RottieLover]

@RassidI read somewhere, that if you turn off quick view, that it'll help the touch screen. Don't know if it's true, but worth a shot. Also, have you tried restarting your watch 3x in a row?

[rookstaci]

I still don't have it.

[Rassid]

It won’t even restart

[SunsetRunner]

@Asquared_Fit 

Please checkout the posts under this thread.....32.70.7.14 firmware update killing battery.  One of the posters posted the e-mail conversation they had with Fitbit Customer Service....looks like they aren't even close to finding a resolution for the issues that this firmware has caused.  So still up in the air as to when Fitbit will have a rollout for an updated version.