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. 

[Jop-Purnell]

I updated my Versa to 70.7.14 a few weeks ago and have had issues ever since.

• the touch screen on my versa only works about 5% of the time. I can not swipe up, down, left or right, and I cannot tap the screen
• the versa does not respond when I look at it (as per usual) or when I tap the face or even press any of the buttons. The screen just stays black/blank

is there a fix coming soon?

thanks

[reikiheart]

Not a peep. Sent via the Samsung Galaxy S9+, an AT&T 5G Evolution capable smartphone

[PonderingGarmin]

Someone in this thread said to uninstall the Agenda app.  I did so and 48hrs in my battery usage is back to normal.

[Jop-Purnell]

Thanks. I’ve removed the agenda app and restarted my versa. Fingers crossed

[mlharris]

My Versa updated to the new firmware and it crashed my device. Nothing good came out to this new firmware. I think it was designed to crash our devices so we are forced to buy a new device. 

[SunsetRunner]

That's why I opted out of doing the firmware.   Customer Service was very insistent on me doing it and would be there to assist with any issues...Red Flag.   I said no thank you...I'll deal with the annoying reminder banner over the plethora of issues this firmware caused. 

If that's the case that's shameful for a company to treat their users that way and it will definitely backfire as users are fed up and are going with other brands.  Who would want to get another Fitbit after this fiasco???? Why upgrade to the Versa 2 if users are reporting issues with that device as well????

[mlharris]

I wish I could have opted out, but my Versa updated the firmware automatically. I was actually excited, because I was excited to see the new changes. In the past, new firmware updates gave my Versa new features. Well, my excitement was quickly changed to disappoint after my Fitbit stopped working and I now have to turn my Fitbit on using all three buttons. I'm terrified to turn my Fitbit off now with the fear it will never turn back on. 

[SunsetRunner]

I have the annoying reminder banner that pops up everytime I open the mobile app.  I just keep pressing the x button to ensure my stats are synced and updated and get out of the app.

I follow co-worker is doing the same thing since her Versa was bricked with the firmware update that had major issues as well in October and bricked her device.  She got a replacement and is not taking a chance with this update.

Firmware updates are supposed to enhance the device not make it useless or perform in a sub par manner.  

[Evans5150]

Alright...here is something I just stumbled on to:

Got the 70.7.14 update to my 18 month old (out of warranty) Versa original around mid December.  Every couple days after that mine would just shutdown and I had to hold the two buttons to bring it back to life.  Battery was anywhere between 30% and 90% when that would happen.  Then on December 29 it just shut down and wouldn't come back.  Battery was 100% and I had it on my wrist for about 5 minutes.  Put it on the charger and it said 0% and wouldn't come back to life no matter what I did.  Stayed like that for 2 days.  Called customer support and got through to a supervisor.  They offered me 50% off and I laughed.  Explained I would never give them another dime if this was how they did business.  Was on hold and they came back and offered me a free replacement.  I took that offer and received it today.  In the meantime my old watch came back to life for 2.5 days and then completely died again for 2 days after.  Here is where it gets INTERESTING and possible proof they actually know their firmware update is killing devices.  I was forced to update the new watch since it had no way of working without it.  The watch updated to 33.1.30 and it says it is up to date and no new firmware was found!!  Did they pull the 70.7.14 firmware??  If you have it already downloaded in your app then it never goes away but since I already updated my old watch with it and this one was new it downloaded the "latest" update which is now 33.1.30.  VERY interesting!

[Jop-Purnell]

That is interesting, and suspect. Thanks for sharing

[mlharris]

That is very interesting! Thank you for sharing this! 

[Mjek]

Ha, I was wondering why my Fitbit app was not displaying a new firmware version for my Versa... (Mine's at 32.33.1.30). @Evans5150 Your theory actually makes sense with what I've experienced: due to a Google Play Store bug, my automatic app updates weren't triggering. Therefore my last Fitbit app update was from somewhere before the new OS rollout. Updated the Fitbit app today manually and then I tried everything to get the firmware update to show up, without any success. OS4 should've been rolled out in December, right?

The firmware update being pulled recently sounds feasible with the above scenario I experienced.

Then, another question - which is the latest stable firmware version I can safely upgrade my Versa to? (If I can actually somehow manually update the firmware without the Fitbit app, because the app doesn't show any firmware updates available at the moment.)

[juschwartz]

I've done this update in my watch and now the battery don't last one day. I'm not using my watch to monitor my sleep because I'm charging its battery.

[Luroc]

Yes, that is really interesting! And I now see my firmware version is 32.70.714... I don’t know if it reverted back at some point without me knowing or if my last update was this one???
(I hadn’t been tracking the # before), but it’s definitely not the “new” update for 70.7.14 now that I look. 

[DavideFitbit]

Hello everyone, welcome to the new users in the Community. Sorry for the late reply. 

The team of developers is already aware of the numerous reports regarding battery issues after the latest firmware update and they are working to find a solution for this. Thank you for sharing all your feedback. 

Thank you for sharing this information @Konaneil, I'm aware of the problem that users are experiencing specifically with the heart rate being too high and that was reported a long time ago, but some users have been able to resolve with the troubleshooting steps mentioned earlier.

Unfortunately there are no additional updates regarding this problem for the moment, this is being worked on by the team of the developers. Any other updates about this would be shared in the thread you mentioned as soon as they're available.  

@Jinaum, the banner should appear automatically in your app, let me know if you still don't see it. There's not a safe way to force the firmware update on the watch, so I would recommend that you continue to use it as you normally would and sync your data everyday. The firmware update banner should eventually appear at the top of your app dashboard.  

@Jen35B @FBitHWGoodSWBad @Srna @juschwartz, thank you for sharing the steps that you already tried. These steps are more related to Battery not charging problem and to a battery draining problem. Please let me now if you've also followed the steps provided in this article: Can I extend my Fitbit device's battery life? 

@Rassid @mlharris, I've sent your information to the Customer Support team, but it seems that you already have a case created with them and they're providing you with further assistance. Let me know about the outcome. 

@ChefHazmat, please make sure that you've tried performing a restart and check if you continue to feel the device is more sensitive than it was. 

That's great news, thank you for sharing @mpeekheightchew.

@Upsetwithversa @PoloChrissy, could you please provide a few more details about the problem you're experiencing? Is this related to the firmware update?  

Keep me posted. 

[mlharris]

I did a factory reset on mine and my Versa says it's 32.70.7.14, but I am still having issues with it turning on, so I'm guessing this is still the new firmware update that is destroying the Versa devices. 

[Evans5150]

Yes...a factory reset does not wipe the latest firmware update you have installed.  It just basically resets all your settings.  Only way to fix it at this point is to get a free replacement that does NOT have the 70.7.14 update since it seems that has been pulled.

[mlharris]

@DavideFitbit customer support was NOT helpful at all and told me to buy a new device. My Versa is still in great condition (it's only a year old), but is out of warranty. I don't think I should buy a new device when this problem is at fault of the company. I am not paying for another device when this company is going to crash the next one, just so I will be forced to buy a newer version of the same device that I already have. This whole situation is ridiculous and your customers should not be punished by having to buy a new device. This company needs to own up to their mistake, fix the problem, and send out replacements to ALL people that were affected, no matter if they are out of warranty or not. 

[Bokieman]

I have a Versa original (now showing as a Classic) and I have had issues with syncing and pairing ever since updating to version 32.70.71.4.  Battery was running down very quickly, however restarting 3 times in a row seems to have solved that issue...for now.

Was thinking of buying a new Fitbit, but thinking twice about it now.

[mlharris]

Customer support are the people who told me to do a factory reset, even though it does not take the latest firmware off of the device. It seems like every customer support rep was either told to say the same thing to everyone so it seems like they are giving us advice on how to fix the problem or they genuinely do not know how to do their job and are simply reading solutions from a handbook.