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. 

[Silverjoe1]

I would also point out that many users don’t actually perform the software update. I know a number of users who not only don’t do the software update but don’t actually sync there devices. I guess they might be the lucky ones.

Sent from my iPad

[SunsetRunner]

I normally do the firmware updates but after reading all the posts on this thread as soon as this update was pushed as well as individual posts regarding this firmware update, I opted not to do this update.  While there have been users that have had no issues, the users that have encountered issues was enough to deter me from performing it.  Also, some users have reported issues after a few weeks after performing the update.  It's not a risk I want to take.

[TDubMan]

PaddleOn, agreed. I’ve just seen several people say or imply that this is happening to most users. I’m one of the majority who’s not seen any issue and am enjoying the new functionality! Hopefully I didn’t just jinx myself...

[Dbrowne88]

Whilst I agree that (hopefully) the majority of users are unaffected by this issue, the fact that Fitbit have acknowledged that there is a widespread issue and are working on a fix suggests that it is affecting an increasing proportion of the userbase. I myself have just had a replacement device run into issues and will be on my 2nd replacement device within the space of 3 weeks, so to have 2 devices go faulty in such a short space of time is a bit odd.

[AjaySingh]

Indeed, I am blessed 😁

[mconnell1]

I am having the same issue as others.  After the update my Versa quit.  I did the reset to get it running again, but now the battery lasts less than a day.  In the past it lasted about 4 days.  I have not changed anything.  I made sure to turn off all day sync and made sure the screen only wakes when I activate it and is on the dimmest setting.

What is the status of the fixes?  I see you have escalated the issues, but do we have an ETA on when a fix might be in place?  I can't understand why this update wasn't tested to see these issues, and why we weren't warned not to institute the update for older versions of your products.

I have purchased 4 Versas, one for myself and three as gifts.  Two of those quit and had to be replaced.  Then one of the replacements quit.  Now this update which makes my Versa virtually useless.  So of the 7 Versas we have had in the last 18 months or so, only three are now functional.  I love fitbit, but given this product history am forced to look for other options if this issue can't be resolved quickly.

[Amack88]

There is no ETA from Fitbit. I have contacted Fitbit twice a week for the past two weeks as my fitbit will not send me notifications anymore due to the update. I also updated my phone around the same time, dual incompatibility. I will be switching to another smart watch as my Versa has reverted to a fitness tracker and no longer a smart watch. Fitbit has been no help as they are saying it is only affecting some android users. unfortunately im one of them.

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi everyone. I'm sorry for the delayed response and I'll continue helping you with your inquiries.

Thanks for the continued reports of your Versa family smartwatches, and the steps tried to get them working correctly. I understand you as your watches were designed to motivate you, and not to make you go through this situation. We always value members who are keen to give us their feedback, and be sure that ever comment posted in this thread will be passed along so we can continue working on our watches and their performance.

@CeeRee, @djohn9713 and @mconnell1, thanks for the details shared about your watches and your efforts while troubleshooting them. I've checked with our Support team and apparently they already took your case under their wings. They'll continue working with you via email, so keep an eye on your inbox.

@Stanta, thanks for replying back with the requested information. I was checking your details and let me share that our team has been informed about the syncing issues experienced by some of our members after updating their phones to iOS 13. They're working to identify a resolution as quickly as possible. Please know that syncing issues aren't related to this firmware, but to the Fitbit app. For that reason, let me suggest to post any other question related to syncing in the iOS board. That way we can keep the forums organized and you'll receive more related responses.

@MamaShez, thanks for sharing detailed information about your replacement Versa. I see where you're coming from and I'm sorry that you've had this experience. This shouldn't happen as the new firmware should be prompted for your watch once the set up process is completed. Since that's not happening, I've gone ahead and shared all your details to the team so they can look into this. Once I have more details, I'll update you.

@Spiece7, since your Versa has been updated, may I know if you've tried the restart process? If not, please give it a try and let me know how it goes.

@Amit_007, thanks for the details, as well for contacting our team. We've received reports about some watches not holding charge after shutting them off. While our team is working to get this resolved, it's odd that the settings aren't able to be adjusted. Have you tried restarting it? If you have and your watch continues with the same behavior, let me know.

@Halilee, since you mentioned that your Versa isn't holding charge, that might be affecting the way your watch communicates with your phone to sync your data. Just to confirm, may I know if the battery drains after shutting off your watch? If you've not done so I'd recommend to follow the tips from this help article to maximize the battery life. Also, for the syncing issues, you can find our suggested troubleshooting here.

@asylum, thanks for letting me know about your Versa Lite's behavior. Since you mentioned that it's restarting by itself, does this happen when doing a certain activity such as using the exercise app? Since your post didn't mention, could you please try manually restarting it? I'll look forward to your response.

@Susancao, thanks for explaining that your Versa 2 isn't connecting correctly. Since you've tried most of our steps, please confirm that you've exhausted every step described here. If after trying that your watch is still not syncing, let me know your phone's model and OS version so I can look into this.

I'll be around.

[Amit_007]

@LizzyFitbit: Hey, Thanks for your response & informing us about the versa battery draining issue.

Yes, I have restarted my watch but it didn't resolve the issue & the options are still greyed out.

Thanks again.

[mlharris]

@Amit_007 that's all the help you will get from a moderator. Next they will tell you to buy a new watch. I would call customer support directly, instead of waiting around for another "fix suggestion" from a moderator on the forums. 

[Dbrowne88]

@Amit_007try getting in touch with Fitbit Support via Live Chat if you can - if you're able to speak to one of their colleagues they should be able to quickly determine if your device is faulty and then look at next steps for you.

[Stanta]

@lizzy FITBIT - I'm sorry, I'm not buying that this is an iOS issue with the Fitbit App. The iOS was the same before and after the Firmware update. As I recall, the firmware update came through the app.

Also, how does an iOS issue with the app apply to the Versa losing time everyday? In an 8 hour period I'll lose from 4 to 10 minutes. The only way I can reset the time is to update it with the app since there does not appear to be a way that the the time can be directly set using the Versa.

It seems to me that if there is a problem with an app on an operating system, it is the responsibility of the app supplier to fix the problem, not the operating system supplier. Furthermore, there appears to be evidence that the update causes problems with either android or apple OS's. That suggests an app/firmware problem, not an OS problem.

[asylum]

@LizzyFitbit I have restarted it manually several times over the past couple weeks and it still continues to restart periodically throughout the day.  Yesterday, it restarted six times (that I was aware of), half of them I wasn't using any apps prior to them restarting (I felt the vibration of it turning back on).  Twice I received a notification from my iPhone, and one time it restarted when I received a phone call.  It has restarted twice so far today with nothing going on.

[workinout]

Just ordered a new Phone, the Samsung Galaxy A10e, reading a lot how it will not sync up with my Versa 2, any news about this you can share. Thinking I may need to send back the A10e and upgrade to the S10e, extra expense, about $550 more.

[KB9WNS]

Samsungs don't play well with any other device other then Samsungs.  Get a Pixel.

[jhogancr]

Pixel will be my next phone.  But fitbit is in the wrong here.  

[TanyaOslie]

I am having the same issues! I have tried updating everything, rebooting, reinstalling, force stop, everything! All my notifications are turned on. I receive calls and emails, I just don't receive my text messages and it is driving me crazy!

[workinout]

Yes everything I read said it will not sync I called fitbit customer
service and that model phone has not been tested. I don't believe it's
ever going to sync, may need to trade up to an S10e.

[TanyaOslie]

That is what I have 😬

I contacted support and he said it is a firmware issue that should be resolved in the next update, but no timeline on when that will come out.

Hopefully with all these people having issues, it will be sooner than later!

[Konaneil]

My Pixel 4 XL syncs up with my Versa just fine as did my Pixel 1 XL. Then again, I'm using a Versa one and I haven't updated the firmware.

Still, all is not perfect as Fitbit still hasn't fixed the heart rate issue.