Fitbit OS 4.2.2 - Firmware Release - Versa, Versa 2, Versa Lite

[FitbitCommunity]

Update: This has now released to 100% 

We’re excited to announce that a firmware update for Versa, Versa 2, and Versa Lite will be available soon!  Some of you may already have this update available - if you installed it, let us know what you think!

If you don’t see the update yet, that’s expected. Check the Fitbit app in a few days, and you’ll see a message when you can install the update. We expect everyone to receive the update in the coming weeks. We appreciate your patience while we get this update to all of our customers. 

Did you know that we gradually release our updates? We do this to make sure everything is working just right for you. Sometimes we find an issue and it might take a little longer than expected for everyone to get the update. While you might see suggestions on how to “force” an update, we ask that you don’t try any of these workarounds. Most of the time the update won’t be available and you can lose data or encounter other difficulties. The best way to get the update is to be patient and wait for the update banner to appear in the Fitbit app.

WHAT’S NEW AND FIXED

You can find release notes here.

HOW DO I UPDATE?

You can find step-by-step instructions for updating your Versa, Versa 2 or Versa Lite here.

If you run into difficulty please review these troubleshooting tips. 

We’re interested in hearing your feedback on this update! Let us know what you like! If you encounter unexpected behavior during or after your update, please post the details below.

[SunsetRunner]

After my update, the time started slowing down, I've never had an issue with that happening. Its gotten worse since the first time, it was about 12 minutes slow, then I woke up late for work. Through the course of the day I tried several things of syncing, trying to get the bluetooth to be recognized by the laptop, phone, anything. Nothing would acknowledge it was there. Finally after reading some posts, I decided to do a factory reset. The Versa did come back after that and synced one time. Then the time started to slow down again. Now it loses time as I swim, its never done that. Why would It not be able to do its basic function as a watch. Its never done this before but it is now. This morning I Got it to sync after my walk when I put it in the charger, and restarted the Fitbit App on my laptop, then it synced. However since the watch was 1 hour behind it took the data from the phone (I carry it when I walk) when it entered the walk from the Fitbit it added all the data together. But the time synced. So I left for the pool where I swim, over the course of the hour swim it lost 12 minutes in time. So my Normal 49 Minutes for the length I swim was recorded at 37 minutes. Since I plugged it back into the charger an hour ago its already lost 4 minutes in time, while in the charger. This is a Fitbit Versa, I've had it for just over 2 years, had a few times where the sync would not work but a shutdown of the device or turning off and on the bluetooth on the phone would generally fix it. So this is where I am now, since this update. It looks like I need to call the support line, but if the answer is we're sorry we broke it with our update, we will offer a discount, I will have to find another tracker device. That's poor customer service.  I will not be getting another product. 

[VancouverUser12]

This also happened to me when mine broke!!

Sent from my iPhone

[000Kherb]

I chatted with Fitbit today. They encouraged me to try the following:

- install a new watch face. If that doesn’t resolve it;

- factory reset

After my first attempt of updating My Versa 2 after the factory reset they said since all the recommended troubleshooting was exhausted they were moving it forward to check the warranty and explore its options. I bought my watch late April/early May 2020… and the issue only occurred after this update. I feel like they were trying to shut me down and pass it off as time to buy a new one. 

In the midst of the factory reset, I tried to ask a few questions to clarify I was doing it correctly, they told me to be patient and follow their directions (face palm) Super aggravating to be told that when I was asking a question to clarify their directions 

I’m extremely disappointed with Fitbit if this is how they’re going to respond after their update clearly is the issue 

[saraht7]

don’t be too appreciative… all they did was send you a refurbished device that is not covered by warranty and it will do the exact same thing as your old one! that’s what happened to me. an update killed my previous one ~2 years ago, and now this update did the same thing to the replacement they sent. 

[London_Wanderer]

Thanks Sarah, I'll bear that in mind. Sounds like they don't get that one bad customer experience gets spread to dozens if friends and this means less customers in the long term.

[APKkrause]

I have tried replying to the existing ticket. It goes ignored. Fitbit customer service is horrible. This unit lasted 5 months and they refuse to make it right. First on lasted 7 months. Fitbit just wants you to spend more money. Totally unacceptable. 

[RBFitz]

Heart Rate monitor will not display-grayed out. I have updated iPhone and have updated Versa 2. 

[CGeiger49]

So, no response yet to my previous posts, and my Versa 2 is still in the same DEAD state that it was.  It's been in the charger for 2 hours and I cannot get it to power back on, which makes doing a factory reset out of the question.  Offering me a 35% discount to buy another product after your update killed the one I had (which was working perfectly BEFORE the update) is ridiculous and irresponsible.  TAKE RESPONSIBILITY for the damage done to your customers and replace the devices that have been irreparably damaged by this latest failed update!

[RBFitz]

My Fitbit heart rate monitor has not recorded info since a few days after the firmware update. I am also having issues with swiping and tapping responsiveness or lack thereof.  I chatted with tech support today-went through all of their advised steps, including factory reset using the 3 buttons on the watch, which did not work.  I was advised I would get an email for next steps.  Meanwhile, I did the factory reset using the settings on the watch; still nothing.  The email from Fitbit support was exactly as yours-discount on lesser product.  So disappointed.  In my frustration, I searched for firmware bugs and found this: https://gadgetsandwearables.com/2021/07/23/fitbit-firmware-update-stuck/.

Wish I would have read this before updating.

[000Kherb]

Received my update from Fitbit with a pathetic offer for a 35 percent discount. 

I’m infuriated. Since my watch worked PERFECTLY fine before the latest update, this is not a warranty matter. This is a result of an update that Fitbit released…. I shouldn’t have to purchase a new product due to negligence and a horrible update that was approved and released. 

Why would I, or any of us, purchase a new Fitbit if this same issue is going to happen? It doesn’t seem like Fitbit is about quality products. I’d be better off purchasing an Apple Watch at this rate. 

I’m utterly disgusted with this offer. A discount means nothing if Fitbit can’t stand by their products and take responsibility for an update that has messed up watches for several hundreds of people. 

If anyone is considering purchasing a Fitbit, my suggestion is to save your money and buy a better quality product. 

[Meglong82]

Having the same issues. My kickboxing class for 50.mins of crazy intense exercise burned 5 calories 🙄 what a great update. 

Update: So you basically killed everyone's versa 2 with this update. I no longer can track my workouts or sleep. The only reason I bought this Fitbit! 

[PSmith2308]

Same thing with mine which is why I'm poking around in here. The battery is dying within 5 hrs. I did a multiday 56 mile hike through in April and it kept battery the entire trip. After the update it didn't make 12 hrs >_<

[SunsetRunner]

So to Update, 

• Will not Keep time, for even 10 minutes after sync it loses 1-5 minutes
• Watch losing time feature renders the alarms useless
• When swimming, the time slowed more and I did the fastest 3/4 of a mile ever in just over 27 minutes (I'm a slow 48 -50 daily)
• Yesterday morning my watch wad 3 hours slow when I woke up, went for a walk, Fastest time yet for a mile and a half.
• When the Fitbit did sync (had to use charger plugged into the laptop and running the App on my PC, it logged the walk for the phone for the time I actually walked (4:30am - 5am) and the time the FB logged (2:25 - 2:45) making for 45 active minutes and almost 7k steps.  
• Went for my lunch walk, which is a mile, and it was a 12 minute mile, another new record. 
• After I walked I noticed by heart rate was at 160, and climbing.  I was just sitting.  I got a video of it for 30 seconds as it just kept climbing and I was not even moving.
• by 3pm, (the fitbit said it was 1pm, it resynched at 11:45) I had achieved my 600 active minutes for the week.
• Yes, for the entire week.
• I took it swimming again, I made a new record time.  
• I brought it home, Synced it again (Charger, laptop) 14k steps, 8000 calories, 400 active minutes. 
• I took it off and set it on a shelf
• I uninstalled the app from my phone. 
• I am uninstalling it from my laptop now. 
• If you release a new patch, someone let me know. I'll see if it will work again. 

Best of luck everyone. I'm done with Fitbit.

[London_Wanderer]

Well done on your new Personal Best times, with you time "travelling" Fitbit watch you'll be ready for the next Olympics in 6 years time. I like you had time loss issues initially, then after a factory reset end up unable to sync the device.

Never had an issue for 26 months (yes just out of warranty) and now my device is effectively dead. 

It's clear to me that there's a genuine issue with this update, but it appears Fitbit doesnt care. 

[GunrHook]

My battery dies in a day after the last update.

[SkyeBleu]

Same here.  Won't buy again.  Way to undo update?  I have no sleep, no bpm, no bluetooth link. 

[Meglong82]

They removed all previous versions so you can't undo it. 

And customer service will tell you they can't prove it was their update that broke it so we're all **ahem** out of luck. 

Update: After customer support told me to factory reset yesterday, it took over an hour to get it to pair and sync again. Still broken. Customer support said they can't prove it was the update so I got a stupid coupon to buy a new one 🤬.

[000Kherb]

Same. After the update my watch is like a constant flashlight when the screen is on even though it’s on dim setting. It’s mega bright (way more than max brightness). The battery lasts me about 10 hours 

Update: Fitbit’s customer service is horrendous and since they can’t take responsibility over their updates that clearly have resulted in damages I’m not sure how they think they’ll survive in the market going forward. I feel like Fisher Price probably has better products and customer service. 

[MarreFitbit]

Hi everyone. 

I'm sorry to hear you're still having issues with your Versa smartwatches. We appreciate your time and efforts while troubleshooting the issues, we do really take into consideration your comments and sentiments in regards to our products, services, and Customer Service.

If you've already contacted our team you'll need to keep the conversation with them. We cannot address your concern if you have a ticket open. On the other hand, if you are not satisfied with the outcome of your case, please feel free to update it so our team can continue assisting you.  

On the other hand, thanks for your question about why we offered a discount towards a new Fitbit product instead of a replacement of your existing Fitbit product. Our limited warranty provides repair or replacement of products that have a defect while still in the warranty period. Your device is out of the warranty period, and therefore is not eligible for repair or replacement, but we want to offer you a discount to thank you for your loyalty to Fitbit.

For more information about our warranty, see fitbit.com/legal/returns-and-warranty.

If you're experiencing difficulties with your heart rate, screen, and battery. please take a look at this post.

If  the screen is not working, responding, or it seems to be corrupted, please restart your watch as suggested here How do I restart my Fitbit device? If the restart doesn't work try to change your clock face. If this fixes the issue, you can change your clock face back to the original clock face. 

About the syncing difficulties, please make sure it meets the requirements listed here. Then, move forward to following the steps provided here Why won't my Fitbit device sync?

Hope that helps. 

[Windsurfer]

Maria,

Keeping conversation open with your team is a waste of your customers time.

All Fitbit employees are refusing to take any responsibility for the firmware update that bricked our Fitbits.I