Is it safe yet to apply the new firmware updates?

[pbug56]

I'm one of those who has resisted all temptation to accept the Versa update (or updates) that started in or around November, especially after hearing of numerous problems.  The topic on this was closed yet I never heard anything that said whether the software / firmware had been fixed and was no safe to install.  So my question - have the November / December update(s) been fixed are finally safe to install without yellow streaks on screen, loss of notifications and other functionality?  I'm not the time to be a rebel, I just don't want to brick or otherwise ruin my fitbit.

Moderator edit: Clarified subject

[SunsetRunner]

Hi @pbug56 , see this guide about updating to the newest Firmware version without any problems. It's your own decision whether you want to update or not, I did and did not encounter any problem untill now. Regards kuzibri

[Rich_Laue]

@pbug56. please aw the help guides. 

 How do I update my Fitbit device? 

Why can't I update my Fitbit device?

[SunsetRunner]

@SunsetRunner 

What problems are you encountering?

I haven't updated as of yet.   Still debating on doing it.  Some of the enhancements are nice but not enough for me to do it and cause my Versa to be unresponsive and not operational.

[SunsetRunner]

@pbug56 

I haven't updated either to this firmware update.  Too many issues being reported which is downright scary.  Fitbit should have removed this update to being rolled out when all the issues for the same things kept being reported or at least had a patch in place available.   I did update the firmware to the one in November and was ok afterwards.   

With this one I'm  very hesitant especially having a Versa that's out of warranty.   It's working good and I want to keep it that way.

[pbug56]

Thanks for the link, but it doesn't answer my question. 1. Wifi with the
PC has never worked for my Versa. 2. Hundreds if not many more had their
Versa's badly messed up by the update that most of us saw in November or
so. I have heard nothing about Fitbit fixing it. And just because you got
lucky doesn't mean I would. Right now I can't afford to brick or mess up
my Versa. So again, did Versa fix the many problems in that update? 3. I
paid for a viable watch face since Fitbit does not offer a decent one with
all the basic data the Fitbit generates or takes in. Don't want to lose it.

Your message does not answer my question as to whether the updates that we
saw in or around November fixed the software or firmware that messed up so
many Versa's. I'm a developer, and when I see hundreds if not many more
people go through update hell with broken software or firmware it makes me
very defensive. Now Microsoft eventually fixes its buggy updates - has
Fitbit fixed these recent software and firmware updates?

I guess you never read the now closed out thread where hundreds encountered
problems - bricked Versa's, yellow streaks down the screen, notifications
that stopped working, and more. The previous update, the one that changed
the phone software, gives me all sorts of problems in syncing my versa and
phone. The latest update, around November, caused many problems for many
people. But its weeks later, so I'm asking anyone who knows whether Versa
fixed the software and firmware update to make them safe. I certainly will
try to avoid updating mine until I know that they are safe. I spent 20
years developing software and have beta tested consumer software for many
years. This stuff scares me.

If I understand correctly, there was an update late October and another
several weeks later, but I'm not sure. All I know for sure was that there
was one update that bricked or messed up lots of versa's, this after an
earlier one messed up the sync between Versa and Android phone making that
very unreliable. It also took away the ability to see at least some of the
heart rate data. So now I've no idea whether any recent updates are safe.

[SunsetRunner]

@pbug56 

The update in October was the one that bricked a lot of Versas especially the ones out of warranty.   There was issues with the one in November but I don't believe it was as bad as the one in October. 

This version is worse than the October release and they pulled that firmware which they haven't done with this version. 

In reading the recent posts on the forum regarding this firmware update my guess is that nothing has been done to fix any of the issues.  Folks are still posting about not being able to complete the update, the Versa being unresponsive,  clock faces not completing installation, battery draining a lot or dead, etc.

Personally, I don't want to take the chance with this update.  I would like to see a fix before attempting to update.

[SunsetRunner]

Hi, untill now none at all. regards kuzibri

[SunsetRunner]

@SunsetRunner 

How long have you had your Versa? 

Just wanting to clarify your response are you saying you haven't had any issues until now or you haven't experienced any issues at all?

[MrWhooHoo]

My personal view? ABSOLUTELY NOT AT THIS TIME.

Do not be misled by cheerful reassuring "No problem for me" postings.

It is a GAMBLE what the outcome is.

Its not the kind of painless update that I'm used to with Android updates.

If I knew before what I have painfully learnt over the past two days, I would have held off.

If I were you, I would wait until there are no more reports of problems following updating.

Waiting a few weeks is harmless and could save you unnecessary pain.

There do not appear to be any critical features added to this release

Your Versa will not break if you delay applying the update.

Obviously some of these complaints are RTFMs but by no means all.

Unfortunately, I have applied it and wasted many hours chasing down and fixing the problems.

Right now I am unable to pair my Versa with my Android phone, my Windows laptop or my bluetooth headphones.

[Linds8491]

Hi - I went through the troubleshooting steps and chatted with a Fitbit support rep. They were able to get my device reconnected and messages and calls are going through finally! 

This is with the latest firmware update - If you are still having issues I would chat with support so they can get you back up and running. 

[SunsetRunner]

@MrWhooHoo 

Thank you for your candid response.  This firmware should be pulled since it has too many bugs.

The amount of people having all sorts of issues with this firmware definitely outweighs the success stories of folks saying everything went smoothly. 

Even the ones that had no issues updating the firmware are now having issues.

I personally don't care about having the enhancements that were added with this firmware if the end result will be that it I won't be able to utilize my Versa with syncing and notifications or worse yet bricking the Versa. 

[Linds8491]

I agree - I was beyond frustrated after last weeks encounter with Fitbit
support that basically told me to keep checking to see if there would be an
update to the fitbit app but couldn't provide any clarity as to when or
what was being done to fix or address. She even sent me a feature request
link and a survey which to be frank came off as rude and unsupportive.

I went through all the troubleshooting steps and even deleted the device
from my fitbit account. For the rep to tell me to wait an unspecified
amount of time to get things working again. I tried unsuccessfully a few
times over the last few days with no luck.

I happened to just give it another try with support this morning, without a
software update or anything else that the previous rep told me to do. And I
will say it was successful.

I do agree that fitbit should have pulled the firmware update and allowed
rollback to the previous version once bugs were reported. I've never had
this big of an issue with Fitbit in the past and I hope this will be the
last as I really do love my fitbit.

[SunsetRunner]

Hi, I use Fitbit Devices ever since the Surge, then the Blaze, Ionic, Versa and now the Versa 2. Used all of them at least one year, with the exception of the Blaze which I used almost two years. With neither of these devices I have had problems, also not with the Firmware updates. Maybe I'm just a lucky guy, but, on the other hand, luck ends sooner or later. Regards kuzibri

[SunsetRunner]

@pbug56 

@MrWhooHoo 

This is the response I received from Fitbit Support on Twitter after I inquired if a patch was in the works to fix the multitude of issues users have experienced or are still experiencing after installing this firmware version and/or if the firmware was going to be pulled until the developers figure out what the bugs are and fix them.  

I will be opting out of updating this firmware at this time.  Although the enhancements may be nice but not nice enough for my Versa to get bricked and unresponsive or have any other of the myriad of issues users have been reporting.

 

[pbug56]

I can't pair to my PC, synching with my S8+ (even without doing these
recent updates) is flaky at best - usually takes several attempts.

[SunsetRunner]

@pbug56 

 

[SunsetRunner]

@pbug56 

Basically they acknowledged there are bugs with this firmware version but no mention of a patch or better yet removing this update.  

We have the option of opting out in doing this update which is what I'm doing.

Although I'm stuck with the constant reminder to update this bug ridden update since supposedly they have no way of removing it.

I did recommend they do a patch or better yet remove this firmware.   Also to let the users know that they acknowledge there are major bugs with this version.  I doubt that will happen since Fitbit just doesn't care about their users. 

[SunsetRunner]

Hi all you, see this: https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Versa-Smartwatches/Updating-to-the-newest-Firmware-version-70-7-14/m.... Regards kuzibri

[pbug56]

Every time I go into the Android app I get the nag, and have to be very
careful to not let it do the update.

I hope Google enforces some real discipline on future upgrades.