Mysterious firmware update!

[america94]

Good morning,

I woke up to a notification that a new firmware update was available for my Versa 2 (i'm in Canada).

It installed rapidly (4-5 minutes) and confirmed installation with success.  Thing is, the new version is 35.72.1.23 and i can't find mention of this version ANYWHERE on all of Google or Fitbit!

Am I the only one with that version and/or can someone point to a website with information on it's new content?

thanks for your help!

[SunsetRunner]

Hello @america94 

I too received and downloaded the new Firmware update on my Versa 2 this morning. Like you the update was quick and I experienced no issues. 

The Fitbit help article on what changes were made during a particular Firmware update can be found here: https://help.fitbit.com/articles/en_US/Help_article/1372.htm  

I too noticed no mention of the new Firmware update on the link I provided and I haven’t found any references to it online using other sources as well. So, to answer your question your not alone in this Firmware update. But, I have noticed that Fitbit is usually a bit slow updating the Firmware announcements. I tend to see the announcements 2-3 days after I have already updated. 

😃 I haven’t noticed any issues with the update yet. I hope it remains that way. Let me know if this does indeed answer your question. 

[america94]

thanks for the info MegaBite, it makes sense... so let's wait a few days and see what comes up 🙂

[SunsetRunner]

Your quite welcome @america94 😃 I’m happy I was able to provide you with an answer about the update

[Kesiganm]

Since this update (32.72.1.23)  my versa 1 has basically stopped working. It started draining the battery at 3 times the usual speed. Usually my battery lasts about 3-4 days but it went from 58% to dead in 12 hours. Then when I got home and charged it my data for the day had disappeared.

Then while I was walking around I noticed that steps weren't counting and neither was my heart rate showing on the display. Strangely, my heart rate was showing on my ios app. First I restarted the devices and nothing changed then I did a full factory reset but still no tracking of steps or heart rate. I thought after 4 years maybe something went wrong with it.

It's 24 hours later and my versa has been operating as just a clock. However the battery went from 100% to 16%. I've now realised that this could be from the update that just happened.

A part of me is also wondering how strange that my versa starts acting up for the first time in 4 and a half years of owning the device, on exactly the same day Pre-orders open for the new one in our country. It is certainly odd. 🤔

[SunsetRunner]

@Kesiganm  What I’m most surprised at is that your Fitbit is 4 1/2 years old! That’s an impressive lifespan actually. I usually see less then that. I just recently replaced my Versa 2 and it was 3 years old. 

[Kesiganm]

Thanks @SunsetRunner I've taken reasonably good care of this one. My previous Fitbit trackers didn't last anywhere near as long. I think I had the Flex for just over a year, it was still working when I upgraded to the Charge HR which only lasted about a year and a half before it broke. The Versa in comparison has given me excellent service.

Update: After a good few restarts and factory resets, I've managed to get it tracking again but the battery is still discharging at a crazy rate. It's dropping to about 50% in 12 hours. So I've been using it and but charging it whenever I'm close to my charger. I also bit the bullet and pre-ordered the Versa 4. Seemed like a good deal as it comes with the new Aria scale. My OG Aria scale was the first Fitbit device I bought and it still works today, so replacing both for the cost of a Versa 4 is a good deal. 

[STDog]

I'm not seeing any of the issues you mentioned after the update.

I'm not getting notifications but that started before the update and I suspect it's my phone.

Not sure how old mine is, I bought it used and activated Jan 2020.
The screen did come loose a few months ago, but I reattached with some tape I had for cell phone repair.

[SunsetRunner]

Hello @Kesiganm 

You’ve definitely taken good care of your Versa!! I’m happy you got it tracking again despite the battery issues. My Versa 2 never gave me issues and it was a super hearty tracker for the 3 years I’ve had it. I bit the bullet as well and purchased a Versa 4. I did so because I feared I’ve extended the life of my Versa 2 so long that it was time to upgrade. I personally like my Versa 4 and the screen is fantastic in comparison to my Versa 2. I personally find it super accurate and the battery so far is amazing! After I set it up I’ve been wearing it 4 straight days now and it’s still 73% battery. (That’s taking into consideration that I’ve been playing with all its functions a lot so I thought it would be close to 40% by now….so 73% is awesome) 

I hope you enjoy your Versa 4 as much as I do. I wasn’t offered a new scale with it so you scored!! 🤩

[Kesiganm]

Hi @SunsetRunner,

Fantastic, glad to hear that you are enjoying your new Versa 4. I think the build quality has improved so much in the past few years. Especially with the Versa and Sense, they can last a number of years if cared for. I think your Versa 2 would probably easily make it another year, but an upgrade is always nice. It's a good decision to upgrade before your older device completely fails. That way, you don't loose any data.  

I'm looking forward to testing out my new Versa 4 when it arrives at the end of this week. Can't wait for the upgraded screen and the improved battery life🙂 

[MarkMM]

I am back to the Versa 1 due to warranty claim on the Versa 2. I bought the Versa 2 in February, so that was last time the Versa 1 was used. I had two firmware updates in a Month now on the Versa 1? Very odd. Fitbit doesn't seem to be posting threads about Firmware updates anymore. 

[SunsetRunner]

I agree @MarkMM!! They are super behind and still haven’t posted the new one yet: https://help.fitbit.com/articles/en_US/Help_article/1372.htm

[STDog]

How does anyone think 2, 3, or even 4 years is a reasonable life span for these devices?
Ridiculous. They should be good for 10+ years, with an easily serviceable battery.
It works now, I don't need firmware updates. I just want it to keep doing what it does.

I have cheap digital watches that are 40 yrs old that still work great and cost a fraction of what my used Versa 2 did.

It's a neat item, but I don't think I'll replace it once it dies. Just not a good value.
I've got a nice mechanical watch that cost less and will last longer than I will.

It's bad enough I have to replace a phone because they stop supporting it and it's no longer able to update apps/security.
But a watch and step counter at $100+ every couple of years? Nope.
I'll go back to a step counter that uses a changeable battery, getting notifications on my wrist isn't worth that much.

[lawsey00]

I received the update and then went to search what the update was.  I can't find any updates on fitbit but I found this link and hope it's wrong...... https://gadgetsandwearables.com/2022/09/27/fitbit-versa-2-update-firmware-brick/

[SunsetRunner]

Wow @lawsey00 😳 That’s a scary article!! 

[PatTheDog]

I rarely see anything in those Versa update articles other than "This release includes bug fixes and improvements."

It would of course be nice to know what those improvements actually are.

These days I'm a bit apprehensive about installing updates on my Versa. It's already been mentioned that music syncing is going to be discontinued, so I'm hesitant to update in case any other functionality is taken away.

[npenman]

The most recent firmware "update" has seemingly disabled heart rate monitor functionality for my versa 2. I have read about similar issues for others as well. I cannot tell for certain whether the update is at fault but I suspect that it may well be, there is certain a correlation (perhaps no causation). I may wait out another firmware update but in the meantime I am looking into other brands of fitness devices. I would love for there to be some way to tell if my device has gone bad or if the firmware update has made it stop functioning optimally.

[MC11010]

Glad to see I'm not alone using a Versa!

I bought mine in April 2018 and use it non-stop, apart from charging once or twice a week.  Battery lasts at least 4 days, more if I put the screen into manual mode.  I wouldn't want to upgrade it though as I don't think the functionality really justifies the cost, AND I've not got any fitter over the past 4 years!

This latest update hasn't yet impacted me, although I was surprised to get it and that's why I came back to this forum.  

I can report that the HR sensor is still working and I haven't had any of the screen display issues..... yet. Touch wood.

[MarkMM]

@MC11010 The Versa 1 was the best model they made as far as heart rate performance. I also have noticed no negative impacts from the update. 

[Bloovix]

Same problem here. 
Practically I passed from 4/5 days battery to almost 2! that's a shame.