SpO2 clock does not showing SpO2 information

[JeffMindlin]

Latest firmware.premium. Clock installed. Shows other stats but SPo2 is blank. when I first installed it, it showed for a minute or so then disappeared. tried resetting watch. 
what’s going on. 

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[ianb107]

No it can work without a Premium subscription.

For a period of a few weeks after repeated erasing and reloading of all Fitbit software on both my iPhone and watch, I did get reliably consistent battery level and SPo2 readings on both my watch and the phone app.  Perhaps this solution did not work as being in the UK perhaps I did not have access to the updated software that remedied the battery level /SPo2 issue.  I have not acknowledged my success on this forum to allow more time to confirm successful resolution of my particular problem.  Wise decision ….

Now, most of the time my Versa 2 display refuses to work - either black blank screen, or sometimes after I hold the watch button down for an extended period the display will slowly grow from dull red to bright off-white, but incapable of displaying any meaningful data.  Problem as no guarantee rebooting/reloading is at risk of being impossible if the watch display happens to fail.  On two occasions (only) the full display behaved properly for about 2-3 hours.  I have noted that even with the watch display dead, all other app functions are working properly, and even the SPo2 part in the Health Metrics section of the FitBit home page shows a graph value (even at the same time it says ‘No data recorded’.

So, with this performance inconsistency I’m glad I don’t have a subscription..  I’ve got to the point I’d almost replace the watch with a new a Versa 3, but with my personal experience with FitBit product support over the past 10 years and 3 different product, this would be a serious sanity test.

I hope you do get the SPo2 function to work properly by ensuring you do have the latest software loaded.  Mine brought to attention (when it gave a reading) that my levels were on the low side, but not critical as lack of reading might imply (note the FitBit waiver that this is not a medical instrument …).  Also, note you must have >3hr continuous sleep for SPo2 to be recorded; and that the watch only records the average SPo2 reading for the continuous sleep period.  I ended up.buying a Braun oxiometer for spot checks during the day when I wanted to assess the extent of my low SPo2 level - which was 94-95 compared to <90-92 for 3.5hr sleep by Versa 2.

[SunsetRunner]

I did forget about the 3 to 3.5 hours of solid sleep for this SpO2 thing to work.

First, I think that's ridiculous as so many other SpO2 monitors work at any time and some can take periodic checks to product an "average."

But this could explain why I just got a --% from last night (no data).

I did wake up every couple of hours.  So perhaps that's messes up the algorithm.  Again, just ridiculous for FitBit to have that kind of criteria in their code.  It's times like this that I wish this was OpenSource, because I'd love to modify that code to add some user options for more frequent checking.  I'd also code to allow the SpO2 sensor to work WITHOUT forcing to have to use a special Clock Face.

But even with the 3.5 hour thing, it's very interesting then, that my running the Sys Info Sensor Tests seemed to force the sensor to pick up the data!  INTERESTING.

This is a Versa 3, by the way.  My Versa Lite literally fell apart!  It was working just fine, then I walked from one room to another and the display just popped off, still connected by the wires, but now blank.  It was just 2 months before the end of the Best Buy GeekSquad extended warranty would end.  So fortunately, I got my money back from that, less the insurance fee, of course and was able to buy the Versa 3.

[KirstyJT]

Thank you for all the info. Much appreciated 😊

[Dianelivesintx]

None of the recommendations worked. Feature has been off line since mid Oct 21. I recentlt even replaced my old Verse2 with a new one. o2 feature fails to work. Any patch developed? Its been over six months. Glitch is somewhere in Oct 21 update. Would like a solution pls. 

Diane S.

[bk01012016]

If everything else has been unsuccessful…

Have you tried a factory reset?    (Puts Versa 2 back to fresh “out of the box” condition).  It DOES remove all installed apps and data.   Make sure Versa 2 is 100% charged.

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=QQmMhkejTRM

[Dianelivesintx]

Greetings,
Thank you. Yes, repositiobed, alternated arms, ensured surface is clean,
and even purchased a new device. All with a negative result. Well
additional recommendations.

[BigAl66]

JUNK. BUYER BEWARE!
This watch is completely useless. I am so sorry I purchased it. Always drops its sync and SpO2 has never worked for more than 2 days. Then it cannot record for at least 2 weeks more, and when it does, it’s only for a day or two. I will never purchase anything from FitBit agin. Goodbye FitBit - Hello Apple Watch!!
Al

[SunsetRunner]

07Jun2022

Versa 3

SpO2 readings where working mostly, with only a night here and there missing.  But now, 3 days and no readings, even after full reboot of the watch and phone.  Under Health Metrics, it still says NO DATA.

The thing is, if I go into the Sleep info and select today, as an example, there appears to be data in the 

"Estimated Oxygen Variation"

section.

People have been reporting that SpO2 constantly fails and have reported this for over 2 years now!!!!

FITBIT STILL HASN'T SOLVED THIS PROBLEM AFTER 2 YEARS!!!!

As a programmer, I find this very disconcerting that a TEAM of Developers CAN'T FIND AND FIX THIS PROBLEM ONCE AND FOR ALL!!!!

FitBit company, if you're not interested and getting this and other bugs fixed, then perhaps just go out of business and stop taking people's $$$$$$ (and lots of it) for a product that is SUB STANDARD!!!

We also have a really cheap, Chinese knock-off watch where you can check SpO2 at any time just by pressing a menu option.

It just works without fail, every time.

WHY CAN'T YOUR EMPLOYEES FIX THIS PROBLEM!!!?????????????

The word is getting out and YOU ARE LOSING SALES!

This is the last FitBit I'll buy and in fact, as I do have extended performance warranty, I can easily bring this back to Best Buy (Geek Squad) and get a credit towards anything else.

So perhaps that's what people should do.  COMPLAIN to the companies where they made the purchase from.

One thing about Best Buy, that I'm aware of, is if a product is GARBAGE and the manufacturer refused to address issues, BEST BUY WILL DROP THE PRODUCT!!!   THINK ABOUT THAT!!!

Perhaps it is time to move to a BETTER more CUSTOMER ORIENTED brand!!!

[Moni_Johns]

I want to do this but how?

--------

Mine said that at first, I opened the app and went to the stats where it shows you your sleep and pulse etc,  now it says recording SpO2 but it’s been saying that forever 

[SunsetRunner]

I'm a retired Computer Technician and Programmer.

It's very clear to me that all of these FitBit devices have very buggy software and firmware.

The big problem is that FitBit just seems to ignore customers.

This same problem has been happening since the release of the Versa 3 and appears that it is also there in the updates for Versa 2.

Sadly, certain companies don't have good ethics and I suspect that's due to the cultural climates of certain countries where disrespect is the "norm."

Even though I just got this watch, after my Versa Lite actually fell apart (literally fell apart into pieces off my arm) I'm tempted to take advantage of the Geek  Squad extended warranty that also covers functionality of products.  The product does NOT function as advertised, so it qualifies to be returned.

The problem is, what other watch can I buy that isn't so buggy?  I won't buy Apple products at all and I've had a Samsung smart watch before that, while it worked well and consistently, it was very hard on battery life.  It would only last 1-2 days at best.

While I do have the ability to design my own smart watch and develop the software for it, the problem is, I do not have the resources to make into a small case like these Versa watches.  LOL  What I could build would be too large.

[Grinda]

I have not received any spO2 readings for 3 days. Did reboot with no change.  This is a frustrating reoccurring problem

[SunsetRunner]

Hi Grinda, yes, this is stupidly frustrating.

As a programmer, I KNOW that this CAN be addressed and fixed.

But it appears that FitBit doesn't take PAYING CUSTOMERS SERIOUSLY!

The thing is, the SpO2 data IS THERE... it can be seen on that graph that shows the variations in oxygen over the sleep time.  It's there!

So their code isn't using what's already there.... well... not using it all the time!

I had like 3 nights with data.  I hoped that perhaps it worked itself out.  But nope!

In fact, 2 nights ago, I got the weirdest results.  It complained that it couldn't get ANY data during sleep. Supposedly, it couldn't read my heart.

GO FIGURE.. .I'M NOT DEAD!  LOL 🙂

Then, I decided to look back through the sleep data and sure enough, this same problem happened a bunch of times, I just never noticed.

This is my last FitBit AND I am not actively WARNING everyone I come across.

If FitBit REFUSES to fix these problems, then people should be warned to look for another brand.

[Jamesrandolph]

Agree.

All this being said, my device has at best been intermittent with this datapoint.  I do appreciate I am not the only one dealing with it.  Frustrating to me that this SPo2 feature was one of the main reasons I purchased.

I will say this: the SpO2 metric obtained by my device (on those rare occasions when it is obtained) is always significantly lower than “professional” medical devices used at healthcare facilities.  

My SpO2 has always been 98-99, unless there is something serious happening with my chemistry.  The readings I get from this watch have ranged from 90 to 96, and I know that if I was ever read at 90 during an office visit, my GP would be deeply concerned.

Bottom line I do not even waste time swiping to search it anymore.  Both unreliable and inaccurate…not what we want for biometrics right?

[SunsetRunner]

Completely right. 

I too notice that the readings are inaccurate and on the low side.

I have another cheap watch that always says 98%  EVEN WHEN I DON'T WEAR IT!  LOL

I've tested it by putting it around a paper cylinder and GOOD NEWS, the cylinder has 98% oxygen level.  LOL

On that cheap watch, however, there is a very odd thing.  While the SpO2 is clearly FAKED, it also has blood pressure readings, which I have tested both with our semi-pro home machine and at the Doctor's office.  THAT reading is shockingly very close to the official numbers.  I've tested that a bunch of times.

It's very difficult to even find a finger SpO2 reader as even on Amazon, they have (or had??) a WARNING about FAKE devices and something about contacting Amazon right away if we receive one.

Apparently, there ARE some good devices available on Amazon, but it's impossible to filter out which are good and which are bad.

Oh well, as for this FitBit Versa 3, I'll use the SpO2 (when it works) as nothing more than a guide.  While I know that the numbers are not accurate, what does seem to be consistent is that  if I wake up feeling tired, the number is low(ish).  If I wake up and feel energetic, the number is usually higher.

Not much, but at least it's something.

While this SpO2 issue is around and that other thing people are complaining about, where if you press the side "too long" instead of the clock face appearing is a STUPID AUDIO PLAYER appearing, what does work well is Google Assistant and THAT I use a lot and regularly.

It's especially good in the car where I don't have to touch the smart phone to ask Google something.  I can keep my hands on the steering wheel. 

[Grinda]

I understand about accuracy. But, if it offered, it should work.


Peace,

Linda

[DUCHOA]

Bought an cheap oxymeter from Amazon, and its readings are the same as the one in my doctor's office. Brand/Model ZavVrate 500DL. It shows between 97 and 98 after a few seconds.  My Versa spo2 always shows between 91 to 94 and must be wear thru the night.

[portzblitz]

Hi, heather. Sorry if you covered this, it's just confusing and i've googled it every which way. So, i CAN'T track sp02 blood oxygen UNLESS i use an sp02 specific watch face? (and sleep with it, you said)

I ask this because:

A) i don't care about seeing it on the watch so much as i want to see it show up on my compatible 'Sleep as Android' sleep app but even though my watch is connected and successfully uploading HR data it's not registering any blood oxygen.

B) i really don't like any of the sp02 watch faces 🤷🏾‍:male_sign: and I definitely don't want to have to bother with changing my watch face every night before I go to bed.. 

Please help if you can! 😵‍💫🙏🏾

[Heather-S]

@portzblitz Yes, you need to use an SpO2 specific watch face. Here is what my Fitbit app tells me when I go into the Health Metrics tile. 

[SunsetRunner]

I've done extensive testing on this issue.

What I've uncovered is that you ONLY need an SpO2 "FACE" to view the SpO2 numbers on the watch itself (when it actually works) .

When SpO2 does work (and it's still intermittent), when syncing the watch, the app DOES PICK UP THE DATA!

I no longer WASTE MY TIME switching faces every day just to check my oxygen.  It's just a pain to do so all the time.

So now, I leave the watch face on to my favorite face.That face does NOT support SpO2 and in fact, is a face that one can make using special software.

However, when I sync the watch and look at the Health stats, when it works at all, THE DATA IS THERE!

Sadly, many people believe that you NEED to have an SpO2 face active in order for the data to be captured and synced.  That, is actually not true.

It's ONLY required if you want to display this data on the watch's screen.

Hope that helps.

p.s.  I know what the app "SAYS" and the app is not always 100% correct.

As a coder, I can detect bugs and inconsistencies rather easily.

[portzblitz]

I just need the sp02 app installed then. Great, thanks for the info. So now i just need to figure out why Sleep as Android isn't showing sp02 data on my morning graphs..