Versa Smartwatches - Fitbit OS 4.2.1 Firmware Update (72.1.9)

[FitbitCommunity]

Update 1/20/2021: We've updated to 100%

---

We started releasing Fitbit OS 4.2.1 to Versa, Versa Lite, and Versa 2 customers. This is a progressive rollout which means everyone will receive it at different stages. We roll out releases in phases as a cautionary measure so that we can monitor performance closely and make adjustments if needed. 

*Firmware releases aren't distributed based on region or location and can reach anyone no matter where you reside. 

WHAT’S NEW AND FIXED 

Read our help article for the latest updates. 

HOW DO I UPDATE?

Find step-by-step instructions for updating Versa smartwatch here. 

If you run into any trouble updating your Fitbit device, review these troubleshooting tips. If you have issues after completing the update, try restarting the watch. 

VERSA LITE users - If you have trouble updating the firmware:

Follow the steps in this help article where we outline troubleshooting steps just for Versa Lite. 

We appreciate your patience while we work to roll this out to everyone. 

[Lsail302]

Same here!  I work out 5-6 days a week and normally hit 60-80 activity zone minutes per workout.  Yesterday was 57 and I had to do 10 mins of cardio AFTER my workout just to hit that!  This is so frustrating!! 

[chris2121]

I'm afraid this is standard behaviour for Fitbit when you encounter a problem and it seems like you're just going round in circles being referred to the same help articles and endlessly resetting everything.

I think that the Fitbit implementation of Bluetooth has always been an issue and it is very 'fragile'.  I've had problems on and off since my original Charge HR through a series of Surges and the Versa has also been prone to problems.  This is I suspect why there are compatibility issues with lots of phones and so few 'supported' phones.  I sometimes wonder whatever possessed me to buy another Fitbit device, but when it works the Versa is actually pretty good.  The good news is that I think a lot of the problems are in the app not the watch and it seems to go in a cycle with app updates.  At the moment I lose the connection from my phone to the Versa about once a day and have to reset everything on the phone.  It isn't always like that though and sometimes it goes for as much as a week.  

Unfortunately the impression I get is that the S/W team at Fitbit are not particularly rigorous either in testing or configuration control.  I know a lot of people are blaming Google for the latest problems.  The reality is it has always been like this with Fitbit and given that the acquisition has only very recently been approved it is too early for there to be any real change.  My hope is that in time google engineering practices will be implemented in Fitbit and we might actually see some real improvements.

The problem we have at the moment is that similar problems have occurred several times before but they just don't get reflected in the reviews of the Fitbit devices.  So prospective customers get an all too optimistic view on the product they are about to buy.

[Kennyboyo]

While my issue is not as bad as some of you who can’t track anything, the HR monitor is definitely under reporting. I’m busting a gut on the FIIT app and it is saying i’m out of the training zone. Please fix this ASAP or business is going elsewhere. It’d be nice if the Fitbit guys actually acknowledge the issue with an estimated fix time.

[SunsetRunner]

Same for me! At one point during exercise my Versa 2 showed 91 when another BPM monitor showed 136 (which seemed to be my usual for this spot in my workout). Extremely frustrating! 

[SunsetRunner]

This is what happened to me, this is when I realised something was wrong, I’d normally earn 60 active mins in a 30 min workout for cardio and the day after the update it recorded 6 and I was really pushing it because I was looking at my HR thinking “am I really not in cardio?! I need to step it up” even though I was soaked through with sweat and gassing out 

[SunsetRunner]

My zone minutes went from 60 to 28 for the exact same workout...so frustrating! I hope they fix this soon! 🤬

[watkinslynette]

Did the update last week and now the move reminder only works half the time. I have reset the watch, turned the reminder off and back on. I don’t know what else to do. 

[mikchaos]

I was really hoping that the low heart rate I was seeing during a workout post firmware update was only a temporary glitch. But then I saw it again in my next workout... And I realized that it follows the exact same pattern I observed when I had the Sense for two weeks last year before I sent it back because the heart rate accuracy was unacceptable. 

Heart rate during workouts is constantly too low. Mine was at around 85-90 for a high intensity workout where I'd previously hit 140-150 easily. At the same time the heart rate sensor is now super sensitive to movement during normal activities. e.g. if I get up from my desk and walk into the kitchen, my heart rate jumps to 75-80 almost immediately. 

My hunch is that they have "upgraded" the heart rate algorithm to the one they're using on the Sense/Versa 3. While this new algorithm might work for casual runners who mostly run the same pace with a consistent hear rate, it doesn't work at all for anything high intensity or weight lifting. The fact that Fitbit did this despite the negative feedback about Sense/Versa 3 heart rate accuracy in YouTube reviews and here in their own community forum shows that either the feedback process is completely broken or they have decided to focus on the "casual user". 

I was really excited about the acquisition by Google to see what comes next and had hopes that the heart rate issues on the Versa 3 / Sense would be fixed but this update leaves me disillusioned. My Versa 2 is now useless to properly track heart rate... 

[gadgetboy]

You'll have to wait to see if Fitbit updates the firmware.

I know what I'm going to do: get a Garmin.

[mikchaos]

Yeah, I'm not holding my breath for a fix from Fitbit. The "issue" has been around on the Versa 3 / Sense since November where they haven't fixed it. Instead they brought the same "feature" to their other smartwatches. 

Will also look at Garmin although I really prefer the Fitbit app over what Garmin has...

[Pjd1300]

@mikchaos My experience and sentiments EXACTLY.   I'm a heartbeat away from throwing my versa 2 against the wall and going to an apple watch, but according to my Fitbit, apparently I don't HAVE a heartbeat...

[mrsjonesy12]

Same problem that everyone else seems to be having! Had my new Versa 2 for 10 days; seemed like every other day there was an update but no big deal. I noticed on 1-21-21 that my fitbit was no longer syncing with my phone. I performed every unistall/reset they suggested and it is still messed up. Basically, my phone can find my fitbit but can't connect or communicate with it. Keeps saying that my Versa needs an update but when I try to update it, the phone can't connect to it and it says "update failed". Is there any hope that they will fix the software? Or has anyone tried to get a refund for their fitbit? Can't really seem to find a way to request a refund unless maybe I call? 

[chalgrej]

I finally got the update to work and now I can't sync my watch with my phone. Keep getting Pairing Rejected by Versa 2. What's up? Worked great until this update.

[Jemmy11]

Hi there.

My Fitbit now won’t turn on, charge or do anything. It just flashes the Fitbit logo.

I have tried resetting, charging (via different ways)....

Not impressed!!

please help!!

---------------------------------------

I should also say, it won’t sync either.

[osujamie]

I'm having the same issue. Have you gotten it to change back?

[Jemmy11]

Not yet... was on online help but got disconnected:(

[Shannon920]

I have a Versa Lite. My device was working fine until Fitbit decided to push through this update last night, and ever since then, I've dealt with 1 issue after the other with the update still not downloading. After spending a considerable amount of time with an agent (just ended it now), I have been told about 5 times that it will only work on supported devices. Turns out neither of my phones are supported, but they were just fine yesterday afternoon.  Now?  It was suggested that I connect to a supported device to download the firmware update then go back to using my regular device....HOWEVER....even if I did that, Fitbit won't ensure the fact that my device will continue to work with my phone.  Wow...I now have a useless Fitbit that I was so excited to receive last year.  Now?  Because I don't have a higher-end phone, I'm not able to use it.   I am so disappointed right now.

[Shannon920]

You won't be able to download clock faces or anything similar if you don't have the update.  I discovered that myself.  There may be other things affected as well.

[SugaSuga]

I have tried every tip and trick and I still can't get my Versa 2 to sync or take the update.  I've unpaired it, restarted it, I deleted the app from my phone and installed it again and I even did a factory reset.  After the reset I could go through the repairing process.  I get to the point where it says it is going to update, everything seems fine.  It says it is downloading and you can see the progress on my Versa.  Then it's done downloading and says it's now installing.  Again, the progress is going good and it even says it was complete on my Versa and starts in on setting up shortcuts and what not.  But my phone is still on the installing screen.  It will eventually say it failed and ask if I want to try the update by blutooth.  Same thing happens.  I can use my Versa as a watch but it won't sync or anything.  I don't know what the problem is or how to get it to work again.  

I am very frustrated with it.  I have never had any issues before.

[UnhappyAmy]

You broke fitbit. The update failed. Read your reviews. People can't syn anymore