Versa Smartwatches - Fitbit OS 4.2.1 Firmware Update (72.1.9)

[FitbitCommunity]

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

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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. 

[Antinephalist]

Honestly, it's not good enough. I had a perfectly working Versa 2 until your company rolled the latest update to it and since then it's been useless. It has no hardware issue. I don't mistreat it. It's not even got a scratch on the face.

But because your update broke my watch a month after it was out of the 1-year warranty period, I'm left with a useless tracker and Fitbit refuses to stand behind their product and take responsibility for their screwup. That's unacceptable.

[Maggiemae3612]

My versa lite hasn't synced for 2 weeks now. The second time this year this is really getting old

[Mollydolly218]

I don't understand how there are so many different issues with one update!
My issues are battery dying, no longer giving me sleep stages (Went back to
basic sleep), and the heart rate is so inaccurate its not even funny.

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Moderator edit: personal info removed

[Annebanann]

I've been thinking... All I hear on this subject lately is crickets.

Maybe, we should be looking for the "Google Fitbit" forum?

[jpstasi]

It is really disappointing that after over 2 months there has still not been a resolution for the HR issue. During a high intensity workout today, my HR registered about 40 bpm at one point. That's lower than when I'm sleeping. And I only hit 8 active zone minutes for a 45 minute workout. Before the January update, I would get a treats 75 active zone minutes. And fitbit stays silent

 

[Raïssa]

Honestly this is unacceptable. I keep having trouble with the HR when I'm working out at home. HR won't go over the 110bmp with every once in a while it goes up. It's been 2 months after the update and the issue still isn't solved. How difficult can it be to remove the last update and put the last update back? You're not listening to your customers and losing them rapidly. I'm also done! 

[JamieF.]

Especially because the Versa 3 and Sense already come preloaded with the new software and have the same issues with the heart rate being off during exercise.  I bought those first and thought it was a hardware issue since they had changed the sensor, but now after doing the update on the Versa 2 realized it was just a software issue.  I just received my replacement and am hoping I can successfully set it up without being forced to do this update.  I'm scared.. wish me luck!

[Eric16]

Last week my 15 month old  Versa 2 started acting up and the battery was draining fast.  I tried everything suggested and finally turned it off.  Today I decided to turn it back on to see if perhaps it was just a temporary blip. I fully charged it, and at first it seemed to be holding the charge, but  within 15 min or so it started to drain at over 5% per hour.  There were also other weird things happening. The HR was jumping all over the place, I was getting  a vibration notice on the watch every 10 min or so, but nothing was showing on the watch face and finally the watch face died. I was able to synch, but could not turn the watch face back on.  I kept pressing the side button until the watch re-booted, and then simply shut it down. Well, that's it for me with this Fitbit.  I am switching to the Galaxy platform.  I don't dare buy another Fitbit after reading all the issues owners have been having.  I can't help but think that these watches are meant to be replaced every one to two years.

[Annebanann]

No, they shouldn't have to be replaced every couple of years. My Charge 3 (and Charge 2) both still work just fine, and those were both purchased used. All of this thread is about how Fitbit's last update (in January, I think). I have the Versa. Their update erased the OS, and then fails to install. Thus, rendering my Versa useless. It would appear that Versa 2 users are experiencing different issues, like yourself. 

The watches are still mechanically able to work, but Fitbit needs to fix their update, and I wonder if that will actually happen... I wonder if anyone from Google is even aware this is all going on (since they now own Fitbit)...?

[NicoletteF]

I have had different Fitbit trackers for years, I have never experienced problems with syncing or the watch face disappearing until the last couple of weeks.  It looks like the app is searching for the Versa 2...nothing is updating in the app.  I lost the face a few weeks ago, then it appeared again.  Is it time to move on to something else or do you plan on fixing all of the problems?

[Yorkshirelass85]

I installed this update yesterday, and am also having an issue with it, but seems to be a different issue to everyone else. It's now 8pm, and today has included 1hr Body Combat, and 2hrs shifting gravel in the garden, so hard work there. I've not even burned off 1400 cals. 

Looking at my stats on the app I've lost up to 1000 cals a day from what it had been. Saturday it was showing around 2500 by the time I went to bed as I'd done a tough workout that day, but it's now loads lower. 

[SunsetRunner]

Just want to say since people only speak up when there are issues that we’ve had the update for 2 months now on 3 versa 2 watches, no issues.  I was at the hospital in the weekend and the heart rate matched their monitors, even the oxygen level showed the same as the night before on the watch.  My GP loves the watch and constantly checks my heart rate with what he gets, always the same.  So it is interesting some people have a problem with this update but not everyone.

[JamieF.]

With the update the heart rate is mostly fine during the day. The issues
occur when you do intense exercise and your heart rate goes over 160 bpm.
Then the heart rate does not work properly.

[Barkeja53]

I have been a Fitbit customer since the Charge HR. I applied the 72.1.9 firmware to my Versa 2 one day after the 1 year warranty ran out. Unlike many others, the update process itself seemed to go perfectly. On first use afterwards, however, it became very apparent that HR monitoring was broken. A typical exercise routine had the HR level build very quickly to very high level (around 160) and then fall back to below fat burn and stay there. Prior to the update, once warmed up, my HR was a steady 130 for the same routine. So, my Versa 2 is 'usable' for everything other than HR monitoring (!). After 2+ months of waiting I have given up on a solution from Fitbit and have bought another vendor smart watch, with which I am delighted.

[FoleyJP]

have to agree with @ggutier02 here...though you may be on to something... @SunsetRunner you've actually made everyone who is complaining's case here. As you've stated, twice: "So it is interesting some people have a problem with this update but not everyone." and "Whatever is going on is not affecting everyone’s..." That IS the problem. Why do most of the people who are vocal have problems and all of the silent stay silent? Also, I'd like to add in the MONTHS that this thread has been live, you are one of the first to come out at claim "no problems, here! Love FitBit!" Pairing this with the fact that your account was registered on March 29, 2021 and you've only posted these two comments...well..forgive those of us who've had our trust abused by FitBit for not trusting you.

[MarkMM]

@FoleyJP I don't have a problem either. Haven't had a problem with a Firmware update in 5 years between the Blaze and Versa. 

To help you out a bit. Most happy users aren't on a support forum. That's why they are "silent". I don't see retailers removing Fitbits from the shelves?

From what I see, you can get even a Versa 2 anywhere, and it's highly rated by reviewers. Much of what I read on here has me convinced I could get a Versa 2 and have no issues. Go ahead, check my profile. I been around a minute. 

[SunsetRunner]

@MarkMM well kudos to you then for not having issues! However, the fact itself that this firmware update has made some people's devices basically useless for what this watch is mainly designed - track exercise, should be a reason for concern. Fitbit is not cheap, at least not to me, and given that it was not my fault that the device got broken I'd expect to hear something from the owners if they care about their customers at all, not only money. And this is a free space to talk so happy customers, displeased customers - everyone can leave their opinion. And the Versa 2 is indeed a great device, before it got bricked ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ and I don't know, might be just me but I'd say if even only 10% of users are unhappy and having issues it's worth addressing the problem. Just because you don't have one doesn't mean others don't either of that they're lying (which kind of sounds like you're implying with your comment). Have a great day and enjoy your properly working device! 👍

[JamieF.]

I think it is a very large number of users. Has to be. All of my friends
who have updated have had issues. I also bought a Sense and Versa 3 prior
to getting the Versa 2 most recently and they both had issues and it is
because they came preloaded with this software version. I actually
returned and re-bought multiple Versa 3 and Senses cause I thought there
was no way the heart rate could be that bad... but it was... on all of
them... and then as soon as I did the update on the Versa 2 there was the
bad heart rate readings again. Perhaps your workouts are not getting your
heart rate in the range where there is the issues..

[madmox]

I've found the update affects my versa 2 on my daily 5k walks as well. Resting and low activity accuracy seems fine, but, anything over 100 bpm reads >20% low and only gets worse as intensity increases. Although, I used it on my indoor cycle today and it was very accurate, but a bit slow to register decreases in heart rate. When I compared it to the bike heart rate and chest strap monitor it was within a beat or two. Sitting comfortably just above my wrist bone. Fwiw. 

[Kattyrose]

My versa 2 is up to date, my Android app is up to date, but when I try to install the find my phone app or the spO2 face I get a message telling me to update my device and phone app. What gives?