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. 

[Salter77]

Ask them where do they advertise that the watch won't sync with your phone, monitor your heart rate and ask them where do they advertise that updates will likely kill your device. 

They told me that I wasn't entitled to a replacement as didn't fit the criteria. Even though was in warranty and they had all this information. 

After bugging them on twitter asking everyday how the fix was coming along for flawed update they sent me an email offering a replacement free of charge. 

Obviously with ebay you can provide proof of purchase via PayPal so say all of this and see where you can go with them. 

Don't give up

[Always4anna]

. trying to delete but can't

[Lizfy30]

Hey Fitbit -  you only have to read through the string of complaints here and see all the similar issues that Fitbit are not admitting their update caused. Enough is enough.  A perfectly working device was rendered completely useless by the software update. I have tried to reset again and agin but now have the screen problems.  Its unresponsive to swipes repeatedly showing the fitbit logo that a few others have detailed.  Is anyone actually reading all these complaints?

Moderator Edit: Formatting

[Mattstriker]

All my notifications have stopped and the notification tab within my versa 2 settings on the app does not work???

[GlobalEngineer]

Mattstriker - I had exactly the same notification symptoms that you report.  Fitbit support recommended a factory reset to fix it. I did that, and my Versa 2 immediately became a brick.  It's now completely dead.

I have an open support case with Fitbit, but three times now they have asked the same questions:  does it sync? does it vibrate when placed in the charger? are the green LED's flashing? is the charger working?  And each time I answer "No, no, no...."   In other words, I only seem to be going in circles with them.

[marshra]

Having the same issue after the update HR stopped working light never turns green.   Now after a couple of resets I can no longer swipe.

[Lizfy30]

Could we have an update on what fitbit is doing about the update that caused all the issues and what is the solution? 

Note - Offering a discount on a new device is not a solution that i am happy with....

[LuxVersa2]

With this update, my HR monitoring is not accurate. It randomly tracks zone minutes when I am not working out and my HR goes hardly above 100 during an intense workout. Can anyone from Fitbit comment on what is exactly being done to fix this issue?

[SophiaX]

That's along the lines of what I was thinking. Wish there were a way to gauge exactly how many people have been affected!

[Llamalady02]

For everyone who posts here, there could be dozens more who don't interact on the forums, and therefore we don't know how widespread this issue is.  But judging from the posts on here, it's pretty big.

[jamiesonblayke]

I too like many others have been having tons of issues with the heart rate monitor. It doesn’t always read and when it does, it’s definitely off by a lot. I’m sweating my butt off and it’s saying I’m below zone. Please fix! 

[Pjd1300]

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@jamiesonblayke wrote:

I too like many others have been having tons of issues with the heart rate monitor. It doesn’t always read and when it does, it’s definitely off by a lot. I’m sweating my butt off and it’s saying I’m below zone. Please fix! 

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Same (still) here.  Doing a shutdown and restart helps a little (via Setttings-->About-->Shutdown, then restart by placing the Fitbit in the charging cradle and plugging in the cradle to a USB port - this automatically starts the Fitbit).  HOWEVER, find I have to do it EVERYDAY as it seems to gradually get worse throughout the day.   The exercise tracking is still useless, though, at this point.

[WyattH]

Resting HR hit low 50’s last night. Woke up to a RHR of 68! Lol

thanks Fitbit for this amazing incorrect data that will skew my entire years data!!!!! Been like this since the update. 

[so-cal-gal]

I'm having same issue with HR while exercising. My other HR monitor tells me HR is 143 and Versa2 HR says 105. PLEASE FIX THIS!

[nickifishy]

hi um how do u track your watch if u lost it?

i lost mine today and i dont know how to track it.

[CherylAnne1963]

Frustratingly I too am having issues with the firmware update. After resetting to factory settings and reinstalling the app on my phone and

tablet my Versa is still a no

show for Bluetooth so I now have a watch with a pretty blue diamond and multiple languages rolling through. Sorry 😞 it’s been a bad day. 

[Silky1]

Did u get it sorted I have same problem 

[MikePC]

Which of the problems are you referring to?

There’s been no hint of a new update to address the issues so many of us are experiencing; in fact, there’s not even really been a hint of an admission of responsibility from Fitbit to this point, which is both the most frustrating and sad part of this whole affair. 

[chris2121]

@MikePC It would appear they have been trying to fix some of the syncing issues through app updates.  The more fundamental issue of HR accuracy will almost certainly require another firmware update and experience suggests they don't come out that often, probably because it's a much more difficult process and risky if you get it wrong (as we've seen with this one and the one before).  

Frankly HR accuracy has never been that good.  I've deliberately not installed this latest firmware update on my Versa and it still sometimes hopelessly under-reads HR and occasionally I get readings that are far higher than likely.  The Surge I had before was worse because I think it tried to smooth out rapid variations in HR so you might be 10 or more mins into an intensive workout before it caught up.  This sounds like the behaviour that some users are seeing with the latest Versa update!

The bottom line seems to be that if you're happy to spend the money and ditch your fitbit then there are much better products on the market and reading through the posts on here there seem to be plenty of people who are taking that route.  I guess it depends on your financial position and your priorities.  

[Survive]

I am having the same issue as everyone else.  Syncing,  HR, and battery life. I'm beyond frustrated with this issue that has been going on well over a month.  I have a smart watch that I can't even use to tell time. Fitbit has done nothing.  They won't even acknowledge their issue.  Is it because Fitbit is now owned by Google?  I'm ready to find a different brand watch.