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. 

[Jwalk04]

You are not alone. This is ridiculous and I’m equally frustrated. 

[gerrys]

A couple of weeks ago I updated the firmware on my Versa 2 (version 72.1.9). Prior, I would have to charge every week to a week and a half. Now I need to charge every 24 hours. Nothing else has changed. How can I roll the update back?

[MikePC]

At least *someone* associated with Fitbit has acknowledged the HR issues — I think that’s a first, so maybe....maybe some progress will finally be made. 

It has to be abundantly clear to Fitbit/Google that this latest update caused a myriad of problems, despite the rollout in waves. Either the first few batches of updates had no issues or they were ignored as “incompetent users”, for if issues were prevalent in those that were among the first to update to the latest firmware—why did it continue to be pushed along to everyone?

[Llamalady02]

Is Fitbit also acknowledging that the update was responsible for bricking devices?  Many of us now have a $300 device that does not work and has no chance of further updates.  Although Fitbit has already lost the confidence of many users, I'm sure they would like to see Fitbit step up & take responsibility for what has happened.

[Aubrey_S]

I updated this afternoon, now my watch shut off and won't turn back on.

[EHA4000]

I haven't had this update and having issues with inaccurate HR on a Versa 2, that I've only had for a couple of weeks. How can I get the update?

[chris2121]

@EHA4000 You can't force it, it will come up on the app.  But are you really sure you want it - look through this thread and see all the problems it's caused.  

[Jwalk04]

I’ve seen moderators in this forum acknowledging the heart rate issue and that it’s being worked on. However who knows how long that will take. The ultimate response I got was buy a new watch at a 35% discount? Complained about that and they threw in a few free wrist bands. Gee...thanks. This company broke the main feature you even buy a Fitbit for and their response is just buy a new watch. No thanks. I absolutely won’t be buying another Fitbit after this. I’ve shared this with my local fitness community and am steering our members away from this company. Thankfully we are installing a new tech at the gym to monitor live and incorporate some great new features. 

[milomichaelph]

The past couple of years, Fitbit has really lost it. Too desperate to grab
bigger market share of smart wearables resulted to even bolder, pathetic,
cut-throat and in-your-face sales strategies. Imagine, offering Fitbit
users to buy more of their products at a discounted price as a replacement
for their bricked watches and trackers. Customers will appreciate a bit
more of finesse and some class from you guys (Fitbit).

[MarreFitbit]

Hi there! Please make sure to take a look at my last post here.

If some of your posts have been removed, be sure to check your inbox as you should've be notified why it was removed. 

Note we ask that posts stay relevant to the thread's subject, be productive, and follow our Community Guidelines. Thank you for your cooperation in keeping this a welcoming and constructive place for all members.

[MikePC]

So, as I write this, it’s February 18; I’ve had the unfortunate experience of having dealt with the update since January 24 — that would be 26 days. Others have been dealing with it for weeks longer than that I presume. 

And yet...we still have no concept from Fitbit with regards a potential update patch to correct this absolute nightmare (in the context of what we are all expecting these devices to do) of a situation. 

We don’t need platitudes. We don’t need questions about whether or not we’re correctly wearing our watches. 

We need some answers. Especially given the fact that this is not the first time Fitbit has been down this path before...with that, you would think the company’s strategy would be to stay out in front of this issue, information-wise, as opposed to stonewalling behind non-answers and time-wasting procedures it’s asking customers to do. 

Answers, please. 

Now, please. 

[darthseditous]

Same message screen I have had since earlier this afternoon, the phone was working fine beforehand

[USMC-Mike]

Same here. Did you have any issues installing update?

[darthseditous]

Yes, it didn't, and it took me six re-installs of the app before I got the issues that this non update caused sorted out, primarily the auto sync, which stopped working - that was the issue first encountered 

[erinmac88]

I purchased a versa 2 on the 7th of February 2021 and for the first week it worked perfect, i updated the firmware and now my Fitbit battery is draining very quickly. In 24hours I have gone from 100% battery to 55%. It shouldn’t be draining that quick. I’ve turned off all notifications and set the brightness down as low as I can plus stopped it auto lighting up when I move my arm.

It has to be an issue relating to the recent firmware update. What is going to be fine to fix it? 

[Raïssa]

I've been having the same problems as everyone else. Fitbit is 9 months old and the HR is not tracking correctly. Almost 10 minutes in my workout it drops below 110bpm and it has problems going back up. While a second before that my HR was 150bpm. I'm breathing super hard and the studip HR tells me I'm below zone. Never with a HIIT or cardio workout am I below my fat burn zone and now constantly. They are not even acknowledge there's a problem. It's been going on for more than a month! 

[L4urabetg]

My firmware doesn’t have the lastet update but doesn’t give me the option to update 

[Steveorinho]

I was told to update my firmware. Watch worked fine. Update happened and after update watch is acting strangely. Side button on the versa lite was unresponsive. OS seemed to lag a bit. Went to settings, selected factory reset and since then it’s a brick. It won’t even charge!!!

the OS upgrade killed it. Is this something that Fitbit is doing so that Versa Lite owners have to upgrade? Seriously, don’t they test their stuff before they roll it out. Now all I have is a dead watch...

[Guy_]

The factory reset is a known problem on the Versa Lite. Ask for a replacement watch.

Probably best to contact Fitbit Support directly. They may be able to help you.

[Skylerw]

I'm having the same problems as everyone else. I was gifted a versa 2 for Christmas, got a couple weeks of good performance. As soon as the device updated, it became useless for exercise. It's now a glorified stopwatch to time my intervals while I track with a polar HR monitor. I'm glad I didn't spend a couple hundred dollars like so many others. 

Something occurred to me today: if HR tracking doesn't work, the sleep features are likely completely incorrect too. Resting HR as well as sleep zones are likely wrong, if they're wrong the rest of the time too. Bummer.