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. 

[SNash52]

I'm in the same boat.And very disappointed, been using fitbit for years! But I did not purchase a new device right away when the discount was offered and tried to keep troubleshooting because I've had the watch less than 2 years. Now they won't honor it. Ridiculous.

Likely it time for me to move on to the other platforms in town.

[Songee]

I’ve got the same also it’s not letting you restore it to factory settings I don’t know how yours 

[Annebanann]

For my Versa, I just recently got the update notification. Yesterday morning 3/10/21, I began trying to update the device. Literally, I spent ALL DAY trying. Even when I went to work (battery was 100%), it was running the update again. It drained the battery all the way, while I was at work. Every time, all day it would go through the motions of updating then installing, and every time came the same result. First, an all white Fitbit logo doing nothing. Then, eventually, the START screen. You know, it says "To begin, download the Fitbit app"  I TRIED EVERYTHING I could think of. Old version of the app, while charging, not charging, wifi, bluetooth... Not once could I get it to factory settings. It's like there is NO operating system on it now. Well, as of last night anyway. When I got home, I put it on the charger and figured I'll try again today. Before I left for work, I had put my old Charge 3 on the charger. So, I proceeded to connect that to my app, which is working, EXCEPT when I get a notification it won't vibrate. SERIOUSLY???!   Anyway, I figured I might try the Versa again today, but to my dismay, after being on the charger all night the Versa is DEAD! I mean dead, it does nothing! Way to go Fitbit... all these years, and you still haven't figured it out. 👏

[chris2121]

@Annebanann I keep trying to get the message to people NOT to do the update.  It's such a shame that Fitbit won't stop the rollout of this update.  I've suggested to moderators on here more than once that the sensible thing to do would be to halt it.  By for whatever reason Fitbit still seem to keep pushing it out.  Perhaps they are afraid that if they admit to the extent of the problem it will cause them even greater problems.

My suspicion is that anytime you get a firmware update for a fitbit device there is a risk it will fail and leave the device unusable.  It has certainly been a problem for the last couple of updates so I have become cautious every time I see an update notification.  

[FoleyJP]

Ever think this is on purpose? I alluded to this in my original post. It's
not surprising considering FitBit has done this before (rolled out firmware
that has bricked devices) and it's even less surprising that this update
coincided with Google's acquisition of FitBit. Here's the tale of the tape-
I have an original Versa (Model FB504). It's only two years old and the
firmware update only tells me how old my device is. That's it. Not even
nessecary. I knew how old it was already. I have no use for that feature.
But I did get lovely little side-effects like, drastically decreased
battery life, sporadic HR tracking, syncing and notifications. Four things
that were fixed with the previous version of the firmware either directly
or indirectly. My smartwatch/activity tracker is now basically just an LCD
dumbwatch/activity guess-ti-mater. Don't get me wrong. I'll use it until it
ceases to function in the hopes that FitBit will cure it with another "oops
we made this update too good!" But once this sucker stops turning on, who
knows? Maybe I'll go back to my Casio...

[chris2121]

@FoleyJP I agree there doesn't seem to be anything in this update that makes it worth installing.  Which is why I haven't on my original Versa which is now about 2 and a half years old so may well be getting close to end of life anyway.  No need to accelerate that.

I read an article a while back that suggested the firmware updates sometimes fail because of a difference in the clock on the Fitbit device and phone (or whatever it is paired to).  It's pretty clear looking back through the forums that updating the firmware on a Fitbit has always been a risky exercise with a proportion failing every time - without any way of recovering them.  So it would seem that the process Fitbit uses for firmware updates is flawed, but they obviously don't want to / can't fix it.  I think they just keep quiet about it and tough out the consequences each time.  

A lesson I learnt a very long time ago as an IT facilities manager is to investigate any manufacturers software update before installing it on a live system and if in doubt simply not to install it.  It's always harder to undo a change and in the case of Fitbit it is actually impossible to back out a firmware change.  

[anikj]

My versa also got bricked via last 2 updates, first one just after warranty is over.  Heartrate monitor stopped working. Had a long interaction with support on Twitter and email, bottom line - they don't care to fix or replace device.  This is a known pattern with fitbit as I see so many users sharing this experience here. I saw on some forums where Garmin replaced such our of warranty devices if update bricks them. I wonder why fitbit chose to destroy their own goodwill by not fixing this issues 

[Songee]

Hi there sorry to hear this in the end I called them up and they was really
good and very helpful on the phone. Give them a call I’m all sorted now
it’s a free phone number

[DJZACK3450]

My Fitbit Versa has been taking and hour so far to finish I am about to throw it away

[Songee]

That’s really bad how old is your Fitbit they are so expensive to keep replacing all the time 

[Barbie0417]

I've only had it since July, its useless to me even as a watch. I'm so disappointed 😞

[chris2121]

@Barbie0417 It will still be under warranty so I would insist on a replacement.  

[Songee]

I called this number yesterday 0800 069 8505 mine is been replaced 

[Annebanann]

My sentiments exactly!

[Mlacy93]

This is sad, I should not have to charge my versa 2 every day when it isn't even a year old yet or have to deal with it freezing up constantly. Once I'm done with it, I'll be jumping ship. Thanks for a few good years Fitbit but you guys really messed up with this one. 

[Rwilde14]

I’m having this same issue now. I have tried to use both WiFi and Bluetooth. Neither is working. My watch is completely useless now. Please help. 

[zgSHADOW]

Today marks 60 days since this horrid update broke my heart rate monitor.

I gave in and ordered a complimentary replacement Versa 2. It arrived in short time and it seems to work, despite me accidentally updating it fully. It's not clear if the firmware update permanently broke my first device. However, DO NOT update a replacement tracker if possible; other cases have repeated themselves AKA the update breaks them a second time. It's unclear who is the exception to the rule. If you can't afford to switch brands, I advise taking use of your warranty if possible.

I'm glad I have a working watch again, but Fitbit has still failed to address this mass failure of watches. Once mine fails, I won't be tricked into a third Fitbit device. 

[picoooooo]

same here 

[Kristinwh0]

Fitbit heart rate problem post-update is driving me nuts. The majority of my box fit workouts are now in ‘below zones’. I could be bent over breathless and it’ll still give me a reading of 84 BPM. This wouldn’t be an issue if it weren’t for the addition of ‘active minutes’ which are directly tied to the heart rate monitor - it’s so inaccurate & also demoralising during workouts!! 

[mini35]

Have you seen this on the Fitbit homepage?........Smartwatches "The innovative features you "need" for a healthier life all on your wrist".