Versa Smartwatches - Fitbit OS 4.2 Firmware Update (71.6.19)

[KateFitbit]

Update 9/3/2020: This update should now be available to all customers. If you have any difficulty updating, make sure you are following the directions in this article, and then provide as many specific details as possible in your post so that we can assist.

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We've started rolling out Fitbit OS 4.2 Firmware Update (71.6.19) for the Versa series.

We release firmware updates to all customers in phases. The update will be available to everyone soon, and a banner will appear in the app when you can install the update. If you don’t see the banner yet, check the app again later.

*Firmware releases are not distributed based on region or location and can reach anyone no matter where you reside. We do not recommend performing a factory reset to force the update to your device as your data will be lost and you may not get the update. Please be patient and wait until you see the update banner inside of the Fitbit app to begin the firmware download.

WHAT’S NEW AND FIXED

Release notes can be found here.

HOW DO I UPDATE?

Step by step instructions for updating your Versa device can be found here.

We recommend updating your Versa over a home Wi-Fi network as this can greatly reduce the time it can take to get set up. For more information on connecting your Versa to Wi-Fi, check out this article. 

If you run into any trouble updating your Versa I recommend reviewing these troubleshooting tips. 

[Tom.lipscomb]

will This firmware fix previously bricked versa affected by the last firmware?

[chris2121]

@RichardMc1984 Hi there.  Yes they are.  It seems the active zone minutes are calculated 'on the fly' so when you do the update any exercise you've done earlier that day is ignored een though it shows up on the HR graph.

[Z06tim]

@Tom.lipscomb If it’s bricked then how do you expect the watch to pull an update? Bricked usually means it won’t turn on. If it won’t turn on you are out of luck.

[LucyCastillo]

Hi,

I had the same problem (with different phone) but, after a few days of
using it (3-5 days) I received a message saying that the new update was
available to download, and then I was able to intall the apps that before I
couldn't. Patience is the main key on this!
Good luck!

[Michelleohio]

If your replacement fitbit isn't working correctly, contact customer service.  Do what they tell you to do and if it does not fix the problem, ask for another replacement.  You should be able to do that until your warranty expires.  I went through two replacements before my warranty expired.

[MarreFitbit]

Hey there! 

Please keep in mind that firmware releases are not distributed based on region or location and can reach anyone no matter where you reside. We do not recommend troubleshooting your watch to force the update. Please be patient and wait until you see the update banner inside of the Fitbit app to begin the firmware download, it hasn't been released to 100%, we're still rolling it out.

If your watch is a brand a new, it may be still running older versions of the firmware, which is an expected behavior. However, I recommend leaving on all-day sync and let the Fitbit app run in the background on your phone, which allows a small portion of the firmware update to download to your Fitbit device each time you sync. To check that all-day sync is turned on: In the Fitbit app, tap the Today tab > your profile picture > your device image > confirm All-Day Sync is on. Once you have updated your Versa you will be able to download all the apps and clock faces that you're not able to download now.

On a side note, if you're having syncing issues, please make sure to follow the steps provided in this help article: Why won't my Fitbit device sync? 

Fitbit products are compatible with most devices that have the following operating systems: Apple iOS 12.2 and higher, Android OS 7.0 and higher, and Windows 10 1607.0 or higher.

You can see the list of our official mobile devices that work with the Fitbit trackers and smartwatches at: Which phones and tablets can I use with my Fitbit watch or tracker?

Let me know if you have any further questions. 

[MrMarv]

@MarreFitbit -

The All-day sync option has not been available, at least on the iOS apps Versa 2 page, for a couple releases. Instead All-day sync is forced - which is a good thing, actually.

[fumbling81]

Why did my heart zones change and so drastically? All the sudden my peak in 162 when yesterday it was 153? This firmware update screwed up something that was working perfectly fine. 

[saw26p2]

Thank you. That fixed the issue. I should have checked this forum first, I spent almost an hour chatting with a fitbit person. They wanted me to do a factory restart on my watch. I figured the issue had to do with the firmware update, but didn't know what to do to fix. Again,thank you!!!!!

[MrMarv]

@fumbling81 -

I suspect that the latest firmware release incorporates "Heart Rate Reserve" (HRR) into the heart rate zones. I have not received the firmware update yet to verify this.

The mobile app help for heart rate (press on the heart rate time in the Today screen and then press on the Question Mark at the top righty of the heart rate screen) discusses the new HRR method of zone assignments, as well as the old, in the section titled "How does my FitBit device calculate heart-rate-zones".

I personally find it unconscionable that FitBit has forced this method on all of its Charge 4, Ionic and Versa series owners and not allowing them to opt out of HRR for the traditional method.

The HRR method is not even mentioned on the American Heart Association or the Center for Disease Control web sites. The HRR method is primarily discussed on some of the athletic training sites where those sites have apparently recruited MDs to talk it up - many of these sites are subscription sites - imagine that.

It appears to me that a larger portion of the FitBit community just want to get a little healthier and understand a little more about their bodies. I suspect fewer are seriously training to be the next Bill Rogers, Alberto Salazar, Dave Scott or Mark Allen. There I go, dating myself - I'm 68 years old - but those are New York City Marathon and Ironman Triathlon winners from quite a while ago. 

Trust me when I say I will be discussing this subject with my Cardiologist during my next visit in two weeks.

[Michelleohio]

I have an Associate Degree in Exercise Science.  Actually the HRR is considered to be more accurate, but involves more math.   Since the math calculations are in the program, it makes sense to go with the HRR.

[MrMarv]

@Michelleohio -

Math isn't the issue, the calculations are pretty simple and yes, the devices do it for us and the apps report it.

And "more accurate" in what way? And for what reason would it be more accurate. What is the benefit and for what portion of the population? A user on the boards pointed me to a NY Times article that discussed HRR and the main emphasis was on an Olympic canoeing hopeful in training - not Joe or Joan Average which appears to be the more common FitBit user.

The question is does FitBit wonder why I, a 68 year old male, has a resting heart rate of 63, creating this H-U-G-E HRR? Maybe because I take ACE Inhibitors, Beta Blockers and blood thinners to assist my ICD supported viral-damaged heart with an LVEF of 20?

Does the HRR method still benefit me or does it hurt me by re-defining what "cardio" means and pushing me up another 20 beats per minute? 

Hopefully my cardiologist will have the answers in a couple weeks when I have my semi-annual visit.

Either way, how does it hurt to allow users to select their own method?

[Michelleohio]

I'm 70 so it has been a while since I studied this in detail.  The common way of finding the maximum heart rate is to simply take 220-age.  The HRR takes more into consideration, making it a better measure.  I would suggest talking with your doctor as you mentioned.  This is not something new.  It has been around for a long time.

[fumbling81]

Yeah I hate this firmware update and wish there was a way to opt out of it. 

[fumbling81]

This is my question as well as a 39 years old who works out 6 days a week I'm not training for the Olympics. I just want peak is be a reasonable number. 

[Michelleohio]

Then go with the HRR.  It utilizes your maximum heart rate and your resting heart rate, so it is more in tune to you.

[PFLee]

Ever since installing the update, my FitBit will only hold a charge for less than 24 hours. Swiping my device has become almost impossible. Please advise how these problems can be resolved.

[laurynncha]

I recently updated - upon doing so, all my active minutes data from today was erased.

[MrMarv]

@laurynncha -

I suspect they have been replaced with Active Zone Minutes (AZM) and your Heart Rate Zones will have been re-defined using the Heart Rate Reserve calculation as compared to the Traditional zones still embraced by the American Heart Association.

[PFLee]

After updating, my FitBit began to malfunction. It no longer held a charge,
swiping became almost impossible, then it stopped working completely.
Customer service contacted me and they are replacing my device. Good luck
with your problems.