3rd Party Apps on Sense 2 and Versa 4

Restore the ability to install 3rd party apps on the Versa 4 as was possible in previous versions of the watch.

 

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject and label.

754 Comments
Crankybeaver
Base Runner
  • Total horse**ahem** that there is no access to third party apps. In this day and age that’s just unacceptable. 
festrella
Jogger

The Sense 2 website should clarify that you can't install third-party apps on it. Ideally, it should be very visible.

 

I would also like this board to allow me to modify comments, so I could have modified my previous post instead of posting a new one.

 

I think you really should advertise the third-party apps not being able to be installed in the Sense 2 website as soon as possible. It is one of the most expensive watches you have. Imagine someone from a lower income country buying it. All the trouble to get the watch there.

SunsetRunner
Not applicable
Imagine buying an expensive dumb-watch in a country where most retailers don’t have a return policy. What Fitbit / Google is doing is outright unethical.

Sent from my iPhone
asiayeah
Pace Setter

There are 1265 votes and the status is still only "Reviewed by Moderator" only. Can we at least upgrade the status or let us know what is the next step needed?

TalaraB
Jogger

They aren't going to allow 3rd party apps. If they were they would have said something by now. They are saying nothing so people keep their watches in hopes it might come and then miss the 45 days return window. They have already started removing the availabilty of some apps from older watches too. They are going backwards and purposely deceiving customers. If they announced that there will be no 3rd party apps people would stop buying their products so while they are making money they are staying quiet. Absolute disgrace. 

J00nz
First Steps

This is clearly not a technical decision, it is a business one. Google simply don't want competing app-stores.

That means we're going to be stuck with our increasing obsolete watches.

Fitbit might release a watch that supports googles store in the Future, but I think we can all stop dreaming about the old Pebble dream of a smart watch with good battery life and apps. Google clearly doesn't want this, they want a apple watch competitor, not something that is practical and useful today...

Crankybeaver
Base Runner
I’m seeming to agree there, the useless ugly google watch does everything Fitbit used to all while sucking battery life like a starving man at a buffet, so why have a smart watch that sips battery when you can just charge their bloat watch every 18 hours and get all the benefit from having a watch that runs you and not vice versa.


Sent from my iPhone
t1gu1
Stepping Up

This is the more like request feature.

Why this thread seems to be ignore by admins? (I Mean a true response)

 

There is few month pass since the question.

People request a response about if its planned or not.

 

My guess would be that's not planned.

But at the same time it would looks weird to release a watch that seems to regress compare to previous one.. and make looks like Google want to kill the fitbit Product.

 

Everyones confuses.. It looks like it's what they want cause it's what they maintain, a confuse State.

mamitchell920
Jogger

I was disappointed that I could not log my water on my new Versa 4 and so many other apps are not available. Isn't this supposed to be the latest and greatest? I'm disappointed and hope that this changes sooner rather than later!!

DanyD111
Jogger

that is cool

naman.kumar.pat
First Steps
I am not able to download any new apps on my new fitbit sense 2. There is no app store, even spotify is not there for sense 2. This is a big turn off.
OrrinEdenfield
First Steps

Another vote for 3rd party apps on Versa 4. Blows me away this functionality was taken away from the old Versa I had. 

 

If Fitbit/Google isn't going to support the Versa 4 anymore (by taking away features that are in ALL smart watches) then why should I support by buying the device? 

LizzyFitbit
Premium User
Fitbit Moderator
Fitbit Moderator

Hi @naman.kumar.pat, thanks for taking the time to share this suggestion about allowing the Sense 2 to support third-party apps with us. This idea was already requested in the Feature Suggestion board, so I’ve moved your post here. Please support this idea by adding your vote, this helps our developers to keep tracking its popularity and demand over time.

JAA32
First Steps

FITBIT....you can't release a hardware platform w/o apps.   This is common sense.   Fitbit users are loyal...Versa 4 is probably 3rd or 4th device they have but you are going to lose users to Apple.   

Fix it asap.  Or is Google just saying screw it as they will keep on Fitbit given all their data is there.  Guess what.....people will walk.

asiayeah
Pace Setter

@LizzyFitbit We had 1300 votes on this feature request already. Can we move this request to the next step? Thanks. 

TriggerB
Jogger

This is the biggest letdown ever. I came from Versa 1 because the battery no longer lasts more than a day and my girlfriend has Versa 3. Figured Sense 2 would be an improvement from Sense1/Versa3 but its actually a downgrade from my original Versa 1…

 

No third party apps, no google assistant (my home ecosystem is google, not amazon) or any “smart” features, even the battery life is questionable. With all battery draining features off on the first 24 hours it used up 15%, yet the following night alone (while in sleep mode) it used up 30%+. How does this make sense?!

 

It’s only a visual improvement, thinner and looks more premium but if I’m going to pay a premium price for that I would get an actual smartwatch and go for Apple watch or garmin for an actual fitness tracker. Fitbit was good because it was somewhere in between. Feels like a failed attempt to try and convert people to the pixel. I guess I’ll be returning my sense2 if I can.

thefeff
Jogger

So, I had a Versa 3 that died and of course just out of warranty. Purchased a Versa 4 and REALLY disappointed about the lack of support for apps that were within the Versa 3, i.e., Starbucks, Spotify, etc... 

What was the thought process that came up with this business model?

Is there any correction forthcoming?

 

Since I just received the V-4 yesterday I have some time to return it but would like to see a response from corporate about this issue.

Robert F.

keloo81
Stepping Up

Yes, Lizzie, can we move on please?

 

Is there someone ranked better than you that can make things happen?

 

My wife has the first Sense, she can listen to Spotify, I however cannot beacause...Fitbit policy.

 

Maybe the smarter guys from Google can make some magic and bring WearOS to all Fitbit smart watches? Just saying.

 

Anyway, we are tired of waiting.

Chas19056
First Steps

Please bring back 3rd party apps 🙏

Mizzoo57
Jogger

I just got the Versa 4 & am seriously disappointed that I cannot download Spotify.  I am considering returning it & moving to a Garmin.  They allow the Spotify app.

cmengler
Recovery Runner

What rationale is behind this decision to cripple the FitBit Versa 4 and Sense 2 devices? My wife's Versa 2 is more convenient in terms of functionality than the Versa 4! The Versa 4 and Sense 2 are unworthy of joining this range -- such a backwards move by FitBit/Google. Absolutely disappointing!

anayela
First Steps

I am so disappointed… the only reason I bought the versa 4 was to be able to control Spotify as I was under the assumption that Fitbit was able to do this with an iPhone… this is the only reason I bought the Fitbit and not a different smart watch which I honestly liked more… hoping I can return it…

Crankybeaver
Base Runner
The only logic that makes sense is Google bought Fitbit for the backend and the marketing and subscriber base but want to turn the Fitbit side of things to basic trackers so they can justify the inflated price of their bloated Google watch.

Sent from my iPhone
P3trZ
Jogger

And why do I need their bloated Google watch that doesn't even last a day on battery. I need a watch with a few smart features that I won't charge more than once a week.

Come on, Fitbit. Do something about it. This is endless agony.

Crankybeaver
Base Runner
There is no Fitbit anymore, it’s just Google with a Fitbit skin

Sent from my iPhone
To comment, you must first accept the terms of the Idea and Feedback Submission policy.