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.

751 Comments
thefeff
Jogger
So, I purchased an Apple watch.
So far, so good.
I had wanted to wait until Apple had glucose measuring capability in it but alas, Google pushed me away.

Adios Fitbit.
asiayeah
Pace Setter

Seriously fitbit should market Sense 2 and Versa 4 as the world's most secure smartwatch without any 3rd party app. 

P3trZ
Jogger

I'd like to get over it, but I can't. I bought the Versa 4 watch and unfortunately I can't return it. So I can't just throw it away. Until I get another watch I'll do my best to let everyone else know what Fitbit and Google company are all about. And that Fitbit employees are constantly ashamed to work for this company.

Danni22
First Steps

Fitbit.... Why??? Why would you worry about a new feature now when everyone is dropping you because you didn't provide what you've advertised? Who makes these big decisions? They need to be fired for dropping the ball!!! This is clearly not a small mistake. https://www.forbes.com/sites/davidphelan/2023/02/22/forget-apple-watch-fitbit-could-beat-apple-to-ga...

Plod-Along
Jogger

So I see what Google are trying to do. 

A. Have a range of smart watches for android users (i.e. Pixel watch) 

and

B. Have a range of health and fitness trackers with varying sensors depending on the model. 

If this is their direction, fair enough.

 

My gripe in this case is that they have chosen to take this step within the Versa/Sense line up. 
Versa/Lite/2/3 & Sense all have apps/music control so naturally customers, especially current customers, thing that the newest model will too. 

These latest app-less models should have been released with a new model name or as Versa 3 Lite/Sense Lite - that is essentially what they are.

Hozzie
First Steps

Shocked that the 3rd party apps have been removed.  On my 3rd fitbit and thought I was getting an upgrade after replacing the faulty Versa 2.  It seems a bit backward to remove this and no clear explanation on that strategy.

 

Surely, Fitbit should now be prioritising developing their own OS and apps further and offer a lot more features.  For me they lag behind competitors.

 

DNM13
Jogger

I just purchased a Garmin smart watch and should be coming in the mail in a few days. Thanks Fitbit/Google. Literally all you had to do was include third party app support (which you originally advertised for) and I would have been happy, but you even failed at that. Good riddance.

Crankybeaver
Base Runner
Not sure you are going to like the Garmin app as much, when I was deciding what to do I downloaded it, in my opinion it’s still quite clunky

Sent from my iPhone
JonA12
Jogger

Crankybeaver, to be fair, all Garmin needs to do at this point to be better than FitBit is pause Spotify.

 

Pro tip, Costco sells the Versa 4 and they have a VERY lax 'return' policy (receipt may not be necessary).

Crankybeaver
Base Runner

Lol, my goal with any smartwatch has been to be able to leave the phone at home on a run, alas, I don’t see that ever happening

--------------

 

It’s on your profile, it won’t show up

smurf3680
Jogger

Please add this feature back. This is part of the reason I bought a sense 2 was the ability to install apps and combine it with my fiton pro. Now I find out I can't do that. How sad 😞 . Please help. 

Plod-Along
Jogger

@smurf3680 

I would advise you return the Sense 2 if you can and buy the Sense. 

Sense should pretty much do everything that the Sense 2 does, but with 3rd party apps (including FitOn) and at a cheaper price tag. 

If you can’t return the Sense 2, it looks like you’re another fellow Fitbit customer that has been deceived into thinking that the latest “smartwatches” come with an app gallery (based on this feature being included with all predecessors) just to find the feature missing.

 

It’s sad because Fitbit have always had a great balance of packing their smartwatches with features, having a decent battery life compared to full fledged smartwatches, and at a reasonable price for being a big name in the fitness tracker market. 

This decision to remove 3rd party apps is driving customers elsewhere, even if it costs them a little bit extra for a different brand. 

 

thefeff
Jogger
Already returned the Versa 4 and bought an Apple watch.
Satisfied with my new purchase.
So sad that Google screwed over the Fitbit.
Bob
asiayeah
Pace Setter

Congrats, @thefeff 

 

But Google supposed we will refund Versa 4 in exchange for a Google Pixel watch. 

smurf3680
Jogger
I'm actually very content with sense 2 and would not move backwards just
for one thing, thanks anyways.

Smurf

--
thefeff
Jogger
And I was happy with the Versa 3 until the battery died. The V4 was a surprisingly step down and backwards with no 3d party support.
And I’d been using Fitbit products for a long time.
Oh well…..

Sent from my ☎
SunsetRunner
Not applicable
This really saddens me. Been a FITBIT user since 2015. I didn't upgrade
from my Versa 3 to 4 since the 3rd party apps are no longer available. Not
going to a Pixel for sure!
Crankybeaver
Base Runner
We’ll see what Google has to offer on the future for the fitbit line, I do though think it’s time to research other brands for my next move. One thing I know for sure, it won’t be a pixel.

Sent from my iPhone
SunsetRunner
Not applicable

Yes, I want third-party app support on my Versa 4

Svitlana
Recovery Runner

It is complete frustration - why third party applications and face watch not be available for sense 2? While it was available in sense 1. It completely does not make any sense. I want to return sense 2 back and never ever buy any product from Fitbit/Google. 😖

M0min8or
Recovery Runner

I really am disappointed by the inability to use Starbucks from my Versa 4. I thought I upgraded from Versa 2, but have lost the flexibility that having apps like Starbucks and Uber provided. Can I return the Versa 4? This seriously affects the utility of the watch.

Angie3677
First Steps

Disappointed that my new VERSA 4 does not have some of the same features as my Versa 2----missing the PANDORA feature and the STARBUCKS app feature.  May have to return it and try a different watch brand altogether.

Popesmonja
Jogger

Can't return it cause I bought it in a thrift shop but it deserves to be returned.

Make no sense at all that you couldn't use 3rd party apps , no music control, no devkit development... I won't buy fitbit anymore.

chrisM68
Stepping Up

Hi guys!

I am a long time fitbit user and I've always been satisfied by their product and their service. I recently bought my new fitbit sens 2 (March 4th) ,  after having technical difficulties with my previous watch (Versa2).

For the first time I regret buying this product. Simple things like controling your music application or the audible app are missing. These were features that I loved!!

What frustrates me is that I hesitated to buy an apple watch, thinking that fitbit has been excellent from day one, and they will certainly have a great product.

Now I realise my mistake, like many others, and I am really thinking about returning my watch :watch: and switching to another brand.

What really saddens me is the fact that  people have been complaining since September 2022 but I do not see that much has been done until now.

I am inclined to return my watch, because I do not know what will happen and also out of fear of missing my opportunity to replace my actual watch.

I really hope that you are going to listen and implement these changes.

Cheers

 

manon-b-
First Steps

I miss my Spotify 🥲

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