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
cyanders47
First Steps
Sadly, I already switched to an apple watch and don't regret my decision. I really wanted to stick with FitBit, but there is no incentive to do so.

Sent from my iPhone
Lag0409
First Steps

Had the original Sense until the screen randomly popped off one day. Been waiting months to get a new fitbit, couldn't justify the cost of the Sense2 because I didn't need the couple extra features so when a good deal on the Versa4 came up I was beyond happy to have a fitbit again(been wearing one since early 2017 so felt lost without it). Now wishing I'd done my homework before purchasing because I wouldn't have gotten what is essentially a downgrade due to the changes made, particularly the loss of 3rd party apps. Only had this for 3 days, may return it and look for other options unless there's concrete evidence things will be changing. Not cool Google, basically trying to force people into the Pixel which is so much more and not realistic for many people's wallets these days.

bestlife78
Recovery Runner
Return it now while you still can! We’ve all been waiting years for them to change and start adding additional features and it isn’t going to happen! Go with Garmin!
Sent from my iPhone
KawiTurbo
First Steps

I was ready to purchase a Versa 4 and like a lot of the new features but changed my mind when I found out that 3rd party apps had been removed. I love my music and enjoy having the ability to store and play on my Versa 2 and control my Spotify from the watch so I don't need to carry the phone with me all the time.

dev2smm
Jogger

Not having this capability limits the capability of this smartwatch and not one that will win customers over. It should be first on your list of items addressed so you offer to your target audience a usable smart watch not as its offered today.

SunsetRunner
Not applicable

They are now focusing on making their pixel products like the Pixel Watch. If you do, at least give us 3rd Party apps.

Emilytoy
First Steps

Oh, looks like nothing changed.

Fitbit continue to lose their reputation and even Google cannot fix it.

Customer service it is a joke, only words, no real results (not only in this topic, check any of them).

Features, votes, no responses for monthes, no updates.

Looks like problem related to company policy, customer satisfaction/revenue/reputation are not their focuses now.

Maybe later, maybe pixel will change it, maybe pixel is the last smartwatch on fitbit base.

scolt
First Steps

27 pages of displeased comments,

no official comments, it is a good feature, at least it can hide the breach about feature which does not work

scolt
First Steps

Do u have some plans for future support of latest "fitbit" devices?

Is it something like "dead" devices without future updates and support?

I think that not ful 3rd party app.is required, you can add at least few native apps to handle major requirements.

 

MyaMoonstone
First Steps

I just upgraded from the versa 2 and am very disappointed that I am not able to have other 3rd apps like spotify and others. Please change this when you upgrade you don't expect to lose features 

KymmieL
First Steps
I miss my versa2 that died.

Especially a few third party apps

Like barcodes for Stores.
Like my Kroger Shoppers card.
Lowes Card, Ikea, State Park Pass, AAA membership

Also, miss the Calendar and calculator.

Also wish I could do Pandora controls through the watch.

Wish you allowed third party apps.
Thanks
infinidim
Sprinter

As Sense 2 is the premier fitness watch that Fitbit Google offer it was a retro move to remove third party apps. If it is a Google / Fitbit policy to never support third party apps then please make an announcement so that existing and potential users can make an informed decision on which device to purchase / keep. 

PasiV
Stepping Up

I have Versa 2 and was considering between Versa 2 and Sense 2 before seeing this topic. Now I'm thinking of Versa 3... But I cannot compare Versa 3 and 4 at the product page. I guess not very much has happened between them. Too bad they cost the same.

MadreDrago64
Jogger

Please don't waste your money. Google has killed almost all the great features including 3rd party apps on their Fitbit watches.  They have also stopped selling Fitbit in many other countries.  Google is trying to move Fitbit’s customer base to their Pixel smartwatch. Since Google aquired Fitbit they have been slowing phasing Fitbit out.  Research Google’s decimation of Fitbit before making a decision to buy another Fitbit product.  Either buy a Pixel smartwatch or look elsewhere at other company’s smartwatch offerings.  Also, comment read through all the comments on this thread and you will see the frustration of Fitbit users.

LizzyFitbit
Premium User
Fitbit Moderator
Fitbit Moderator

Hi @KymmieL, we wanted to let you know that the ideas you recently posted already exist on the Product Feedback Board. You can see them here where you can add your vote to those existing product feedback:


Please try to make sure you only post one idea per product feedback, so we can keep the board organized, easily searchable and see which idea other members are voting for. Thanks for participating in Product Feedback.

AllisonGH
Jogger

I was confused to see this functionality removed. It seems like upgrading from my current Versa 2 to the Sense 2 would actually be a downgrade in some ways. They also removed the WiFi functionality? Seems to me they are worried about the Fitbit watches being too competitive with the Google Pixel Watch. Which isn’t very helpful for iPhone users like myself. I’m holding off on buying a new smartwatch until I can see what they bring back/update for the 2024 releases and if I don’t see improvement I may just switch to Apple Watch or another smartwatch. Buying a new Fitbit right now just feels like I’d be moving backwards.

Kosei
First Steps

Astonished with my versa 4 and its 0 support on 3rd party apps.

 

This is crazy 

Jojojill
First Steps

Had no idea versa 4 has no 3th party app available. Otherwise I maybe choose another version.

Miss the Barcode app really, was handy to get you card scanned for entree and sale discounts without having you phone with you. Special at the gym..

Please bring at least a Barcode app back .

 

CTHolt01
Jogger

I can't believe there has been no progress on this. The Sense 2 was released September 23, 2022. I have been patiently waiting to get apps like FitOn and Starbucks on here. What a waste of money if I can't use the same features that were part of the previous generations.  You have over 2,400 up votes and pages upon pages of comments. Hire me temporarily to be your Product Owner and I'll make sure people are getting what they want/need. This is the digital age. If you aren't prepping for the next watch/platform or falling behind longer than a year to get something out the door, then you are going to lose more and more customers. I went away from Fitbit and got sucked back in because certain Fitness Apps only use Fitbit. Now come to find out, it's only certain Fitbits. Ridiculous.

EdSieja
First Steps
Fitbit does not care about their customers anymore. Bottom line is Google
does not want Fitbit watches to compete with the Pixel watch. Well wake up
Google. Noone will buy a watch with less than 24 hour battery life.

Thanks,
-- Ed
P3trZ
Jogger

Exactly @EdSieja, I agree and I sign it. 

Fitbit is dead to me. I will never buy any of their devices again, me, any of my family or any of my friends. And on principle, so does google, nor any of their watches


EdSieja
First Steps
What is really sad is they ported "some" of the clockfaces. Unfortunately
for me since they never got to mine. I petitioned to get them ported and
they told me to wait for the new SDK. This was in August.

Thanks,
-- Ed
Philbo64
Jogger

Totally agree @P3trZ , I've monitored this thread for so long now and seen zero responses from fitbit. The silence is deafening and clearly demonstrates a lack of interest. I so despise these big companies buying up the little guy simply to trash and destroy them. As it happens, I need a new phone, so obviously a good point to jump to Apple, but seems like such a pain to move everything from Android, so in a bit of a dilema... jump to Apple (but not a fan) or stay with Android. I was thinking og a new Pixel 8 phone, but will not give Google any more of my money than I have to ... so looking at other brands. Thinking of Samsung, but not sure about the Galaxy watch ... would a Garmin be better? So, the only decisions I have definitely made are ... no new Fitbit and no Pixel anything.

EdSieja
First Steps
At this point the Samsung watch is way ahead of the Pixel watch. Still
can't believe Google would release a watch with less than 24 hour battery
life.

Samsung phones remain well ahead of the Pixel brand as well.

Thanks,
-- Ed
A2796
First Steps

I am very disappointed that my new versa 4 doesn’t do half the stuff my versa 2 did. After 3 year my versa 2 suddenly stopped working and would not update, i did what was suggested by the help team but nothing worked and they had no other way to help which is a bit annoying. So I got the new versa 4 and I’m told you can’t download 3rd party apps that there is a vote to see if they should add it back. The answer is yes! You can do so much more with it which is why I stuck with Fitbit. Wish I didn’t now. 

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