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
SunsetRunner
Not applicable

Fitbit NEEDS to fix this immediately, this is absurd, how can you release something new and make it be an expensive massive downgrade? 

I just got my Sense 2 a couple of days ago and I feel ridiculous for not knowing of this sooner, I didn't see it mentioned on the fitbit website, it doesn't show up on the comparison. You can't even call this a smart watch, it's just an overpriced health tracker.

We need the third party apps and music control functions. I'm only holding on to my watch for the few weeks within the return policy to see if they announce the update, otherwise I'm gonna return it and find something else that is actually smart. 

LizzyFitbit
Premium User
Fitbit Moderator
Fitbit Moderator

Hi @yvagary, we wanted to let you know that the ideas you recently posted already exist on the Feature Suggestions Board. You can see them here where you can add your vote to those existing suggestions:


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

coding398
Recovery Runner

Honestly just disgusting. My next watch won't be Fitbit if this isn't fixed and an apology is published.

oopcdaisies
Jogger

Just got my brand new Sense 2 today (after foolishly taking my “waterproof” Sense 1 for a swim when it was past the warranty). I got the 2 year warranty with this one, so I felt good about it. That is until I couldn’t find my bitmoji clock face anywhere today and after lots of googling found this thread. Literally the only reason I decided to stay with Fitbit instead of going to apple was because I loved my bitmoji clock face, and comparing mine and my daughter’s throughout the day. I can’t even be happy about this “upgrade”. I’m super sad on day 1 of owning this watch. I feel like I need to look into the return window here. I can’t believe it, but I was happier with my original sense, even when it was the “older” model. 

Melovell
Jogger

Regarding the Sense 2: Please bring 3rd party app capability. I'd also like a timeline on enabling on wrist calling. Is there any way to make it wifi capable? This is such a step back from the Sense, it's incredible.

 

 

Can we get the wifi enabled? It seems silly that it comes with the hardware for it, but we can't use it.  From my online research on the fitbits, I thought that I was going to get a powerful, capable fitness/smart watch. And now that I have it, we're finding out that it can't do half of the things we were promised.

Kelzar
Jogger

Just received my Sense 2 yesterday, while I like the look, the lack of apps is a deal breaker. I'll be returning...why on earth would they do this?

 

 

This isn't a question of if, but when these will become available

asiayeah
Pace Setter

So far, fitbit hasn't said a word on why 3rd party app support is not yet available. SDK is also not available for public developers. However, Sense 2 and Versa 4 are still being marketed as Fitbit OS devices or continuation of Sense and Versa series. Everyone are scratching their heads. 

ccjlipin
First Steps
I sent mine back 3 weeks ago. Such a downgrade!

Sent from my iPhone
Fatal23
Recovery Runner

@LizzyFitbit we are NOT posting idea’s, we are posting complaints!

 

Please treat them that way. 

jimmvdz
First Steps

I feel really dissappointed and also sort of misled third party apps are not supported. I mean: what reason would I have not to expect my Versa 4 to be an upgrade from the previous model? While this is clearly a massive downgrade? Fitbit, cut the crap and fix your products please

SunsetRunner
Not applicable

Anyone disappointed and has the ability to return it should do so. 

LinzE1312
First Steps

Words cannot express my disappointment in the Versa 4. I can no longer control my music from my watch (all I want is track skipping and volume adjustment) and I have to use Alexa instead of Google. I should return it, change my mind. 

Dopovo
Pace Setter

@YojanaFitbit What's the status of the possiiblity to review internaly this idea with the rest of the team?


(I would like to highlight that Fitbit went ahead and removed any reference of other apps in all the promotional documentation so I really think they've already made their mind, or, they never cared about what we are writing here)

YojanaFitbit
Moderator Alum
Moderator Alum

Hi @Kelzar, thanks for taking the time to share this suggestion about adding 3rd Party Apps on Sense 2 and Versa 4. I've moved it into a similar request. You can learn more about how Fitbit decides what suggestions get released in our FAQs. Click on the thumbs-up to show your support.

 

Thank you again for your participation in the Feature Suggestions Forums. 

SunsetRunner
Not applicable

Unfortunately, I just returned my Pixel Watch as it was mediocre in battery life and specific other shortages that see that I can get from Sense 2 !!

However, it now seems that Sense 2 third-party support is not expected in the near future, if at all, Sense 2 becomes almost useless and not a substitute for Pixel Watch.
Third-Party Support is an absolute MUST have
, otherwise, since Pixel Watch is useless as mentioned above, the only alternative is to change the Google ecosystem to Apple - which I'll hate, but not as much as I hate the non-support of third-party apps in Fitbit. 

Dillpickle9
First Steps

Versa 4 is very disappointing. No way to stream or download music, or 3rd party apps. I’m thinking of returning it. 

asiayeah
Pace Setter

There are 400+ votes already and many have already returned or going to return their Fitbit Sense 2 and Versa 4 because of this. Is Fitbit going to take any action yet?

SunsetRunner
Not applicable
Yeah, and you can't tell people to leave feedback/reviews on Amazon, target, and as many other sites as possible... Without the moderator taking the comment down. Clearly they don't want people saying how they truly feel about this product.
ZacharyWhite
First Steps

I gave up. I was so excited about the Sense 2, which really has all the hardware bits to be an excellent device. But Google made the deliberate decision to disable its wifi connectivity, disable the SDK and thus the ability for third party developers to build apps, and for some incredibly odd reason gave it Alexa integration, the only device (along with Versa 4) that works this way.

 

Did a fair amount of reading hoping to find hope that Google had plans to right this wrong. But found absolutely nothing. My opinion is that this was deliberate to prevent the Sense 2 and Versa 4 from cannibalizing sales from Google's new Pixel watch. Which if true, is infuriating.

 

Whatever the case may be, what, they did is inexcusable. To make essentially buying the newest to of the line device a downgrade... Unbelievable.

 

Anyway, I was so mad that after 4 different Fitbit devices I gave up, returned the Sense 2, and bought a Garmin Forerunner 

SunsetRunner
Not applicable

@ZacharyWhite, regretfully, your comments are all so very true, I couldn't agree more !!

It's a pity that Fitbit/Google act so arrogant to those otherwise loyal supporters. It is after all our money they live from, but as you chose yourself, we can spend our money elsewhere - I am actually going for a Garmin myself.

SunsetRunner
Not applicable

If the strategy was to not cannibalize sales from Google's new Pixel watch, that was a bad one. Fitbits are compatible with iPhone, whereas the Pixel watch is not.

 

Being an iPhone user, I can't use the Pixel watch without also buying a new phone. So, I returned my Sense 2 and bought an Apple Watch. As someone who used to have an Android phone, I'm now going deeper into the Apple ecosystem, making any switch back to Android even more difficult.

 

Ultimately, I think the Sense 2 and Versa 4 devices were ready before the software. Instead of delaying the release of the devices, they thought they would release it anyway and people wouldn't mind.

MaryNQT
First Steps

I am with everyone else who is disappointed that the versa 4 does not have third party apps. I upgraded from a versa 2 to versa 4 thinking it would have the same features with extras like more exercises. I can't even rearrange the order of top exercises or rearrange how the tiles show up on my watch. The swiping for scrolling is tedious and fiddly. I will look into returning this and just getting another versa 2. Or consider changing smartwatches after years of fitbit loyalty. Disappointed in fitbit. 

rajat1048
Base Runner

This is really stupid move to remove 3rd party apps from the newest so called flagship smartwatch from fitbit. BTW whats the status of this? When we are getting the 3rd party apps enabled for this? Its not a suggestion but its a complaint!

cyanders47
First Steps
Please bring back the ability to control or view your music from your wrist via Spotify, Amazon Music or Pandora. Any of these would be just fine. I specifically didn’t buy an Apple Watch because I thought the Fitbit would be able to do this. Other 3rd party apps would be helpful too, but these are the most important to me.
YojanaFitbit
Moderator Alum
Moderator Alum

Hi @cyanders47, thanks for taking the time to share this suggestion about adding third party apps on Sense 2. I've moved it into a similar request. You can learn more about how Fitbit decides what suggestions get released in our FAQs. Click on the thumbs-up to show your support.

 

You might be also interested in this related requests: Bring back music capabilities (Spotify & Deezer) Versa 4 & Sense 2 and Amazon Music.

 

Thank you again for your participation in the Feature Suggestions Forums.

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