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
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
SunsetRunner
Not applicable
Return it if you still can. Fitbit mods are monitoring the comments but not responding, which means they have absolutely no plan to implement this.

Sent from my iPhone
Steveo2025
Jogger

I returned mine and got a garmin after seeing the lack of progress on this post. 

asiayeah
Pace Setter

I think we could probably close this request as fitbit has rejected it publicly:

 

https://9to5google.com/2023/02/17/fitbit-studio/

Fatal23
Recovery Runner

THIS IS AN OUTRAGE!

asiayeah
Pace Setter

"The Sense 2 and Versa 4 lack third-party app support, and that’s not going to change. Fitbit told 9to5Google today that it does “not have plans to offer third party apps on these health and wellness focused devices.” 

 

"In the grand scheme, it’s clear that Google wants people to buy the Wear OS-powered Pixel Watch to get a third-party app ecosystem."

 

Fitbit 3rd-party dev is for watch faces, not apps, on Sense 2/Versa 4 (9to5google.com)

Delhi-Bug
First Steps

Very dissappointed that 3rd party apps are not there. Its definitely a hugh step back after upgrading to the highest. That does not happen with reputed brands, it appears that my good opinion about Google was misplaced

Plod-Along
Jogger

Very disappointing. 
When they release a new model in a range, you naturally expect it to have all the features of the predecessor along with new features. This is not the case with Versa 4 and Sense 2. Those who have been with Fitbit for years have been misled by this branding. They should have released these products as a new range. 
OR kept google apps off this product and left it as Fitbit gallery only. That way they can up sell their Pixel Watch with the google brand with google apps. 

dave5591
Recovery Runner

Everyone please go to the Google store and give the  Fitbit App the lowest rating.  They pay attention to this and this is the only way we can show our dissatisfaction with their decision to kill off the FitBit by taking away 3rd party apps.

 

5 years from now everyone will be saying "Remember FitBits?"

"Oh yeah, weren't they those black rubber bands that people wore to exercise before smartwatches came along and wiped them out?"

 

Fitbit, you could have been a contender!!

 

 

asiayeah
Pace Setter

I just gave my rating to the fitbit app in Google Store. 

 

But I also would also say, "Don't beat the dead horse"

OrrinEdenfield
First Steps

Just canceled Fitbit Premium. Good luck getting customers back. Never buying Fitbit or Pixel devices again. 

Rizzo48
Jogger

Honestly, I bought my Sense 2 thinking it would be a step up and it was a huge disappointment. I can't control music or 3rd party apps. Also can't return because I bought from an outside retailer. Sense 2 is no better than the cheap ones. 

 

It's honestly just an expensive pedometer and no one should buy until they fix this.

JoeUsername
First Steps

Killing the product or brand would have been acceptable. Misleading people into “upgrading” to the newest, highest model number just as a money grab is shameful. This is likely to push more people away from Google’s future offerings rather than convert Fitbit users into new customers. I, for one, will not even consider making the switch to a pixel, at any point in the future, after being treated this way. 

who.knows.not
First Steps

Why don't we get any useful statement from Fitbit to this thread?

What I don't understand: the watch itself as well as the app even have "develper bridge" options prepared, while there is no possibility to develop apps for this device.

To me it seems as if business had stopped engineering from completing the product development after Fitbit was bought by Google.

Why don't we get a clear answer to our many questions?

 

P3trZ
Jogger

Very good Fitbit/Google, whatever you want. I can't return the Versa 4 anymore, but I will never buy any fitbit device again. Not me, not anyone in my extended family. And I won't recommend it to anyone else around me, and I'm just the kind of person everyone around me asks about these things.

And I won't even buy a Google Pixel watch (and I use a Pixel phone) because I don't want a device that won't last a day on battery. In fact, I won't buy a "smart" watch that I have to charge more than once a week."

Plod-Along
Jogger

I have a few days left to return my Versa 4 and think I’m going to.

 

It’s sad that, after being with fitbit since 2017, I have to either go elsewhere or buy an older model to get the desired functionality. 

 

I’m an iPhone user so don’t have the option to go for the Pixel Watch. 


I think I’m going to save a bit of money and “upgrade” to the previous model, Versa 3, as I’m keen to do a bit of watch face/app development, which I can’t do with this latest model. I’m happy giving up 20 exercises (which I won’t use), Google Wallet (which doesn’t work) and Google Maps (which isn’t available for iPhone users currently) for an app gallery, music control, Google Assistant (ironically), Fitbit pay which (hopefully) will work with my Revolut card and the ability to create my own apps and watch faces. 

Unless Fitbit/Google reevaluate their offering in the future, this will likely be the last Fitbit I will own as they seem to be shedding their support for an iPhone user base. Let’s face it, they are also losing some android customers too!

 

The next time I look for a smartwatch, I will probably no longer think of Fitbit as a first option. 

Versa 4/Sense 2 - don’t get me wrong, great hardware and packed full of sensors, but lacks functionality compared to the predecessors.

 

Versa 4 is the first device I’ve had an issue with so this is me allowing Fitbit some time to readdress their new business plan. Hopefully these models are a blip. If they don’t hold their hands up and say “Sorry customers, we got it wrong” and add back this functionality then I’m afraid it will be farewell Fitbit. 

P3trZ
Jogger

Even you can do something for your community.

 

Aplikace na Google Play.png

After buying a Fitbit Versa 4, I found out that Fitbit(new Google) no longer supports third party apps. The smartwatch is now a common and overpriced fitness tracker. This is a big downgrade compared to older/previous devices (I also have Versa2). Fitbit does not declare this change anywhere, basically deceiving the customer. Google wants people to buy its Pixel Watch, which is nonsense, this watch doesn't even last a day on battery. So Fitbit devices never again and I am also starting to move away from Google.

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