Sense 2 Firmware Update 194.61

[LizzyFitbit]

7/13 Update: We’re continuing to roll out this firmware for the Sense 2 Firmware Update 194.61, and expect more customers are able to update their devices. This is a progressive rollout and all customers can expect to have it within a few weeks. We release updates in phases so that we can monitor performance closely and make adjustments if needed. If you don't see the option to update, don't worry - you'll have it soon!

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We’re excited to announce that a firmware update version 194.61 for Sense 2 will be available soon! Some of you might already have this update available. If you installed it, let us know what you think!

We release updates to customers in phases. If you don’t see it, check the Fitbit app in a few days, and you’ll see a message when you can install the update. We appreciate your patience while we get this update to all of our customers.

*Firmware releases are not distributed based on region or location and can reach anyone no matter where you reside. We do not recommend performing a factory reset to force the update to your device as your data will be lost and you may not get the update. Please be patient and wait until you see the update banner inside of the Fitbit app to begin the firmware download.

WHAT’S NEW AND FIXED

• View menstrual health tracking on your watch. For more information, see How do I use the Fitbit app to track my period?
• Swap between saved clock faces directly on your watch. For more information, see How do I change the clock face on my Fitbit device?
• View your daily readiness score on your watch (Premium feature only). For more information, see What’s my daily readiness score in the Fitbit app?
• Your watch now supports dynamic GPS. For more information, see How do I use GPS on my Fitbit device?
• Support for global characters and right-to-left text notifications:
  Arabic
  Hebrew
  Thai
  Hindi
  Vietnamese
• This release includes bug fixes and improvements.

Full release notes can be found here. For more details, please see this Community Blog post.

HOW DO I UPDATE?
See How do I update my Fitbit device? for step by step instructions for updating your Sense 2. If you run into difficulty updating, review these Why can't I update my Fitbit device?

We’re interested in hearing your feedback on this update! Let us know what you like! If you encounter unexpected behavior during or after your update, please post the details below.

[Riffraff4947]

I am having the same issue. Even after shutting the Fitbit down and turning off/on Bluetooth the hourly activity does not update in the app but shows on the Fitbit Versa 4. 

[Spookie]

Sense 2 firmware update so now function of watch has been effected. 
ECG - error reload (doesn’t work)

not showing sleep results 

i have rebooted watch many times I have disconnected to Bluetooth I’ve switched iPhone off and on 

running out of ideas !! 

[Kimbo21]

@LizzyFitbit 

I think you can see from the comments the pure frustration here, a lot of this could be sorted by Fitbit just admitting we messed up, we haven’t tested the update properly and we are working hard to fix it rather than burying your head in the sand and continuing to roll out the update to effect more people, mistakes happen but own the problem 

[TheVinny]

How many times can someone whine and threaten to leave Fitbit ("bye bye Fitbit") but yet keep on a posting and complaining with nothing else helpful or useful whatsoever?

I for one know it will be worked out. And I have 7 years of data that has definitely helped my life and I have no interest and dumping it all because a single update has some issues.

And hopefully most of us posting here is somewhat useful to getting these things resolved.

So, on that note, I'll keep this as simple as I can.

I've mentioned I have two Fitbit Sense 2 watches. The older one was put into storage a couple months ago when I bought the newer one (but is always good to have a backup if needed). But when the newer one received the 'Newest Update' discussed in Lizzy's initial post on this thread, all kind of problems ensued. Wouldn't sync without turning off and on Bluetooth and even more importantly Heart Rate tracking would just stop without notice several times in a day. And without HR tracking all kinds of other readings are affected and missing including sleep readings.

So I switched out my newer Fitbit that had the new problem update for my older one that hadn't received the new update. And the older one worked perfectly. But then the update came around for that one and based on advice on these forums I simply declined it so that my Fitbit kept on working. (It is however a hassle to decline it every single time I open the app. And it takes up 1/3 of the screen so really no choice but to keep X ing out the new update.)  

BUT THEN, I received emails from Fitbit Support telling me to take my problem fitbit back out and gave instructions to do a hard "Factory Reset" and then start over. So I did just that. But to my surprise when I did a hard reset the newest problem update did not come automatically when I did the factor reset. It was only right after the reset completed did that 'Newest Update' come up. So instead of accepting I thought let me FIRST see if my Fitbit now works normally again without that update. AND IT DID. It worked perfectly. So anyone with eyes can see the problem is not with my newer Sense 2 Fitbit  (or my older Sense 2 Fitbit) but 100 percent with the UPDATE ITSELF.

So, the next thing I did was switch back over to my older Fitbit that hadn't received the update which of course worked great as expected. And then, yesterday afternoon, I went ahead and updated that one just to see if problems started up. And sure enough they did start up with that watch. It would not sync this morning at all, twice, even though it was bluetooth connected and right next to my phone and my wifi. BUT ALSO, for the first time ever, I lost 20 minutes of heart rate tracking from 5:40 am until 6:05 am. A blank section. Fortunately it did restart on its own and I didn't really lose data. BUT the fact it wouldn't sync and HR stopped on that otherwise perfect watch until installing the update proves without a shadow of a doubt that the issue is 100 percent with the update. So I have TWO Fitbit devices that ONLY have issues once I install the newest update.

And on top of that, when I do a hard reset (which does not come with this problem update unless I manually agree to install it afterwards) it goes back to working perfectly.

So, for anybody that wants to avoid these issues all you have to do is a hard factory reset and then refuse the new update. It is quite simple and a quick fix. 

You simply:

1- Sync your Fitbit on your phone first to make sure all data is saved.

2- Go to your Fitbit itself, then go to settings, scroll to bottom and tap the 'About Sense' box, and then click 'Factory Reset'.

At that point your device will be back to normal. BOTH of mine did.

BUT once the new update shows up you should skip it until they get a fix for it. Skipping it means annoying "New Update' reminder every time you open the app. But that is less annoying (to me anyway) than losing out on HR tracking without notice and having to turn off/on bluetooth to sync.

The next step for me will be to install the new update again to my newest Fitbit (which is now working perfectly again after factory rest but without installing new update) but I already KNOW it will be a problem since it happened to my older one that just updated YESTERDAY. The one that was problem free until I installed the new update. 

That's the latest. Fitbit should offer a fix to this update and and mention in somewhere and all will be better.

I assume they are working on it because it takes time and costs them money for employees in Fitbit Support to have to keep dealing with this issue in forums, on phone calls and emails.

Moderator Edit: Word choice

[Kmorri10]

Same!!! I’m going to look into a refund by Best Buy because the device is not useful if it doesn’t stay charged for more than a few hours. Fitbit owes the entire user base an apology and an immediate fix. This isn’t an IT mystery.

[CommanderRN]

This firmware version will not update to my device. I try to load it and it goes through the motions. Halfway through updating, with the update bar 45 - 50% across the screen, the device returns to full display mode, but that app still says updating. After a further few minutes the app indicates complete and the "update available" panel is gone. However, a check on the device firmware version still indicates the old revision. Resetting the app, the phone, the device, even a factory reset, does not change the situation. The device simply will not update.  The affect on the device was that it became very instable, presumably to to a botched update. After many tries I have given up and reset the device back to factory default. I am not holding my breath for a fix.

[1GinnyME1]

@TheVinny

This is my first time having a Sense 2. My previous Fitbits were all Charges. What I can tell you is that this is my second one since my original one last Thursday 07/13/2023. That one, if I left my house, it didn't work. I had to re-pair it 4 times that day/night and I got it working with the help of Customer Service support. At 10 pm, it was working. At 1 am 07/14/2023 I woke up to it displaying the Fitbit logo. I took it back to the retailer later that day for an exchange. The second one, I randomly get calls/text notifications, the other option work when it wants too. I don't have the update so I don't have no clue as why it's not working as intended. My phone is 100% updated which is why I believe it's the Sense 2 Fitbit software that's the issue because my Charge 4 still works as intended. 

[TheVinny]

@1GinnyME1 

Even if both of your Sense 2 watches are actually bad apples, it's safe to say that it's nonetheless a rarity. I've probably had 12 now over 7 years and they've been fantastic. And couple that stopped working during the first year were all covered by warranty. One was washed off into the ocean. 

Fitbit has been a LIFE CHANGER for me. When I don't get enough sleep or have too many steps or too many active minutes I know to cut back and/or go to bed earlier. It's been so valuable. 7 years worth. And maybe it was you but someone here said they had 9 years with them. Where else do you go? I'm an Apple guy but no way do I want an Apple Watch with 18 hours battery verses 6 days with Fitbit. And all of that data is valuable to compare to see trends over the years.

I would just suggest returning your watch again and starting over. The Sense 2 is the best one I've ever had. 

My point was just that several people, yes including you, kept saying I'm leaving Fitbit, marriage is over, bye bye fitbit, quitting for good etc etc. and not much else at all. Fine it's a free country so people leave all the time and find better products for them. But I'm just trying to get this thing resolved and hard to wade through all the other comments looking for solutions here.

Good luck whatever you do and thank you for the detailed post about your bad experience with the Sense 2. I would suggest not giving up. I've had two great ones until the new update messed with them. 😮 

Moderator Edit: Word choice

[GameOn]

I wish to apologize for my angry posts as I have reached a point after 4 months that my patience is gone.  I hope I didn't offend anyone.  Doesn't change the way I feel but.....

[alexanderdemaet]

This is the 2nd time I am having issues with the firmware updates. 

I am going to hardware reset the device and from now on I WILL IGNORE ALL NEW FIRMWARES! 

The continuous hart beat monitor was working fine. 

This time I am not getting any sleep scores anymore. 

[Guy_]

Hi @alexanderdemaet - note: doing a factory reset will normally install the latest firmware again, unless it has been withdrawn, which hopefully is the case seeing the problems it is causing.

[1GinnyME1]

No need to apologize. We're all frustrated that we purchased a $200+ watch that doesn't do what's it's supposed to do and for some ungodly reason the customers are forced to figure out how to fix it? It should work as intended without all the hassle & runaround. Most are running out of time to return, others are running out of patience. I need the calls/text notifications to work for work. My Charge 4 works, so how come the newer Sense 2 can't? Is it be possible because in Guatemala, they don't have the technology like in the USA? Because they don't actually need the update since as @TheVinny has the proof it's not even needed? 

[Guy_]

Thanks @TheVinny for your comprehensive reporting.

I haven't seen any sign yet (as of July 18) of the update announced June 27 for a Versa 4 which shares the same platform.

What your report seems to indicate is:

1. They may have stopped the roll out to everyone, hopefully.

2. They haven't retracted the update to those who received it already, which is strange due to the serious problems it causes, especially if they have stopped further rollout.

3. The bug in the setup process where the latest update doesn't automatically get installed for new watches, hasn't been fixed.

It is odd because the fix for not getting the latest firmware was to factory reset after the first installation which causes the latest firmware to be installed automatically, rather than waiting for the download to arrive several days later (otherwise version dependent actions fail during the wait).

Something may be stored in the cache if the watch has already been installed and updated and not removed perhaps.

There are probably 3 versions, .50, .52, and .61.

If you end up with .50 after a factory reset then it didn't even install .52.

[alexanderdemaet]

After the factory reset, I am on firmware 184.52. I keep ignoring the new firmware! 

[N8teGee]

@TheVinny

Good bit of testing there. And some good results to confirm that it is in fact an issue with the latest FW.

So this begs the question as to why Fitbit are still rolling it out seeing as it has some major issues.

Hopefully @LizzyFitbit will see your post and pass it onto the relevant people. After all, what is the point of a staged rollout if it isn't paused after the first set of users have reported issues. 

[infinidim]

@N8teGee I would be very interested in the answer to this as well.

@LizzyFitbit given that you have seen all the posts about issues with the latest firmware for the Sense 2 and Versa 4. Also the Charge 5 which has even got into the press and social media, why is Fitbit not stopping the roll put of this version and what is being done to resolve the issues that have been reported on this forum? 

[TheVinny]

Yes, with the factory reset I get update .52. I assume we all start off with .50 (original firmware when Sense 2 first rolled out). But the newest PROBLEM CHILD UPDATE, .61, only comes in after .50 and .52 are automatically installed. .61 for now is still optional. That's obviously a big deal. It means IF you can live with the dumb 'New Update' reminder notice every single time you open your app then at least the watch will work as intended without losing tracking and all kinds of sync issues. 

At this time my newer Sense 2, that was the initial problem watch after installing newest .61 update, was factory reset a few days ago and operating with .52 update after I declined .61 optional update. All is working perfectly once again. Remember, that one had all the problems with the update and now without it works flawlessly after rolling it back to previous firmware, .52. So we know where the problem lies.

And my original and older Sense 2 that saved the day for me because was never updated to newest .61 version, and which has now been updated to .61 over the weekend, has had nothing but the same exact problems I had with the newer one a couple weeks ago. Just before switching over this evening it would not sync at all and heart rate would not even read sleep time for a nap I took earlier. I could add as much time as I wanted which is never the case when working correctly. 

Once I roll that older sense 2 back to factory reset (.52) probably tomorrow I will then do as asked and take my newer Sense 2 that wearing now and do the new .61 update just to humor Fitbit email support which asked me to do the hard reset last week. 

After that (I am sure) fails as has every other time I used .61 I will just use .52 for both and get back to work and back to LIFE for however long it takes for them to FIX THE ISSUE. 

It's an embarrassment for Fitbit and Google and certainly not without additional costs for them just dealing with all this. 

[GameOn]

It's truly starting to feel like they don't care. I'm gonna ride this out for curiosity. Using a different watch until all is fixed.😓.
I've had 3 different tech agents start to troubleshoot with me and halfway through they leave the chat telling me it's been escalated and I'll receive an email. Very rude!! And 2 weeks later NO email.

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Not to mention the large amount of people that are jumping ship. I can't blame them. It's no wonder all their products are on sale everywhere for 30 percent off. Lol

[infinidim]

@GameOn that is not good customer service at all..

@LizzyFitbit you need to raise this feedback about the quality of support we are getting as customers. As you know I had three cases closed without resolution on Google Wallet on the Sense 2 before I got it fixed, no thanks to Fitbit support. 

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@TheVinny I think that this is absolute proof that there is an issue with this updated version of firmware for the Sense 2 and I am sure for the Versa 4 as well. We already know from social media there is a similar issue with the same version of firmware on the Charge 5.

Thank you for all your efforts and updates. 

@LizzyFitbit surely from this managed and documented testing of the latest firmware Fitbit surely must pause the roll-out of this version of firmware before they loose all credibility in the smart watch / tracker marketplace? 

[TheVinny]

I should mention when I did my factory reset on both watches now it does take time to download AN update, which is .52 (which works great).

It's just that this bad update (.61) is not rolled into it that one yet. At least not for mine. That was a nice unexpected surprise. And my wife who also has the Sense 2 still hasn't received her update notice yet.

I assume anybody buying a brand new watch will get .61 built into the setup process which would explain why some new watch users are having issues. Maybe Lizzy or someone from support can verify that one way or another.