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.

[SunsetRunner]

I have gotten the update, but I don't know if I should update it or not?

The difference between Apple and Fitbit is that Apple doesn't use new tech immediately, it waits to see if it was a success for other brands. Then if it was they add the feature, for example, USB-C was released, Google used it but Apple didn't on its iPhone. Fitbit, engineer the software and hardware depending on how we use our watches, and what updates you will put.

[1GinnyME1]

With all the posts on here saying it's not a good idea, I would say, no, don't do it. 

I get it. A product should work as intended though. If you purchase a new car, it should work. If you purchase a new fridge, it should work. I you purchase a new washer and dryer, it should work. We as consumers shouldn't have to trouble shoot our brand new Fitbit for days on end because of constant software issue which for me was straight out of the box (Sense 2 bought 07/14/2023). If it was any of the products meantioned above, anyone else would have returned it immediately (not the car obviously) and not deal with this anymore. 

[GameOn]

I just went through this for 6 months with Fossil. I'm not doing it again with this company.

[N8teGee]

I guess there are two update channels right now, with the factory reset falling back to the previous release/channel as a fail safe. I assume at some point the new FW will get moved to the factory reset channel, so then it will not be possible to set it up without updating to this latest release.

For now I would advise everyone not to update, at least until we have seen that the issue has been fixed.

[TheVinny]

Not sure what's going on exactly but I updated my newer Sense 2 watch yesterday (as requested by Fitbit Support through email correspondence) but the update would not go through and now I no longer get those update reminders. This is for the newest .61 update that failed. I am still on .52 and everything working like it should be, perfectly.

Then, went ahead and updated my older sense 2 (just to see what if anything happens) and that one also would not update and once again I no longer get the "New Update Available' reminders every time I open my app and working with .52 version.

Is it possible they are no longer using .61 at this time until it gets fixed?

Hard to believe both watches would fail getting the .61 download unless intentional and then not receive the new update available notice.

[infinidim]

@LizzyFitbit would you like to comment on @TheVinny last post?

[Smonger37]

I did update my Sense 2 and now it doesn’t work correctly!!!!! It won’t read my heart rate or have all of my apps on the watch. The time will also stop! In fact, I have to reset the watch two to three times a day to get it to work!! My suggestion to anyone who receives the update, don’t do it! I would like someone from Fitbit to reach out to me about correcting these issues. 

I have the same problem and I have to reset my watch multiple times during the day!

It didn’t for me. 

[Kmorri10]

I did the factory reset and everything’s back to normal. I just ignore the update recommendations until Fitbit fixes this huge problem.

[Smonger37]

Do a factory reset and don’t click for the new update on the app. My watch worked perfectly fine until the update. 

[1GinnyME1]

All these forms tells users NOT to install the update. Just installed & reinstall & don't install the new update. Good luck! 

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi everyone, and welcome to our new members.

Thanks for sharing details on your watch's behavior and the troubleshooting you've tried so far. I wanted to share with you that the issues with the Sense 2 not recording heart rate data and syncing with the Fitbit app after the firmware update have been escalated to our team. They're aware of this and are currently working to get it resolved.

I'm sorry for the experience that you've had and rest assured we'll continue monitoring this thread to keep our team informed of your feedback.

@1GinnyME1 Because you haven't received the new update version, I'd encourage you to start a new thread if you have other questions. This is to prevent any confusion, and so you can receive help from the Community.

[infinidim]

@LizzyFitbit thanks for coming onto this topic and your support on these issues. 

[Ievuska]

Yes. I did. It did not help 😞

[FitbitUser0721]

I got the update, which stopped my watch from constantly asking me to go to double tap for payment- but now it isn’t monitoring my sleep or my oxygen levels and it won’t sync without turning Bluetooth on and off I have an  Apple phone ( wish. In hindsight, I just simply got an Apple Watch.) 

Anyway, if you do a factory reset it goes back to the 184.52 previous software which also seems not great, because I’m back to constantly seeing this option to pay with my watch. So long story short, it’s basically unwearable.

[1GinnyME1]

My posts are all revelent to the issue to the Sense 2. No, you are correct, I don't have the update and, don't want it if it means me having to do more extra work to make it work, I'd rather return it & get a Galaxy Watch and be done with it. But I have 10 years vested in Fitbit so I'm trying to stick it out. What other thread do you want me to post on when I only have a Sense 2? 

[infinidim]

@1GinnyME1 I have a similar time using Fitbit and will also stick with it but I will expect Fitbit to invest time in getting the Sense 2 and Versa 4 working properly. 

[TheVinny]

As Lizzy stated just today here, Fitbit Support emailed me the following this morning so they obviously finally recognize the actual problem and are working on it.

Hi Vincent, Thanks for confirming that you've followed the suggestions shared in our previous email.

Let us explain that the issues with the Sense 2 not recording heart rate or syncing has been reported to our team and they're currently working on this. We apologize for any inconvenience this has caused, and appreciate your patience. Please know we'll continue monitoring this situation.

If you have any other questions about your Fitbit device or services, visit help.fitbit.com

Sincerely, *** and the Fitbit Team

End of Email.

That's fine for me for now. Just make sure whoever is looking for a solution that you have firmware version 184.52. You can see which firmware version you have on your phone by clicking on your photo and then Sense 2 and it displays up top. Or on your Fitbit under settings and then About Sense 2 and then "System Info" will also show which version you are currently using.

If you have .61 with all the problems mentioned here then simply sync your device on your smart phone, tablet or whatever you use first (so all current numbers are up to date), then go to your Fitbit itself, tap 'Settings', then tap 'About Sense 2', and then tap 'Factory Reset'. And you will then be updated back to .52 which works fine. You'll have to start over with clock faces but not much else to deal with. And for now I'm no longer getting the New Update Available notice which was a pain to keep deleting. Some others here claim different issues but I do not think those are related to this Firmware set of bugs. 

[dp_8]

Since using this update my sense2 struggles to sync with the app and on several occasions has stopped recording my heart rate for long periods of time. 
I’ve turned the watch, the Bluetooth connection and the phone off several times and the problems still persist. I didn’t have any of these problems prior to the update. 
Is this a problem other people have been having? Will there be a new update to sort it? It’s quite frustrating not being able to sync and loosing my heart rate readings which I regularly check for health reasons. 
Many thanks in advance for any help you can offer.

[Guy_]

Hi @dp_8 - the symptoms you are having are the same as the others after the update (see other people's posts in this thread) the remedy is to factory reset your watch and set it up again and not apply the update if prompted.

[eswhitesell]

This update ruined my versa 2, and a brand new device that I got today is doing the exact same thinf you describe. Brand NEW!… 🙄 It starting to feel like a “we want you to spend money” type of thing. There was absolutely nothing wrong before this update. Super annoying!