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.

[engifineer]

I have found the Sense2 to be poor at best when I started using it and only getting worse. The sleep tracking is and always has been broken. Only tracks sleep after midnight and even then is way off. And no, does not put the sleep pre midnight on the previous day. If I trusted this thing, I have slept about 2 hours per night for the past year. So I stopped using it for that. Mainly just wanted something decent for tracking run data. And that gets progressively worse each use. It routinely tells me I started running nearly 1/4 mile later than I started running. Today, it chopped a half mile off my run. During the run it was telling me I was running nearly 1.5 minutes slower than I was (going by distance and time I was on my normal pace). Some days it decides to stop and start a new run halfway through and loses data in between. Some days it tracks the whole run, then it just disappears forever and never syncs to the phone that was in my pocket the entire run. Talked with friends who are serious runners to see if they had any better luck and basically was told by all of them to toss it and get a real tracker lol. All had the same issues. I have tried to make it work well for a year, done with it now. By far the very least reliable tracker I have ever used so far. Sad, as I really wanted to like it! 

[bfefer]

It hasn’t ever happened to me, so I can’t help. 🤷‍:female_sign:

[USMC-RCD]

I would comtact Fitbit support, as I have not experienced this myself.

[SunsetRunner]

Hi there,

I'm really disappointed with your new update. I detest the layout & I no longer have battery notification.

Really upset by this new update 😭

[USMC-RCD]

You are right, I didn’t realize battery indicator was also not available;
whoever thought this was an improvement obviously isn’t a Fitbit user.

[1GinnyME1]

• This release includes bug fixes and improvements.

When do the bug fixes & improvements start exactly?

As of the post dated 07/13/2023, it's been one big bug problem with no fix in sight. #justsayin. I encourage fellow Fitbit users not to update to 194 to save them addition heartache & misery for the upcoming future to come. 

[SunsetRunner]

Thanks for replying. I'm new to Fitbit & community forums I've only had mine since May.

Let's hope the next update is a much better version 🫰

[cbrafu]

First

SecondThe EndFinally got back my screen to light up after the battery was completely drained but now its in a Update loop that will not stop updating by itself. My battery is currently at less then 5 procent it is synced to my phone now, but every time i want to keep going to makes sureeee to start updating to a new firmware.

From what i can see my firmware version is: 60.3001.153.50 and i have a Sense 2.

This is very very annoying as i stated previously. i had to resort to my existing Versa(1e gen) and TBH and IMO the screen reaction and display is faster than my current sense 2.

Its asking me to choose a language and to sync to my phone but it keeps restarting on its own. WHY FB WHY?

That big red cross after constant restart is very very annoying.

[LokeAa]

Firmware 153.50 is the original firmware. I think they have suspended firmware 194.61. Your Sense will update to 184.52 . It was released in nov or december  last year and is stable. First - Charge your Sense to at least 50% - Clear Fitbit App cache - Restart by pressing the button for approx 10 seconds. Sense 2 uses Blutooth to update - keep your phone close - 

I performed a factory reset on my Sense a couple of days ago - and it restarted a total of 8 times before the installation of firmware 184.52 was complete.

Hope this helps.

[USMC-RCD]

Good advice, but a little hesitant to delete cache and my history.

[cbrafu]

@LokeAa ended up and started to do the same thing. finally i have no screen once again. can't add my fitbit to my device, clear the cache clear everything. removed the device from my phone still no luck. now that i don't see anything gotta wait once again when the battery drains again. So this will take approx 3-5 days.

It keeps trying and trying to update. but i am a person with a lot of patience but not when something gets messed up by something that's supposedly will improve what you currently have.

[Fiittycent]

Im having issues. Not collecting health metrics. Stopped tracking HR. Didnt collect sleep data last night .I dont like the visual on the new app. Not as good and useful as the old app, despite the additions.

[TheVinny]

This thread won't die. I guess that's what happens when the latest update still hasn't been fixed. It's been over three months since it first rolled out. I mean that's a long time for Fitbit and Google to correct what's needed to make it work as intended. What's going on?

It also sounds like two different issues are now being commented on. The update itself and a new layout design it sounds like. I haven't received or seen the new layout yet. But if battery readings are no longer available on new layout that sounds like a bad idea to me. But my chosen clock face shows me that so not sure what it all means yet. But the Sense 2 update that this thread was started for,  for me, hasn't shown up again in well over a month now and my Fitbits are both working great, as they should be. 

It also sounds like many of the posted issues here are not related to the update itself. 

Again, by doing a factory reset I went from the .62 flawed update back to .52 which hasn't had any issues for me in well over a month now. 

[1GinnyME1]

The new app update is horrendous! The should have focused on fixing the Sense 2 update rather than worrying about an app update. I'm running 152 and the battery %is still there if you scroll down from the home screen. 

[TheVinny]

I see the last poster before me posted some screenshots. When I tried months ago it wouldn't allow me. Any chance somebody can post what the new app update layout looks like? I'm fine running the .52 Sense 2 app. But seems like many others are getting the prompt for the .62. I wonder if these are new devices or fitbit is rolling out the .62 again.

[SunsetRunner]

It’s complete garbage. Very frustrating and I’m probably going to go with a competitor over the weekend. They’ve had long enough to “fix” this issue. Even this website says they have long wait times. Complete garbage now.  

[1GinnyME1]

Hey Vinny,

Here screenshots of my new app update.

Thank you,

Ginny

[TheVinny]

I guess your screenshots are a lot like mine, they don’t show up. I see screenshots when I scroll up the page somebody posted of their Sense 2 not updating but I have never been able to post one on this thread myself and I’m looking for yours of the new layout and I don’t see anything. Life is like this ha ha

[Guy_]

Hi All, hope this helps clarify a few issues:

• If your watch is on 184.52 firmware and you have specific issues, use separate posts in the forums, you are more likely to get help
• If you are waiting to receive the 194.61 update, it has seemingly been withdrawn indefinitely, as it had too many problems.
• If you are waiting for the 194.61 update to resolve day to day issues, even if it were available it is unlikely to help and could make things seriously worse.
• if you are already on 194.61 and having issues, a factory reset [not without risk, but fine if still under warranty] will reinstall the more stable 184.52 firmware during the setup again which may improve things for you.

Fitbit have [or are] rolling out a new unneeded Fitbit App version 4 for the phone, as an update to version 3 with no choice to switch or not..

• If you have received it already, it seems it is not well liked and is a retrograde step with things missing but unfortunately you are stuck with it.
• if you haven't received it yet, be sure the settings on your phone are set to NOT install phone App updates automatically - this is the only way to stick with the better and more functional V3 version.

Why Fitbit are issuing a new App version before resolving the more important watch issues is a mystery.

For all other issues using separate posts in the forums is a better method to get individual help.

[infinidim]

@Guy_

WWell said. I also think that comments about the new app, good or bad, should be moved to another area. 

@LizzyFitbit when are you going to come back on this thread and give us an update, good or bad. You are loosing customers.