Sense 2 is unusable after the latest firmware update v210.26

[SunsetRunner]

Hi Wonderful Fitbit Community, 

I have my Sense 2 since Jan 2024, and I love it for all its health-related features. It has become unusable since I applied the latest firmware update (v210.26) few days ago. 

My Sense 2 would randomly vibrate and start "GPS Running" and "Outdoor Biking" in the middle of night even though (a) I have turned on the "Sleep Mode" and (b) I turned off all auto-detect workouts recognition. The auto-detect workouts would be incorrectly and randomly turned on during daytime as well. 

I do not have YouTube Music Premium on my mobile. The latest firmware update would cause my Sense 2 randomly started the YouTube Music on my device even though I am just quietly sitting and working at my desk. 

I have reached out to Google Customer Care Team, and reported the issues. They recommend me to do a factory reset, then observe and monitor. The agent told me that a factory reset *might* resolve the issues I have been experiencing. I am asking if there are options other than doing a factory reset on my device, and the answer given is "no". 

Any advice? Much appreciated. 

[felixharmon55]

Thank you I will try it. 

[Zze]

Well given it's only 8-9 months old, surely there is another option: them providing a full refund as your device is clearly faulty/not fit for purpose.

[felixharmon55]

I sure need my Fitbit to work 

[DockKnowtorious]

Mine is randomly detecting exercises, sometimes when I'm doing nothing, sometimes when I'm in the middle of an aerobic workout it initiates the detection of an elliptical workout. It's become totally wacky and totally unreliable for detecting workouts since the update.

[phatbitzr]

Turning off auto detect of exercise has to be done on the watch's exercise app itself.  You have to enter a bicycle exercise session, then turn off auto-start there.

[Jayne.ME]

Jumping on this thread.  My sleepscore, bpm and heart rate have stopped working on the 29th, also done update and running on 210.26

Any way it's connected?

[Zze]

Yes.  Lack of sufficient testing on recent updates has made a lot of these completely unusable.

Mine will be on its way to Hong Kong soon for 'assessment' (it won't even boot up now).

[Jayne.ME]

I've reported to google-fitbit and they have escalated it to tier2 support , so now waiting on an email update. 

[DakineGrrl]

Whenever I've had issues (and there had been many) with my Sense 2 and have had it elevated to tier 2 "technical support", I've never received any follow-up. I hope you have better luck than I did. The customer service for Fitbit is horrible, and I'm sure that's in part to a massive overload of people complaining about these watches. The lack of complete assessment of updates is no doubt a huge part of the problem.

[Zze]

Request initiation of the return/refund process given the device no longer works properly.

[Zze]

So apparently I've got a replacement Sense 2 on the way.

I wonder if it will be unusable out of the box, given the latest software release for these is completely useless?

[Jayne.ME]

I will.

[Zze]

My replacement arrived this morning.

First thing it prompted for after pairing with my phone is a software update. I fully expect it to be useless once applied.

Are Google devs even trying to fix this?

[DockKnowtorious]

It certainly doesn't seem like they're trying to fix it.

Some people think, and have even written articles about it, that Google is trying to destroy the value of Fitbit SmartWatches so that people buy Google smartwatches.

For me it just means I'm going to get a different Fitness device that is definitely not google, the next time I purchase one.

[Jayne.ME]

An update.

I phoned yesterday morning after waiting 24 hours and no hassle they sent a packing slip to replace the replacement!  

It's parceled off. The first time it was 7 days, so hopefully this will be just as quick.  

[Jayne.ME]

An update.

I phoned yesterday morning after waiting 24 hours and no hassle they sent a packing slip to replace the replacement!  

It's parceled off. The first time it was 7 days, so hopefully this will be just as quick.  

[Jayne.ME]

I hope not , but if they are replacing everyone's then it could be that the firmware has caused a hardware problem? But this will keep happening until they pull release 210.26 and fix it. 

[Zze]

FWIW my replacement was shipped as soon as they had confirmation that the faulty one had been collected by the courier.

[Zze]

Mine with 'latest' released update is (60.) 20001.194.86