Sense Firmware Update OS 5.1.1 (44.128.4.17)

[FitbitCommunity]

Update 12/11/2020: An update OS 5.1.1 (44.128.4.17) is now available to all customers.

---

Update 12/8/2020: An update OS 5.1.1 (44.128.4.17) is currently in progress. Full release notes can be found here.

---

Update 11/25/2020: OS 5.1 (44.128.4.15) is now be available to all customers. If you have any difficulty updating, make sure you are following the directions in this article, and then provide as many specific details as possible in your post so that we can assist.

---

Announcing the release of Fitbit OS Firmware Update 5.1 (44.128.4.15)!

We release firmware updates to all customers in phases. The update will be available to everyone soon, and a banner will appear in the app when you can install the update. If you don’t see the banner yet, check the app again later.

Important Note: You will need to be on the latest app: iOS 3.34 or Android 3.34.1 in order to view the latest features. Please update your app.

*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 your device’s activation date, which is the day your device’s warranty begins. The activation date is the day you set up your device.

• Use Google Assistant on Fitbit Sense and Fitbit Versa 3. For more information, see How do I use a voice assistant on my Fitbit smartwatch?

• Use the built-in speaker and microphone in Fitbit Sense and Fitbit Versa 3 to take calls from your wrist. For more information, see How do I take on-wrist phone calls with my Fitbit smartwatch?

• This release includes bug fixes and improvements.

Full release notes can be found here.

HOW DO I UPDATE?

Step by step instructions for updating your Sense can be found here.

I recommend updating your Sense over a home Wi-Fi network as this can greatly reduce the time it can take to get set up. For more information on connecting your Sense to Wi-Fi, check out this article. 

If you run into any trouble updating, review these troubleshooting tips. 

We look forward to hearing your thoughts! 

[Deechte]

Does anyone know, is it the watch that checks for available updates, either through its own Wi-Fi connection or via bluetooth through the phone? Or is it the fitbit app on the phone that checks for updates?

In case of the former, would putting the watch on the charger speed up this process? I've never ever seen my Sense actually be connected to Wi-Fi when I check the list of connected devices in my access point, even when on the charger.

In case of the latter, does opening the app frequently speed it up?

[Cyberpen]

I don’t know specifically about your question. However I see that we can force update through the Fitbit app like this :

- go to the home page

- go to your account (top left)

- go to help and support

- button : check updates for Sense/Versa

[Kladz]

I live in France me to, update early 2021 is for google, firmware OS 5.1 is coming soon in all countries.

[BradXY]

thats for the phone app lol

[Deechte]

Thanks Cyberpen

[Cyberpen]

No, to update the phone app you go to the App store for Apple or the Play store for Google, not in the app itself, this is only for the watch update (it says check updates for Sense or Versa on the button)

[BradXY]

The happy button isnt for everyone clearly...

[forthewatch]

Mine is working fine so far, I received in October. Hopefully keep working like that. 

[SunsetRunner]

That's because Google bought Fitbit and Google rolls out updates just as slow as they can. Helps catch bugs but also sucks when you're one of the last to get it. Both cons and pros. Lol

[SunsetRunner]

I hear you. I still have the Active Watch 2. Gonna keep the Sense since it'll be able to do the phone calls but love the notifications and display way better on the Active 2, a year old watch. Like what 2020 flagship watch can't make and take phone calls? Why have speaker and mic then. So just waiting for the update I guess.

[SunsetRunner]

Google owns Fitbit so....

[Giampi71]

@SunsetRunner Google doesn't own Fitbit

[SunsetRunner]

Hi @jwsaldo not sure what you mean by HR inaccuracies? I have just been for a run with my V3 on my left wrist and my Garmin Fenix 6S Solar on my right.  The Fitbit was 10 bpm HIGHER at rest, but the average and max HR was within 1-2 bpm.  GPS was within 0.1 km but obviously Fitbit does not have all the extra analytics of the Garmin.

[SunsetRunner]

@SunsetRunner @Giampi71 is correct, the acquisition HAS NOT been approved so Google DOES NOT yet own Fitbit

[BigRalphN]

Unfortunately not that I see. Alexa does have voice and I can receive calls. Speaker volume is way to low. I can't seem to raise it more. My old Active 2 is easily 3x as loud. 

[BigRalphN]

Oddly I do not see a list of any fixes. 

[BigRalphN]

I loved tbe Active 2 but when tbey suddenly required a Galaxy Phone for new features I filed a complaint and after getting told to stuff it I got the Sense 

[SunsetRunner]

Well let's hope that hurries along then.

[N8teGee]

@BigRalphN I agree, the speaker volume is terrible. Anything more than a silent room and you can pretty much forget about it. 

[forthewatch]

Just curious how the notifications are better in Sense than your Active 2?