Info about July 2024 update

[Biceboca]

I just got the notice today for the update for my Versa 4 but have not installed it. I'm guessing that this is just a minor update because there is no announcement. But I am still curious about what the update does. It seems to be safe or otherwise there would be more recent posts about update problems. Then again there seems to be more than the usual number of "red X showing on the screen" posts. I'm wondering whether someone noticed any differences after the update, and if there are any issues. 

I am especially interested to know about experiences of users that are still using the older formats of the phone app, Android or iOS. I never updated to the new re-design because I'm happy with the app as is. I did do the last major update on my Versa 4, but only after several newer minor updates had been released, because there seemed to be a lot of issues initially. Everything is working superbly, so I am hesitant to change anything. If anyone has info about what the update does, that would make my decision about when/if to update easier.

[KateLJM]

I was forced to move to Google this week.  Fitbit used to be fun and inspiring.  I got a Versa 4 in 2023, and it's been downhill.  I was one of those Fitbit fanatics, who loved, loved, loved her series of Fitbits and her Premium account.  But Google began deleting functionality and reporting.  It barely delivers basics.  It's not fun.  The app is boring and uninformative.  I miss my challenges with Fitbit friends.  I dropped my Premium account, and now that Google has condemned the Fitbit community, I will have no problem surrendering my Versa 4 and going elsewhere for my activity tracking.  I'm definitely unimpressed by Google's offerings.  Way to kill a product!

[Biceboca]

I agree. The downgrades are bizarre. The Versa 4 was my very first smartwatch, and before that I had (well, still have, still working) Alta HR. But then I got the first Sense (not Sense 2) via eBay and I'm stunned at the nice functionality that has been removed from the newest Fitbit smartwatches. Even things that seem simple and basic. Like, why remove the snore report? That is why I asked about this "update," to make sure it is not actually a "downdate"! I still like using the Versa 4 a lot because it is more comfortable (flatter, lighter) than the previous models, and it looks nicer. But I do not understand why so much functionality was removed, since $ and time and much effort by talented Fitbit developers was invested into the prior models. The only reason I can see for tossing all that, and clearly significantly downgrading the flagship watches, is that Google wants to kill Fitbit watches. Google bought Fitbit for the developers and intellectual property, not for the Fitbit products. Otherwise it makes zero sense to downgrade the watches. Hence my extreme caution about any and all "updates."

I wasn't expecting to be forced to move to Google until 2025 or thereafter, unless I get one of the newer watches, I think starting with Charge 6. Is this why you were forced to move to a Google account with your Fitbit? Or was it because of the watch update? Or phone app update? That's the sort of thing I'm being cautious about. I am trying to put off the inevitable, so I can enjoy my Fitbits for as long as possible.

I'm guessing, Google will discontinue the Versa and Sense lines and have only kids watches (Ace) and the slim trackers like Charge that have the Fitbit brand. It is clearly in the process of killing off the Fitbit flagship smartwatches. It will have only Pixel "true" smartwatches. And I'm not getting one of those. Google has generated too much resentment now from Fitbit users, and most of us have lost trust in this company long ago. I will eventually move to Garmin.

[MzPatch]

Did the update and my battery life went in the toilet. 

[TLP80]

I did the update and my battery drains much faster now. I've also seen the red X and had multiple other issues. I factory reset my fitbit and still have issues. I contacted fitbit but they don't care that their update messed up my fitbit. They just kept saying it's over a year old (May 2023) and not covered by warranty.

[Biceboca]

Thank you for the warning. It is much appreciated. I haven't done the update yet and it sounds like it would be wise to wait, perhaps indefinitely. I mean it is no worse than using the Sense 1, which is no longer getting updates but still works fine.

[Biceboca]

I wonder if there is now yet another update, since I made my post over two weeks ago, and it was about a July update, and no one gave any warnings until two days ago. There were two posts on the same day about battery drain with update. It is too bad that we cannot trust what is being done to our watches. Even if your device is over a year old, it is still the newest model and should not break or degrade with a firmware update. I mean just putting out updates means it is supposedly under active support.

[Alyssa4G]

I did the update today and now I can’t even get my watch to work, it only shows the start up logo over and over and if it’s not showing that white lines are flashing across the screen. It worked perfectly before this. So mad 

[yaya10]

AGREED. I am so frustrated and miss MANY  messages and calls. My Fitbit doesn’t even vibrate anymore when I hit 10,000 steps. I have gone through all of the deleting/reinstalling/ etc. steps multiple times. Time to look for a product that delivers what I pay for. 

[Biceboca]

I am sorry about your watch. Thanks for taking the time to post, and warn others that the update is dangerous. I hope it gets fixed. The nag to update that I now constantly see on the app is annoying, though. I just saw the announcement about the update but I wonder if it is the same one that started rolling out in July. Or if it is a brand new one.