Unable to sync or pair Versa 4 after Fitbit app update

[Kieltje_83]

Everything was working fine until the update yesterday to version 4.28.

The app says now that it is 17h since the last synchronisation and I can't "force" a sync in the app.

I followed all steps as suggested in the help section, if you can call that a help section, but it still doesn't work:

-> force closed the app, turned off bluetooth, turned off phone, restarted versa 4

-> turned phone back on, turned bluetooth back on, opened app and tried to sync but for some reason "connecting to bluetooth is taking longer than normal, we are working on it" and then there's an error message that something went wrong and do I want to try again, even after trying again, it's the same thing. It's like a loop.

-> cleared cache, removed app, reinstalled app, removed versa 4, reinstalled versa 4 but it still keeps saying that "bluetooth connection is taking longer than normal and that they are working on it" and then the same error message.

I've been reading online and here in the community that it's mostly since version 4.28 that it all goes bad and that (as usual) there's no reaction from Google/Fitbit at all.

I don't post very often here in the community but I have bought this versa 4 in august for my birthday and am starting to regret it mostly because since Google took over, it's all going to hell 😞

I do hope Google comes with a version 4.29 tomorrow(!) AND that it fixes the current issues, not creating more issues. For now, I'm back to manually noting down all stats so that I don't lose too many days. 😞

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[dd1274]

I have the same problem.  I called and was told to do the same things that you mentioned.  Nothing worked.  I was also told that they would escalate the issue, and I would hear from them in TWO days.  I received an email and was told that they are aware of the issue and are working on it.  I have tried to sync every day since the issue started (10/16/24) with no luck!

[Kieltje_83]

I guess there's been some improvement but it's not yet solved 😞

As I really didn't want to lose any more data, I installed the fitbit app on my samsung tablet but although it did find my versa4, it also did not sync. Same bluetooth error.

I noticed yesterday (26oct2024) that there' s an update of the app to version 4.29 so I updated the app on my tablet and behold... it does sync and update all data from wed 23 oct 2024 until today.

However i also updated the app on my phone but it still won't sync. Still the same bluetooth error...

[MandyJen]

Also the same problem. Tried all the above, bluetooth turned off, reset phone, watch, fitbit app.. nothing works, really irratating as only bought in July. Not a fan of the Charge 4 anymore...my issue also started on Wednesday, 23rd Oct...very frustrating. 

[Chasemorr]

I was able to sync again once, but lost data since previous sync.  Now stopped syncing again, after just one full day of woking.  When I check my bluetooth pairings, it lists the Versa 4, but when I tap it, it says an app is needed to sync.  I, of course, already have the app which I had deleted and replaced just two days ago.  Very annoying, also that we hear nothing from Fitbit-Google.  I've had a fitbit for more than 10 years, but never this problem before.

[Kieltje_83]

And we're back to square 1 😞

When I opened the fitbit app on my tablet this morning, it couldn't sync and said it was 23h ago that it last synced 😞

I uninstalled the app, turned bluetooth off, reinstalled app and turned bluetooth on but same error as usual: "the bluetooth connection is taking longer than expected"

I've had several fitbit products since 2015 and in this fitbit community there were always complaints about some kind of syncing issue but I've always been lucky to either not have any syncing issues or have the syncing issue a few days before they came with a final fix. I've never had it last for more than 2-3 days. It's been over a week now and I don't know whether to wait for a final fix or if my luck has run out and I should leave fitbit behind and go for a different brand.

Every brand has its issues ofcourse and I always found the price of the product versus the ongoing issues reasonable for fitbit but now I'm not so sure any more.

I guess what bothers me most is the feeling that I'm no longer informed about the ongoing issues and their possible fixes from Google/Fitbit itself. I have to come here to the fitbit community to read the storm of complaints about issues that have been going on for months it seems and there is just not a single reaction from Google/Fitbit acknowledging and/or informing about possible fixes they are working on.

I feel that "under the reign of Fitbit" I could at least see some kind of reaction from Fitbit saying they were working on it or that they had a fix coming out in a few days but "under the reign of Google" not even the "update" page with info about past/recent updates is up-to-date.

[Townie71]

Again........... No updates, unable to pair my Versa 4 with my Samsung Galaxy A14. Fitbit points the finger at "Google update" and Google seems to be doing its best to ignore the whole debacle. Yesterday, I posted that I've finally had enough and I've bought another smartwatch. Last night, I received a personal message from one of the Forum mods informing me that my post had been removed because it wasn't adding anything to the discussion and they hoped that I understood. I replied that I was simply indicating that I wasn't prepared to be treated as a second class citizen by a company who didn't seen to give a **ahem** about customers who have already spent their money on a watch that is no longer "fit for purpose". It appears that if you want to complain about the fact that Google has offered no apologies or timescales for the repair of the system, you are no longer welcome on this forum. Sad because the Versa did everything I wanted it to without being 'overcomplicated' and, as a 74 year old recovering stroke patient, I simply wanted my old Versa back in working order.

[dd1274]

I agree with you. I also noticed that the battery life is only one day
whereas before it was 2 1/2 days. It is very frustrating.

[Gerard_Berkers]

I experienced the same on my fitbit charge 5 but since I had already the plan to replace it I bought a versa 4 and expected that the problem would be solved... but no.

[Kasia1021]

My husband thought his fitbit was dying and bought a new one, only for both of us to be stuck in the same perpetual loop as everyone else for the last SEVEN DAYS. There is no fix yet. 'Engineers are aware and are working on an update....in the next day or two.....' I've been waiting longer than a week. This is absolutely unacceptable.  Revert us back to a previous version until you get the system debuggerd and back up and running.  Fitbit was EXCELLENT at letting users know something was amiss. Google has kept us in the dark completely.  All steps to update, uninstall, reinstall sync app/phone/watch/operating system/bluetooth have been met with a complete brick wall from Fitbits internal software. Does nothing but kick us out of not only the app, but shuts us out of using our watches in any capacity. My watch is now over an hour off/behind and continuing to lose track of time, and my husband's is a glorified $250 paperweight at this point as he hasn'tbeen able to connect his watch to his phone at all either. I've been looking at the web developers forums and they are having issues detecting and fixing all across the board, from weight tracking, heart rate monitoring, step counts, time issues, O2 stats....is anything really working?

[GLENDAZ]

I agree. There should be a fix by now! 

[Gerard_Berkers]

And AGAIN there was a "fix" which did NOT solve the issue. What a bad joke is this

[Bertnky]

Same with me, except I have a Versa 2, which was perfectly fine.

I now see every store is trying to unload the Versa 4.

I would purchase one, but not if the app is going to have ongoing problems.

[Bertnky]

Good to know!

[Gerard_Berkers]

The latest app update DID solve the problem (Hurray Hurray!!) but I needed a U turn. First I didn't work. Then I updated an old android device and it was working and after that the other one was working as well (?????)

I still think that Fitbit did a lousy job on the latest app update but now all is working fine. Fingers crossed that it stays this way. But for anyone who plans to buy a Fitbit: Don't! Pay a bit more and go for another brand that is NOT taken over by google

[FatimaFitbit]

Hi there everyone!

I want to thank all of you for sharing the situations you're having with the Fitbit app not pairing nor syncing with the Fitbit App and for your patience. I'm sorry for all these inconveniences.

Our team has been looking for a solution and has recently launched a new version of the Fitbit app. Some users have reported that with this new version of the app they're able to sync their devices again. 

Please try to update your Fitbit app to the 4.28.3 version. If it doesn't work, please restart your phone and try the steps of set up as new device again:

1. Update the Fitbit App to 4.28.3
2. Open the Fitbit app. On the Today tab, tap on Devices (Device icon, top left).
3. Delete any connected Fitbit Trackers/SmartWatches, if any are shown.
4. Go to Android Settings, Bluetooth (Connected Settings), and "Forget" any Fitbit Trackers/SmartWatches if any are shown.
5. Restart your phone.
6. Open the Fitbit app and re-add the SmartWatch (via the Devices icon, top left). How do I set up my Fitbit device? 
7. From the Fitbit app, Today tab, Tap or Hold near to the top of the screen and then drag down to perform a manual sync. 

Let me know if it worked for you! I'll read all your comments and report to our team if the situation persists. 

[Kieltje_83]

Hi Fatima,

Thanks for the info on the update but I have a bit of a dilema.

Somewhere in the past couple of weeks I installed the fitbit app on my tablet and it synced for a day or 2. Then it didnt sync for a day and then it synced eventhough the app said it couldnt connect through bluetooth, very strange!

However, it hasnt synced on my phone since 24th october although I went through the steps and did all the updates.

One thing I didnt do is remove the versa4 completely from the app as I read to many posts about people not being able to reconnect at all in the past few weeks and for me at least it was/is syncing through my tablet.

So now I have a dilema because I updated the app on my phone and it still isnt syncing. I restarted my phone but the versa4 is not showing up in the bluetooth devices (yes, i uninstalled the app, turned bluetooth off, reinstalled the app and turned bluetooth on but its still not showing in the list)

I don't want to remove it completely from the app coz I'm afraid it will not connect to my tablet anymore either and then I won't have anything left at all.

So what do I do now?

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi there, @Kieltje_83.

Thanks for sharing additional information, and your efforts while working on this. While I understand your concern, I'd like to share with you that installing the Fitbit app on multiple phones and tablets will create syncing issues as your Versa 4 will have difficulties to choose one device to sync with. With this in mind, we suggest leaving the Fitbit app installed on a single phone or tablet, and forgetting your watch from the Bluetooth settings from your other device.