Versa 4 Firmware Update 1.184.52

[LizzyFitbit]

Announcing the release of Fitbit Firmware Update 1.184.52!

This update should now be available to all customers! If you have any difficulty updating, make sure you are following the directions in How do I update my Fitbit device?. If you choose to post about your issue, provide as many specific details as possible in your post so that we can assist you.

*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

• Google Pay is rolling out as a new payment option on your device. For more information, see What should I know about using my Fitbit device to make contactless payments?

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

• To turn off the screen when not in use, briefly cover the watch face with your opposite hand. For more information, see How do I navigate my Fitbit device?

• 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 Versa 4 can be found here.

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

We look forward to hearing your thoughts!

[dma0]

As someone new to Fitbit, it would perhaps be nice if they could mention that (i.e. that rollouts are gradual and take place over X weeks) in release notes and/or press releases. I don't necessarily mind waiting a bit for updates, but do find it a bit irksome reading an article that says "Google Wallet available today on Fitbit Versa 4!" then trying to figure out where to find it when it hasn't actually hit my device yet.

[Renjaja]

I figured it out, it's currently available on iOS and not Android.

My wife and mother in law both have iPhones and they have access to the update and can answer calls on their watches now.

I on the other hand am on Android and not a single sign of the update. Why iOS is always prioritized is a mystery to me.

[john500y2k]

Received the update for my Sense 2, something else I have noticed which could be under their "bug fixes and general improvements". Is that the raise to wake is much quicker/snappier. There's no longer the long 2-3 second fade in that the watchface would do when you raise to wake.

Makes for being able to quickly check the time acceptable again.

Sadly no such improvements on the initial notification splash/icon screen before it shows the notification content. Still the annoying wait time you have to endure waiting for that graphic to disappear.

[t.parker]

@john500y2k you are right, they removed that awful fade-in. It was so annoying, especially when running and one wants to see metrics instantly.

[Wutzler]

Try to clear cache and data from Fitbit Android app. Worked for me.

[Homeboy50]

I have just returned from a cruise and had no data or wi-fi access for some days.

It was disappointing to find that I was unable to manually change the time on my versa 4.

Whilst on the ship I noticed a few people with the wrong time on their Fitbits.

I wasn't the only one to be surprised I couldn't change the time.

Luckily I have another watch with me.

For nearly 2 weeks my fit bit was totally useless and in a draw.

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[SunsetRunner]

@Renjaja The reasons why they can’t do it like Apple is because they are not Apple with tens of thousands of servers spread around the globe. They can only handle a certain number of devices updating simultaneously without affecting their other services. There are ways for them to deal with it, but they may not have the in-house expertise or financials to make it feasible. Definitely frustrating, but understandable.

[SunsetRunner]

The watch gets its time from your phone. Assuming your Fitbit was still syncing to your phone, which I assume had the incorrect time as well, did you consider changing your phone time manually so it would update your watch? I’ve never tried it, but it seems like the way to workaround it.

[SunsetRunner]

Fitbit is not Apple. They don’t have tens of thousands of servers spread around the globe and do the best they can with what they have.

[Renjaja]

They are owned by Google which has far more data centers than Apple can even fathom. That does not explain the reason why iOS users get firmware updates before Android users.

Tesla does the exact same thing with their app updates (update iOS before Android). Their logic behind this is that most of their user base uses iPhones as opposed to Android devices.

[Renjaja]

@SunsetRunnerthanks for responding to my post. As aforementioned in another similar thread:

"Fitbit is owned by Google which has far more data centers than Apple can even fathom. That does not explain the reason why iOS users get firmware updates before Android users.

Tesla does the exact same thing with their app updates (update iOS before Android). Their logic behind this is that most of their user base uses iPhones as opposed to Android devices."

[JohnnyRow]

@RenjajaJust curious, what is the size of your sample base for your determination that IOS always gets firmware updates before Android?

[MarreFitbit]

Hi there, @Homeboy50. Thanks for stopping by and the details provided in your post. I understand how you must be feeling. 

As @SunsetRunner has mentioned, keep in mind that your Fitbit device may show an incorrect time if it hasn't synced or has been unpaired from your Fitbit account. Your Fitbit device uses the time of the device you're syncing with. To make sure your watch has recently synced, go to your Fitbit account, tap the Today tab > your profile picture > your device image.

If by any chance you are running into syncing issues, see Why won't my Fitbit device sync? 

Also, note that the time on your Fitbit device may be wrong after you travel to a different time zone or when clocks change for Daylight Savings. If you changed time zones and the time on your Fitbit device is still incorrect after syncing, make sure the time zone setting is correct. For more information, see How do I change the time on my Fitbit device?

If none of the above works for your, I recommend changing your time zone to a completely different one, sync your device, put the correct time and sync again. 

Hope this helps. 

[Homeboy50]

I found the time zone setting when I arrived at the airport in Spain when I still had access to data.
The issue arose once I no longer had network access.
On the ship and in some of the counties I traveled to connecting to data was really expensive.
A number of others on the cruise also had this issue as they had Fitbit watches.
My wife had a Garmin watch and I was able to change that for her

Yes I changed my phone to the correct time but I couldn't connect to the watch without network access. I assumed that it would connect by Bluetooth but sadly not.

[SunsetRunner]

@Renjaja Google acquired Fitbit, but they are managed as a separate entity. They have to pay, though likely at a steep discount, to access Google Cloud. Plus they have to do their own development for managing the rollout to millions of devices simultaneously. Just not that simple and given the challenges we have all had in the past with Fitbit software it may not be achievable without extensive development.

Things work as they are, just not as fast as some would like. 

[toggenburg]

trying to update my versa 4, phone message can't find my device

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[F8ram]

I managed to set up and wupdate without issue. I did have a similar issue when attempting to connect my Alexa. The fix was to allow Fitbit to auto open a browser and login to my Amazon account. Once I did things worked smoothly.  

I'm amazed that this watch has no 3rd party apps. Spotify and Starbucks are not available for install.  

[MarreFitbit]

Hi there, @toggenburg. Welcome to the Community Forums. Thanks for the details provided in your post about the issue with your Versa 4. 

If you haven't done so yet, I suggest following the tips and recommendations provided here Why can't I update my Fitbit device? 

@F8ram Welcome on board! Thank you so much for sharing the steps that worked for you. 🙂 I'm glad to hear you managed to set up Alexa!

Regarding the third-party apps on Versa 4, please note we rely on feedback like yours to help us develop products and features that we know our community wants to see. I'd suggest adding your comment and vote to this feature: 3rd Party Apps on Sense 2 and Versa 4. If this suggestion receives votes from other customers and gains popularity, it will be shared internally with various teams at Fitbit. To learn more about how Fitbit decides which suggestions get developed, visit our FAQs.

See you around. 

[SunsetRunner]

I am not aware of any relationship between network access and phone connecting to the watch via bluetooth. They are two completely different connections.

[SunsetRunner]

Update what? The watch firmware? Apps?