Versa 4 Firmware Update 194.61

[LizzyFitbit]

7/13 Update: We’re continuing to roll out this firmware for the Versa 4 Firmware Update 194.61, and expect more customers are able to update their devices. This is a progressive rollout and all customers can expect to have it within a few weeks. We release updates in phases so that we can monitor performance closely and make adjustments if needed. If you don't see the option to update, don't worry - you'll have it soon!

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We’re excited to announce that a firmware update version 194.61 for Versa 4 will be available soon! Some of you might already have this update available. If you installed it, let us know what you think!

We release updates to customers in phases. If you don’t see it, check the Fitbit app in a few days, and you’ll see a message when you can install the update. We appreciate your patience while we get this update to all of our customers.

*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 menstrual health tracking on your watch. For more information, see How do I use the Fitbit app to track my period?
• Swap between saved clock faces directly on your watch. For more information, see How do I change the clock face on my Fitbit device?
• View your daily readiness score on your watch (Premium feature only). For more information, see What’s my daily readiness score in the Fitbit app?
• Your watch now supports dynamic GPS. For more information, see How do I use GPS on my Fitbit device?
• Support for global characters and right-to-left text notifications:
  Arabic
  Hebrew
  Thai
  Hindi
  Vietnamese
• This release includes bug fixes and improvements.

Full release notes can be found here. For more details, please see this Community Blog post.

HOW DO I UPDATE?
See How do I update my Fitbit device? for step by step instructions for updating your Versa 4. If you run into difficulty updating, review these Why can't I update my Fitbit device?

We’re interested in hearing your feedback on this update! Let us know what you like! If you encounter unexpected behavior during or after your update, please post the details below.

[Talahthas]

I've updated my Versa 4 to firmware 194.61 a few minutes ago and will be dealing with it for the next few days to gather some experiences.

[jdavis41302]

The sync fails and the fix it button comes on. I have done all the steps.

Sent from my iPhone

[Shells77]

Hi, my Versa 4 has been stuck in both sleep and DND mode since the first time I put it in sleep mode after upgrading. Have restarted multiple times with no change. Have not yet tried resetting to factory settings because that seems like an annoying thing to have to do.

Anyone else having or reporting this issue? Suggestions for resolving it? Being able to receive notifications/texts/calls is the main reason why I switched from my old Fitbit flex......

Thx!

[Talahthas]

Welcome to the Fitbit community, @Shells77 
Sad to hear you're having issues with your Versa 4. Please check your sleep schedule set on your device. To see how to set up a sleep schedule, please have a look here:

[Shells77]

Hi, thanks for your reply.

In quiet modes on the device only the focus mode is accessible, the rest (do not disturb, sleep) are dimmed and unresponsive. I've never used the sleep schedule function as I work shift work with a variable sleep time.

[HM1716]

I am having this same issue, my watch is stuck in DND and sleep mode and I’m unable to unlock either. 
it also keeps losing connection with the Bluetooth and only syncs if I forget the device and reconnect.

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi everyone, and welcome to our new members.

Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback, and every step that you've tried. as a friendly reminder, this firmware version is progressively rolling out to all our members, but rest assured all of you will receive it soon. For more details about what's new with this update and how to install it, let me recommend reviewing the initial post.

@Skennedy2020 and @EricHL Let me explain that after installing an update, sometimes the battery might drain during the process; however, it shouldn't happen again. If this isn't your case, confirm with me if you've tried the tips described here to maximize the battery life. In addition to this, make sure to exhaust the troubleshooting described in this help article to get your watch syncing correctly.

@jdavis41302 I appreciate you for providing the requested information. Given this situation, let's try reconnecting your watch to the Fitbit app by doing the following steps in the given order:

1. Forget the Versa 4 from the Bluetooth settings.
2. Turn off other Bluetooth connections nearby.
3. Check if the Fitbit app is updated and force quit the Fitbit app.
4. Reboot your phone and restart your watch.
5. Open the Fitbit app, tap your profile picture > Set Up a Device.
6. Select Versa 4, tap Replace Device and follow the on-screen instructions.

@Shells77 and @HM1716 I understand if you haven't used the Sleep Schedule, but could you double check if that setting isn't enabled? To do that, check @Talahthas's post and follow the instructions. By the way, for the syncing issues, please give a try to the steps described above.

[Shells77]

Hi,

I have checked my app and there are no times in the sleep schedule part of it. On my device the schedule mode button doesn't respond at all, nor am I able to change the settings for do not disturb or sleep mode. Both are in the office position, but on the swipe down menu both are on.

[scd5280]

I've never seen an update available on the phone app. It is always from the app store..

[Shells77]

Off position, not office...

[Sunny101]

Hi. I installed the update and my versa 4 is now broken. The device worked sporadically but over night it was restarting multiple times. Tried the reset process this morning but fitbit is just flashing and displays a red X. Bluetooth won’t find device. 

[Skennedy2020]

Continuing to see short battery life. I have not changed any settings since before updating. So should not have continued to see reduced battery life after updating. Still having to turn Bluetooth off and back on in order to sync to the app. Every time. 
Is there a way to turn off continuous GPS?  I cannot find a setting. I only need it when tracking an exercise, but really don’t care to use then either. 

[cmc5294]

Any chance this update is affecting the Versa 4's syncing ability? Since the update, my Versa 4 will not sync data unless I turn off my phone's Bluetooth (iPhone 14 Pro with iOS 16.5.1) and then turn it back on to connect the watch again. This started the moment I updated it. Is anyone else having this issue? I've restarted the watch and my phone countless times in the past day or so but it has not helped.

[Talahthas]

Welcome to the Fitbit community, @Skennedy2020!

Please check if there's a silent notification on your phone saying that connected GPS is enabled. After having my Versa 4 updated to 194.61 and started tracking my first exercise, I got this notification. As soon as I had ended this exercise, I literally could watch my Versa 4's battery drain. Then I noticed that, although I had ended my exercise, this silent notification still was active on my phone. So obviously it was constant Bluetooth communication that was responsible for draining my Versa 4's battery. Restarting my phone and my Versa 4 did fix this issue and it didn't happen again since then.

[HM1716]

I’ve done all of the above and still experiencing the same issues 

[SunsetRunner]

Talahthas.

You realise that admitting theres actually a fault caused by the update, your going to be branded as a heretic within the Community Council 😂

I still haven't received the update for my Versa 4, so it's Schrodingers Fitbit every time it syncs.

Does Fitbit actually do Beta testing?

[Talahthas]

I've nowhere said that I think that firmware 194.61 is faulty, @SunsetRunner. But there probably is something in the interaction between the current Fitbit app and the new firmware would require a restart of the phone after having updated Versa 4's firmware.
If that issue I've mentioned would have reappeared afterwards, I possibly would have thought about it that way.

[SunsetRunner]

Being as the watches depend on the app and the app is yours, surely we aren't asking much for the two things to work together. Without wasting hours trying to sort out the errors and and throwing devices into the bin (Charge 5) again.

My Garmin 620 still works, although not supported now. I bought it as a first release in December 2013.  Played beta tester for a couple of early updates and never had the hassle we are having with fitbit. Four Charge 5' in under 3 years for my Mrs and I'm regretting purchasing the Versa 4 and wondering if it's going to be dead tomorrow morning.

[EricHL]

Yesterday I followed these steps recommended by Fitbit chat support: restart device, turn off phone Bluetooth, reinstall Fitbit app, restart phone, turn on phone Bluetooth and sync the device. This morning my Fitbit again failed to sync. Again I had to close the Fitbit app, turn off Bluetooth, turn on Bluetooth and reopen the Fitbit app. Then sync worked. I did not have this problem prior to the new firmware update. On a good note I finally got SPO2 data for the first time since the firmware update last week.
I have done the steps to minimize battery usage previously. I will monitor my battery life over the next few days to see if there is any improvement.

[HM1716]

@Shells77  I have done a factory reset this morning on mine as I was getting frustrated and I have found it has uninstalled this firmware update! So although I keep getting a pop up asking for an update my watch is now out of dnd and sleep mode