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.

[Simonsimps]

Same, I still have not had the update either. My GPS has gone inaccurate in the last few weeks, I'd rather use my phones GPS like I did with my versa 3. Least I know it was always accurate then.

[Beebear77]

I could not honestly recommend the versa 4 to anyone. I managed to get it to connect to the wrist call feature but as soon as I stopped using it, it went back room not being able to connect again. I don't have time to manually stuff around with it everytime I want to use that feature. Google wallet will not work at all. Refuses to allow my card even though i signed into my google account, and I already use google Pay successfully on my phone. I dont think Google maps works the way it says it does either. I'm wondering if I can return it as faulty and just get the versa 3 instead. Because basically the swish features I bought it for don't work so I'm left with a more basic fitbit than even the versa lite my son has and for $200 more than the versa 3. I'm not happy at all.

[AT123456]

My versa 4 died a month ago. I was sent a replacement quickly. The replacement will not hold a charge longer than a day, despite turning off a lot of functions. 

I reached out to support and qualified for a replacement 8/2. It’s been 3 weeks with no shipping notice nor any helpful information from support. 

But now I know why… this update probably fried a lot of Versa 4s and support can’t replace them fast enough. Too bad mine just randomly died as it was working great with a great battery life. I’ve been less than pleased with this replacement and replacement process. 

I’ve had fitbits for MANY years and this has been the worst experience by far. Hopefully a new version is out soon to fix these issues fast otherwise you will lose a lot of long time customers…. If not already. 

[Kennedy86]

is the update still being rolled out to devices? I cant seem to get 194, just stays 184. Been a few months now 

Thanks! 

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi everyone, and welcome to our new members.

Thanks for your feedback and the additional information provided. Before anything else, let me explain that we don't have a time frame when this firmware will be fully released. However, you'll be prompted on the Fitbit app to install it once its available.

@Bugsachamp I appreciate your efforts while troubleshooting your watch. Given this situation, I've requested a case on your behalf so our Support team  can look into this situation and see what can be done for you. You'll receive an email shortly, keep an eye on your inbox.

@SunsetRunner and @Cheryl_Schmehl Thanks for the steps you've tried on your own, and I'm sorry for this inconvenience. While your Versa 4 should last up to 6 days, as with any other electronic device, there are some features that impact the battery life. If you're tracking GPS and SpO2 data, using an animated clock face or having Always-On Display turned on, you may have to charge your watch more often when  Because your post didn't mention, could you confirm if you've tried following these battery tips?

In regards to the syncing issues, please make sure to exhaust the troubleshooting steps described in this help article.

[Kennedy86]

Thanks @LizzyFitbit appreciate you getting back to everyone

[MDWood]

Thank you for the first honest and straightforward information that we have received here. That is all any of us have ever really asked for. Your post is very much appreciated.

[FitSparta]

Ever since this update, my Versa 4 no longer notifies me of text messages, etc. I do not receive notices to move, and I must disconnect it from Bluetooth and reconnect every time I want to sync. 

I have tried removing my fitbit and the app and reinstalling both, restarting the fitbit etc. (multiple times). Nothing works. My Fitbit (only purchased in June 2023) is almost useless without the ability to easily sync and provide me notifications. 

Can I revert to the previous firmware version? Or do you have a patch to fix this problem?  

[mulderxcom]

More of a curiosity question.   The last rollout seemed to take about 2 months, but it has been over that already and I still haven't received it.  Any updates on general timelines, percent complete or something? 

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi everyone, and welcome to our new members.

Thanks for keeping me posted. Our team continues working on this release and once I have news to share, I'll make sure to let you know in this thread.

@FitSparta Thanks for the information provided, and the steps tried on your own. As you may know, it's required to constantly sync your watch in order to get other features such as notifications working correctly. I understand this isn't the case and let me share that we've escalated the syncing issues experienced after updating the firmware in order to get a solution as soon as possible.

I'm sorry for this inconvenience and while it's not possible to revert back to the previous version, your feedback is appreciated and we'll keep our team informed of this situation.

[niba10]

Hey Lizzy,

why I still dont get the update on my Versa 4 😞

[brandeel]

I have been waiting for the firmware update as my fitbit stops tracking my runs while i am training for a marathon. Its been 8 weeks since this thread is updated. I have contacted support and got no where. Please advise. 

[niba10]

When I will get this update?

[et3rae]

I really really need this update. any idea when it will be rolled out to all devices? Otherwise, i have to switch back to my Charge 5 until this becomes available for my Versa 4. Which is annoying. I only need it for the dynamic GPS because my GPS will not connect on the Versa 4 with the built in GPS. and my pace/distance has gotten wildly inaccurate these last few weeks. It's annoying. Especially since it messes with other things (I use the WayBetter app and I need to finish a 30 minute run in better than an 18 min/mile).

[Willwill]

My daily heart rate graph stopped working. I deleted the data in the app in Android settings. Seems to be working now. Sleep tracking has completely stopped working with no sleep stages or score. Worked perfectly forever with Versa 2, and I've since gotten a Versa 4, and this thing is buggy as hell. I wish I kept my Versa 2.

How do I fix sleep tracking? And don't tell me to check my sleep position or wear my watch tighter. It used to work fine! 

Thanks. 

[cmc5294]

@Willwill Unfortunately I don't think there is anything anyone can do yet. I also had a Versa 2 and got a Versa 4 back in the spring. Everything was fine until this crappy firmware update in July (version .61) that ruined the functionality of the Versa 4. I have been in contact with customer service and @LizzyFitbit about it and I just keep getting the runaround. I keep getting told "oh check this setting and that setting" but I have had the same settings and ensured they were the same after the firmware update but it is still super buggy. I was fortunate to be able to revert back to the .52 version of the firmware, but it looks like Fitbit purposely is not letting users do this anymore (I did a factory reset and with that I got reverted back to the old firmware and I just ignore the update message now). With the .52 version of the firmware, all my stuff tracks like it used to. I think they actually paused the rollout but refuse to acknowledge that it is buggy and that it renders most devices unusable (the battery drains in a day, it does not sync unless you turn off/turn on Bluetooth, sleep tracking and heart rate tracking suck, etc.). It has been since July and there has been 0 effort to find a fix or even communicate what is going on to customers. I would say it's shameful on Fibit's part, but at this point, it's clear they have no shame and do not even care. 

[kevinshook]

I am still running on 184.52 and experiencing all of the issues that go along with that firmware. When will I be able to upgrade to 194.61?  The update has been out for two months now. @LizzyFitbit 

[woody7909]

The exercise app just closing on its own while in the middle of exercise(exercise app crashing) is caused by your clock face. 

I have found that any watch face older than the fitbit watch faces that came out with the Versa 3 or original sense cause problems such as this. For example my favorite watch face Waveform isn't safe it will cause the exercise app to crash and heart rate to drop out everytime you sync.

As of right now I have not tested them all but any of the new faces that came out with the Versa 4/Sense 2 or Versa 3/Sense faces are safe. SP02 Clear, SP02 Signature, Spectrum,  Pleat, Paths Standard,  and Faucet are all safe changing to one of these watch faces and removing all the other watch faces on your Versa 4 should fix the problem.

I have still not gotten the new update either, not sure why.

[KnudBerggreen]

I am still at 184.52 ?

[JenniferS2027]

Is the firmware update still rolling out?  I’ve not received any notification within the app that the update is available for download. I’ve called the Fitbit customer service and they have said they have no knowledge of a new firmware update. I was really looking forward to the dynamic GPS update as I find the watch GPS so terribly inaccurate. Thank you for any advice or information you can provide.