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!

---

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.

[Shells77]

Thanks for letting me know..... I think I will be trying that in the very near future. So frustrating!

[Jeff606]

Same question please reply.  That feature is very helpful during walks.

[Gimmemoores1]

Same with me. I just recently spoke with someone that spent 20 minutes having me do everything even doing a factory reset and same thing oops transcription error.

They just had me do a factory reset and same thing transcription error 

[scd5280]

With all these reported issues looks like I will be avoiding installing this update..

[Shells77]

Did the factory reset and am not going to install the update as now my device is doing what I want it to do!

Thanks @HM1716 

[Gimmemoores1]

Wish it worked for me

[Ragzie]

A big no to Fitbit. Especially Versa. I have been buying fitbit watches for myself and my family since 10 years. But please note once your watch is a year old and you face a small issue repair is almost impossible and fitbit is going to tell only one option to fix which is buying another one. So the watch you are buying is only for one year and forget about it even if you buy a 15K one or 25K one.

[susankinsellaar]

I bought my versa 4 three days ago and am getting update notices 2 times per day.  why???  very annoying.  when i update, I have to reset everything.   i've tried turning off the entire watch but get blinking fitbit logo and then a big red X.

I'm not receiving calls on my device and even more concerning, I'm not receiving text messages.  this is one of the reasons I chose this watch.  HELP

[Riffraff4947]

Did you get a fix on this?  I am experiencing the same issue. Watch says 9/9 hourly activity and the app shows 0/0 hours. All this started after the update ver 194.61. Extremely frustrating. 

[Gimmemoores1]

No I just spoke on the phone with another tech and they said it was
defective and to return. The speach to text doesn't work.

[EricHL]

It’s been several days since I did the recommended sequence: restart the device, turn off Bluetooth. Reinstall the app, restart the phone, turn on Bluetooth and sync the device. Sync continues to fail unless I turn Bluetooth off and on first, sometimes twice. Fitbit battery life is half what it used to be.
One SPO2 reading since the firmware update 10 days ago. How do I back out this nightmare firmware update? I have been a Fitbit user for 10 years and have never had problems like this.

I am having the same issue and terrible battery life since the firmware update.

[SunsetRunner]

The speech-to-text never worked for me...

[cmc5294]

@LizzyFitbit This new firmware update has really screwed up my Versa 4 it seems. Since my last posting about not being able to sync my watch without toggling the Bluetooth on and off on my phone (this is still happening btw), I have discovered some other issues that others seem to be having as well. The battery is most definitely draining faster than it had before the update. Also, the hourly activity does not track as well as it used to. I go to the gym in the mornings and I even record my cardio exercise on my watch. When I sync after exercising, my watch says I have been inactive since I woke up with only 1 minute of activity and 0 minutes with 250 steps. Mind you I had like 5000 steps after leaving the gym. After about 2 hours, then it seems to catch up and the hourly activity corrects itself. Still, though, my watch never had this issue before. I tried all the steps in all the help articles here. I checked all my settings for battery life, restarted my phone and watch countless times, unpaired and re-paired it about a dozen times. Nothing is working. I am only short of doing a whole factory reset as suggested by @HM1716 which I hesitate to do for now. Can you please provide a fix or a patch for this firmware update? It is most definitely FULL of bugs.

[Riffraff4947]

I just did a full factory reset. It took awhile but after that it asked to update. I was hesitant but went ahead and it did update to 184.52 and now everything is working again. I suggest if you are having issues with 194.61 do a factory reset.  

[Guy_]

Hi all, it seems from posts that .61 is not a full roll out, or has hopefully been suspended due to the problems.

So when you do a factory reset to .50 and do the initial install update it only takes you to .52, the last full update - so this effectively backs out any .61 update that may have been applied causing problems.

Then ignore any prompt to install a further update.

Unfortunately the prompt does not tell you which version you are on and which will be installed, like most product updates usually do. To get around this check the help and forums for another release after .61.

Note: When you click profile photo, Help & Support and Check for watch update it will always show up-to-date unless there is already an announcement at the top of the app, so this cannot be used to see when updates are coming.

[Gimmemoores1]

I did a factory reset and I have version 184.52 and it still doesn't work
for me.

[Guy_]

Hi @Gimmemoores1 - thanks for confirming .61 is not reinstalled after a factory reset. If you have a transcription error see this transcription problem instead, as it is a different issue.

[GD1995]

I’m having the exact same issue. iPhone 11. I am updated to 16.5.1 (c). I have uninstalled and reinstalled the app. Shut my phone down. Shut my Fitbit down. Still having the same problem with my Versa 4.

[susankinsellaar]

This update for the versa four is horrible. Whatever was done to GPS is so in accurate as to be farcical. Please fix the GPS! It’s one of the main reasons I have this smart watch.

[GameOn]

If given the option to update Don't do it! I have a sense 2 also, and it completely ruined it. Things don't sync properly. Heart rate isn't accurate. All kinds of things don't work. The list is too long. When you see the banner, ignore it. I think they have stopped the rollout for versa 4 and other devices due to all the problems they've had on the initial stage. Charge fives are being bricked. Sense 2s don't work.  It's a huge fiasco. Just be patient. When they get it right they will roll it out here. Again. I repeat DO NOT INSTALL THE UPDATE!