Sense 2 Firmware Update 210.26.

[LizzyFitbit]

We’re excited to announce that a firmware update version 210.26 for Sense 2 has been released to all our members. 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

• YouTube Music controls are now available on Sense 2. For more information, see How do I control music with my Fitbit device?
• Use screen magnification to zoom in/out directly on your watch. For more information, see How do I navigate my Fitbit device?
• We changed the names of the heart-rate zones for clarity. For more information, see How do I track heart rate with my Fitbit device?
• Thanks to advanced Google ML, heart rate tracking accuracy during exercise has been improved to provide you with more precise info on important metrics.
• Your device can now auto-recognize 3 new workout types: elliptical, rowing, and spinning.
• GPS accuracy has been improved by better switching between on-board and connected GPS during a workout.
• This release includes bug fixes and improvements.

Full release notes can be found here.

HOW DO I UPDATE?
See How do I update my Fitbit device? for step by step instructions for updating your Sense 2. 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.

[chijam]

Still a complete disaster.  Is it too much to ask that auto-recognize of any and all exercises can be turned off?

Also, stop auto stopping exercise tracking. Just please give us a chance to manually start an exercise/sport and manually end that exercise/sport. 

It is simply pathetic how little control of our devices we have!!!!

Moderator Edit: Formatting

[ImminentOrbit]

Walking pace and distance is totally screwed up and does not work currently. Run still seems to work fine. I'm also getting little messages when I switch into sleep mode every time. I know how it works.

[susanlee07]

I updated my Sense 2 yesterday. I woke up this morning and it had stopped working. It was completely black. I held down the button to hopefully restart and the Fitbit icon started flashing in blue and white and then I got a huge red X on my screen. The I tried to turn it on again. Seemed okay. I was very scared, though, as I just bought it a week ago. Then today, I've been having major issues with the sensitivity. I can push on it multiple times and nothing happens. I try to swipe left or right and nothing happens. I just give up and later it will work, but this has happened multiple times today. Can I go back until a fix has been released? 

[Jayne.ME]

I don't believe there's anyway of regression of the update.

You should contact Google and insist on a replacement

[susanlee07]

Thank you, Jayne! I was hoping to avoid that, but it's probably the best idea. Ugh. 

[elishabit]

Brand new Fitbit, firmware update does not work. 

[AndyWay]

Since my Sense 2 updated automatically it will not turn on. I have tried a hard reset, I get an alternating green and black fitbit symbol and then a big red X. The phone detects the watch to pair the watch to the phone but the watch screen is black!! Please give me instructions to sort this out 

[susanlee07]

I've posted a couple times here, same issues. Update crashed my watch. I submitted my return request to Google today, then saw another post where someone said they uninstalled and reinstalled the app. I tried that a few hours ago and so far so good! I'll repost if it crashes again tomorrow. 🤞

[susanlee07]

So far so good! Two days later and everything is back to normal! 

[SunsetRunner]

Hi @LizzyFitbit & Wonderful Fitbit Community,

I shared my experience in another thread when I first applied the firmware update (v210.26) in July. I will do it again here.

It is always fun and exciting to see new features get deployed with an update But, this latest firmware has been quite disappointing if I may say.

I have had my Sense 2 since Jan 2024. I LOVE it for all its health-related features. It has been a fun experience and yet it helps monitor some of my health conditions. I love sharing good stories about my health watch. But, the latest firmware update has made my Sense 2 become unusable.

My Sense 2 randomly vibrates and starts "GPS Running" and "Outdoor Biking" during my sleep at midnight. This happens even though (a) I have turned on the sleep mode (therefore, the do-not-disturb mode); and (b) I turned off all workouts auto-detect recognition.

Auto-detect recognition also incorrectly and randomly turns on during the day when I sit and work at my desk. It happened just yesterday when I was sitting and sipping my cup of morning coffee.

My Google Wallet has also become unusable. Making many, many attempts to enter my PIN to pull out my credit cards is almost impossible since v210.26. The screen keeps blinking or random numbers being 'keyed' in while I wait for the screen to 'calm' down without touching it. Oftentimes, the servers or cashiers at restaurants or supermarkets need to re-set up the transactions on the credit card machines because the transaction gets timed out. It has been so difficult to use my Google Wallet on my Sense 2 since the update.

An update with new features and/or bug fixes that destabilize the system seems unreasonable. A few basic/minimal test suits would be good enough to see if an update is good to go. Breaking existing features with an update is unreasonable. It does not look like the latest firmware is thoroughly tested.

Knowing Google/Fitbit being one of the leading companies, I am interested to learn their plan of moving forward to fix all these issues related to the firmware update v210.26.

[taz4352]

My FitFace clockface keeps changing randomly without being initiated by me.  So irritating.  I have also restarted the phone, restarted the Fitbit and the phone app.  I went a step further and did a factory reset on my Fitbit and it is still happening.  I then installed the Fitface clockface and select one of my paid for designs and it stays for a while and then just goes back to the generic fitface clockface randomly.  Mine detects spinning in the morning when I'm brushing my teeth with my oralB.  This all started about a month or so ago, so I am attributing it to the firmware update also.  I've used FitFace for years without issue.  Not happy with this as I've spent a lot of money on FitFace clockfaces that I can now not use.  Is there some way I can go back to the previous firmware version???

[ImminentOrbit]

It is disappointing to me that this last update hasn't been reverted yet. It is so clearly broken that it should have been a day off release decision

[EGida]

Since the update I am having trouble with my sense 2 shutting off mid workout and not saving the workout. I workout 6 days a week and this week it only recorded 3. I have even had to manually adjust the start and stop times due to it shutting off. I’ve done a hard restart twice and still have the problem. This is the whole reason I have the sense to track workouts. I’m very frustrated!

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi everyone, and welcome to our new members.

Thanks for sharing your thoughts about this update and the features included. Fitbit is always working to improve our devices, and the feedback we receive from our members is a big part of the process as we want to deliver something that works for you.

Because most of your inquiries are related to auto-recognition, I'd like to clarify more information about this feature. Before, your device was able to recognize walk, run and bike; however, now it has the ability to also auto-recognize elliptical, rowing and spinning. As the name implies, when one of those exercises is detected based on the movements of your arms and/or distance traveled, your device will ask you if you want to track that activity and open the Exercise app.

In case you're not interested in this, you can turn it off by doing the following:

1. Open the Exercise app on your watch
2. Tap on Walk and scroll down to see the settings
3. Look for the one called Walk Detect and tap on it until it says Off
4. Repeat the same process for the other exercise types

[ImminentOrbit]

It looks like there is a bunch of broken stuff, not just complaints about the auto-detect. I am still surprised this release has not been reverted yet to the previous while the bugs are worked on.

[Toriaplum]

That's not my problem at all. It killed my fitbit!! I had to uninstall it
all and it still isn't right after all these months. I haven't reinstalled
the update yet and don't intend too until it has been sorted.

PLEASE SORT THE ACTUAL PROBLEMS THANK YOU!!

[JSJ77]

Can sort the issue out ASAP. It's not working at all. 1 minute Isles on 100% battery then it's on 5% in a split second. Calls work working, hard reset not work.

Can we get some answers please.

[Sarahjun3]

Did you find a fix for this ?? Mine has done the extract same thing and only show that on the screen now! 

[taz4352]

I had already posted about an issue I was having with my Fitbit after the firmware update, and I wanted to add an update to that comment.  My Fitbit was randomly re-booting often and doing other odd things, like automatically sensing a spinning exercise when I brushed my teeth.  I also kept losing my selected Fitface clock face and going back to the generic Fitface clock face many times per day, and I'm guessing it was related to the reboots.  I tried all the suggested solutions (removing the Sense 2 from the Fitbit app and Bluetooth, shutting down the Fitbit and closing the Fitbit app, and shutting down my iPhone, performing a factory reset on my Fitbit), but nothing fixed the problem.  I then removed the Sense 2 from Bluetooth and from my Fitbit app, and I added a different Sense 2 that I have, which has an older Firmware version on it, and since I've done that, there have been NO OTHER random issues with my Fitbit.  My selected FitFace clock face stays put. When I brush my teeth, it doesn't automatically start a spinning exercise session, and I'm not getting the random reboots I was getting before.  Conclusion:  The Firmware update has some significant issues that must be fixed.  I hope someone is listening and monitoring these posts because I've gotten no response from anyone regarding these issues.

[JörgWiegers]

Sorry to see that the swimming part in not updated. This Sense2 software part is useless for swimming practice. 

The swimming software in the Ionic was perfect. Please replace the Sense2 software for the Ionic swimming software.

The software in the Sense(1) is not good enough either. Although a less stupid design than in the Sense2...