Update Required
Fitbit Smart Watch
Severity: MinorWhat Does This Error Mean?
Fitbit shows 'Update required' or 'Update available' when new firmware needs to install on the device.
Some updates are optional; others block sync or features until applied.
Updates download via the Fitbit app on your phone, then transfer to the device over Bluetooth.
The transfer is slow because Bluetooth Low Energy is bandwidth-limited — major updates can take 20-60 minutes.
Affected Models
- Fitbit Sense and Sense 2
- Fitbit Versa, Versa 2, 3, and 4
- Fitbit Charge 5 and 6
- Fitbit Inspire 2 and 3
- Fitbit Luxe
Common Causes
- Required firmware update from Fitbit
- Security patch rolling out
- New features in the app that require newer firmware
- Recovery from an earlier failed update
- Account migration to Google requiring updated firmware
How to Fix It
-
Charge the Fitbit first.
Updates need at least 50% battery to install safely.
Place the Fitbit on its charger and wait until the battery is at 80% or higher before starting.
Mid-update battery dropouts cause failed updates. -
Open the Fitbit app and tap update.
Today tab → tap your device → Update Available.
Tap Update Now.
The app downloads the firmware first (using your phone's WiFi), then transfers to the Fitbit over Bluetooth. -
Keep phone close and awake.
Stay within Bluetooth range of the Fitbit throughout the update.
Set the phone screen to never sleep — Settings → Display → Auto-Lock → Never (revert later).
A sleeping phone breaks the transfer. -
Be patient.
Major updates can take 30-60 minutes to fully install.
The progress bar may pause for long stretches — that is normal.
Do not force-quit the app or remove the Fitbit from charge. -
Wait for confirmation.
When the update completes, the app shows 'Update successful' and the Fitbit displays the new firmware version.
The device may reboot once during the install — that is part of the normal flow. -
Retry if update fails.
If the update fails partway, tap Update Again from the app.
The transfer resumes from where it left off in many cases.
Stay close, keep the phone awake, and let it complete. -
Restart everything if stuck.
If three retries all fail, force-restart the Fitbit, force-quit the app, and try again with a fresh start.
This resolves stuck states that survive normal retry attempts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why are Fitbit updates so slow?
Bluetooth Low Energy was designed for small bursts of data — heart rate, steps, sleep — not for transferring 50-100 MB of firmware.
Each firmware byte takes much longer than a WiFi transfer would.
Plan to update overnight when possible.