To update most Fitbit devices, charge the device, install the latest Google Health app, then open the app and go to Connections, select your Fitbit, and tap Update if that option appears. Keep the device near your phone or tablet and leave the app running until the update finishes; Google says updates may take more than an hour.
If there is no Update option, the rollout may not have reached your device yet. Fitbit scales, Ace LTE, and some model-specific firmware releases use different instructions, so check the guidance for your exact model before troubleshooting.
Before you update
- Identify your Fitbit model and check whether it has model-specific update instructions.
- Charge the device to at least 50%; Google recommends 75% or higher for troubleshooting an update that will not start or complete.
- Install the latest Google Health app version on your phone or tablet.
- Use a stable Wi-Fi or cellular connection, keep the Fitbit close to the phone or tablet, and leave Google Health running while the update loads.
- Choose a time when you can leave the process uninterrupted. Google warns that starting an update right as the day changes may cause the step count to be wrong for a day.
How to update most Fitbit devices
- Open Google Health with your Fitbit nearby.
- Tap Connections and select your device.
- Tap Update if the option appears.
- Follow the on-screen instructions. Keep the device within reach and leave Google Health running while the update loads.
- Wait for the progress bar in the app and on the device to finish before using the Fitbit normally.
Google says the Update control appears only when an update is available. Updates are sent gradually, so another person with the same model may receive one before you do. Check again later if there is no update option.
How long does a Fitbit update take?
Do not rely on a fixed estimate: Google says updates may take more than one hour. Keep the app running and avoid interrupting the process while it is progressing.
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Google Health Help Center’s update guidance states: “Updates may take more than one hour to complete.” Its rollout guidance also says: “Google Health sends Fitbit device updates to everyone gradually over time.”
Model-specific exceptions
| Device or situation | Update instructions |
|---|---|
| Most Fitbit devices | Use Google Health: Connections > select device > Update, when available. |
| Fitbit scales | Scales check for firmware updates themselves and download and install them when available. |
| Fitbit Ace LTE | It downloads updates automatically when a release is ready and needs Wi-Fi and near-full charge. To check manually, use Settings > System > System updates. |
| Versa Lite Edition on firmware 38.6.1.1 | Google’s troubleshooting instructions say to connect the watch to its charging cable and a computer USB port before starting the update. This exception is for that firmware instruction, not a general requirement for other models. |
Why can’t I update my Fitbit?
If an update will not start or syncing fails, work through these lower-risk checks first. Google’s troubleshooting guidance recommends a charged device, the latest app, and a stable Wi-Fi or cellular connection.
- Force-quit Google Health, reopen it, and try again.
- Turn Bluetooth off for at least 10 seconds, then turn it back on.
- Restart the Fitbit and the phone or tablet, then retry the update.
- Keep the Fitbit within 2 to 3 feet of the phone or tablet. Temporarily turn off Bluetooth on nearby devices that could interfere.
- Keep Google Health running in the background while the update loads. Updates can take up to an hour according to the troubleshooting page, and the general update guidance says they may take longer.
These figures and steps are from the Google Health Help Center’s troubleshooting guidance.
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Advanced connection troubleshooting
If basic checks do not solve a persistent connection problem, Google documents removing the device from the app and forgetting it in the phone’s Bluetooth settings before setting it up again. Follow the setup instructions for your device and platform.
Google also documents clearing the Google Health app cache on Android. On iOS, its guidance describes uninstalling and reinstalling the app only after forgetting the device from Bluetooth settings. These are advanced steps; avoid removing or reinstalling things unless you are prepared to set the device up again.
For a model-specific firmware issue, consult Google’s Fitbit release notes. The page dated July 14, 2025 includes entries such as Charge 6 version 220.21 and Charge 5 version 194.91. These are examples for those releases, not a guarantee that every device should currently show those versions.
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Restart or factory reset?
A standard restart turns a device off and on without losing activity data. It is a reasonable troubleshooting step; follow the restart instructions for your model. Do not insert an object into small sensor holes to restart the device, because Google warns that this can damage it.
A factory reset is a last resort for an unresponsive device, a boot loop, or persistent failure. It erases unsynced local activity statistics, alarms, goals, and notification settings, and you will need to set up the Fitbit again. Do not use it as a routine update step. See Google’s restart instructions and update troubleshooting guidance.
Updates and older Fitbit devices
Not every Fitbit remains eligible for software updates indefinitely. Google’s legacy-device policy says devices typically receive software updates for at least two years after they were last sold on Fitbit.com or the Google Store. This is a general policy, not a promise that a particular model is currently eligible; Google may eventually discontinue updates, support, and the ability to pair a device with the Fitbit app. Check the Fitbit Legacy Device Policy for details.
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FAQ
Where is the Fitbit update button?
In Google Health, tap Connections, select your Fitbit, and tap Update if it appears. The option is available only when an update is ready for that device.
Why is there no update option in Google Health?
Updates are rolled out gradually. If your device is otherwise working, check again later; another Fitbit of the same model may receive the update first.
Can I use my Fitbit while it updates?
Keep the device near your phone or tablet and leave Google Health running while the update loads. Wait for the progress bar to finish before returning to normal use.
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Will restarting my Fitbit erase my activity?
Google says a standard restart turns the device off and on without losing activity data. A factory reset is different: it erases unsynced local activity statistics and settings, so reserve it for persistent failures.
Do all Fitbit models update through Google Health?
No. Most use the Google Health app flow, but scales check for updates themselves, and Ace LTE has separate automatic and manual update instructions. Check the current guidance for your model.
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