Google rolls out first Fitbit Air firmware update [U]

Following two big Google Health app updates, the Fitbit Air is getting its first post-launch firmware update.

Update 7/23: Google today published a blog post about firmware version 253.2 with full instructions. The update started rolling out a month ago with “minor bug fixes.”

1. Open the Google Health app with your Fitbit Air nearby.
2. On the Today tab, tap Update. This option is only visible when an update is available.
   • Alternatively, at the top left, tap Connections, then select your device. Tap Update.
3. Follow the directions on the screen and keep your Fitbit close to your phone, tablet, or computer.

Google has an “important things to know before updating” list:

• Timing: We recommend updating your device during the day or evening. If you update your Fitbit right around midnight, your step count for that day might temporarily appear inaccurate.
• Duration: Updates can take around 10 minutes to complete, so make sure you are in a convenient spot where you can set your device down and let the update finish uninterrupted.
• App Status: To keep the update loading, you must keep the Google Health app running.

Update 7/13: This Fitbit Air update is now more widely rolling out. Once available, you’ll see a “Device update” card in the Today feed or when visiting the device page. Follow the steps to download, with the process taking a few minutes. The Fitbit Air can remain on your wrist and does not need to be charging as the update installs.

Original 6/25: Out of the box, there was a day one firmware update for the Fitbit Air as part of the setup process. Google is now rolling out 20001.253.2 (versus 20001.245.19).

As a quick note, how Google displays the firmware version number differs slightly between iOS and Android. The latter platform appends “67” to the front, but the back half is identical.

• iOS: 20001.253.2
• Android: 67.20001.253.2

Like other Fitbit tracker and smartwatch software updates, the Google Health app will prompt you with a card on the device page once new firmware is available.

This update is not yet widely available, with Google telling us today that it contains bug fixes and general improvements.

When Google shared its post-launch feature roadmap last month, there were a handful of specific entries for the Fitbit Air. With the two app updates released in June, Google has addressed the following exercise tracking issues:

• [FIXED] Address incomplete data in TCX exports for exercises tracked using Fitbit Air and connected GPS and for exercises tracked using multiple devices or apps connected to Google Health.
• [DONE, with additional future improvements] Improve how the app responds while live tracking a Fitbit Air exercise in the event of lost connectivity.

Google said it would also “continue to improve the number of exercises that Fitbit Air automatically detects.”