What you need to know
- Google is rolling out Fitbit Air firmware version 253.2, but don’t expect any new features.
- This update focuses entirely on reliability and minor bug fixes.
- Google recommends installing the update during the day or evening, as updates around midnight can temporarily reduce the number of daily steps.
Google has started rolling out a new software update for Fitbit Air. However, this release is only focused on reliability, not new features.
The company officially describes the update as containing only “minor bug fixes,” but doesn’t say what those fixes are. This is the second firmware release for the wearable after the initial update last month. In it community postGoogle says that firmware version 253.2 is rolling out to devices in the next few days.
Before starting the installation process, Google says make sure Fitbit Weather charged or connected to its charger and has at least 50% battery. You must also keep the wearable connected to your phone or tablet via Bluetooth and have the latest version of the Google Health app on your device.
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When you install it is also important. Google recommends that you update your device during the day or evening, rather than midnight, because updating late at night can cause that day’s step count to appear temporarily inaccurate.
Installation takes about 10 minutes to complete. Open it first Google Health app with a nearby Fitbit Air and tap Update on the Today tab. You can also tap Update in the upper-left corner under Connections, and then tap your device.
Just keep the Google Health app open and hold the Fitbit close to your phone or tablet until the progress bar completes.
Android Central’s Take
I understand that Google eventually ships an update instead of waiting for early adopters, but “bug fixes and general improvements” has become one of the most overused phrases in tech. If this update really helps auto-detect exercise, Google should say so. People don’t buy fitness trackers to decipher vague change logs. They buy them because they want reliable health monitoring without a babysitter.
