Fitbit says it has no immediate plans to bring music storage to Sense & Versa 3
In what will surely come as a disappointment to many, Fitbit has said on its Forums that it has no immediate plans to bring music storage to Sense and Versa 3.
For those not in the know, the duo comes with built-in GPS which allows for phone-free running. But the watches do not have the ability to store music for offline playback like Ionic.
Fitbit has launched the two devices late last year. Sense can probably be considered as the successor to the Ionic. The later is a popular device, that was far ahead of its time when it was launched back in September 2017. In fact, for a long time it was the only Fitbit device with built-in GPS. That, of course, has changed with the launch of Charge 4 and now Sense and Versa 3.
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The other great Ionic feature is that it has offline storage for music. Around 2.5GB of it which is enough for around 300 songs. This is done by downloading music from Pandora or transferring it manually from a Mac or Windows PC. You can then play songs back to Bluetooth wireless headphones for a perfect phone-free experience. The same is the case for Versa 2 in case you were wondering.
Can music storage also be found on Sense and Versa 3?
Sense and Versa 3 are full to the brim with fitness sensors, particularly Sense. They come with a multi-path optical heart rate sensor (that allows for raw HRV readings), ECG sensor, EDA sensor, skin temperature sensor, SpO2 and much more. So in that aspect Sense and Versa 3 are a vast upgrade over the aging Ionic.
But what about offline storage for music? The watches, of course, have built-in memory because they have to handle the OS and other things. But can some of this be used for songs? Here’s what Fitbit has to say.
So the short answer is – no. It’s not possible to store your music playlists on the Sense and Versa 3 like you can on some other smartwatches.
There’s a way around it, though, but it is not ideal. Deezer allows you to upload your MP3s to the platform so you then have access through the service. Pandora Plus or Pandora Premium have this as well, but there’s a monthly cost for all of these premium accounts. Spotify only allows you to control music from the watch so you need an internet connection.
Those that like to run or cycle without their phones would love to see offline music support. It is a silly thing to overlook, especially considering the new watches have built-in GPS. After all, both the predecessor of Sense (Ionic) and Versa 3 (Versa 2) have it.
Does Fitbit has plans to bring music storage to Sense & Versa 3?
Many are hoping music storage is implemented as a software update. In every other aspect, Sense and Versa 3 are a big upgrade over anything Fitbit has manufactured so far.
Hower this seems extremely unlikely – at least in the near future. Some 1,043 votes were cast on the Suggested Features section of the Fitbit forum for music storage functionality. Today, 236 days after the origininal suggestion was posted on the forum, Fitbit finally clarified that it has no plans to bring the ability to load your personal music onto Fitbit Versa 3 and Sense.
 | Fitbit Sense |  |
The status of the suggestion has been marked as “Not currently planned”. Previously it was set to “Reviewed by Moderator”. If it’s any consolation, Fitbit has left the option to vote for the feature. Which still leaves some hope they might introduce music storage on Sense and Versa at some point in the future.
“While we don’t currently have plans to release this feature, we always appreciate the passion and creativity that comes out of this Community. Since we know this idea is important to many of you, we have left voting open to continue tracking interest and will post another update if anything changes.”
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The lack of local music storage is the one reason I haven’t upgraded to a Sense/Versa 3. What is more annoying is Fitbit’s head in the sand approach to the many users who want to know if it will be added. If not, fine, we can purchase a new Fitbit knowing it won’t happen or look elsewhere, but they have been appalling in their lack of response on their community forum about this issue.
If they’re contractualy tied to Pandora/Deezer, then just say so. We might not like it, but at least we’d be able to make an informed decision. If it’s coming, I’ll stay with them. If not, then it’s time to seek an alternative or continue with the Charge until it dies.
I completely agree Paul. Honesty in advertising and honesty with customers. Very much lacking here.
I continue holding off from buying the sense because of the lack of local music storage for spotify. Don’t use a fitness watch and like the sense features but not the music shortcoming.
Same here. My guess is that it drains battery life and processing speed.
I completely agree. Garmin has a lower price watch that allows music storage and playback and is better than the sense. When is Fitbit going to pull their head out?
All the above reasons I haven’t changed my Ionic with a Sense. I want the freedom to transfer my music through my own music apps not some dictated to me by someone else. Compared to the Ionic this more expensive watch is a step backward. It is a shame as I like the look of the Sense
Had the original Versa and now the Versa 2. I would have upgraded to the Versa 3 or Sense by now but without the ability to store my own, already purchased music, it a no for me. I do hope they see the light before the next version arrives; I’d hate to have to leave fitbit. Not paying to listen to music I already own.
I am looking to get a new smartwatch but with no music storage on fitbit devices I will look elsewhere. I was wondering if they are looking into getting the music feature back in either the Sense or an upcoming new model?
I just received a Versa 3 from my boyfriend for my birthday, but we were both disappointed to learn that they would remove a key feature like this. We are returning it and getting a Versa 2 instead.
I’ve just upgraded from the versa 2 to the Sense. I stupidly assumed that as the Sense is more expensive and sophisticated than the Versa 2, I would still be able to upload my music to my watch. The other day I decided to find how to do this on my Sense and was astonished to find I can’t. What is the matter with you Fitbit? Why make an upgraded watch with one less feature that is massively used by your customers? I’ve realized that this is just a cynical ploy to pair with Deezer and Spotify to gouge even more money out of your customers. SHAME ON YOU. Had I realized, I’d have stuck with my Versa.
Versa 3 is the same – you can’t upload music to it. Not good.