Oura confirms Ring 4 sync bug after firmware update

Oura has confirmed that its latest Ring 4 firmware can leave some devices unable to sync with the app, although the problem appears to affect a fairly specific group of users.

The issue is tied to firmware version 2.13.1 and is still marked as open. Oura has not said how many Ring 4 owners are affected, but it has published a simple workaround that may get the data moving again.

The problem appears after switching phones

According to Oura’s official known-issues page, some Ring 4 devices can stop syncing after installing firmware 2.13.1. The company says this may happen when the owner has moved to a new phone without completing a factory reset after the ring was originally set up.

The ring may remain out of sync for a day or two. That can leave recent sleep, recovery and activity information sitting on the ring instead of appearing in the app, although Oura has not said that the underlying data is deleted.

This does not look like a problem affecting every Ring 4. Oura has not identified a particular phone model or operating system, and its wording points to the device-transfer process as the main trigger.

The workaround is straightforward

The good news is that Oura’s suggested fix is pretty painless. Pop the Ring 4 on its charger, open the Oura app and give it a little time to reconnect and finish syncing.

Try that before digging into Bluetooth settings or reaching for the factory reset button. A full reset can wipe anything still sitting on the ring, so make sure your data is backed up if you do eventually need to go down that route.

Still no luck? Oura’s firmware troubleshooting guide suggests restarting your phone, checking that Bluetooth is working and making sure the ring has enough charge. Reinstalling the app and pairing everything again should be left until later, as there is no point creating more work for yourself unless the simpler fixes fail.

One slightly annoying detail is that automatic firmware updates are switched on by default. That means version 2.13.1 may land on your Ring 4 without you actively installing it. If you recently changed phones and the ring suddenly stops syncing, check the firmware version in the app’s software information section and try the charger trick first.

Oura has already dealt with a few software-related data problems this year, including missing Sleep and Readiness results that were fixed through an app update. This latest bug seems more limited and the workaround is much easier, but Ring 4 owners should still know about it while firmware 2.13.1 is making its way out.