Force app version 3.35 update

[SaraBush213]

I have a new charge 4 that I've had for about 5 days and none of the following features work: notifications, weather, or calendar ( I don't think spotify works either but I don't have it). I cannot change the clock face on my fitbit; when I try the app says I need to update the app and/or firmware to change the clock. Also, if I go to setting on the Fitbit, the Fitbit just crashes and I can't access the settings. Basically only the basic features are working (step count and sleep tracking).  I don't think the GPS is working either but I can't tell for sure. I have restarted my Fitbit 5+ times and unistalled my Fitbit app twice. I made sure each individual app is up to date (settings, exercise, calendar, etc). I've also checked multiple times to make sure all my location and notification settings are on and force sync the Fitbit. Nothing has helped. Based on other threads, I need to update for version 3.35 of the app, but no matter what I do, I am not given the option to update to the version that (purportedly) fixes all my issues. My s10 says the app is up to date in the play store, even after uninstalling and reinstalling. Is there any way to force the update so I can actually use my Fitbit? Thanks!

[Guy_]

When I go to the play store for my S9 I see version 3.36 of the Fitbit app.released 9 December 2020

Which version do you see? and in which country are you? It might have a bearing.

[Rich_Laue]

Hi @SaraBush213 the app gets updated through the play store, as @Guy_ suggests. 

Being only one version off, I'm not sure if this is your problem. 

Let's check the firmware version, through settings on the tracker or through the Fitbit app, on the Charge 4? It should be version 1.96.29. This version will not be installed slurring setup, but normally a day or two latter. 

Have you performed this second update yet? 

[SaraBush213]

Thank you for your replies! It turns out it was the firmware, not the app. Today I was finally given the option of updating the firmware and now everything seems to be working well. I checked afterwards and my firmware and app both seem to be the most recent version now.

As an aside to Fitbit, this is my 5 or 6th Fitbit (I've had the Alta HR, Charge 2&3, Inspire 2, and a couple early models) and I am at a loss why I couldn't force the firmware update myself and had to wait multiple days for the App to give me the option. I'm an experienced Fitbit user and had way too much trouble getting the basic, advertised features to work on my Charge 4 (like GPS--which I confirmed was not working until the update). Without the update, my Charge 4 was basically just a large Inspire for awhile, and that's really disappointing. Between this, and the rate that all of my other Fitbit's have died (most within less than a year), I'm not sure I'd get a Fitbit again. We'll see how this one goes. 

[Guy_]

Thanks for the feedback @SaraBush213 

I added a comment in this post you might like to vote on.

Add button to check for updates 

[Rich_Laue]

@SaraBush213 the reason you can not force the update to download faster in the background is because it runs in the background. 

@Guy_ yes adding a check now button may help in starting the process, but it won't help in the speed of the download. 

Users where complaining that a live Internet connection is needed for the installation of the tracker firmware. 

Users pleaded and begged to have the firmware download to the phone, then only after the whole download is on the phone the installation can begin. 

[Guy_]

Hi @Rich_Laue 

The point about adding a button to initiate a firmware update, is that without it users are powerless to do anything to remedy a situation, that they may have had, or have, without help from Fitbit support, which in turn frustrates everyone.

With a button users can work on resolving any issues with updates for themselves until they succeed.

Also if they are experiencing problems they can easily check if there is an issued update that might resolve it, that they haven't received automatically yet.

Basically It's a quick courtesy way of allowing users to check the tracker updates in the app without having to troll the internet and to allow them to fix any problems with tracker firmware updates for themselves.

[Rich_Laue]

On fitbit's side @Guy_, even though Fitbit does a lot of controlled testing with various models, they roll out updates. If the update currently being rolled out hasn't been released to your account, this button will never see that an update is available. The button will not be help full in this situation. 

Shortly after a Charge 4 is setup to an account the update starts to download. A "check for update" won't help here. 

In the past, Fitbit has had a few unexpected problems with updates. One after 2 days of monitoring had to be pulled. Once they decided to release to all and the server crashed. One time we had an update that gave problems only in phones that had one particular unrelated app installed. 

On short a "check for update button" at best will be a placebo. 

As for knowing what a release does, Fitbit needs to be more open with their release notes. It is ridiculous that the release notes are always a carbon copy of the notes for previous release. 

"This release includes bug fixes and improvements" doesn't say much for a user to work with. Yes these notes so include the added features, but never tell the user what type of problems where fixed.