Charge 5 Firmware Update 194.61

[LizzyFitbit]

7/13 Update: We’re continuing to roll out this firmware for the Charge 5 Firmware Update 194.61, and expect more customers are able to update their devices. This is a progressive rollout and all customers can expect to have it within a few weeks. We release updates in phases so that we can monitor performance closely and make adjustments if needed. If you don't see the option to update, don't worry - you'll have it soon!

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We’re excited to announce that a firmware update version 194.61 for Charge 5 will be available soon! Some of you might already have this update available. If you installed it, let us know what you think!

We release updates to customers in phases. If you don’t see it, check the Fitbit app in a few days, and you’ll see a message when you can install the update. We appreciate your patience while we get this update to all of our customers.

*Firmware releases are not distributed based on region or location and can reach anyone no matter where you reside. We do not recommend performing a factory reset to force the update to your device as your data will be lost and you may not get the update. Please be patient and wait until you see the update banner inside of the Fitbit app to begin the firmware download.

WHAT’S NEW AND FIXED

• All exercise modes are now available in the Exercise app, and your most recently used modes appear at the top. For more information, see How do I track my workouts with my Fitbit device?
• Find new clock faces in the Fitbit Gallery in the Fitbit app. For more information, see How do I change the clock face on my Fitbit device?
• View your daily readiness score on your tracker (Premium feature only). For more information, see What’s my daily readiness score in the Fitbit app?
• Support for global characters and right-to-left text notifications:
  Arabic
  Hebrew
  Thai
  Hindi
  Vietnamese
• This release includes bug fixes and improvements.

Full release notes can be found here. For more details, please see this Community Blog post.

HOW DO I UPDATE?
See How do I update my Fitbit device? for step by step instructions for updating your Charge 5. If you run into difficulty updating, review these Why can't I update my Fitbit device?

We’re interested in hearing your feedback on this update! Let us know what you like! If you encounter unexpected behavior during or after your update, please post the details below.

[Tongy66086]

How do I find what version I am currently running?

[zainsfiction]

Even if Fitbit releases a firmware fix, how would I install it?

My Charge 5 is bricked. And because I followed the recommended troubleshooting; I have removed the device from the bluetooth setting and did a fresh install of the Fitbit app on my phone.

Pretty sure my phone will not detect a bricked device wirelessly.

Anyway I’m not expecting anything anymore from this company. I have already started wearing an Apple watch.

[bbunge]

Removing the Charge 5 from the app or from the phone Bluetooth is a mistake. Turning off the phone Bluetooth is OK.

[Sharon84]

Update to my Update - I have been able to get my old Inspire 2 to work.  At least now I have a tracker that will sync.  

[Uge3]

Getting my replacement tonight will repost after I get set up.

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I chatted with them thru the app chap and had customer withing 7 mins and it took 17 days to receive a replacement 

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I did NOT pay anything for a replacement 

[JSK56]

Let me know as I got my replacement today and I decided to hold off until I had more info so as not to brick this one. 

[Uge3]

Will reply in about 2 hours

[saltywetman]

anyone who has a working fitbit charge 5 and updates their firmware despite having knowledge of this issue before hand would be a complete imbecile to do so. If it ain't broke, don't fix it. Wait until there's a confirmed working firmware fix prior to updating. 

[Uge3]

I got the new FBC5 in and I did NOT update it. Seems to be tracking just fine.

[JeniferC]

Exactly. Just don’t update your device (and turn off auto updates).  Forget about any functionality updates. It’s not the way this should work but here we are. 

[JSK56]

Thanks. I will try what you posted. Agreed, this shouldn't be this way. 

[Cpl117]

How do you turn off auto updates? I deleted my Charge 5 from the app in an attempt to fix it. I’m waiting for Fitbit to send me a new one under warranty. 

[Nento]

I can’t update (im in thailand) 

[jlynncameron]

Not that I would want it apparently, but my Charge 5 hasn’t even offered the update yet. Exactly how long are these rollout phases ??

[mchili]

Iphone doesn’t have the option to auto update maybe just android? I have an iPhone and it can only be updated when prompted. I haven’t gotten the prompt yet. Did they stop rolling it out? Even though @LizzyFitbit  says they are 

[kerrieBBOZ]

Hi Uge, how do you turn off auto updates for the tracker? I know you can avoid updating the phone app, but some of the tech press articles say that you can’t prevent it from self updating and some of the commenters in the forum appear to have only been aware there was an issue when it updated itself when they attached to the charger and synched? And you can’t actually use the tracker without charging or synching. I am on the iOS version of the phone app.

[kerrieBBOZ]

JeniferC, I may be a tech dunce but how do you turn off auto updates for the tracker rather than the app? Some of the tech press coverage has said you can’t prevent the update and some of the commenters have said they only found out there was a problem when it had auto updated. I have the iOS version of the phone app (Currently the phone app is apparently up to date on the Apple App Store, and was last updated 14th July 2023) and iOS auto updates are turned off. I have not yet received a notification that the new firmware is available and I would not deliberately agree to the update if it was, but I’m very concerned that it might auto apply the firmware anyway.

from Mobile Syrup article “Fitbit Charge 5 owners report bricked wearables after upd” (although I have read this elsewhere as well) https://mobilesyrup.com/2023/07/13/fitbit-charge-5-bricked-software-update/

“Frustratingly, there’s no official way to pause the update as the Fitbit app downloads and installs it automatically.”

[saltywetman]

If you can't disable auto updates through the app id recommend not synching or using the charge 5 for the time being. Do not unpair from your phone but I would even go as far as uninstalling the Fitbit app so it doesn't do anything in the background until a fixed firmware is released. 

[MAH62]

They would only offer me a 35% discount off the inflated 149.99 price because mine was a month out of warranty.

Been a loyal fitbit customer since 2014. Not any longer. I am done with fitbit!

[Tongy66086]

 I too am done with fitbit. They had replaced my charge 5 two other times. 8 months ago was the last time. Somehow, they considered this as out of warranty. I have a years old charge 2 that I am using until I decide on what fitness tracker I want to buy.

Seems to me that the fitbit quality had taken a steep nose dive since google bought them.