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.

[SunsetRunner]

Good luck! Mine started working again...a few times. I babied it, but it died again anyways. I have/had the same firmware version as you. I think it's the "pre" update version. It doesn't stay working long enough for it to update to the new even crappier version. 💩🫤

[JSK56]

My device that stopped working correctly after the update is showing the version you listed. Battery life is less than 2 hours. My replacement Charge 5 is even an older version 182.26. I keep cancelling the update. I wish I could find a list of each version and what it enhanced or fixed and when it was released. 

[croserb]

Charge 5 should be recalled and a full refund should be offered. I'm going to send an email to Australia consumer affairs to find out what Fitbit is doing is legal in Australia. 

[JSK56]

What app version are you running? 

[MorselA]

I believe I am running app version 3.86.

[CBGirl23]

I had done way too many resets to count, the first two worked and then it gave me the circle with the x in the middle and then it wouldn't reset after that. Customer service said it was syncing but that doesn't matter when the device has a screen failure. So I did get a replacement but I'm still looking into alternative devices because this is maddening. I'm just so anxious it's going to happen to the replacement since they don't seem to be admitting that anything is wrong 

[JSK56]

Thanks. 

[schettio]

I bought the 2-Year Protection Plan and I'm not sure if it's being honored.

I bought the actual device back in April 2022 for $150, and with the 35% discount replacement that brings my total to $247.50 for the Charge 5 before tax for 15 months of use.

This is comparable in price to an Apple Watch SE.

[Shells11]

I am so frustrated. My Fitbit is less then 1 year old and suddenly after the update the screen stays black no matter what. Did ALL the troubleshooting and nothing fixes it.   Chatted with Customer service and they state it is not under warranty and there is nothing they can do. CRAPPY customer service!!!   At this point you just a long term Fitbit customer.  I sincerely hope you find a way to make this right.

[JSK56]

Depending on where you bought it the warranty is 1 year. I bought mine in December and it was replaced. 

[tarenth]

Like so many others in this community, my Charge 5 was working perfectly last week, had a 24% battery and when I plugged it in to charge, the screen went black and it hasn't worked since. Tried all the troubleshooting, attempted restarts, etc. to no avail. Occasionally it would show the Fitbit logo and give a slight vibration, but that was it. My device did not have the firmware update yet still bricked like everyone else here. Although clearly a firmware issue, it is disappointing that Fitbit is not standing by its product and replacing devices that have died due to Fitbit's own issues. Instead of trying to resolve, if out of warranty (of course, mine was just out of warranty by a few months), they offer a discount to purchase a new device that will likely have the same issues but, at least will be under warranty. To add insult to injury, however, the discount only applies to full price, in stock items. Of course, since so many of us are having same issue, most is out of stock. I was lucky that my credit card provided an extended warranty so I was able to obtain a refund and, sucker that I am, did use the discount to grudgingly buy a new Charge 5 (but NOT the one I wanted, which was out of stock). But wait, it gets even better. I've been a loyal Fitbit enthusiast since 2012 and own multiple devices (most don't work anymore). But, I still had a working Charge 2 and Alta, so I dragged them out, charged them up and thought I was good to go while waiting for my new device. Well, nope! The Alta all of a sudden out of nowhere will only work while on the charger (useless!!) and while my Charge 2 worked great for 5 days, all of sudden, the screen went black and has stayed black. It still tracks but it is a blank on my wrist and I have to go to the app to get stats (and wear a separate watch for the time). When I researched these issues on the forum, no surprise that these too were common issues experienced by others. Fitbit, can you hear us??? Do you care? Used to be  great product/company. Trying hard not to lose faith but they aren't making it easy. Will be losing customers if they don't get it together real soon. So disappointing. 

[SunsetRunner]

I’ve been without a tracker for so many days I’m honestly not missing it anymore. I’m not even that mad. If this happened during the days of challenges and when Fitbit competitions were actually fun then maybe but it was a watch that was a glorified workout counter (which seemed off IMHO). Fitbit good old days are just that. 

[SunsetRunner]

I've moved on to an Amazfit Band 7. Truthfully, it has more options than the Fitbit but it's more difficult to figure out. I will probably buy whatever Samsung watch that comes out next so it will pair better with my phone.

I will never be a Fitbit/Google customer again unless they make this right for ALL of us. I found so many more Fitbit bands/watches/trackers and people needing help but not receiving answers, in researching this brick. I'm guessing Google is going to dissolve the Fitbit brand and all of it's trackers and who knows if we are going to be left high and dry. I don't consider a coupon to buy a new one, a good form of customer service and it won't make up for the money I lost on this tracker. What a shame.

[SunsetRunner]

@SunsetRunner well said! We are all in this together. 

[FBJFC]

I did the update and not my Charge 5 battery only lasts for half a day. It used to last for about a week. I’ve seen that I’m not the only one with this problem. What is Fitbit doing to fix this issue?

Amen! The same thing happened to me.

[saltywetman]

Absolutely nothing to fix it. Depending if you're under warranty you will either get a free replacement or a 30% off coupon to purchase a replacement. Keep in mind you will be replacing your bricked device with the exact same device that will brick after you update it so if you do get a replacement do not use it until a fixed firmware gets released. At this point nobody knows what the future holds for Fitbit as it looks like a dying company. 

Fitbit does not officially acknowledge there is a problem with their firmware and continues to roll out this faulty update.

Fitbit has not officially announced that they are working on a fixed firmware update.

Until Fitbit makes an official announcement I'm just going to assume they are on their way out. I really only used mine as a sleep tracker anyways.

It's a shame people don't find out about this problem into after it's too late and they have bricked their devices and come onto these forums 

[JSK56]

My replacement is working fine. I just cancel the update. 

[ricomambonito]

Any updates on this? I feel like there would be long lasting problems with battery life if this persists.

[rbradford]

Just adding my name to the same problem everyone else is having. I haven't reached out to customer service yet but it's on my to-do list. I did purchase the extended warranty but I'm tempted to just do a charge back because it seems like a replacement Charge 5 would end up being just like my current one - if not with the current update,  with a future update. 

[MrsDKindergarte]

I returned my dysfunctional Charge 5 to Costco where I purchased it last year. They didn’t have any fitness devices available because they are getting ready to put out 2024 versions.

so after some research I reluctantly purchased a Fitbit Inspire 3 from Amazon. If I had a higher budget I would have purchased a Garmin product.