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.

[mitchtl]

You are lucky. Mine died July 6, since it was 16 months old it was not covered by warranty. Therefore, even though Google/Fitbit caused its demise, it is not eligible for replacement. I was offered a 35% discount on a new unit....I could not logically pay more money for something they wrecked. The Garmin I got last week works fine.

[SunsetRunner]

Oh gosh, that’s shocking! I really do hope they sort it soon for you. I would be lost without my Fitbit. 

[kerrieBBOZ]

@DaVinciUA i have only counted one response from someone who has not only updated with no problems, but has continued to not have problems over a longer timeframe, because a couple only had an initial report that it went well, yet for some people the problems start after a delay.

But I am encouraged that there is one, because as pointed out, you only come to this thread if you do have some kind of problem, unless you are here because someone else you know is the person with the problem and you are looking for a fix on their behalf. So that one may represent many. Although you have to say that there are SO many people with bricking and disfunctionality issues in the forum, and they will also underrepresent the true numbers affected, because many people never go to forums and may get no further than customer support.

[RLA88]

On one hand it looks like I am not alone with issues with my Fitbit and that seems good since maybe they will fix it. On the other hand it looks like this update has been rolling out for a long while... and I still don't have it, and neither does a lot of other people. And it looks like I have just had mine a few weeks over a year, great timing. I've been with Fitbit for years, but if the charging issue isn't fixed... I wont be getting a new one. 

[runner165]

What model of the fitbit doyou have? (  on the fitbit go to settings --> device info --> regulatory info and below model what does it say?)

I think the firmware updates only pertain to one model, since all other models are getting bricked/drained

[RLA88]

I have a Charge 5. 
Firmware version: 57.20001.188.58

[SunsetRunner]

I have a Charge 5 🙂 
Firmware version: 57.20001.188.58

[DaVinciUA]

I have ordered an Inspire 3 and hope the problems are gone.

[Porridge51]

Interesting mine is a FB423, which model do you think is the one that has a problem with the upgrade?

Sent from my iPhone

[JLBExercIse]

I have the same version and updated my Fitbit app to 3.88. My device was not discoverable. I contacted FitBit via twitter messages and was given advice to reset the change 5. They recommended the following steps:

1. Factory reset the Charge 5. This will delete all any unsynced data. Steps here: https://help.fitbit.com/articles/en_US/Help_article/2216.htm
2. Forget device on Bluetooth
3. Turn off Bluetooth then turn it back on
4. Turn off cellular data and use WiFi only
5. Set up the device again

If the link doesn’t work, on device: swipe down to go to settings, Device info and then clear data.  My device is now working. I hope to update won’t cause any problems only 6 weeks left on warranty.

[adamweiss]

 

Oddly, I just got another firmware update, and my Charge 5 is now on version 20001.194.78, which I can’t find any mention of anywhere. 

[mchili]

Mine is FB 421 and I’m still on firmware 188.58 with no issues (I’m on this thread because I’ve been waiting for the new firmware and want to know what’s going on) now I see from a recent post there’s a later firmware now rolling out! 

[Missiv12]

I receive all the replies in this thread (Maybe I started it?). Here's the issues. The batteries started running down on many  of us while still running the "old" version.  It was not just the new version that caused problems. Then many of use ended up with totally bricked devices. Mine is dead-others might see something but otherwise the watch does not work.  For me-two months out of warranty--purchased directly from Fitbit end of April 2022, battery issues started the weekend before July 4th,  2023 and by the end of that week it was dead forever.  I am out the cost of  the fitbit, out the premium (although someone gave me a charge2 so I get a couple of premium features until I cancel the subscription). Out the cost of the extra bands purchased directly from fitbit. Had to purchase new bands for the Charge2.  All I was offered was the lousy 35% off of non-sale prices.  There are so many people on this thread and others that have a worthless piece of junk. The sad thing is that in researching alternatives, the fitbit is still the one that offers the functions etc. that I want.  I don't know if it is worth it to wait and buy another one, or is it more money thrown away. 

[GaetanoVB]

Does anyone know when firmware 57.20001.188.58 came out? My Charge 5 recently experienced the same battery draining issue as tons of people here and, unfortunately, it is now in the FitBit afterlife after losing its entire charge once I disconnect it from its charger. I swear it was not that long ago that the firmware updated, but mine was only showing 188.58 even though this thread for 194.61 has been around for a while.

[ian.pennington3]

I'm still waiting for the new firmware update

[mchili]

188.58 came out 12/13/22 

[MorselA]

My fitbit was switched to Google a couple months before the "update".
Doesn't seem that account matters.

[ChoSmile]

I activate my Chage 5 on 2021/Oct/06
coming from Chage 4 (now battery goes up to 2% and stop charging and screen is veeeery dimmed), before that Charge 3 SE (still vibrates but screen is black / nothing shown).

On August 2022 my Charge died after swimming - it was warranty replaced and the new one is FB421 on 188.58 fw now.

Might be FB423 is a newer hardware revision? Or diiferent market (mine (both) was sent from Neterlands, Europe). I did not found documentation about differences between FB421 and FB423 (FB 424 is Inspire 3).

Reading all these posts - I will definitely not update mine . . . at least until Fitbit gives us more guarantees!

It good to know from everyone with SUCCESSFULL UPADATE to SHARE
exact Charge 5 model: FB41 or FB423 from Settings > Device info > Regulatory info 
and firmware version: .194.61 or .194.78 from Settings > Device Info > Sistem info > Version  

[GMU7801]

That’s around the time mine started acting up. It was still within warranty (bought at Best Buy) at that point. Started by not recording sleep scores. Said I wasn’t properly wearing it or something. Anyway, after messing with it for a while, it ran out of warranty. Now, while always tethered to the charger, it is erroneously recording heart rate double what it should be! So, that’s not even reliable now. Battery still only lasts about 10 hours from 100% to less than 10%. 

[runner165]

For those who want to see the new watch faces : https://www.androidpolice.com/feature-drop-june-fitbit-expanded-exercise-support-more/

I think fitbit might have took the inspire 3's firmware upgrade and accidentally pushed it to most devices, some users report that it works fine for them. Might be the reason devices are getting bricked.