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.

[Porridge51]

Triggered by a recent post on this forum, I’ve discovered that my original Charge 5, made inoperable by the much publicised firmware update was a hardware Model FB421.

Fitbit support replaced this with another Charge 5.

Fitbit support via X/Twitter told me it was safe to update my replacement charge 5 which I have not yet done BUT on seeing the other post today, I’ve noticed my replacement Charge 5 is a Model FB423.

The plot gets even more interesting when you do a google search for FB423 as there is an indication that this is the model for a Charge 6???

I wonder if the new firmware made all Charge 5’s at a hardware level lower than a FB423, inoperable, i.e The firmware only works on FB423 and above??

https://www.notebookcheck.net/Fitbit-Charge-6-Possible-sighting-emerges-at-FCC-with-Bluetooth-Low-En...

[MakMak]

Hi, @Porridge51! If you do a little more googling, you can see that most of the internet was only speculating the FB423 was for the Charge 6 since it was an un-named device that was filed with the FCC nearly a year ago, but in fact, since it's listed in the Charge 5 manual, is really only another version of the Charge 5. I have a FB421 and haven't done the firmware update. Mine seems to be working fine without it.

[LZeeW]

@Porridge51   And if you do a little more googling, you'll find that FB423 is the Luxe. 😉

[MakMak]

Actually, I think the Luxe is FB422!

[LZeeW]

@MakMak   You're right.  My mistake.  Don't trust everything you read: used Luxe on ebay 

[Porridge51]

I also tried updating my FB423 but even though it stated it was on the old firmware(188.58) it said it was up to date?

[kerrieBBOZ]

@Missiv12  I am still on 188.58 and Charge 5 device Model FB421 and currently iOS app Fitbit 3.86 (38647015), but my problems (loss of gps connectivity - both onboard and connecting to phone gps on dynamic mode) SUDDENLY started directly after a phone app update ( although I then also allowed one or two more phone app updates after that in case they fixed the issue, which they didn’t, so I am not allowing any more phone app updates until this gets resolved.

So I believe the PREPARATORY phone app updates, ahead of the new firmware (which is being made available on a rolling schedule) are part of the problem too, with a common thread being loss of synching/communication between the device and the app. And there is likely some lack of coordination between when the phone app updates land for people and when the firmware is landing as well, which could be part of the variability in symptoms.

But as mentioned I am not allowing any more phone app updates and am planning to refuse the firmware update as well, if I get the choice, until this gets resolved, because currently I still have 4+ days battery life and activity tracking still works on phone-only gps setting.

@Missiv12  I don’t want to switch platforms but I won’t be sending good money after bad if my device eventually dies too. I’m still debating whether to move to the cheaper, but very similar Amazfit, or spend the money on Garmin. Poor battery life on Apple Watch is the deal breaker for me, though, because I want to track my sleep as well.

[TomGinMA]

My wife and and I both had our Charge 5's die this weekend. Her unit is completely dead. Mine will only hold a charge for about 2 hours. My unit is still on 188.58. Hers was still under warranty and she got the "better" replacement deal while mine wasn't and so I get 35% off  a new device. What a s%^& show.

Checking out Garmin models now.

[adamweiss]

I have an "FB423" Charge 5, and I successfully updated to 20001.194.61 and used it for about a month with no issues. I was just been prompted to update to 20001.194.78 and have been using it for about 13 hours with no issues.

[Tpol89]

Hi Adam, 

Maybe you should create your own thread so we can all watch how it goes for you with the 20001.194.78 firmware. As i have a prompt to update my App on Android and my Charge 5 but I refuse to do so.

What is your app version and IOS or Android?

Cheers

[UlrikeDG]

I have a "FB421" and I'm still on 188.58, with no updates available and no new issues with my Charge 5 (normal battery life, etc).

[DoxieGran]

Firmware 194.78?? What is going on?? Most haven't even gotten 194.61. Haven't even heard of this update.

[sporkster]

I'm also curious about the app version. My Charge 5 was having the "boot loop" issue (logo, then reboot, logo, then reboot) and for a good month I was able to "bring it back to life" (kind of) by unpairing it from the app/phone, letting it sit a bit and then pairing it again. However last week it did that a few times and then just went dark and never came back. Seems fully dead now - no vibration when hitting the charge cable button, no LEDs on the HR sensor. What a waste this thing has been. Back when it first started having issues I chatted with support and got the 35% off coupon. I figured since it's now fully dead, I'd chat again, and again they did the "escalate to our warranty team" who of course... sent another 35% off coupon.

I'm done with this brand. If this was just poor hardware engineered to fail after a year, that's bad enough, but when a company pushes out updates that seem to kill the devices and won't make good on it? No thanks.

Like you, the daily charging of a big watch like the Apple watch - not a fan of that, but Garmin does have a tracker that's pretty close in size to the Charge 5, and I'm thinking that's a decent option (although not totally ruling out the Apple Watch SE because at that price it's got a ton of stuff that simple trackers don't).

[JimR.3000]

My Charge 5 is model FB421 and after 194.61 update is currently in a bricked state.  When placed on a charger nothing happens, no logo, nothing.  3 button reset does nothing.  Wondering if it will ever recover.

[mchili]

This is all so confusing! I’m concerned because mine is the FB421 with the 188.58 version and now I’m reading these are the models getting bricked. Plus there’s an even newer firmware out now? Huh? Why aren’t the moderators clueing us in on this?

[Porridge51]

The point I was wanting to make was that maybe the FB423 forms the basis of late model C5s and early C6s? So same hardware but operates as either model by the use of internal settings?

The firmware update, in preparation for the C6, overdue(??), works on the FB423 but not on the FB421?

This is how they(fitbit) can be sure that the replacement ones will work.

So in summary, the issue has been that the preparation for Charge 6 has bricked the FB421s and all the resource is spent on C6 preparation and not sorting out why it fails on FB421’s??

[Dpy81]

Well, it is an assumption that the firmware is fully tested.  This update is bricking a number of devices ... so it is best to wait.

[Cake96]

All that is asking us to do, is contact customer support if the battery draining issue persists after troubleshooting. I have done every single step several times. My watch went from having a solid 7 days battery to completely draining in 3,5 hours. I still can't get the new update, and am stuck on 188.58. All customer support does/wants to do, is check your warranty if you're eligible for a new watch. The problem is the firmware, can't you PLEASE fix this?? How can you sell a product that we have to buy anew every year/year and a half?

[SunsetRunner]

I have the exact same version. I left my device off the charger for over a week, charged it, less than 2 hours it was complaining it needs to be on the charger. Switching to a different (NON FITBIT) device.

[Bradcore]

So, after speaking with Fitbit customer service, they offered me a 35% discount on a new Fitbit. I was actually okay with that because I had been wanting to get a new one for a while now and was saving up the money. Mine was also way out of warranty at two years old. So, I went to use their coupon code they gave me only to find out that it's completely useless because nearly everything is on sale, and I can't combine it with a sale item. If I went to purchase the one that I want on sale, it will actually cost me $35 more than what it would cost me at the normal price with the code. The sale looks like it will end in two weeks, so hopefully the code is still valid then. It seems very odd to me to give me a code that can't redeemed on most of their products.