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.

[FinnLynx]

I have a Fitbit Charge 5 that died recently in the same way many of you have experienced. The screen is black and seems like it cannot get restarted or charged. After I tried using the 3 button presses on charger cable restart several times, I finally got mine to start. For a few times, it held charge about 4 hours or so, but currently it dies as soon as I remove it from the charger, even if it indicates that it is 99% charged just before detaching it.

But I have noticed that the app on my phone can still sync with the Fitbit, and I can change the clock face and install/uninstall apps on it. But to get my Charge 5 to that state, when I connect it to the charging cable, I need to swipe right on the screen when the "1%" charge display appears. That will show me the clock face and allows the app on the phone to connect and sync with the device. So, if there is a software solution to this (maybe successfully installing the 194.61 update?), it should be possible to revive my Charge 5.

BTW, my fitbit died from ~50% charge while I was showering without it (it was on the bathroom counter), and I had a message in the Fitbit app that I have a firmware update available (which failed to install, as I hadn't yet figured out when to revive my Charge 5 to this semi-stable condition). I assume that was the 194.61. But since my device died before I tried to install the update, I am wondering if it died due to some "preparation update" for the new firmware that was automatic. The timing could suggest that, or it was entirely coincidental.

At this point my device is on the older 188.58 firmware, but I'm hoping to get the update prompt again to see if my device could recover with it. On the other hand, I have already ordered a new Garmin vivosmart 5 for myself as I am not sure how long it takes for Fitbit to sort these things out, and it is uncertain if my Charge 5 ever recovers. I've had my Charge 5 for about 16 months so it is out of warranty already, and I wouldn't get a replacement device if I asked. And under these circumstances I am not willing to buy another Charge 5. If my Charge 5 recovers somehow, I could always give the new Garmin to a family member or a friend.

[FitnessJunkie22]

Whatever updates have been promulgated lately have absolutely clobbered my device. Battery doesn’t last much more than a half hour, device goes into such deep discharge that it needs to charge for hours before I can even turn it on again. Not only do I want to know when a fix is coming, I think we all deserve to know exactly what the underlying issue is.

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Fwiw, I’m updated to 194.61 and this problem is now the worst it’s ever been.

[DoxieGran]

Been following these boards for over 2 months, and still "Mom's  the word" on what is going on. Every day more and more people affected. I don't think we will ever get an answer, plain and simple!

[isis_orion]

It’s exactly what Fitbit did to pebble back in 2016.

I loved mine it worked great, simple watch faces, told you steps/weather/ controlled music and notifications if you wanted and didn’t break like my original charges kept doing with the straps and buttons falling off. 

With the utter avoidance of anyone at Fitbit commenting on this very long thread, says more for them than they know. 

Seeing as Fitbit accounts will all be mass merged to google by 2025 and discontinued, I’d say it’s fairly likely that they will just be pushing the ‘pixel’ watches.

[craigpeake]

Just reading up on all this and wanted to add my voice and story too.

My Charge 5 unexpectedly died about an hour into exercise when it should have lasted fine. When I got home I plugged it in to charge, got the Fitbit logo, and it synced all the steps. Weird, as I thought the battery was dead. Charged it to 100% but about 3 hours later it was dead again. This time, plugging it in to charge did nothing. I tried the three button reset many times, to no avail. I left it charging for an hour and it still wasn't working but was crazy hot to touch, so I unplugged it and spoke to support, who asked me to send it back for replacing. It was great customer service from support at the time, but I'm now 11 days without a watch and had had no comms about when to expect delivery.

Fitbit app says the watch is on firmware 188.58.

[TheDukeOfLife]

How are we supposed to update if our Charge 5 goes from 100% battery and no issues to 0% in less then 24 hours, then bricks on you and won’t respond to anything you do to it anymore.

[FitnessJunkie22]

It looks like the firmware on my device got rolled back…

 Battery still getting chewed up.

[Steve667]

I haven’t been on for a year and same old BS about fixing thing… After bricking my first Charge 5 on an “update” the new one had the original is.. my warranty expired a year ago and I won’t ever update… my issue now is every couple of months I have to reregister… Fitbit/Google account vortex has me in its grasp… can’t believe they haven’t fixed this yet. Protect me and I’ll update !!!!

[UlrikeDG]

@rosebury- If it were me, I'd update the firmware asap. That way, if your device gets bricked, it will still be covered under the original warranty. If you wait too long, the warranty coverage will end, and then you'll be on the hook for replacing it if something goes wrong.

[Steve667]

…..If you wait too long, the warranty coverage will end, and then you'll be on the hook for replacing it if something goes wrong…

IMHO the onus should be on Google to fix this issue and honour their warranty regardless of time. 

[TheDukeOfLife]

Quick update. I was quickly told my Charge 5 is outside the terms for replacement and was offered a 35% off coupon. The issue now is the website only shows the gold in stock, with the end of September as the expected ship date. And the coupon expires in 30 days. Now shopping for a Garmin, the level of mishandling of this issue is pretty big. I’ve owned every Charge HR since the 1, and I won’t be coming back. 

[Steve667]

Smart play… cutting your losses. The aggravation this product has caused is beyond description . I would make a YT PSA but it would be deep sixed faster that bricking a CH5 through updating…,

[cfa.Jeffs]

Well it's Sept2023. Still on 188.58. BTW instructions seem outdated. on latest Fitbit app, press the gear icon on the top left to access my charge 5.

[ginanm]

When can we expect all fitbits to receive the 194 firmware update? My Charge 5 screen stopped working within the last week (still charges and syncs but the screen does not work). I ran through troubleshooting with customer service and because my watch is 1.5 years old, it is out of warranty. My firmware version is 188, and no update is available. I was only offered a discount on my next watch, which I refuse to buy because it isn't my fault that the firmware stopped working on my watch. I am hoping the next update will fix the issue but I don't have access to the update yet. When is it expected to roll out to all users by?

[ian.pennington3]

That's what I've been trying to ask them but no answer, it's almost been 2
months since the new firmware was put out and still haven't got it, you'd
think they'll let us know when it's coming out but haven't heard a thing
since July 13

[JSK56]

Why do you want the update that bricked some many Charge 5 watches? The update failed on my watch and it stayed at 188 firmware and had to be replaced under warranty. 

[Paolov80]

@JSK56 @Arena you seriouss?Cause if a Big company make an announcement (firmware update) they have to deliver that or at least make a statement in whats going on,clearly going silent end on denial is not really a serious behaviour 

[Riderx]

I've had my Charge 5 for sometime not and have encounter some issue with it now. It stops tracking my activity because the watch would not connect with the GPS. The watch will not hold a charge for a full day and even after switching for internal GPS to phone GPS. And the issue persists after multiple restarts. Will this new update take care of this? Still cannot see the update on my Fitbit app!

[JPSSM5]

I’ve had the same issue.  1 1/2 years old.  I’ve tried everything that’s been suggested to no avail.  I liked it while it worked, but not buying another Fitbit.  2nd time it’s been down, so far for 2 weeks now. I’ll research the Garmin. 

[ImGone]

Just came here looking for answers and glad (in a strange way) to find so many people with the same issue - it's not just me! My Charge 5 is just under two years old, screen died yesterday, battery draining faster than ever before. Have been in contact with customer service and tried every troubleshooting trick in the book. Stuck on firmware 188.58; every time I get an update prompt, I suspect the installation sucks the power out of the device faster than it can progress (even on the charger) and the fitbit dies before installation can ever be completed. Half the time the app says the fitbit is up to date (even at 188.58), I'll get the device up to 100% on the charger but can't get the app to give me an update prompt.

I've wasted too much time already trying to revive this thing, and they have one (ugly) color available in the store as a potential replacement, shipping at the end of September. It's like a perfect storm of things that are driving me away.