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.

[ian.pennington3]

Suopose we'll have to wait until finally the say something to us and not
before time

[gdio53]

@Scottoo 

You can post your displeasure in the Android App forum.
This forum is specifically for Charge 5 questions.

[ian.pennington3]

Sure does, was your last update working alright for you??

[Fiberscraps]

I haven’t got the new update yet.

everything was working fine up to yesterday with old version

[ian.pennington3]

The new update will only make the watch worse, completely bricked out and
this has been going on for over 2 months now and still the admins are
keeping us all in the dark, a very unprofessional organisation they are,
igornant

[brazuca2004]

4 days ago my charge 5 stopped holding a charge after restarting from a sudden black screen. Same symptoms many of you have reported here. Fitbit support is aware, the agent on the phone offered a 50% discount on a new device. I’ve had the same thing happen 2 other times (3 different Fitbit trackers in 5 years). This cycle stops now, time to give another company a chance.

[Itsadud7]

TBH I think the updates come through automatically- hence all the problems beginning with this latest version. I don't thnik I've ever manually downloaded an updtate.

[ian.pennington3]

It's going to be the same with all of us , that's if these fit bit admins
don't get of there arses and tell us what the hell is going on

[AlanBFit]

Customer service at its best. Quite frankly i dont think the "fix" at this point for the firmware or app will be adequate. It comes down to addressing the fitbit group at google responsibility, as obviously they arent. This isnt a priority with them. Buy a new device or heres 35.00 towards a new one. For anyone in the service industry, this type of response is merely throwing a bone. In all actuality its failure, complete and total. (Off my soapbox)

[UlrikeDG]

"So what's my recourse?"

Contact customer service. If your device is still under warranty, they'll replace it. If not, they'll offer you a discount, and you'll have to decide whether or not to continue with Fitbit. (This discount does not stack with sale prices, and there are lots of alternatives.)

If you have a Premium subscription, don't forget to cancel! Fitbit does not offer refunds, even if your device is unusable.

[Username621]

Question, even if you receive a replacement is the problem fixed or will
the new unit fail?

[FitbitRunner864]

My new CH5 started draining itself so I turned off the watch activity shortcuts (run,bike…..) via the app. See my previous posts for instructions to turn shortcuts off.

Go to your account on the app.
Go to your device
Go to Gallery
Tap on the Apps tab on the top of the screen
Tap on Run, Bike etc. You can’t delete Exercise. I can’t remember tapping either the Exercise or individual app for bike , run, swim and slide left and the delete button shows up.
Tap delete and the shortcut goes away.

[Scottoo]

This new updated app is terrible please bring back the old version

Sent from my iPhone

[Fiberscraps]

Thanks.

I tried following your instructions but when I tap on apps, then exercise, I get an icon for “run” but nothing happens when I tap on it - see photo below

I went to the website and tried to delete all exercise shortcuts but it won’t let me . I ended up unchecking all but one.

This morning I tried pressing the charge cord x3 again and I now have the clock face and also shows battery charging when attached to charger. …

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Great question!

[SistahSJB]

My Charge 5 won't hold a charge. Nothing to be done by me. Fitbit/Google should figure this out. 

It is a lot cheaper to buy a pebble on Ebay instead of taking the discount. You don't need to buy a new watch since you have bands or a charger. Just don't update it. 

[MorselA]

In the US, basically no consumer protection.

[DoxieGran]

For all you new to this community thread, this has been going on since the last week of June, so basically 3 months. Nothing has been done in that time, and there has been no word as too whether they are working on any kind of a fix. According to Fitbit, it is only a handful of users being affected.... 3 months in and still not everyone has gotten the new update, so maybe they have stopped the rollout. There is no news on that front either, although many users say you don't want it and shouldn't update if you get it, because they think this new software update may be the cause of all these problems. Unfortunately I don't think that any of us will get the functionality of our Charge 5's back. I have been waiting 3 months for some word, but still nothing from Fitbit. 

[Megmeltz]

Thanks for being people up to date.
Meg


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[FitbitRunner864]

Please see my previous post on deleting exercise shortcuts. That’s what was continuously draining my battery.

[Fiberscraps]

I went into the app and tried to remove all my tracking shortcuts (run, bike, swim, etc.), it won’t let me delete all of them. I had no option but to leave one