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]

Unless they bring another firmware update in the future

[JGreen3]

I'm not sure it's the update... mine has not updated but the screen is now black & the battery drains quickly. I've read the instructions given for those who did recieve the update & are having the same issue without any success. Looks like it would happen either way. & this 30% off is bs. The price of the charge 5 has now increased 

[ian.pennington3]

What a waste of a 250 dollar plus charge 5 watch

[LCouch]

I got the update overnight and have been reviewing it this morning.  A couple of things I am missing:

1. I can no longer put my zone minutes at the top of the banner - it has defaulted back to Steps at the top and I can't find the way to edit it.

2.  The rolling counter is annoying.  I prefer just to see updated totals.  It is especially annoying when you are scrolling back through previous days.  You have to sit and wait for it to roll all the way up to your totals, and it makes me a bit dizzy watching it.  I would lose this feature. 

3.  The sleep tracking is especially important to me.  On the update, there is no longer a coloured bar graph on the main screen of my phone showing me how many minutes I was awake (used to show this in red on the graph) how many minutes in deep sleep (used to be dark blue) how many minutes R.E.M. (used to be a lighter blue) and how many minutes light sleeping (an even lighter blue).  This was valuable to me and no longer exists.  

[DJ_Halcón]

Well, now I feel really stupid.  Turns out that the destruction of Fitbit is a business strategy!  I'm sure this post will be deleted or hidden, but I'm going to try anyway.  If you Google (!) seven ways google is killing fitbit, you'll see a few articles about the phenomenon.  They are both enlightening and depressing.  So much for corporate responsibility.

[matdob]

@Steve667 , I think you are overestimate people. I have a theory, that each one of the "people" does the update once only - and then they start searching on the internet for information why they failed 😉

[Megmeltz]

Hi LCouch,
I don't bother looking at sleep info on the device itself. When I synch the
Charge 5 with the Fitbit app all the sleep info is uploaded and is easy to
see and compare with other nights' sleep.
Meg

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Hi LCouch,

I don't bother looking at sleep info on the device itself. When I synch the Charge 5 with the Fitbit app, all the sleep info is uploaded and is easy to see and compare with other nights' sleep.

Meg

[5417]

I've been with support for 2 days. They seem willing to help after 11 days of a draining battery. Seeing I'm not the only one. But unfortunately today, they don't even see my device, I sent pictures in chat showing its syncing with app and with device.  But they don't see me. Day 9 they did...and something happened.  I hope it gets solved. Waiting for a follow up email. I hope they stay true to their word and help us all out.

[Corky2020]

I can’t sync and I can’t charge battery. Bust 

[neonbrett55]

Same here. When I got my Fitbit I downloaded the firmware and then a day and half later the screen went black and unresponsive and would not charge either

Brett Crawley

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After downloading the firmware 36!hours later screen went black and would not charge.

Brett Crawley

[kerrieBBOZ]

@LCouch i think you are referring to the app version not the tracker firmware, but you are reinforcing the wisdom in my decision not to update either of them and stick with what is currently working!! I have lost my onboard gps and the ability to use dynamic mode but I can still track walks on the phone app and like you, I value the great sleep analysis presentation on the old phone app. I would also dislike a scrolling count so thanks for the heads up! But my main aim is to prevent getting the device firmware, and also because I believe preparatory updates in the phone app have also been wrecking the ability of the device to synch certain apps and sending devices into battery draining death spirals even before they get the new firmware.

[cszoli]

Hi,

I'm here to share my experiences with this issue. 

I had the same problem back in May, from one day to the other my Charge 5's battery life suddenly fell to 7-8 hours, but it wasn't bricked. I experimented with settings and googled a bit. I found this forum and many other users struggling hopelessly with the same issue, Fitbit not reacting any other way than suggesting the obvious steps that don't help. Then I contacted Fitbit support, who, after some rounds with the obligatory but useless steps, decided to switch on some logging on my device, and asked me to charge and use the device. As expected it was again down after several hours. Then I put it back to the charger and contacted the support again, referred to the previous ticket. Now they could draw the logs and said the battery was faulty (needless to say I didn't believe it but at this point I only cared about a solution) and - being in the EU - I had 2 years warranty (I was over one year, slightly, but over), so they offered me either a replacement or a discount on another purchase. I chose the replacement and shortly later I received the pebble.
Since then I refused to do any firmware update (the device has now 57.20001.182.26, as I received it) and it continues to work. I still cannot really use the modes where the built-in gps is used (it works but drains the battery enormously, even in dynamic mode), but it was the case initially, so I don't mind.
The app itself (on Android), is always updated, but there is no automatic update of the tracker itself, just an annoying half-screen sized notification that appears every time the app synchs.... Maybe I should avoid updating the app itself as well to be sure?
I am still wondering about some things:
- when I start an exercise, I cannot do anything, just tap the display to switch between shown data types, I cannot go back to other functions. It seems the tracker is then locked in this exercise mode. I don't like it.
- when an exercise is auto-recognized, what is actually happening is that the data in the backend is being analyzed and later an exercise is generated, but if that exercise would otherwise use the gps, there is no route data. Also during such auto-recognized exercises the watch works normally.
- I am missing some specific clock faces where data, that is supposed to be counted or measured (heart rate, steps, etc.) would be shown with larger fonts. I am in my mid 50's and my sight without reading glasses is not the best, but I would still like to know my pulse in some cases....
- Before this firmware problem I would regularly update my tracker and with one specific exception I haven't seen or felt any changes, whatsoever. The only exception was that sometimes a function to measure EEG appeared, and then disappeared again. I would very frequently get a "FW is updating" message on the tracker (not on the app though) and this function periodically disappeared and reappeared. My best guess was that when I was on VPN by work, the time zone kept changing and with it some legal limits, which forced Fitbit to update the features back and forth. But I cannot prove this.
- Also, and this even happened once with the replacement tracker - when an exercise is running and I synchronize with the app, the tracker would reboot and the exercise is closed. This happened last week on a hiking tour, so I don't have a full track of it....

In summary, for those for whom it is not too late yet: if your tracker is still functioning, please do not update it, ever. Until Fitbit confirms having found the root cause of the issue and publish an update AND this thread continues to be filled with positive messages.... Which I believe will be never.

[DanGaz9]

Hi Lizzy,

I am unable to see the exact time after a run or walk. This is probably the most basic requirement of these devices. Why has this not been resolved after the most recent update? As far as I can see, it's been a long-running issue, constantly and consistently reported by users over a number of years and nothing has been done. At least there was a ridiculous work around with the last version but now, with this new update, it seems to have taken that option away also...Is there a workaround to see the exact time of a successfullly tracked and synced run on the app and will you ever listen to your customers? Thanks, Dan.

[rcfoulk]

You may have fixed some things but you mangled the UI.  Why was it deemed necessary to enlarge everything and make it so I now need to scroll around to see what used to be nicely formatted on the default screen?  I seriously want the old UI back and frankly since the data structure is the same there's no reason why users couldn't be allowed to use either the older UI or this poorly designed disaster.

[Shag]

My Fitbit is locked up. It worked for half a day before locking up where the face only shows the Fitbit logo and it will not sync. HELP!

[ian.pennington3]

Exactly the same happened to my watch but only working at 59 per cent then
I updated and completely bricked it so here's hoping they fix there
disastrous mistake very soon, still waiting after 2 months, very bad
business education this is, never seen or heard anything like this

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Unfortunately they won't help, putting there heads in the sand they are,
all we want to know is there next step, surely not too hard to ask for

[Shag]

My Fitbit Charge 5 is completely locked up since the software update. The customer support is useless…a lot like my Charge 5. Ironically I’ve had the same issue with my Charge 3, 4 and now 5. Every time they update (which appears to be very close to the next generation launch) the Fitbit stops working. If they don’t fix it this week I’m moving on to the Garmin and would recommend you do so also. 

[ian.pennington3]

Yes I think most will move on after this fiascal, it's only going to hurt
them until they pull there heads out of there arses, they have to act
quickly on a recovery project don't you reckon

[Shag]

I’ve had Fitbit since 2014. Moving on now. When it works it’s great. Unfortunately I’ve gone through this process with ever generation I’ve had. They should have to post a warning on the device when you buy it stating it’s life is limited to the current version of software.
Sent from my iPhone

[neonbrett55]

Mine too and I got no support.

Brett Crawley