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.

[Normski67]

My charge 5 was never as good as the previous version for holding its charge. But after the firmware update in august (which I couldn’t stop as it happened automatically ) .. it wouldn’t even stay charged for an hour.

As it was less a year old I was given a replacement free (I’m UK based)

The new device is running version 188.58 (the same as mine before the upgrade) and according to the settings it’s up to date.

Sent from my iPhone

[arthurc2000]

My charge 5 only hold charges for 7 days for 1.5 yrs and now it will last 1 day..  Thanks to the good work from the company.. 

[Username621]

I gave up deleted fitbit premium and all data.
Also will notify health care provider to let them know fitbit's lack of
response.

[SunsetRunner]

@arthurc2000 

Thanks, although it'll probably go poof anyway. I just don't understand why none of us can get a real answer from anyone about this product. In warranty, just out of warranty, completely out of warranty, it still shouldn't have happened. Offering percentages off a new one is not a fix when you spent a good chunk of money on one that's nearly new.

[Shag]

Thanks for the heads up. I don’t understand why but I can no longer pair my Charge 5 with my phone. I’m frustrated beyond belief.

Sent from my iPhone

[arthurc2000]

It looks like to me the BIG parent company change the traffic to minimize Charge 5 news and maximize the new Charge X.

[Megmeltz]

I had actual luck on not being able to pair the Charge 5 with the phone. I called the support line. The agent (English as a 2nd language, but good English) patiently walked me thru all the stuff I'd already done with one small change. The charge 5 is now working, and continues to work, just fine. I think the small change was this:I had deleted and re-installed the Fitbit app, which did not fix the problem. The agent told me Not to delete the app but just let the Play Store update it. I did that and then the Charge 5 was good again. And now new clock faces are available which is sort of fun. Good luck!

[Normski67]

So while I’m happy with new device ..the iPhone upgrade has changed the app .. it’s awful now
Sent from my iPhone

[GLindsayM]

It updated without my asking it to. It id not a great update. More annoying than cool. I have lost my ability to logout of the app on my iphone, can’t find settings re: syncing continuously.  When will you roll out bug fixes. 

[arthurc2000]

There are 100000 posts here.  If each post corresponds to one charge 5, that's amount of 100000 x USD 100 = 10 milion USD worth of charge 5 need to fix.  The BIG parent company have no difficulty to cough out that amount of money, right ?! It is just a needle in a bucket..  I guess, my Nest camera sooner or later will be bricked by the BIG parent.  so sad.. ☹️  

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If charge 5 is a dying person in the hospital and in needs of emergency care, instead the doctor run away to work on another patient... It is unethical...  Do you guys see other products have similar issue. 

[SunsetRunner]

@Megmeltz I went to Play store but it didn't have an option to update the app. Then I opened it and the home page was different looking so maybe it auto updated at some point. Not much change, just uglier graphics. 

I tried to sync it, but it won't. I tried changing the watch face but it won't let me because it says it's not connected. I tried charging it all day but it's bricked. I either get black screen, black screen with occasional logo, or the dreaded X with a red circle. Nothing has changed since back in July when it quit working. 

I'm glad you got yours to work. I hope it stays that way!

[TGCuatro]

How long did you own your Charge 5 and what warrantee replacement percentage did they offer?  Did they offer?

[arthurc2000]

So, I can see the company still selling charge 5 and 6 in Costco.  I belive that they are the same upgraded hardware.  Ha.. All the good news from internet traffic, good work to twist the bad news into a good news..

[neonbrett55]

My Fitbit bit was 2 days old and they said it didn’t qualify under the warranty .

Brett Crawley

[chilehead]

If your Fitbit was 2 days old return it to where you purchased it.

[Shag]

I owned it a little over a year. They’ve already replaced it once for other issues.

Sent from my iPhone

[JayKay123]

I'm so disappointed to this incident, that I already bought Garmin and did not continue as Fitbit premium member. Definately not going to buy Charge 6 or any other Fitbit/Google smartwatch EVER.

[ian.pennington3]

They are just digging a big grave for themselves

[JennaS1966]

Another fix" makes things harder to find snd navigate.  Google really want to add another nail in the coffin. 

1. I can no longer access my profile pic.

2. It used to show me my current average steps for that week.  No longer possible. 

3. To get a dated dash now takes 4 steps instead of 1 to get to community.  It's  Profile. Friend. Feed. Community. 

4. It is really not easy to see when you've completed all the actions with a pale blue circle that does not close or change colour when you've achieved it. 

5. My active minutes showed on "today" but when I went thru 4 steps to get my dated dash, that was zeroed out. 

5. It used to show my battery charge level on the front of the app but no more. 

I hate what is being done and can find nothing that is helpful in the changes. 

[mclpck]

My Charge 5 battery just started draining bad a few days ago...when got new update Iphone App.  Go to bed 100% and 0% at 1:30 am.  Turn off everything and still draining quick.  Called and was offered 50% off new device but not the Charge 6 which is replacing the Charge 5.  I don't have the firmware update 194.61.  I have 188.58 and it says it is up to date.  What is going on?  Is my firmware updated correctly or do I need the 194.61?  Why is my battery all of a sudden draining in less than a day?