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.

[Megmeltz]

BTW, I didn't say **ahem**ed. Love them nanny filters.

[Backrosr]

🤣

Get Outlook for iOS<>

[neonbrett55]

Myvnew Fitbit bricked a day after the update. I can’t believe they sold a product that they had been having problems with for a few months.

Brett Crawley

[ARamos1]

Here is the SOL message I got from Fitbit support: Root cause: Due to a Fitbit/Google firmware bug... 

My next stop.. the local consumer news reporter!

"We understand this is not the best resolution you were expecting and hope you understand that as much as we want to cater to every request of our customer, we follow our warranty policies to provide the available solution. We appreciate your patience and understanding. Our team keeps working on your case."

[Runforestrun1]

Good luck! I have received messages from Team Fitbit, the Excalation Team and Upper Management but no resolution to a fix to the problem. They have since refused to respond. Sad that they do not take responsibility for an error in the update of firmware that contributed to the problem.
Sent from my iPhone

[arthurc2000]

Wow... History repeat itself..  I always think: people learned from previous experience of not to cut corner and have a backup plan..

Unfortunately, it is not Fitbit.  So, the project manager would be fired because of mis-management, the QA manager will be fired because of approval of the release. haha.. If there is a management in Fitbit.  A small company Amazfit / XiaoMi run better than this.

[Baard]

October 7th and still waiting for this update.  How should I interpret "within a few weeks" and "you'll have it soon"?

Is there  specific prerequisites that must be fulfilled for the unit to receive the update?

[karand]

You don't want it! I'm one of the lucky ones--I didn't get it, either. It's possible they stopped the rollout when they started getting hundreds of complaints about the Charge 5 going dead after being updated.

[neonbrett55]

They should give everyone that bought a Fitbit Charge 5 a Charge 6. Selling a faulty product and not standing behind it will hurt their brand.

Brett Crawley

[What-a-pain]

Same issue for me when I updated months ago got frustrated and I bought the Amazfit Band. The Fitbit watch sat idle unplugged for all that time. I charged it yesterday and to my surprise it came back to live for half a day then back to the same stupid issues. If they ever update the firmware/software, I’ll recharge the watch and try again. Until then “no soup for you” (apologies to the soup Nazi)

[Krysie53]

Great idea!!

Sent from my iPhone

[RKY14]

Yeah that would be nice. I got a discount coupon but it won't let me use it
to pre-order the charge 6. Not that I want to.

[Hudalimardan]

Greetings charge 5 owners,

Now I as an Android user faced the same problem with my watch all of a sudden losing charge although I never got the firmware update, I guess it happened when the app was updated automatically, since I have IT background I didn't bother reaching out to support and tried everything possible from other peoples experience. I am sure my C5 went back to normal after the latest app update which confirms that a certain background running function was dischargeing the watch really fast.

Now I think the majority of IOS users are facing more dilemma than Android, so I guess Fitbit developers should look into fixing these bugs and providing a patch really soon or else you will lose a big chunck of your faithful users who had your watches for a very long time....

[ian.pennington3]

One day they'll have the balls and own up to there mistake on this update,
still waiting

[neonbrett55]

They will lose lots of loyal customers.

Brett Crawley

[Backrosr]

I bit it and ordered a refurbished Fitbit 5 from amazon charged it to 100% and it updated itself .
It even tracked my sleep as it should ! I have all of these bands that fit the 5 I also get a 10% discount for it from my Medicare supplement policy for the fitbit and I had to register the 5 when I signed up.
$114 for the refurbished.

[soup.joke]

does fitbit remove ECG app ??

[SunsetRunner]

@RKY14

I have had my Amazfit Band 7 for a little over a week. I use it to keep track of basic exercise metrics and sleep data. It has some different data vs Charge 5, but so far I like it as much as the Charge 5. It's not missing any metrics I care about.

[SunsetRunner]

So for those waiting on a charge 6 to come out my question is why? Our devices didn’t go bad from us but we are still going to give our money to the same people who broke/bricked them? I truly don’t get it and seriously just trying to understand. 

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100 complaints, I think that number is higher…

[RKY14]

Thanks.