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.

[MeaghanCR]

I still haven't received this update?  When it was August I thought well it's just taking time... now it's the middle of October.  Where is the update?

[ian.pennington3]

You don't want this update as it completely stuffs your charge 5 to not
working at all and still no response from these selfish admins, very
disappointing

[neonbrett55]

I’ll never trust Google or Fitbit again. They cheated a lot of loyal customers.

Brett Crawley

[Aussiej1]

Don't do the update.

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And as with many big corporations nobody cares

- if not getting the money from us they will get it from somebody else, some way

[GLindsayM]

How did you all enjoy the Fitbit server downtime yesterday? Google has really made a negative impact on a great app and tracker. 

[arthurc2000]

If possible, just try out other brand.  Google is not a good product company in its history..

[Loleo]

Well said! I have posted to here as well but have had no support. Now my watch is toast.. red circle with a white x!! I have reached out to our local News investigators to see what they can/if they will find out more than we know! 

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That’s what mine did too!! Ugh!

[neonbrett55]

I agree. No more Fitbits!

Brett Crawley

[Aussiej1]

I do appreciate that and please keep us posted I know the moderator of this page has taken down lots of posts regarding where we are going to complain

[32loulou]

I get every one one of mine taken down.  But its ok.  Ive been documenting it to add to the many concerns i have with fitbit.  I am sure it will be useful information.  Sent from my U.S.Cellular© Smartphone

[6TJS6]

Yeah, that was a lot of fun. I just got done charging my C5, and went to sync it with the "new" Google app and all sorts of crazy things were happening. Then it just stopped syncing altogether. I thought, great, here we go again, and didn't know if it was my 2 month old C5 or the wonderful new app.  I tried to login to my dashboard and the forum and couldn't login. Tried to get support and couldn't login. Finally did a Google (strangely enough) search in the evening to see if I could find anything out. That's when I found that their servers were down globally. On top of all that's going on, I could only think "very impressive Google, keep up the good work".

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That's a good idea. I wish I would have thought of that from the start, but I didn't know how censored this forum was going to be. Just got back from an unexpected 2 week leave of absence. I copied and pasted part of the community guidelines and nothing else, and evidently that wasn't even allowed. I was merely trying to make others aware of it so they might not make the same mistake with mentioning anything about legal action. Just trying to be helpful. 🙄

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UHC by chance? 🙄

[PatrickNZ]

My charge 5 won't provide GPS tracking, keeps cutting out, doesn't update properly and basically is pretty useless. The problems began yesterday and are continuing today! Is this a common problem caused at your end?

[6TJS6]

I've noticed lately that mine has been informing me that the GPS wasn't connected, which had never happened before unless I was somewhere clear out in the boonies with hills and such. Thought it might be because I had it set for just my phone GPS, so I switched it to dynamic. Just did it again yesterday as well, but might have been because of the global debacle going on. As for what was happening yesterday, mine has returned to normal as far as syncing (for the time being) but I don't know if that will keep mine from loosing GPS again.

[6TJS6]

I agree. I don't know why anyone would think that would be an improvement to remove the percentage of your battery left. But we're talking about Google I guess.

[SunsetRunner]

My Fitbit blaze died after the update, first the battery only lasted a few hours, even though I had it on charge all night, secondly it keeps wanting to connect to Bluetooth device for notifications even though I switch notifications off—- repeatedly. How can these issues be a coincidence ? Blaze died straight after its first sync with the lates Fitbit app for iPhone . NEVER A FITBIT OR GOOGLE DEVICE ever again ! 

[PatrickNZ]

Thanks, my wife and I both have Charge 5's. Today her GPS tracked part of the way before cutting out, mine didn't even start. It recorded Bike Ride and the time spent exercising and calories burned, but nothing else, no hear rate, no GPS, no speed, nothing.

My wife also uses a Polar strap, this recorded the lot, no problems whatsoever! I am extremely frustrated.

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The same applies in New Zealand. I am furious. 

[Susannah68]

Hi, the update has affected the zone minutes and sleep on my husband’s charge 5 since the update. The sleep isn’t being recorded properly and the zone minutes are over inflated. The app updated 2 weeks ago. Thanks

[neonbrett55]

The update killed my brand new C5

Brett Crawley

[Paulyd2021]

I still have fitbit  charge 5 solfware update  as of 188.58  version. I am still  wanting for the update for 194.61  version  since July 2023. I am still up to date from 188.58 version. 

[Gran22]

My Charge 5 did the update and now it won’t charge. I’ve tried all the solutions, even bought a new charger. It’s just a blank screen. It’s useless now!!!!😡😡😡