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.

[SunsetRunner]

I decided to go with another company and don’t want to say so I won’t be censored and honestly I’m getting ready to delete this account. Just waiting to see what happens. 

[ian.pennington3]

I'm so annoyed like everyone else and with still no contact from them for
so long it's time for us all with fitbits to complain to others how
incompetent they are

[SunsetRunner]

Dont think, just do

[Géraud]

Still stuck on 188.58 with ugly clocks 😭

[SunsetRunner]

@Géraud But it still works? Your ahead of the game then most on here. 

[ian.pennington3]

Haven't heard if 1 charge 5 working to its fullest extent

[CatWeld]

So, you want to know what I think of the Charge 5 update?  Updated Friday. Battery charge frozen at 80%, or so it says. FitBit won’t sync to phone. Steps no longer reset. Any suggestions?   I restarted phone.  Restarted FitBit.  

[Géraud]

@SunsetRunner: yes it works but I am disappointed with the Charge 5 clocks. Nobody likes them and there has been no update since it was launched 2 years ago. To be honest, I am not switching to the Charge 6 and I am considering alternatives.

[ian.pennington3]

Exactly the same happened to my charge, now dead and unusable and these
goons still haven't let us all know what the how is going on with this
update how ignorant and rude, everyone should complain about this and take
it further


about this

[SunsetRunner]

@CatWeld

Buy a fitness band from another company. Firmware update has been bricking Charge 5s since July, and Fitbit/Google apparently doesn't care. Thousands of complaints here with zero recent feedback from Moderators; just stonewalling with "follow these steps" and "contact customer support". "Follow these steps" doesn't work, and "contact customer support" results in an offer of a 35% or 50% discount towards purchase of a new Fitbit device. Why anyone would choose to spend more money with a company that doesn't fix their screwups is beyond me.

[Johnjacobjingle]

My Charge 5 bricked yesterday with the update. 

[CatWeld]

Just back to say that, remarkably, an update to my iPhone operating system followed by a Fitbit restart fixed the problem!  Hard to believe and fingers crossed that it really solved my problems.  Steps reset.  Battery is something other than 80%.  Synched to phone.  

[SunsetRunner]

I saw this on the Fitbit page on FB.  I wonder if this will fix the issue This is directly from Fitbit so I would think this is completely relevant to this topic and those of us looking for answers. They don't directly answer the questions about the Charge 5s bricking but maybe it'll help?  I'm afraid to get my hopes up.

[Mes11mini]

Why does Fitbit support say that 188.58 is the latest firmware when this is saying it’s 194.61?

[UlrikeDG]

@Mes11mini- officially, we don't know. Google/Fitbit hasn't given users an official update on the firmware situation in months.

Unofficially: the rollout went badly. Many users' devices stopped working properly or completely died when the firmware tried to update. It appears from the outside that they slowed or stopped pushing 194.61 (for good reason). It would be nice if they'd actually let us know what's going on, but in the meantime, if your device is on 188.58 and still working reasonably well, you're better off than many people who received 194.61.

[SunsetRunner]

@Mes11mini Pretending it didn’t happen? 🤷🏻‍:male_sign:

😆🤣😆🤣

[arthurc2000]

Maybe wait after the Christmas.  The sales figure will come in.

BTW: Google Pixel watch seems better than Fitbit.  Maybe killing Fitbit is just a side effect.

[SunsetRunner]

Mine does but I never updated. I expect the Google migration to crash it. Though since the app update the RHR number is drastically wrong. But the tracker works fine. 7 days battery life. Google clearly wants to kill Fitbit. It's a money sink at this point.

[arthurc2000]

No idea who run the company now.  I never heard about a company that keep silence for so long..  Well, it is big enough so it can do anything..

[NJ-Brad]

Update on my bricked Charge 5.  Found the invoice AND the extended warranty.  Sent it in for repair, as requested by the warranty company.  Got it back yesterday.  The repair ticket stated that the mainboard and bezel were replaced.  Anyway, firmware is 149.11.  Not updating that!  So far, so good.