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.

[DoxieGran]

HI Guy_, the Fitbit Charge 5 cannot be factory reset. Once you update to a new firmware on the device itself, it cannot be rolled back. I think most people on here are aware of factory reset on devices, and would have done this had that been an option. 

[Guy_]

Hi @DoxieGran - if the new firmware is no longer available (which is probably the case) a factory reset should take you back to the latest available one, not the one you have now.

[bulloo]

Yes I do agree as the manufacturer doesn't want so 

[NJ-Brad]

@Guy_  The factory reset is for data only.  It doesn't reset the firmware. Firmware gets overwritten during the update process.

[ian.pennington3]

Unbelievable this mob is, please tell us what's going on wirh the charge 5
watch, you are a mob of halfwits

[Ktn810]

which did you purchase?

[Backrosr]

I bought a refurbished 5 from amazon has worked flawlessly even with the updated app. 🤷‍:female_sign:

Get Outlook for iOS<>

[bulloo]

I purchased it in Netherlands using in India presently

Sadajewat Kaul

[Loleo]

[R4n0nce]

Worth a look.

Thanks 

[ian.pennington3]

Your just the 100/ 1 person

[SunsetRunner]

Does it have ECG?

[R4n0nce]

ECG recently appeared on device, but is not fully apparent in app.

[Mike_in_LR]

I don’t know what on earth you are playing at but you have managed to wreck my Charge 5. The new app is next to useless, no real content information given and just a continual push for people to upgrade to Premium. The syncing of my Fitbit rarely works, I have to ‘forget’ my Charge 5 once or twice per month, then try to relink it. My ‘goal’ of 10,000 steps never gets a notice / vibration. If my Charge 5 packs in, I won’t bother with buying another. 

[Runforestrun1]

Wise decision!
Sent from my iPhone

[SunsetRunner]

“Yes, it is so annoying that my Fitbit Blaze died upon its first synchronization with the new app. I also use a Polar heart rate monitor, H10 to be exact. It doesn’t skip a beat; it’s super accurate, and there are no updates to confuse people, the apps user interface is easy to read and follow. I have used Polar devices for about 30 years. Fitbit 's heart rate monitoring was hardly ever accurate. Sometimes my H10 would show a heart rate of 159 BPM, and Fitbit would show 129. That’s a huge difference. As for step counting, a $10 pedometer can calculate the same number of steps. What’s worse, and I’ve been saying it for years, whenever you set your app to metric, the diet app would simply change the wording. For example, to lose 1 pound a week, you need to reduce your calories by 1500 calories. Then when you convert it to metric, it would say, to lose 1 KILO a week, you need to reduce your calories by 1500 calories! Same calories for both?” I don't know if it was fixed in the new app because I lost interest and deleted it altogether. The only reason I loved wearing Fitbit was because it was a gift from someone very special.

[LCSutton]

I wasted money using their discount buying a FitBit Inspire to replace my bricked Charge 5 (which I loved) - the Inspire barely functions and causes skin issues which the back of the Charge 5 never did. I'm done with this brand

[ian.pennington3]

Like so many other people, my charge 5 is defunct and useless and just
sitting in my top draw until this mob finally get of there backsides and do
something or the very least let us all know what is going on

Moderator edit: word choice. 

[Backrosr]

Yes and it all works flawlessly.

Get Outlook for iOS<>

[narf57]

So, we're coming up on 4 months since this update was announced, 3 1/2 months since the last update from a Fitbit moderator. I for one haven't seen any hint of this update. Based on the reports on this board maybe I'm better off without it, but I sure would like some sort of official comment on the status of this firmware update. Has it been pulled due to all the reported brickings? I've had nothing but good luck with fitbit so far, but this silence is deafening at this point.