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.

[MorselA]

No, you can not go back to the other fitbit dashboard.

[JohnTheBrave]

What is 'exactly what I did'?

[SunsetRunner]

I have a Charge 5 and am still stuck on 188.58.  I have tried to restart trying to force an update but I still have not gotten anything.  Are they not updating the Charge 5 to 194.61 anymore?

[GaetanoVB]

Read through this board about the number of Charge 5s destroyed because of
the faulty battery manufacturing and the failed firmware updates.

[bulloo]

Yes they are not and our watches are now dead wood

Sadajewat Kaul

[Lilithcat]

What's the point of your supposed fixes and updates when you previous "fix"/"update" bricked the Charge 5 when it auto updated rendering the device completely worthless...and now the only thing you really want to do is give excuses with your lame "it's no longer in the warranty period" and expect people to purchase a new device with a pathetic discount which is comes down to basic failure to live up to your liability for bricking/rendering our Charge 5s useless and by refusing to replace them think you can extort more money from us in order to have a device that actually works....What you have done isn't just a joke, it not only that you killed our devices, but you are no better than extortionists by failing to replace the device YOU killed by your failure to make software worked properly and then failing to stop the auto updates even after you were aware that it was bricking and rendering our devices worthless.

What is the point of continuing to release anything for the Charge 5 when you have already bricked and rendered the useless by your previous updates.

[BizeeMom]

Bummer! I hate this update. 

[Snowbird45]

Looks like my Charge 5 is still on 188.58 and has the battery drain issue.

Will updating it (if I can) help this issue? Sorta thinking I should try it as it is already garbage since the battery won't last a day.

[IronboundJohn]

My charge 5 tanked after the update.  I watched as this board filled up with comments.  Fitbit stopped selling the Charge 5.  And they offered me 50% off a Charge 6.

My experience with Fitbit is horrendous.  It took a couple of years for them to fix the software on the scale so that it would sync with the app without restarting the app every day.  

After much deliberation, I decided to buy a Charge 6 with a 2 year maintenance agreement.  At $100 (including the extended warranty), it would give me 3 years of tracking, even if it crashed and I had to use the warranty to get a new one.  

So far, the Charge 6 is doing everything I ask of it.  A little better than the Charge 5 when I first bought it.   I notice that Fitbit has now slashed the price of the Charge 6.  Maybe buyers are wary????  

There is no doubt in my mind that Fitbit is bad on hardware, terrible on software and miserable on customer service.  Unfortunately,  I can't find a comparable option at this price.  

[Snowbird45]

Thank you for your feedback. I won't bother trying to find a way to update the firmware if it isn't a solution (let alone cause more problems)

As I'm out of warranty, Fitbit offered a 50% discount BUT I can't use it on a Charge 6. WTF? Madness. But it would have also seemed a bit mad to buy a Charge 6 after the Charge 5 experience (glad it is working out for you).

Have decided to give the Versa a try as it is $100 with 50% off. Fingers crossed that it will last more than the 15 months I got from the Charge 5.

[RKY14]

My 50% off coupon said not not eligible to use on the charge 6. So I'm sure
it's expired now because I'm not buying Fitbit again

[AlanBFit]

Fitbit/google is just so.... im not allowed to say it. The unit will be
refurbished or old inventory. Another strike....wait we r at 81 already.

[jsm91815]

This software update has bricked my Charge 5. This is my 3rd fitbit and the second one that was broket by Fitbit through an update. This is completely unacceptable. I feel like it was purposely broken in order for Google to bump sales of the newer unit. I'm out. I will not be out purchasing another.  Time to move platforms for my watch, my phone, and my smart speakers. So disappointing since I've been Google loyal for years. 

[6TJS6]

@Snowbird45   I doubt updating it would help your issue, and many on this forum would probably advise against doing so. I don't think they're even offering the update anymore, and for good reason. I was still on 188.58, when mine was having the battery issues, eventually spiraling into a state of death. But if you feel it will only be downhill from here, and you don't find any other suggestions that may help, you might have nothing to lose. You didn't mention how old your C5 is, but I've had 2 so far that lasted for about a year, or slightly longer. I'm now on my third with no problems but I haven't had it for long. The only reason I got another one, is because I had invested in other accessories that would be of no use to me with another product. But as many others here, if this one follows suit I wouldn't be able to justify another one.

[davidb531]

Or a few months. Don't have it yet, and from what I've been reading, not sure if I want it. Just wanted the clock faces anyway. 

[MandalaWorld]

I’m not updating anything.   I have the stats that I need on my device and that is all that I want.  

With all the chaos, and overkill,  I stayed where I was  and I have no interest in all the new changes.   
If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it.   
What a mess.   

[SunsetRunner]

I think you should change the wording in the opener from 'SOON'. Its been months and there is no way to update this, not even manually.

This DOES appear to be an intentional breakage. And you know what happens to companies that do that.

My Charge 5 stopped responding a couple of months ago. I tried everything and the last option worked. Fitbit revived. But the battery life is halved (also, resetting the Fitbit turned ON the GPS so it was halved again, down to 1 day). I just want my four or five days' battery life back. Its still at 48hrs. Working for two years nonstop - this seems like forced obsolesence.

I've had many Fitbit Charges, almost all of them. I've been able to hand the old one down to someone else. This one has been a delight. Now there is a software problem.

Fix it or i'll go to the competition. Before Christmas please!

[AlanBFit]

Yall think they really care at this point? The lack of response is
offensive. People who vote with their wallets get the point.

[SteveCDN]

Of course not... same old issues... on the the Charge 6.... wash rinse repeat ..

[haycay]

Will Fitbit be addressing the fact that this firmware is bricking the devices ? I have a non responsive fitbit with a black screen, other than the log showing up when you charge. 

- Change clock faces dont work 

- Restaring via charging cable does not work. 

- One cannot unpair and pair again, because we cannot see the screen.

This has to be addressed, there seem to be enough people to show that Fitbit has messed up and destroyed perfectly working trackers!