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.

[FitbitRunner864]

I had the same issue and only left the exercise shortcut. I think it was the “run” shortcut that was the culprit.

[Previvor30]

I have been a Fitbit user for well over 10 years now. Always loved it compared to any of the trackers until Google took over and every tracker beginning with my charge hr 3 and my purchase of the charge 4 and now charge 5.  am extremely disappointed! 

I purchased the charge 5 when it first came out and I even bought the two-year warranty and within 8 months it bricked and blacked out and I said to the helpline. I don't want any refurbished tracker sent back to me. I want a brand new one. Of course when I got the replacement " refurbished" charge 5. I was excited to set it up. Immediately I discovered after many phone calls that the charge cable that I had from the original charge 5. Was not compatible with my refurbished charge 5. Which led to lengthy hours long multiple support calls to troubleshoot and eventually led to another refurbished replacement. 

I'm informed enough about how Fitbit firmware works and I always go to the help forms if I don't know and the usual way that I would update from where in the past would be directly through the app and I just discovered that not only did the app not appear to show the new firmware update but that my watch didn't correspond and was on a previous version. So frustrated because reading that there is a rollout for a charge. 5  Firmware Update 194.61 and not being able to have a firmware update since the 188 version IS INFURIATING. 

AND NOW TONIGHT AS I HAVE PUT ON MY TRACKER AFTER MY SHOWER THE SCREEN BEGINS TO PIXEL DISCOLORATION/ BLACKOUT. TO NO AVAIL OF ALL THE TROUBLESHOOTING ACTIONS I'VE TAKEN BEFORE IT IS LITERALLY WHAT I WOULD SAY BRICKED!

I used to absolutely love Fitbit now in the last 3 years I have been completely disappointed, felt ripped off, Even with pain for a premium membership and a care plan that lasted three years, even that didn't help. Now with Google buying Fitbit and forcing you to integrate with Google account and all these stipulations of non-gifting and required membership purchase I have to say.... Unless something significantly changes to the consumer because I know I'm not the only one. You just lost a very loyal Fitbit user and I'm already looking at your competitors. 

AND NOW I HAVE A WATCH THAT DOESN'T WORK AGAIN

[Fiberscraps]

Ugh! So frustrating!!

[Steve667]

Einstein was reported to have said “ Insanity is doing the same this over and over again, and expecting a different result”

So why are people updating their CH5’s and expecting not to have issues????

 Please do not update unless Google gets the update right or they offer replacements for bricked watches out of warranty as a result of a corrupted update !!

[SunsetRunner]

Maybe because hope springs eternal. The issue has been going on for over 2 months now, with no apparent progress. I personally won't support a company who doesn't support products, and at this point it appears to be the case. I won't be waiting very long for a fix before switching to a competing brand after completing my due diligence, which is a real shame because I really like the Charge 5.

[ian.pennington3]

The problem why people are updating is cause the last update before was
also faulty like mine was, not as bad as this latest update but still in
wearable for over a year now

[DoxieGran]

I think the people who are updating are not aware that there is a problem with the new update until they update and their Charge 5 crashes. Then they come here seeking help and learn what is happening. 

[Previvor30]

I haven't even done the most recent updand i'm still having issues

[Divid]

Seriously, why cannot there be a simple screen option that shows you just the time, date and steps only. I only care about steps and reaching that goal every day as do most people but we are given the worst options that if you accidentally bump the screen it will change to calories burnt or whatever. Just give a basic screen option please 

[karand]

Yes! My previous Fitbit had that (I think it was the Charge HR). I could tap the screen if I wanted to see other stats, but I could also choose to leave it all day on steps. It also counted stairs, which was taken out of the Charge 5. I strongly disliked the silicone band, and the screen is badly scratched, but I may have to go back to it anyway.

[Divid]

If only Fitbit would allow you to customise your own screen! Or just provide one, just one simple screen instead of their poorly designed ones

[Itsadud7]

Hello, I have to say that mine has miraculously come back to life without any intervention from me. The interface has altered so the 'update' would appear to have been de bugger over the air. Will report back any further issues. Sent from Robert's Galaxy

[ian.pennington3]

How long after the update did yourcharge 5 come back to life and what did
you do with it?, leave it on charge for long time or something else

[neonbrett55]

Mine has yet to comeback,

They will be losing my repeat business as I have bought several Fitbits over the years and am angry that they knew that had a problem since June and yet continued to sell them. I will tell everyone to buy one at their own risk. Mine quit working a day after I did the firmware update and Fitbit told me it does not qualify under the warranty

[Kudakin]

It isn't letting me do the update. Says it's updated but still the same older operating system. My 5 keeps blacking out during the day and then I have to plug it in to get it to come back to life. Inconvenient to say the least! I didn't have any issues with my old fit bit and ordered this one to get more options. Of course now out of warranty. Going back to the old fitbits that are simpler and didn't have issues like this. 

[Itsadud7]

I did nothing other than plug it into the charger. However in one of its earlier lucid moments I did change the clock face. it has been working OK now all day.

[jfe]

I have not been getting the update notice yet so am at the 188.58 firmware version. Battery life after charging to 100% is roughly a week. Of course, I don't wait for it to go to 0 before I recharge. Statposter clock face used. Is this whole issue about clock faces chosen?

[RKY14]

Mine did too then after 2 weeks of working it now has gone black. No
bringing it back this time.

[neonbrett55]

Never thought you could buy a Fitbit and it would stop working in a couple of days and the warranty wouldn’t cover it. They got my money but they have lost my business forever.

Brett Crawley

[SistahSJB]

No. For me my battery would charge to 100% then run to zero in less than an hour. I didn't change the clock face.