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.

[Duffgirl]

I used to have great battery but since I had the issue with updating a card to my wallet the battery drains in less than 2 days.. terrible. GPS is set to phone 

[GMU7801]

Has anyone received this new update version 194.61?  Mine is like version 188.

[JSK56]

Mine is that too. It was supposed to update to the new one and the first try it failed the second time it worked. I can get to to show it is at the 188 version but battery life is less than 2 hours. They sent me a new and it is even an earlier version. But I will not update it. 

[saltywetman]

Depending on what platform and version of app you are currently on it should be an option on the main app settings. Some users have reported they don't have the option to in that case you may want to refrain from doing any synching to prevent any auto updates. If you really need to synch then see if you can disable wifi and mobile data before you connect your Fitbit via Bluetooth because you don't want the app to connect to the internet to check for and download any updates. If you do this I would also leave Bluetooth disabled when your phone is connected internet via mobile data or wifi to prevent any background syncing and updates. 

I can't give you any details because I have not launched my Fitbit app for a couple months so my android system has basically put the app into rarely used app category and essentially put the app on sleep mode so it neither updates the app nor does any background syncing to my tracker which still has weeklong battery life and all functions operational. I bought it more as a sleep tracker and go to the gym rather than track steps for my fitness goal.

[JSK56]

I have an Android phone. On my replacement Charge 5 it shows the update is available on the App. I just close it. No issues. 

[Tpol89]

Same with me.

I got mine last week and turned it on and synced. As long as I dont upgrade, it has been working fine. It keeps on showing the message to upgrade but I just ignore it.

However, I am on an older firmware and it doesnt have the ECG app

[newtothis83]

I hadn't even though of that being an option. Thank you! 

[SunsetRunner]

So now that I’m seeing “up votes” being throttled back, the forums like my charge 5 are useless. Just a bunch of people looking for answers they will never truly get. I’ve narrowed my next option between two Gar… then I will replace my scale when the time comes. 
best of luck to all of you guys and gals in the same boat. 

[sink45ny]

The firmware version of my charge5 is 1.188.58.  Is firmware version 194.61 the one causing all the problems?

Any links to additiona information are appreciated.

[Missiv12]

Mine bricked when it was still running the old version although I had done an update through the app store when the battery starting draining quickly.  There seem to be people having problems beforehand as well as when the new version is installed. 

[Mariner_1]

Good luck, I have the same issue and Fitbit does is say to buy a new device which I will but not a Fitbit device for sure.

[Vransom]

My Fitbit is running on the old update and not giving me the option to update. Yesterday my Fitbit suddenly died after being full charged 12 hours prior. Plugged it in and was at 32% when I went to bed. Left it on the charger and woke up to it not responding to charge. Unplugged, plugged back in and batteries at 1%. I let it full charge this morning, unplugged and it wouldn’t turn on. Plugged back in and is at 1% again. If the update will fix this how do I update it since it isn’t giving me the option to? I made sure my app was up to date and turned my phone off and back on. What do I need to do here? My Fitbit was purchased less than a year ago but not sure if I have the receipt or not for warranty. 

[mchili]

This has been the slowest roll out of a firmware update ever since I’ve owned Fitbit devices. Something is going on behind the scenes and we are left in the dark!

[DoxieGran]

Has anyone tried a factory reset? My battery is lasting about 10 hrs, and I am able to get to clear user data on my Charge 5. I am wondering if this will bring it back to the original firmware, ie: the firmware that was on it when I got it as an XMas gift, or will it try to update right away when I sync it to the app?

[JSK56]

Yep. Once bricked always bricked at least as it comes to my battery time. About 120 minutes or less. 

[newtothis83]

You don't need your receipt. Just ring them. They can see when you first synced the device and if it was new etc.

The update I'd you haven't done it yet will not help that. From my experience the update took my tracker from a week-long battery life to 12 hrs and the screen went completely blank.

Ring them for a replacement then don't install the update when it arrives.

Wait for better news here or in the media before updating the software.

Sent from Outlook for Android<>

[NJ-Brad]

Factory reset has not helped most people on this thread. If yours isn't bricked yet, disable ALL updates until FitBit/Google issues an "all-clear"

[DoxieGran]

It's been over a month with no "All Clear". I doubt one is coming.

[Duffgirl]

Hi there,

So I was on to the chat & they’ve offered to replace my Fitbit. Because I can’t afford a new one I accepted. But there definitely something going on in the background, when I complained a few week ago about the constant “add card to wallet” notifications I wasn’t offered anything & was told that was an internal problem with Fitbit.
This time I was offered a new device so quickly…

Sent from my iPhone 13

[MaryIHart]

Would not let me comment before...