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.

[bulloo]

There is no official word on our fed up feed hope fitbit understands the
anguish of their watch wearers.

Sadajewat Kaul

[Krysie53]

Well said!  I will never have anything google.  In fact, thinking of deleting all google from devices. I feel as though I’ve been scammed!!!

[Dee2327]

All I can say is that I am totally disgusted!!! Not a peep from Google/Fitbit to us once loyal consumers! Pathetic! Shame! Shame! Shame!

[Mer23]

Since updating 3 days ago I can no longer add the 1.5 miles I get from using my Cubii for 120 minutes.  It will only accept a whole number.  Once I type the decimal after the one I get a message to add a valid distance.  Custom Service suggestion to change to km instead of miles seems strange since the decimal point causes the error and 1.5 miles equals 2.414 km so why would that work it still has a decimal point.  I had been adding my Cubii workout as steps every night for the last few months with no issues until 3 days ago when Fitbit decided 1.5 miles is not a valid distance.  So my numbers are not accurate for the last 3 nights because I could only say I walked 1 mile not 1.5 miles so I don't get all the steps or calories burned I should be getting.  Really not happy that Fitbit has no answers and really doesn't seem to care.

[jrms210]

I got my Charge 5 November 2022 - 11 months ago. I had ZERO complaints about it before this **ahem**ed auto-update. I used to be 100% "Team Fitbit." Until a month ago or so, I easily would've given it a 5:star: rating...now, it's about 1.5 :star:.

Then one day, it prompted me to continue the update - without the option to skip it. Unable to get past the update prompt, I connected my Charge 5 to the charger and allowed it to 'continue.' The display showed the pulsing Fitbit icon. I left it charging, waiting for the display to return to normal, for 3 days. Nothing changed on the display. I disconnected the charger, couldn't access the apps to restart, I tried using the button on the charging cord to restart. My phone/Fitbit app didn't recognize it broadcasting on Bluetooth. 

I left it disconnected from power for 5-6 days until the display went black. Reconnected the charger for a couple days. I guess the update was able to complete. It mostly works now. However, the battery life is unreliable. Now, I can wear it for up to 2 days before it needs to charge (used to last 6-7 days). Randomly, I'll try to check the display for the time or hr only to discover that it is dead. No warnings that the battery is running low. It runs normally, then for whatever reason the battery is at 0%. 

I've read on this forum and external articles since the update release that Fitbit's response to customers experiencing problems with our Fitbits because of the unavoidable update is to oh, so *generously* let us buy a new unit at a discounted rate, if our unit is still under warranty. Why would I want to give Fitbit/Google more money to resolve what they **ahem**ed up? Surely Google could reach into their coffers to resolve this problem. 

[RKY14]

Mine did the same as well as 1000 others. It will go dark & quit entirely.

[ian.pennington3]

Completely **ahem**ed the charge 5 up it did

[UlrikeDG]

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@jrms210 wrote:

I've read on this forum and external articles since the update release that Fitbit's response to customers experiencing problems with our Fitbits because of the unavoidable update is to oh, so *generously* let us buy a new unit at a discounted rate, if our unit is still under warranty.

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Those articles were wrong. Fitbit was replacing units still under warranty and was offering a discount for units out of warranty. They replaced so many units that they ran out of new Charge 5s! I don't know what they're doing now, but you should definitely contact them ASAP, as your warranty expires soon, and they definitely won't replace it after the warranty period ends. (I *think* they're replacing warranty units with refurbished units now, but I haven't seen that stated explicitly. Either way, CONTACT THEM!)

[ian.pennington3]

Hey Lizzie that was almost 4 months ago, how about an update now on what you're doing about this failed update on charge 5 now, please let us all know, we've been waiting for a while now

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Yea like most other comments cause they haven't got a foot to stand on

[Nandehli]

My Fitbit Charge 5's firmware is 188.58 and I never got the update. Since the Fitbit phone app was installed, my Charge 5 has only the clock screen and I can't access Sleep Mode or any other screen or exercise mode. I can't sync to the Fitbit app on my phone either. My Charge 5 battery  never went below 5 days between charges. None of the advice Fitbit gave me revived my Charge 5, including pushing the button on the charging cord USB end 3 times 1 second apart...

My Charge 5 was performing perfectly up to when the phone app was updated, but I have had to go back to my 5 year old Versa which is performing perfectly, but doesn't have the pulse oximeter sensor- which is why I bought the Charge 5 in the first place. I also never have to guess how much charge I  have left on the trusty Versa, although it is not as comfortable on my small wrist.

[Mer23]

I was recently asked if I wanted to participate in a clinical study that would be using Fitbit.  I told them no because Fitbit is no longer reliable.  If you complete an exercise that is not measured on Fitbit or forget your Fitbit for a day and you attempt to manually add your data the Fitbit doesn't accept anything but whole numbers for miles.  So if I complete 1.5 miles I have to put in 1 mile and lose some of my steps and calories burned or put in 2 miles and cheat by getting extra steps and calorie burn.  Definitely not reliable for a clinical study.  

[Loleo]

It does take a heart rate and blood pressure along with oxygen levels. Not sure yet how accurate they are it’s only been a couple of weeks 

[Mer23]

Never saw a Fitbit that takes your blood pressure. The temperature reading
I get is while I am sleeping so not all that interesting to me. I just
want to be able to add the correct distance I walked and not be forced to
round either up or down.

[Jbphdelaney]

No actually. This update bricked mine, and the company will not replace it! Very angry with Fitbit. 😡

[Nandehli]

The new phone app killed my Charge 5, but my ancient Versa with fewer
sensors gets along with the phone app after sitting on the shelf for ages.

[NewShoes]

I just updated but I honestly don’t see  a difference yet. The last two nights the app refuses to give me credit for any exercise at all!  I walked over 10,000 steps each night and had over 50 minutes of high activity but my app says I haven’t exercised all week. First it refused to count stairs and then it kept asking for a payment method and now on top of those two issues it no longer registers my exercise. Either the Fitbit charge 5 is defective or this new app is. I didn’t have any trouble with the old app version and my charge 2. Is anyone else not getting credit for their exercise time now?  This started on Sunday of this week. 

[Ccolleencem]

I cannot possibly emphasize enough how much I hate the new interface. And, moreover, I now can’t see the types of week over week or even daily stats that I monitor for health goals.  I no longer think that my Charge is competitively better than Garmin or Apple bc I have lost the ability to track activity, etc the way I have since January. Utterly dissapointed and frustrated.  

[MamboMike]

Charge 5 , just over a year old, first day of holiday, went for a swim , now condensation inside the sensors, now dead and getting hot. Is it worth bothering to complain or start looking for something else.  Also by water resistant to 50m do the mean length rather than depth 😉

P.s. forgot to say easily peeled off the sensor cover with fingernail and I can guess how water got in...

[Loleo]

Never had any problems with water. I leave mine on for swim exercises two to three days a week. (And it’s a salt water) thinking you should chat with support if that is your issue. Mine came only with the update!

Sent from my iPhone

[MamboMike]

Will do thanks