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!

---

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.

[MACMU]

Hello, thanks for your response. I found out I conflated firmware update and app update (because it also seemed to me that the latest posts were talking about the app, and I simply assumed it's automatically connected to firmware update rollout). In any case, I don't have the latest versions on both. I believe chat support was talking about app update rollout. I will soon contact them again (if my fibit still won't count steps correctly) and will reply here and to you if there's any relevant info. 

[MandalaWorld]

I get most of my info directly from my Charge 5.   I greatly dislike the iPhone app display and function.  

[Géraud]

It's been a few months and I am still on 188.58 😒

[Widdershins]

@Géraud Then you are fortunate. Stick with 188.58 as long as you can until FB finally sort out the issues.

[ian.pennington3]

Same here, these people have no idea

[Géraud]

@Widdershinsthks for the advice, I didn't know the update was so problematic 😥

[overjoyed]

The update is awful. It takes away information and now everytime I  try to see my active minutes, the screen just dissapears

[ian.pennington3]

They have really **ahem**ed this charge 5 up to the max and still nothing from
them, what a defeative attitude they have got Pathetic

[AlanBFit]

Tell me something here; do you think theres one iota of customer care/service/response here other than to inform you that your post does not meet "community guidelines" and is deleted? My charge 5 thankfully works still and is on the 188.58 level but i will never buy another google niche product again. The app is pathetic and not owning up to the issue, at my employment would be grounds for dismissal. 

[ian.pennington3]

All these peoples with the defunct charge 5 and these goons still offer no
response Pathetic they are

[christekm1]

How do you know if you received a firmware update? I presume I did since my battery life has substantially decreased. Used to last 6-7 days. Now maybe 4 tops? Also how does Google know if the firmware update or the new awful app. is the cause of the fast battery drainage? 

[jazzy_solutions]

It all worked GREAT until Google bought the company. Why TF you guys roll out **ahem** nobody wants and not test locally, like on your own employees, before dumping absolute garbage onto long time customers?  Battery drains, changing the app that REMOVED the reason I’ve had a Fitbit, and for the past 2-days ZERO data captured. Also, no matter age, people have vision issues … I’ve already bought a different tracker to compare -  I’m so pissed off. Months of this crap!!!! You’re losing market share you stupid idiots. Try user-focus groups, small test rollouts,  etc. my gawd, simply appalling!!!! I want my Premium membership fees back!! Ripped off!!!! Not getting what I paid for AT ALL, FOR MONTHS!!!

[Runforestrun1]

Agree!
Sent from my iPhone

[jaesbe]

The same thing happened to me - Charge 5 completely bricked about one month after the warranty ended. I had been working with self-help support before it went out of warranty. But once the warranty passed, the best support would do is offer a discount coupon - even though they were replacing other Fitbit Charge 5's with the same problem. My family and I have had Fitbits for years and loved them. But not replacing a product they KNOW is defective is inexcusable. Why should I continue to stand by Fitbit if they won't stand behind their products? I don't have money to throw away on unreliable products. 

I'm upvoting this on every community forum post, in hopes someone with the authority to do something about it will see it. Please feel free to join me. Thanks.

[MandalaWorld]

I’m so disappointed with the choices that FitBit has chosen.   I do not like the iPhone interface at all.   It is slow to load and hard to read due to the too light font. 

I am sticking with my Charge 5 and the data it supplies me.   If it ain’t broke, don’t break it.   Sheesh!   

[MandalaWorld]

I also agree!   Fortunately, I skipped the update that so many are angry and dissatisfied about. My watch updates (albeit more slowly), and I get my stats accurately.   

How many employees have left the company, I wonder?   

[IronboundJohn]

Nothing but crickets from Fitbit.  My Charge 5 went into a death spiral about 2 months ago.  Fitbit provided zero support.  At that time, the Charge 6 had just been released at $160 and they offered me 50% off.  Since there is nothing on the market anywhere comparable at that price, I spent the $80 plus $20 for a 24 month extended warranty.  If it turns out to be junk, maybe they'll give me their next big thing (I suspect a google branded tracker with some new toys might be on the way). 

My decision to buy the Charge 6 was in spite of my realization that Fitbit has horrible products and worse customer service.  Maybe they think the problem will go away when they kill the Fitbit brand.  

On the bright side, after a few startup issues, my Charge 6 is performing perfectly.  Battery lasts 4-5 days even when I track my runs.  Captures my overnight readings every day.  

I know I made a deal with the devil.....  will see how long it takes to bite me in the butt.

[SunsetRunner]

@IronboundJohn  at this point I'd probably jump up and down if my charge 5 was making a cricket noise.

Just kidding, but I will never own another Fitbit product unless they give me a new one to replace my less than year old one that bricked back in July. I've tried all of their fixes to no avail and I refuse to spend one cent more so they're lame attempt at a discount is falling on deaf ears.

I check back here every now and then to see if they finally owned up and are helping resolve the issue with their loyal customers. Sadly, they have not and obviously do not care since they won't even answer anything. I have been put on a " surprise vacation " from the community and I see that I am not the only one. The pages don't seem to change much even though there have been many more posts than it shows.

They're definitely getting coal this Christmas.

[SunsetRunner]

P.S.

It's my autocorrect that made the typos... 🙄

[GDixie]

I was informed today that I have been a Fitbit customer for 10 years.  During that time I have seen a continuous story of improvement in the various Charges and their apps that I have owned.  
Until now that is.

The new app is a step backwards.  It is less colourful, less sensitive, less informative, less helpful,  & less flexible than the earlier versions.  
This raises the question…..why?

Is it, as the company implies,  a story that it is the start of a major process of change, & improvement.  And sometimes things get worse before they get better.

Or, is it a cunning marketing plan, that by downgrading our Charge 5 we will go out and invest in a new Fitbit product.

 Or has Fitbit just made it’s equivalent of the ‘New Coke’ decision.  One that has devalued its customers view of the company and the brand.