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.

[JSK56]

Welcome to our world of a bricked Charge 5. I can't believe they haven't pulled this software. Does it work for anyone? 

[borzoimom]

Afraid so. There are hundreds (probably thousands by now) having the same problems. It’s been going on for weeks since they rolled out the latest firmware update. They will not acknowledge it and so far seem unable to fix it.

Sent from my iPhone

[JSK56]

Why wouldn't you acknowledge this bricks your Fitbit? 

[mchili]

I decided that if I receive the prompt to update I will go on chat support immediately and ask them if it’s safe to download. If they say yes then I will download it while still on chat!! But on the other hand I don’t want my charge 5 bricked because I’m one week out of warranty and it’s working perfectly fine at the moment. 

[JSK56]

The problem is you may not know for hours when you Fitbit discharges in several hours. Tell them if this destroys my Fitbit will you replace it for free and get it in writing. 

[saltywetman]

If your fitbit is currently working fine. Do not update your mobile app, if anything uninstall it so there's no risk of it updating in the background. Esp if you're out of warranty don't count on fitbit giving out any replacements since even some who are under warranty have only gotten a coupon offer to buy another product that would brick after flashing the new firmware. If you already flashed to the new one and see that battery drain is faster than it was, i think the only chance of you preventing the brick is to stop using it and keep it hooked to the wired charger to keep it from depleting. 

[mchili]

Yes I will absolutely do that and get it in writing. 

[Perjos]

Ironically my Charge 5 died around the same time I got the update in the App yesterday. In the afternoon I turned on the water lock. The screen never turned on after that, even though syncing worked normally. After troubleshooting and trying to restart it, it stopped responding and syncing. It died just in time for the new firmware to appear in the App.

After 4 watches from Fitbit I will start looking for some other brand.

[Kirsti1]

Thanks!

First you terrify me! By telling me my heart rate is spiking, often throughout the day everyday!

 So I am scared! That I might be about to die!

And now you update it - so the battery does not last a full day!

I am done!

I have had it for a month!

I thought it would be better than charge 4 - bearing in mind - that this is my fourth fitbit as the previous ones did not last long.

 I am done!

It is going in the bin!

[saltywetman]

Seeing the most recent charge 5 forum threads part of me is wondering if Google is just slowly dissolving Fitbit and just absorbing their tech to use in their own google products. Some people have mentioned that they've been told Fitbit no longer responds to emails when attempting to cancel their premium subscriptions. That plus crickets regarding this firmware issues makes this company look like a sinking ship. All we really want is a rep to come on stating we are aware of the issue and currently working on a firmware fix and will post it once it's available. Yet it almost seems like they want to pretend this issue does not exist and assume no responsibility

[Trishkatherine]

Before I could download the update my Fitbit screen went blank for no reason. I had just looked at it minutes before and had 14,000 steps then it was gone next time I looked. Is this related to the update? I see many other complaints in the last day or so. 

I agree. If the device stops working after trying to install their update, they should be fully responsible.

Yes, and sending it to the US from Asia is not economical and if they send a new one I have to pay almost the price I bought it for in custom taxes.  

[Kangakim]

Like many of the other posters, my Charge 5 black screened as a result of this update. It still tracks and connects to my phone, but I can’t use the screen at all. I chatted with support last week after trying all of the troubleshooting suggestions posted when people had similar issues last year, and all they did was ask me to try all of the troubleshooting suggestions one by one apparently not reading my initial message that stated exactly what actions I had already tried (which was all of them). They then said my device would have to be replaced and sent an email with a 35% off code…. Why would anyone want to buy a new product from a company who releases an update that breaks their devices and then can’t even take responsibility by replacing the devices they broke??

[JSK56]

Mine did the same. Then I saw there was an upload and thought that might fix it did not. I have a screen, but my battery life is about an hour. 

Has anyone received a replacement Charge 5 and successfully set it up since the new update? 

[ccho_tw]

I bought my charge5 at '23 Feb, and subscribed Fitbit Premium until now. Last Saturday, I connect the device with my Android phone successfully (for the last time). Then later on I found my Charge5 will periodically show Fitbit logo (and then no screen), and I can neither change to other screen nor connecting to my phone. 

Tried: reboot (wiring, 3 times button-pressing, each for 1 second)-- Fitbit logo did show, but still no screen. 
Next morning: I found (in gmail) the device ever sent me notice about low battery, and APP on my phone said Charge5 was with 1% power (and I still cannot connect to it).

After that: I try recharging / reboot several times, still in vain.
Today (two days later), I found the device is no screen when wired charing (no matter what means I did), and I surprisingly found my Charge5 is so hot after wiring for <30 minutes! I immediately remove the wiring.

Oops!
I choose the report the issue via email, and the responding email said I may wait for 7 days (NOT 2 days).
Oops again. What can I do? Just wait maybe.

[chilehead]

There are a ton of reports here with people getting their charge 5 devices bricked either right after the firmware update, or in the same timeframe as the update was released (perhaps a failed update that bricked it but didn't update version?)

So far there is almost no statement from Fitbit.

We would all love to see something here from them. Can somebody official post something saying either (1) we know of a problem caused by the fw update and are investigating (2) there is no problem and all the failures are a statistical coincidence or (3) we don't know and are investigating

Many of us are long time customers and are very upset to see the lack of response. I'm still on the old firmware and have no problem, but I travel a lot and now I travel with a backup device from Amazfit to have so when Fitbit bricks my device I'll still be able to track steps, heart rate and sleep. 

[Porridge51]

Yes, I received a replacement one early on.

I contacted the support guys to say could they disable the upgrade for my account as I didn’t want the replacement one made inoperable.

My replacement one works fine, just like the one I had just prior to the update.

[Kangakim]

Did you have to pay for it? That’s my issue, I’m don’t think I’m satisfied enough with FitBit on this issue to purchase another one, even with the 35% off. They should be replacing the products they broke.

[JSK56]

Mine was under warranty so no. 

I will try that and see if they can stop the update. It is suppose to arrive today. 

[32loulou]

Very same situation with me.  Instead of fixing issues the roll out more faulty products.  

[Porridge51]

no

Sent from my iPhone