Charge 5 Firmware Update 194.91

[LizzyFitbit]

We’re excited to announce that a firmware update version 194.91 for Charge 5 is now available! If you installed it, let us know what you think!

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.

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.

[dan3458585]

A2024, did you migrate to a Google Account or stay on the Fitbit Account?   Dan

[Hendrik55]

I got a new FitBit Charge 5….! 😊

My problems with the Charge 5 are solved. At least for the time being and I hope it stays that way. After the last firmware update to 194.91 I also had all kinds of problems with battery and use of GPS.

In 2 months I tried everything to solve that. First with tips from the forum. Then I called the Fitbit helpdesk. There I was instructed to restart the Charge 5 using the button on the cable. I had already done that several times, and it had also been started several times because it had fallen out. But I had to do it according to the manual I was emailed. It did not help.
After a week of restarting many times, I called again. It could be seen that I had recently synchronized. One can see a lot and I don't know whether that is allowed in the context of privacy.
My 2 year warranty had now expired 3 months, so they could not do anything for me. The next assignment was to reset the C5 to factory settings according to a manual I received by email. However, according to the manual, this did not work. On the internet I found a YouTube video (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gyx9pT874sk) that did work. To factory settings and reset everything. That did not solve the failure of the C5 when using GPS and strange battery percentages and draining. All this trouble started after firmware 194.91

After this I sent an angry email. At the time of the firmware update, my C5 was still within warranty and I demanded a solution from Fitbit/Google.

I have also stated that according to European legislation I can expect a normal usage time, and that for a smartwatch is certainly longer than 2 years. So I expect concrete action and quickly from Google, especially since Fitbit/Google is the cause of the unusability...

Because I received no answer, I called the helpdesk again after a week. I was told by a friendly gentleman, after reading my emails, that I was getting a new C5.

I have been using it for 2 weeks now and everything works as usual. No battery and/or GPS problems so far. This C5 runs on firmware 188.58 and I have not yet been offered any new firmware. Maybe Google pulled it back after all these problems?
I don't want new firmware either, but I don't know if I can prevent that.

So Fitbit/Google does have a solution 😊

My advice, call the helpdesk in your country, do what they tell you to do and demand a functioning Fitbit Charge 5 even if it is out of warranty. GOOD LUCK!

[Akaushi2024]

Saturday morning... so obviously my all seeing, all knowing Charge 5 updated with firmware 194.91 has gone up in smoke twice this morning... however  I'm excited to report, that it made it over 24 hours before it double faulted.

Fault #1, it made the first lap around the track, I kept the rate at 3 MPH, but kicked it up to 5 MPH for the second lap... boom...all dead Charge 5!!! That was a real bummer...anyway, finished up exercising and drove to the fuel station... I think what blew it up was an observation  I made, still noodling on why exercisers put on skin tight uniforms and some form of odorous  chemical before they run around a lake...peculiar, there seems to be infinitely more of it on Saturday mornings... but at 6:00 AM, hard to fathom...

Anyway moving on, stopped at a power distributing facility on the way home and put some dinosaur excrement in the vessel attached to my form of transportation and headed home... plugged in my Fitbit Charge 5 with firmware 194.91 loaded and bingo... all powered up and I'm excited to let you know it saved the data from my 1st lap, but didn't  give me any credit for an exercise ... upsetting so upsetting and to think I pay for this...shucky darn!

Anyway after I was all charged up, I tried something like watering the vegetable garden, that should be a easy enough on old man fitbit... but no, no,no.... couldn't  handle it, must have been the snails or cabbage worms... anyway, it swallowed its bum once again...I recesitated it and I'm back in business..

I explained  all this to my life partner, and it was suggested that I modify  the C-5 by inserting it into a 50 ton hydraulic press...and then ask Fitbit about a warranty  replacement... but somehow, none of that seem right... I mean think about it, would  you take something  that you had f a relationship with and had been on your wrist for over a year and simply crush it to smithereens,  that seems rather harsh and so so final...nope, can't  do it...

But  I did come up with a solution  that was equally silly... Going forward, I think I'll carry a defibrillator (battery power pack) and an extra charger with me... so when I get that old familiar feeling, I can resuscitate the fitbit charge 5 with firmware 194.91 right on the spot...

Until next time A2024 out.

[dan3458585]

Sorry to hear that.  There must a known hardware version(s) of the Charge 5 that have the bad issues.  Mine has acted up sometimes but nothing like what you are experiencing.  Call and complain. 

[jjones3]

Ha, but no option to factory reset if you can’t charge it enough to turn on and perform the steps.

and I don’t want to have to read every thread, but seems obvious the latest firmware killed many Charge 5 devices.  Is there really no way to go back a rev or 2?

-------------------------------------

I have been Fitbit person for about 20 years.  My Charge 4 is similar state as Charge 5, it is probably fine, but firmware jacked its ability to charge and becomes a brick.

wife tells me to go to Apple Watch, but I wasn’t a fan due to size and battery life.  But I guess now that Google/Fitbit gave up on making these devices good/fun/cool/better, I guess I am forced to switch.

not looking forward to charging twice a day, but I guess that’s a trade off for having a working device.

[Akaushi2024]

Went MIA at 1:25 PM CDT, back on line 3:36 PM CDT...

Had plenty of charge when it checked out... basically a good technology, but terriblt unreliable.

A2024 out.

----------------------------------

Stay on line about 10 minutes...bombed again...

A2024 out.

[GWB67]

As other users have found, my device has also crashed since the update. It currently won't respond to attempts to restart it and a permanent red light is on the back.

But this is not the first time that an update has gone out and caused my device to suddenly not work properly. Last summer my Charge 4 did the same.

Thankfully after a few e-mails, a replacement has been authorised as this one was only purchased last summer.

I won't getting a Fitbit again after this.

[Akaushi2024]

Yet again holy smokes...this thing is great!!!

I'm really estatic and all so  excited to announce that my Charge 5 crashed for the 4th time today, time of incident,  7:15 PM CDT... now I'm  wondering  if its  some sort of pre-eclipse  bug ..  very hard to tell...crazy stuff!

Additionally, the all seeing all knowing  wizards, sages and priests... felt it necessary to disappear some of my Chronicled Charge 6 uncommanded shut downs..

COM'ON man...If you can't take the heat, quit supplying partially reliable  products and services.

Anyway, I sense my time here is coming to a close..

Fitbit wins...and I will buy a version of the Charge 6 promptly, I say version, because the equipment I intend to acquire is manufactured by a FB competitor. Go figure,  its $300 more expensive..

But alegedly comes with less aggravation.

Good luck to all Charge 5 owners.. 

A2024 out.

[GWB67]

I know how you feel.

I was informed last night I would receive a replacement for my 8 month old device that will not respond.

Today, I received an e-mail saying a replacement was on it's way - but a refurbished one. 

Replacing an 8 month old device with a refurbished one is not good enough.

I won't be buying Fitbit after this. Previously I've always received good support but lately it has been poor. 

[jojoriii]

Purchased a used Charge 5 on ebay before hearing about the update issues.  However, seller noted it was functioning.  I just received it last night and found out it has firmware version 57.20001.194.91 - which I think is the one having issues.  So far, though I was able to activate it, sync it, and it seems like the battery is draining as it should.  I'll let you know if anything changes, but so far so good.

[GWB67]

I received a replacement Charge 5 from Fitbit yesterday which to be fair was very quick. Not brand new which is disappointing but refurbished. 

It has firmware version 57.20001.188.58 which must be a bit old but reluctant to update.

[SunsetRunner]

Unfortunately, since Google took over Fitbit, the product took a deep turn
for the worse. I’m out.

[TLuv1]

After much complaining, Fitbit is finally sending me another one. I will never purchase another Fitbit.


May Today There Be Peace Within
Tochia

[LongtimeFan]

I hate the new sleep statistics report!  It is messy and difficult to read. What was wrong with the old one?  It was easy to read, and it had lines that indicated hours. The new update doesn’t, and now I will start looking at other brands of fitness trackers. 

[justplainbeth]

I'm unable to get the latest update. I've read all the articles, tried all the tricks. I'm on 20001.188.58, which by the looks of this thread isn't necessarily a bad thing.. but also my HRV data the last three nights has been all over the place. I went from 20s and 30s to 144, 119, then 88. So did y'all update the HRV information to be more accurate and didn't tell us (because 20s and 30s seems wildly wrong when I have a resting HR in the 50s anyhow), or what is the deal? I have all the app updates, and I'm a long time user who's thinking of jumping ship. 

[vcarper65]

I agree!!!!!

[jjones3]

And funny enough, when THEY broke mine with bad firmware, they offered 50% off a new one which is technically about $10 more than buying it anywhere else but their store.  And of course the 50% only works at their store.

[TLuv1]

The updates completely shut down my charge five. After a month of going back-and-forth, I finally had a replacement sent to me.  Thank you. 

[TLuv1]

Yes, Story sounds exactly like mine. This is exactly what I did and finally got a new one. We have a Google packaging. So far so good.

[KarahP]

Less than 1 year old (after having to replace the 1st one at 15 mos) and the battery is draining. . . My steps aren’t being tracked.  Heart rate monitor isn’t working despite attempting the troubleshooting suggestions. Hoping this could be related to the update considering how expensive this thing is. . . Would expect this to last more than 1 year.