Introducing Charge 5 Firmware Release - Version 1.171.50

[FitbitCommunity]

We’re excited to announce that a firmware update for Charge 5. 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. 

WHAT’S NEW AND FIXED

See What's changed in the latest Fitbit device update? for release notes.

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, see 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.

[nikstaaa]

Hi, 

Anyone experiencing that finding the phone doesn't work properly? It seems like Android stops the Fitbit app from running on the background.

My Zepplife app (Xiaomi mi band 5)runs permanently in the background and their "find my phone app" works always.

Using Android 12 On Google Pixel 6.

Any idea how to get this fixed? 

Btw... This also affects the "use GPS from phone" feature. It doesn't work most of the time. I have to start the Fitbit app on the phone manually. 

[SunsetRunner]

@LiJaHi

The graphs are presented in the FitBit app, not on the device. Even so I'm
hesitant to apply the update to the Charge 5 because so many others have had
problems with their device after updating.



Bill

[npwm]

updated the firmware to 1.171.50. 

So far it's been almost a week, the battery life has improved as i have not charged it since i charged and updated the firmware at the same time.

there has not been new watch face appearing in the list.

the alarm clock was not working for several days, when the time reaches, it won't vibrate nor alert, but would set the clock to ring next day, and the cycle continues. this seems to have been solved by restarting several times from the band.

[chirishmom]

I have the update installed.  My battery lasts about 3 hours. Every time I contact Fitbit they tell me to wait until the updated software comes out.  Are they coming out with another software update?  No one seems to know. I also have the Square Trade extended warranty which was supposed to cover issues like a bad battery. They also tell me that I need to work with them for the first year on the warranty.  Square Trade only kicks in on the second year I own the watch.  On top of this, I pay the monthly premium fee. I want my money back for the premium subscription, the Square Trade warranty, and the poorly designed watch.

-------

I have done this numerous time.  Does not help.

[lisa_sk8]

My Charge 2 (bought in July 2017!!) died yesterday. It served me so well I thought nothing to run out and get the Charge 5. Imagine my surprise to find the very basic ability to SEE the stats it tracks on the watch face doesn't exist. Never has since it's release (Sept 2021!) and like me, probably the first problem identified by every new user. And yet, doesn't appear to be a priority for Fitbit to fix... 

Given my new watch is still within the return period, I will be watching closely to see if the promise of new watch faces materializes (without causing other serious issues!). I really hope it does because I have been a dedicated user since the Charge was first released in 2014! Don't make me have to look for an alternative. 😞 

[Heathrch22]

By adding  reminders onto every app, the Fitbit Charge 5 will become more accessibility friendly for people who use FitBit as a health monitor as well as a steps counter. 

[SunsetRunner]

Hi The changes are terrible, my phone Moto G5 large screen, I had no problems reading it,  now all the info is smaller and difficult to read, what was the point there was nothing wrong with the way it was,I only use one clock screen at a time. It  this had not  cost so much I would not be using it now.

[SunsetRunner]

After the update my Charge 5 still won’t hold a charge. The battery still only lasts 2-3 hours. I was told the update would resolve this issue. 

[MrStory]

Since the update the alarm functionality has been flaky at best. Many atimes the alarm will simply not go off, but will simply stay on and display "tomorrow".

Alarm is one essential feature of a Fitbit. Is that something you can fix soon?

[DstarMan]

Like many others, ever since I installed the latest firmware update I am having issues keeping it charged. My fitbit Charge 5 will only hold a charge for about 3-4 hours now from 100% charged. I have removed all exercises which use GPS, I turned the GPS setting to Phone, I've uninstalled just about everything on my fitbit and nothing has helped with the battery life issue. It's pretty much useless right now. My fitbit had been working fine for the past 7 months since I purchased it and would hold a charge for about a week just prior to this upgrade. I really hope that something is done about this very soon. This was my first fitbit, I loved it when it was working properly but I am now starting to wish I had gone with another brand.

[mchili]

Has anyone seen any new watch faces?? 

[Oliver.AT]

I have exactly the same issue. Worked without issue until I installed the update a few days back. Before that I had 5 to 7 days of battery life. Now it's completely useless. I'd go back to the previous firmware if I could.

Also the support is an absolute joke. They'd better fix this fast. Chat keeps throwing up "unknown error", phone doesn't connect and Twitter just keeps linking to the basic restart steps (which I of course had done before) and then told me that they'd do updates 'from time to time' and that they'd hope my issue will get resolved soon. Guys, it's your job to resolve it not to wish me good luck 🤬

[SunsetRunner]

lisa, If you mean you can't see things like the weekly exercise record, it requires synching with the watch screen on (to keep it on if the synch is slow just keep moving it with your finger). The problem is that some things don't appear on the watch until it is synched with the Fitbit server.

[Bethcld]

Please share the new luxe clock face with charge 5. It's really classy and the only one I really like. 

It's rather sad that you're only letting Luxe owners use it.

[DudetteMI]

This update was obviously not ready for release!

Since updating, here's what happened to my C5:

- permanently black screen

- C5 won't hold a charge

- unable to implement the restart/re-sync process (press button 3 times, delete and re-install app, re-sync app to C5) because it requires I enter the code from my C5 into the app when syncing,,,, but I can't see the code since the screen is black

- try again, but phone battery is dead already after being plugged in for most of the past 23 hours.

What do I think? THIS IS A DISASTER and unless you offer to replace my 6-month old C5 (which is my 4th FitBit -- so I'm a loyal customer), I will never purchase a FitBit product again.

[cfsFit]

Have you called customer support to ask for a replacement under your warranty?
I had similar experiences with my Charge 5, and it was replaced. I'm just afraid to use it until the firmware is fixed.

[SunsetRunner]

@DudetteMI

All these people with problems and so many people with inoperative devices posting about their situation. Yet, not a word from anyone at FitBit about all this. Nothing about what they plan to do to get past this situation or what we as customers need to do to be able to move on with working Charge 5s.

With this many people posting about the problems they have encountered you would think that someone at FitBit would maybe notice and think it is time to at least post something showing they are working to fix these things and give us some encouragement to hang in there with maybe some promises at least.

Maybe the real answer is that FitBit, now owned by Google, doesn't really care about us. Maybe Google is going to make FitBit go away soon and just incorporate FitBit's technology into their own devices. If that is true, nobody at FitBit is going to care what happens to their customers, now or ever!

Bill

[cfsFit]

And if that happens, Google can rest assured that none of us will buy their devices...

[Catbro22]

I haven’t heard anything official but there are certainly a lot of upset buyers so would not be surprised. I was very disappointed. 

[AngieR1]

I seem to be the only one who's Fitbit was helped by the update.  I see new watch faces and the battery now lasts days instead of hardly a day.