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.

[Lynnepelletier]

I have the same version. My date and time have suddenly fallen behind, in addition to sporadic sleep, steps and oxygen monitoring 

[SunsetRunner]

Hello. I now have 2 dead charge 5 devices within an 11 month period. First charge 5 I purchased in Dec 2021 died overnight when it auto updated to the firmware that has been causing huge issues. Completely dead. FitBit sent a replacement device which was fine for about a day, and now this replacement can’t hold 100% charge for even a day. Also dead within 6 hrs from 100% full charge. Very frustrated, 2 non functioning devices, considering a switch to Garmin and wondering what on earth has happened?????? I don’t even want another replacement at this rate as it seem the issues have not been rectified with both the firmware but also the charging issues for charge 5 devices. Fitbit has been great in the past, but this last year has been a disaster. Is there any hope a fix is coming for charge 5 devices that actually works or am I to continue banging my head against the wall missing days of tracking with devices that do not work

[SunsetRunner]

I am right there with you! I actually use my tracker for health reasons and missing a couple of days really throws me off. They sent me a link to get another replacement but like you I don’t even know if I want one. Yesterday after missing two days because it wouldn’t hold a charge; I put my Fitbit on the charger again in miracle of miracles it’s been over a day and  it’s holding its charge. When the replacement first started messing up and I was told by Fitbit they would send me a link within 24 hours I got a little upset and I purchased an Apple Watch. I spent a fortune and of course now this one’s working. But after all the BS not being able to count on it  I’m just going to sell the charge five and all of its accessories for a small amount.  I’m done with the inconsistency. this is my third or fourth tracker with Fitbit I have had very good luck with them up until this which was my favorite device. Obviously since I’m going to Apple I won’t be coming back to Fitbit

[ChrissyNemetz]

Is it safe yet? 🧐

[Anne8524]

It did what you suggested and it worked!  Thanks!

[Catwoman777]

Not that I see. Some get a replacement, upgrade snd circle back to the
problems.

[SunsetRunner]

I’m gonna have to say no on that one. Got rid of mine got an Apple Watch

[DavideFitbit]

Hi everyone, I appreciate all the comments that you've made so far about some of the common problems that you've been experiencing before or after the update. Please know that all the feedback is appreciated and issues related to the display or to battery life on the Charge 5 have been reported to the team in charge so they can look into it.

Keep in mind that every case is evaluated individually, but it's generally recommended to always have the latest firmware update installed. User with older firmware version may experience other issues, like data not syncing. 

As mentioned earlier, if you continue to experience any difficulty and you already tried all the basic troubleshooting steps shared earlier in the thread, please get in touch with the Customer Support team as soon as possible so they can provide you with more information. Keep in mind the Support team will probably ask that you complete the firmware update as part of the troubleshooting steps. 

If you have a replacement unit and you're having one of the same issues you reported earlier, please let the Support team know as well so they can let you know about the options available for you. 

[CoreyMac]

@DavideFitbitThank you for the reply. 

After more than two months of these problems with little or no action from Fitbit, this does not really seem all that helpful at least to me.  About 1/4th of our family/group members have already left the platform for Apple and Garmin due to these reoccurring issues on several of these Fitbit products.   

According to their comments, it was primarily due to the complete lack of customer service from Fitbit when it was clearly the update/update process that bricked their equipment.  Most of them had been with the platform for more than 5 years. 

All but one of our out of warranty friends/family affected by the bugs are now gone from the platform after having their equipment knowingly ruined by the Fitbit update process you are still promoting.  The ones who have stayed had one of these outcomes that I know of:

1. They are not going to update their firmware until there is some assurance it is actually safe to do so
2. They were lucky enough to have successfully updated
3. They were in warranty and after one or more replacements they are functional again for this round of updates
4. They had their current Fitbit device bricked, but switched to their older device of their own or from a friend/family member at least for now.

This was across the Charge/Versa/etc. family lines which were all apparently affected by these firmware update bugs.

[Catwoman777]

thank you for this update. Fitbit will go under if this does not stop and
they return to customer service and quality products.

[Balconea]

Canceled my Premium subscription. 

My sleep data won't work.

Can't pay for something that doesn't work or can't be fixed...

[VballKitty]

I don't remember what release the replacement FitBit had when I upgraded. Sorry.

[MCampau]

Since the version update after I charge I get about two hours of use then the fitbit logo appears on my charge 5 and I lose connection to it. I can not shut it off and it stays on bright until the battery drains. Then the same thing happens after I charge it. If you don't fix this version release I will never use your products EVER again!!!!!!!

[s1lhouette]

Since updating the app a lot of the data, such as number of steps and sleep information has disappeared. How can I resolve this. I bought my Fitbit charge 5 is less than 1 month and should be displaying premium level information on the app. 

[Devora9]

Doing the exact same. I’m so done with their “i’ll get around to it someday” and “have you tried updating it?” Attitude. Switching to the apple watch ultra. Since the main feature i cared about was sleep tracking and Fitbit is no longer in the lead on that.

[gdio53]

After waiting over 2 months, I finally bit the bullet and with great hesitancy updated yesterday.  I charged to 100% before attempting the update and also reset the tracker before starting.  Did another reset after the update had finished, and left the tracker plugged in during the whole process.

It's been over 24 hours and the battery is at 93% which is what I had been getting prior to the update, so I'm happy with the results so far.

I know many users have had problems, and that's why I was so reluctant to do the update, but I'm glad I did.

[SunsetRunner]

I truly hope you had better luck than a lot of us but it takes over a week before the battery loses charge after the update mine took nine days and then that was it good luck

[CoreyMac]

You were one of the fortunate ones.

[Dumi2508]

I experienced the same problems when my fitbit (purchased just a year and one month ago) got upgraded to 1.171.50. First the battery started to drain fast, I did a reset and it got fixed, next it started to ask me to enter a card. I did another reset, then a day after the screen black. I raised it with fitbit customer support. And below is the reply I got after 3 days! I paid £169 for a device that goes bust after a firmware upgrade! Seriously! 

Thanks for contacting Fitbit customer support
Unfortunately, your product doesn’t meet the replacement requirements of our warranty policy. For details about our warranty policy, see fitbit.com/returns
You can learn more about the latest options in the Fitbit family of products at fitbit.com/compare and fitbit.com/store
If you have any other questions, please visit help.fitbit.com 

Moderator Edit: Personal info removed and word choice.

[Nurparmaiel]

I waited about a month after getting the new one they'd sent me. I left it in the charger after it reached 100% and did the update. That was almost two months ago now and it's still going strong!