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.

[Catwoman777]

I have a replacement piece. I will not update. Although I get a sync
message- it syncs just fine. It is workload it should I do agree with you
though

[mchili]

I went back to my Apple Watch after finally getting fed up with the constant message “couldn’t sync your charge 5”. 

[Johnnio]

Well, this update has killed my Charge 5! Thanks. It was working just fine until I was notified for the update and my watch went dead. I set it up as instructed and have had spotty progress only to go dead again and again. I have looked through all the forums and tried all suggestions. I have reset countless times -sometimes I get a logo...goes to the "x" circle and even got as far as asking for a code on the app but watch goes dead and unable to see the code. Beyond frustrating for what should be an update. Now have to dig out my old charge 2 for now and start looking at other fitness band options. I guess thanks for the less than one year of service.

[SteveCDN]

To again state the obvious:

Fitbit:

Please issue a clear statement on the community site to assure current Charge 5 users, who upgrade their firmware based on your suggestion that:

1. The action is both safe, will not impede, but enhance this product’s functionality going forward and

2. You will replace damaged malfunctioning Charge 5’s as the result of this procedure, including those out of the warranty period.

Failing this, please modify the Fitbit app to remove the update suggestion or qualify this suggestion that such an update may cause the Charge 5 to malfunction or become inoperative and you do so at your own peril.

[Matt2022]

Hello Fitbit Community, now my charge 5 last for 5hrs battery with 100% charge after this update, please fix the battery drain issue on my charge 5 after the update, please do an update just for battery drain issue and stop putting new feature without fixing the old issue. Please fix battery drain think about your customers complain!

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi everyone, and welcome to our new members.

Thanks for taking the time to share your feedback. I understand where you're coming from and I'm sorry for the issues you've experienced with your Charge 5. This isn't the type of experience that we want you to have and to work with you, please let me know if the firmware update was recently installed, as well as the troubleshooting steps you've tried so far.

For the ones that haven't done so, if you're having issues with the battery not charging, give a try to the troubleshooting steps from this help article. On the other hand, if the issue is with the screen, try restarting your trackers and changing the clock face.

In regards to the issues with the battery not lasting, please follow the tips described here to maximize the battery life. While you should be able to use all its features, take into consideration that some features have a higher impact on the battery life.

[SteveCDN]

Thanks for your feedback.

I will not install the update until Fitbit guarantees;

A) That it will work or

B) they are prepared to replace the item (again) if there is a degradation from the current 1.171.50

S.

[Run525]

Having the same issues after the update. Device randomly decides to freeze and display the logo page. Fitbit support was absolutely unhelpful, asking to do troubleshooting steps that don't work. Given this issue with the update has gone back to July, they obviously know about it and are just avoiding the problem. Obviously a scam company. This reminded me my charge 3 was the same. Working perfectly until a "better update" killed the screen - can't see a thing under the sun. And Fitbit then, as it is now, refuses to do anything about it. Well, goodbye scam company! Hello Garmin!

[Matt2022]

Can I have the option to revert back to my previous firmware? Because this update destroyed my tracker now it only last 5hrs from full charge, before I updated, my battery last 7 days.

Can you give me a link? to revert back to my previous firmware for charge 5, because my tracker is mess after this update.

Can you send a messege to the developer about this issue?  Or kindly send me contact information so I can tell them my self.

[Matt2022]

Can you kindly send me a link to revert back my charge 5 firmware? This update made my tracker useless

[Catwoman777]

Hopefully Fitbit can do that. I had to get a new replacement and was not
updated

[cfsFit]

There is no way to back out the update.
If you're under warranty, ask for a replacement, and don't update it until any new update is proven.

[SteveCDN]

Even if you are out of warranty you should ask… no demand, a replacement as this was the result of a company action they asked you to do !!

[DanNbalto]

Not happy. Charge 5 is less than a year old. I bought it for myself as a Christmas or (February) birthday present...directly through your website. I've done as you have asked to no avail. The best next auction is for Fitbit to send me a replacement.

~Dan in Baltimore

[Casick]

Oh and they will if you contact (and actually talk to someone) them. But, it doesn’t address the root problem and you will have issues with a new one.

Sent from my iPhone

[rtd4443]

Hi, my name is Ryan.  I've had my Fitbit Charge 5 since May 2022.  Everything has worked fine up until this last update.  My screen has completely quit working.  I've tried resetting with the charge cord several times with no success.  I see a lot of others have had issues since this last update was put out.  Does Fitbit intend to fix the bug with a new update?  Do I need to go through the warranty process?  What is the path forward? 

Thank you in advance.

[jrfitnessuser]

For anyone who's been following my horrid Charge 5 journey, here's the latest.

After just a few weeks of ownership, I returned the Charge 5 for a refund. The device could not go for more than 12 hours without a freeze-up/need of a restart. I am now the owner of an Inspire 3. I've had it for two days with ZERO problems. It also seemingly does everything the Charge 5 does, EXCEPT offer Fitbit Pay, which I wouldn't use anyway and CAN'T use even if I wanted to because they don't support my financial institution yet. However, even turning off Fitbit Pay in the settings DID NOT prevent the charge from prompting me to set it up every...single...time I synced my tracker to the mobile app.

The Inspire 3, on the other hand, has been a dream so far. $50 cheaper. Easy to set up. No crashes. No need to restart. No Fitbit Pay. No constant prompting for firmware updates. Here's hoping it remains that way.

[Matt2022]

Charge 5 is draining so fast after this update last only 5 hrs in 100% charge, cannot return tracker because this was a gift from my mother she is a OFW in USA, i am in asia, how will I fix this battery drain? Any suggestions?

[dwhms]

I just received my replacement charge 5 for the one that had the draining battery issue. It came loaded with version 57.20001.182.26. So far it is holding a charge very well. It looks like I was given a version not released yet by Fitbit. I will know more as time goes by to see if it takes care of my battery issue, I was having with my previous charge 5.

[SteveCDN]

That’s really interesting.

Good luck with the as yet unreleased update.

Perhaps there’s an issue with the app needing to be in sync with the update release.

Hopefully you don’t get another bricked pebble.

The games Fitbit are playing need to stop right now.