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.

[Hangon48]

The only reason I bought a Fitbit was because my doctor told me that I needed to monitor my heart.

Once I started using it, I really liked it. Most importantly, I was able to "share" my daily heart rate chart with my wife as well as my doctor.

I don't really care about any other aspects regarding Fitbit. I just wanted to monitor and share my heart rate info.

Now, after the latest update, I am no longer able to share. If this can't be fixed, there is no other reason to actually own a Fitbit.

Can someone tell me when this is going to be fixed??????

[SunsetRunner]

@Mikekin4

If you sang out of tune my ears would think it sounded good. They've been out of tune my whole life! 😄

[SunsetRunner]

@KatyHoss

Please let us know if it keeps working or if things go bad in a few days. Others have reported everything was perfect after the update and then a couple of days later their Charge 5 quit working.

I'm still scared to take the plunge and update.

[SunsetRunner]

You say you had a notification that the update was incomplete.  Then you say you, "finished the update".  What did you have to do to finish it?

Bill

[colleenscharge5]

I didn't actually finish the update. The button disappeared after 2 days.
That's when my Fitbit started acting up - wouldn't hold a charge, no
standup reminder, didn't count steps. I left it charging overnight, then
restarted while it was still charging. It suddenly seems to be ok again????
I have no idea what's going on.

[SheilaMc]

me too, and I have not updated my tracker with this new firmware. Something
happened prior to that, another not so significant update.

Moderator Edit: Personal info removed

[SaraKT]

I'm having the same issue.

[SunsetRunner]

@Hangon48   I also bought my Charge 5 for the heart features.  You said you were able to share your heartrate with your wife and doctor previously and now you can't.   How were you doing that? 

I have Premium which allows me to make and share Wellness Reports, Irregular Rhythm Notifications, Heart Rhythm Assesments reports.  I also use the FitBit app on my Samsung tablet (which makes the chart display larger) to take screenshots of my graphs of heartrate, sleep, etc. to share.

What has changed since the last update that makes it so you can no longer share this information?

Bill

[SunsetRunner]

@SunsetRunner  Very well written.  You sound like you have the knowledge to actually write something that would make this graph much better.  Maybe FitBit should call you in as a consultant on their charts!

Bill

[cfsFit]

I asked Customer Support yesterday when they expected a new improved firmware update to be available. The agent checked and told me that they had no knowledge of an ETA, just that they were working on a new update.

[fdl75]

@SunsetRunner For what it’s worth, both my wife and I have updated our C5. Me a few days ago, and her about a week ago. In both cases our watches are working just fine, no issues. 

However we don’t see new clock faces. 

I think the people having issues are in the minority but more inclined to post about it. 

[colleenscharge5]

That's something - I guess.

[SunsetRunner]

All I have is a rudimentary knowledge of calculus. I should have mentioned that I have not updated the firmware and am hoping it doesn't auto download by bits and pieces during synching. The new oxygen screen representation is in the new version of the app which I just updated 2 days ago, having assiduously not done so. But I updated because I was afraid that an auto download to an old app version might cause problems. I normally do not update software on any device unless there is a known security issue. My rationale for this is that the original software is written for a specific chipset.

I am wondering if the battery drain problem is due to defective chips which were shipped during the supply chain problems of Covidtide. This device came on the market during the height of the problem. I have yet to see anyone mention the possibility of defective chips. And the on again off again problems that appear on one individual device seem to indicate a defective chip.

I do need to mention also that the Fitbit is not an FDA approved medical device and any information that you get from it should be taken accordingly.

[SunsetRunner]

@fdl75  That's great news.  You are the first person to post about a good experience that has not gone bad later.  Since your C5 has been working without problems for about a week I feel a lot better about the update.  Thanks for posting,  I think a lot of people will be encouraged by your post. 

Bill

[AngieR1]

Fantastic update. My Fitbit Charge 5 now holds a charge for several days, no more better drain and I no longer have to charge it twice a day. I also like the new Find My Phone feature. Thanks!!!!!

[Sarahyogi]

I’ve done the update after my battery was only lasting a few hours, since the update it still only lasts a few hours. Can you please tell me why it has worked on some watches & not others? My watch is still unusable and feel deflated as I thought you’d come up with an update that worked after all this time waiting? I’m just confused on the inconsistency of it all?! 

[Berganto]

After the last update (late July 2022) I’m unable to use the watch screen: no swipe allowed for example. 
Does anyone else have the same issue?

[LiJaHi]

@Hangon48 how were you sharing your heart rate chart with other people? I haven't updated but didn't know that was possible. 

[LiJaHi]

@SunsetRunner just to clarify about the fitbit not being an FDA-approved medical device, the ECG feature *does* have medical device approval from the medical regulators of countries it is enabled it. This is why it is not yet available in all countries.

https://www.gizmodo.com.au/2021/08/fitbit-ecg-tga-approval-australia/

[LiJaHi]

@SunsetRunner you have mentioned that you bought your Charge 5 for the heart features. I have seen several members report changes the the presentation of graphs that make them less useful - e.g. not being able to enlarge and display in landscape, scroll along the x-axis, and touch data points to see the day or time when the data was collected. You might want to clarify whether the specific features you use have been changed by the update before going ahead with it, as there doesn't appear to be any way to reverse the update once you take the plunge.