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.

[SteveCDN]

This thread, the last I looked was about firmware updates and lack of functionality.

Please stay on topic.

Steve

Sent from my iPhone

[SunsetRunner]

@cfsFit

I think you said pretty much what all of us want. A functional device that we can use with decent battery life. I also want to see FitBit acknowledge the problem in an official communication to all of its Charge 5 owners and explain what they are doing to help us get reliable devices with decent battery life.

It seems that FitBit doesn't even want to acknowledge that there is a problem, much less officially tell us what they are doing about it. They have all our email addresses and know which models we have. Wouldn't be hard for them to communicate with us.

Bill

[Talahthas]

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@Devonian wrote:

You are just coming over as a Fitbit stooge.

No one seems to agree with you.

Let it rest.

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As your frustration about the latest firmware update obviously controls what you're thinking, I'll forgive your rudeness.
In real life though you'd better care about what you're saying.

[Devonian]

Hi Steve

I take your point but the number 1 aspect of the new firmware was the loudly trumpeted clock face supposed to answer the main issue raised by customers of functionality, but did no such thing.

 

I raised this on here and all hell has since broken loose.

Apologies to those pissed off by this.

[Kunukuboy]

I just received and put my replacement Charge 5 into service.  Holding off with the update since I am not interested in the new clockfaces or native GPS

[SteveCDN]

Well said Bill.

Hopefully the moderator has the stones to pass this on.

[Catwoman777]

I have no idea what you are talking about

[Catwoman777]

Same here. No update needed as it is now working fine.  I’m with you 

[Allistar]

Here's my experience with the latest firmware on a Charge 5 just as a point of comparison: I bought my device 6 days ago from the local Harvey Normal store. During the setup process it upgraded the firmware (I didn't seem to get a choice in this, but that's to be expected). The first full day I used it the battery ran flat, but that was after using the GPS to map 6 hours of dirt bike riding. I charged it that night and then used it "normally" for the next 5 days. After 5 days of continual usage the battery was down to 50%. It's curious that mine is operating as expected with the new firmware. Could it be because it's brand new? For those with an issue is there a way to do a factory reset and see if that fixes it?

[SteveCDN]

Tks for the feedback. Factory reset may be an answer but for those us who like cumulative data … this will probably be lost.

I have seen nothing on the website about saving and preserving data. Exporting would probably be a stretch for Fitbit engineers.

[Talahthas]

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@SteveCDN wrote:
Tks for the feedback. Factory reset may be an answer but for those us who like cumulative data … this will probably be lost.

I have seen nothing on the website about saving and preserving data. Exporting would probably be a stretch for Fitbit engineers.

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Your user data are stored on Fitbit's servers associated with your Fitbit account as long as the synchronisation between your Charge 5 and the Fitbit app is working. Data are preserved even if you switch to another Fitbit device. So don't worry about that.
But you'll have to run through the initial setup of your Fitbit device again if you do a factory reset. And, depending on your phone, it might be useful to remove your Fitbit device from the list of known bluetooth devices before you set it up again.

[Talahthas]

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@Allistar wrote:

Here's my experience with the latest firmware on a Charge 5 just as a point of comparison: I bought my device 6 days ago from the local Harvey Normal store. During the setup process it upgraded the firmware (I didn't seem to get a choice in this, but that's to be expected). The first full day I used it the battery ran flat, but that was after using the GPS to map 6 hours of dirt bike riding. I charged it that night and then used it "normally" for the next 5 days. After 5 days of continual usage the battery was down to 50%. It's curious that mine is operating as expected with the new firmware. Could it be because it's brand new? For those with an issue is there a way to do a factory reset and see if that fixes it?

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Here are two more Charge 5 that work like a charm after having been updated (mine and my Mom's). There are many possible reason's why some users are experiencing issues after the update. But to investigate those, Fitbit would nead a different approach.
Your idea of a factory reset, however, is a good one. 👍

[SteveCDN]

Tks for the clarification. Still reticent to do this.

Does the sync work better as my Bluetooth : Charge 5 connection is spotty and probably the reason the firmware upgrade never finished as it showed connect/ no connect/connect etc.

[Talahthas]

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@SteveCDN  schrieb:
Tks for the clarification. Still reticent to do this.

Does the sync work better as my Bluetooth : Charge 5 connection is spotty and probably the reason the firmware upgrade never finished as it showed connect/ no connect/connect etc.

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You can always check wether or not your data is current on Fitbit's servers by visiting the web dashboard (Fitbit-Dashboard). If they are up to date, there's no risk losing data when you're making a factory reset on your Fitbit device.

If you have BT connection issues, make sure that Fitbit app's privileges are set to the highest possible settings. The app's services are running in the background to connect to your Fitbit device. On the other hand your Fitbit device is constantly searching for the app's services to synchronize. That's one of the reasons why your Fitbit device's battery can drain very fast.

Simply said, your phone's power management may put Fitbit app's services to sleep. And your Fitbit device is searching and searching and searching ... And it's battery goes down and down ...

[Talahthas]

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@Catwoman777 wrote:

Same here. No update needed as it is now working fine.  I’m with you 

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If it ain't broke, don't fix it! 🙃

[W_D_S]

And when will the update be released to fix all the issues caused by this update? 3 weeks without my device working is unacceptable. 

[SunsetRunner]

@Talahthas 

It is good to hear from someone who has updated their Charge 5 without problems.  Doing it to two devices without problems is like hitting the lottery.  Congratulations.

The part that scares those of us who currently have a working Charge 5.  Do we take the chance on updating the device and maybe break something that is currently working or do we do nothing and hope that they figure out what is happening and come out with an update that works for everyone.

I use my Charge 5 every day and sleep with it every night.  I don't want to break it by updating it and then be weeks or months without it while FitBit gets around to replacing it.  Not to mention the hassle of arguing with Customer Service to convince them that it no longer works.

Bill

[LiJaHi]

@SunsetRunner why *would* you take a chance on the update? If you didn't already have the battery draining problem and you aren't desperate to use the Bloom clock face, what does this firmware update have to offer you? 

[SunsetRunner]

@LiJaHi 

You are absolute right.  I have so much to lose and really nothing to gain by updating.  I wish I could make the "you have an update" notice go away when I open the app.  So afraid I'll start the process by accident and not be able to get out before I break my Charge 5.

Bill

[LiJaHi]

@SunsetRunner I hear you! I am super careful when I have to open the sync screen to not accidentally start the update. I wish I could get rid of the update banner and download button as well.