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.

[VballKitty]

I think they are testing if your FitBit can connect via  bluetooth to your phone. It doesn't matter what clock face you select.

[jfe]

When there are problems connecting the phone with charge 5 I go for a forced shut down of the Fitbit app (and a restart of the app subsequently). Works every time.

[SpookyZoo]

Don't worry.... Davide will be along shortly to say how excited he is that this FW will fix everybody's issues....

...completely ignoring the fact that this FW...


.....IS THE ISSUE!

[jfe]

Maybe set GPS to dynamic (default setting) or phone will help? I'm bewildered as to how this firmware update has caused so many problems. And responses from Fitbit seem not to be that valuable. They are kind of generic.

[mchili]

Now my charge 5 suddenly began having battery issues. Was 100% charged this morning after taking it off charger. 10 minutes later it was at 50%! 

[KevLion88]

This update broke my Charge 5 is what it did. It was working just fine before, now the best I can do is get it to stay stuck in an endless reboot loop, and that's AFTER an hour in a tech support chat! I've had Fitbit products for years and to be fair, they just keep getting worse and worse, and so does their tech support. The fact that they seem to have built in battery attrition of about a year is frustrating enough.  The last two I've owned (this being one) barely made it six months before they died. I think it's time to look at other vendors again; this is unacceptable quality.

[jabob]

Same here. Long time Fitbit user and my Charge 5 is dead. I have done everything requested multiple times. I have been told by several that the update was not available on mine, but my problems started early July when I went to charge one night. I have a ticket requested only the tracker be replaced and all I seem to get is the run around. I am sure my response will be deleted because I have gotten several that have been pulled by Fitbit because I expressed my experience. 

[MA1972]

New clock faces for charge 5 but still not one with the HR large enough for us visually challenged folk ! Why is this so difficult ?

[KOyoga]

Just curious once you updated from the ap store… how is your battery liife

[MA1972]

No problems with battery so far but I am keeping an eye on it as many people seem to be having issues. 

[Nielsschooneman]

Can you post some screenshots of it? No one can see them

[Catwoman777]

Battery stopped holding charge 18 July. Finally got update notice on 25
July. Returned 27 July. Now I wait. The app auto updates.

[KOyoga]

I hope it works out for you.  The update did not help me…I will have to reach out to customer service although most responses here to date are reporting  customer service is not much help.

crossing my finger for you!!!

[Notrunner]

Add me to this growing list.  My Charge5 is 4 months old and was functioning PERFECTLY until yesterday when screen went black and no amount of time on the charger revived it.  Went through 3 different "chats" with FitBit support...who I realize must be given a limited number of phrases to use as "answers", as I got replies such as "FitBit is working on a firmware update to address the issue" when I asked if there was a way to UNDO the recent firmware update that caused my FitBit to stop functioning properly.  Have spent cumulatively 4 hours "chatting" and following all their suggestions.  I found that letting it totally discharge overnight, charging it for 2 hours the next day, and then doing the 3 button reset got the screen to come back, but intermittent sync'ing, flakey bluetooth, and battery is discharging quickly.  It's like the Charge5 is slipping in and out of consciousness.  Very frustrating.  Too bad FitBit (Google corporate) can't just come out and say "Hey, we have a massive problem" and tell us what it is, and give an idea as to when they will have it resolved.  In the meantime, we are all left hanging.  

[SunsetRunner]

Well, update, fitbit have offered and seem to be sending a replacement Charge 5 after a bit of back and forth. Let’s see. I still don’t know if this new one will be ok, but am turning all automatic updates off for the app and the device if it does function well like my old one that died! Really hope they sort out whatever monumental disaster caused this mass Charge 5 implosion and we can all get back to being happy fitbit’ers soon! 

[KOyoga]

Awesome Job!  I will

start my journey with Customer service tomorrow!!

[mchili]

I only see one new one - Bloom.   Which new ones do you have??

[JoeStobie]

Prior to the update I was getting 5-6 day between charges, not the Fitbit is unusable as it won't retain a charge.

Can you advise how I can undo the update?

If not can you replace the unit, I use it to monitor my progress through recovery from a cardiac event.  Now I have no confidence to purchase another if the supplier cannot or will not replace defective hardware or software.

[Barryfla55]

I now get 2 to 5 and a half HOURS ,instead of the 5 to 6 days I got before. If you haven't updated I would hold off til this mess gets straightened out.

[DavideFitbit]

Hi everyone, I'm sorry to see that many of you are still having issues with the display and the battery life on the Charge 5 after updating to the latest firmware version. Please know that all your feedback is greatly appreciated. 

As it was mentioned earlier in the thread, there are a few recommendations that are usually helpful to resolve battery and display issues. If you already tried all these steps mentioned here earlier, I do recommend that you contact the Customer Support team so they can let you know what are the options available for you. 

Some people have also shared that they're having trouble to sync their device. In addition to the restart, make sure to try all the steps listed here to resolve syncing problems, and make sure to check the compatibility requirements listed here and to keep the Fitbit app updated to the latest version available. 

The problem to see the new clock faces has been shared with the team, but we haven't received other updates for the moment. Some users have shared that they're now able to see at least one of the new clock faces. In the meantime, I recommend to keep the Fitbit app updated and to sync your device periodically. 

See you around.