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.

[Devonian]

There was a long running thread on Charge 5 clock faces. There was huge demand for a face that showed all major metrics in one place, like the C4

 A solution was triumphantly announced and the thread closed.

The result is an analogue face that needs to be repeatedly tapped to scroll across heart rate, steps etc

 

So basically not was being asked for

[Talahthas]

Several weeks now and my Charge 5 as well as my Mum's Charge 5 are working like expected, even with update 1.17150 installed as soon as it was released.

[Buffalostinger]

Battery draining quickly after update.  Have tried all standard fixes.  Still draining quickly.

[mchili]

@Devonian I don’t see this analog clock face on my charge 5! Just the cutesy Bloom 

[Catwoman777]

Well sorta. I have a new one but it was not upgraded. I’m afraid upgrade
and play this whole game again

[Devonian]

My mistake. It’s only in the Luxe.

This makes it worse as Fitbit have totally ignored wishes for a ‘dashboard’ clock and simply produced yet more colourful arty designs which they were asked not to do.

Function sacrificed to their view of aesthetics.

This comment was typical:

Edit: it seems I’m not allowed to cut and paste comments from others

 

 

[Talahthas]

Why don't you just use watchface "Runliner" to get your metrics at a glance? 🤔
It's advantage is that you don't have to fiddle with tiny numbers,
but instead have colored bars to indicate you individual progresses.

[Mikekin4]

It’s very faulty. Don’t update.

“What would you do if I sang out of tune?”

[Allistar]

I didn't buy a fitbit to tell me the time, I'd like the main display (i.e. the "clock face") to show heart rate, steps etc much more prominently and have the date/time taking up little space.

[Talahthas]

@Allistar, @Devonian  In all respect: You always have the option to check what you're going to buy before you finally make your purchase. So blaming any company for not fulfilling your wishes after you bought their product is not an option.
Fitbit's Charge series are fitness and health trackers being as small and comfortable to wear as possible. And they track what they are supposed to do. Maybe Fitbit Sense would have been a better choice for you due to it's larger display and available watch faces?

I've been using the Versa and the Versa 2 for quite a few time. Today, I'd never give up the comfort of wearing my Charge 5 for the larger display and bulkier size of any smartwatch.

[colleenscharge5]

No, No, No! The problem here is that the firmware update destroyed some or
all aspects of a perfectly functioning device. If this is not your issue,
consider yourself lucky and refrain from lecturing those of us who have
been ripped off.

[Allistar]

@TalahthasI'm not sure why you mentioned me in that message. I've had my Charge 5 for 3 days and so far I love it. I bought this device specifically because it's small (some of the other fitness wrist wearables are massive!). I don't even notice I'm wearing the Fitbit most of the time. I'm still getting used to all of the features. My previous comment was about wanting a display that focussed less on the time and date and more on health stats. So far I'll recommend the Charge 5 to others. I'm hopeful that improvements such as more health focussed default screens will come in future releases. I'm not blaming Fitbit (the company) for anything in this regards. Mind your "in all respect" attributions next time please.

[SunsetRunner]

@colleenscharge5 

I agree with that.  Luckily I didn't update mine before I read about the problems and decided I'm not going to so mine still works.  The part that upsets me is the lack of official communication from FitBit.  They need to step up and man up and say, "We know we have a problem.  Here's what we are going to do to fix it and here's how long we expect that to take."  I think that would make a lot of the people who have devices not working a lot happier with the company.  Not know, not hearing, not getting any official response from the company is probably more frustrating to a lot of people than the problems they are having.  They have all of our email addresses and they know which devices we all have.  They could send us informative emails about the problem and what they are doing to resolve it very easily.  Doesn't have to be any forum post.  Sure would be nice if they did that!

[Talahthas]

@Allistar I've mentioned you because you critized a product you've already purchased for a feature that was perfectly clear before your purchase, while this thread is going to become a witch hunt.
If you want to ask the devs for any feature in the future, please use this thread.

[Allistar]

@TalahthasI didn't criticise the product, I was saying I'd like a clock face that has more prominent health stats. That's not a criticism.

But to your point, there's no where on the packaging that said that this health tracking wearable device doesn't prominently show health stats on the main screen. There was also no where on the packaging that says that it doesn't really count steps (even though it's advertised as counting steps), what it does is count wrist movement. No where did it say that if I record a bike activity that it would continue to count steps (which makes no sense, riding a bike isn't stepping). To say that these features were "perfectly clear" before purchase is laughably wrong.

I still don't regret my purchase, but I'm starting to regret reaching out in this community. I wouldn't have expected one of my first posts to be jumped on in such a toxic manner.

[Karenfox5]

@SunsetRunner 

Your response nails the issue here.

I understand that customer service has a script that they need to follow, when dealing with a customer issue.

This issue is so wide spread and obvious to any user, dealing with the issue, that is frustrating that Fitbit “corporate” is not acknowledging the issue.

A blanket statement, acknowledging that there is an issue, would go a long way.

My personal experience with customer service has been great, no complaints there.  It took awhile for me to get a replacement, but I understand that customer service has to follow protocol.  

Give those people a break, they’re probably making barely above minimum.  The issue is not with them.

[LiJaHi]

@Talahthas why would anyone choose 'Runliner' as a watch face? It doesn't show *any* numbers, apart from heart rate. What use is that? Are you supposed to set targets and visually monitor your progress towards them? Not very helpful if totals are different on different days (e.g. fewer steps on work days than on the weekend). Slashed is better as you get numbers.

[Devonian]

I foolishly did not check the clock faces and assumed there would be a basic option like the Charge 4 with all stats at a glance.

There was a long and long running thread on here with I’d estimate 100 people saying the same thing.

Fitbit said they’d listened and then launched Bloom.

I don’t take kindly to being lectured by sanctimonious people I’ve never met and thankfully never will.

[Devonian]

Which Fitbit 4 does.

So why a retrograde step

[thouse3]

Update has messed up my charge 5? Battery dies in hours and screen is blank. I tried several resets, change clock face etc and nothing. Screen came on briefly today and faded out. I rely on this device as my heart monitor as I am having heart tachycardia issues. Cannot afford a new one and really need to monitor my heart rate!

Screen is dead, any other options?