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.

[WCC10522]

I waited until 10 days ago to update.  I decided to update before the warranty period on my Charge 5 expired (purchased in November of last year) so that I would have recourse if something went wrong.  I'm happy to report that the update went ahead without issue and, so far, the unit is performing well with the update. I like the "find my phone" feature but, of course, the new clock face is useless. 

[DanNbalto]

Update froze my Charge 5. No screen and no interface with my S10 cell. Cell data frozen too.  Not happy.

[SteveCDN]

Didn’t Einstein say the definition of insanity was doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result ??

[LitteBoo]

This update has done nothing positive for my experience! My Fitbit battery is completely drained after about 2 hours maximum so it is now a useless item to me! I do not have GPS activated, nothing causing it to draw large amounts of energy from the battery whatsoever! It is now pointless owning something that was a gift to me from my husband who is devastated as well that it now doesn't work! 

Fitbit you need to fix your stupid update ASAP!!!

[DanNbalto]

My FB Charge 5 is still dead, ever since the %#@& update. I am thoroughly unhappy. It is less than a year old. I have had to resort to using my FB Charge 2...and that makes me even more unhappy, as I have to tap it five or six times to see my step count. How about doing something to make me smile. ~Unhappy Dan 

[Catwoman777]

sadly I am just an unhappy user like you. Not sure FITBit will survive
this death spiral.

[Bh11]

I installed the recent update and now my Fitbit doesn’t work! Apparently they only want you to have their product less than a year. Buyer beware. Don’t update or you will be buying a new device. 

[Bh11]

I installed the update and now mine Fitbit doesn’t even work! What a scam.

[Catwoman777]

I refuse to update

[Anne8524]

I guess I'm fortunate.  I didn't have any issues.  I updated back in July.

[SunsetRunner]

@Catwoman777

Last Monday around 6 PM I decided that if I wanted to update before my warranty runs out I better get on it. I connected my Charge 5 to the charger and had it charged up to about 98%. I connected my phone to its charger as well. With them both connected to their chargers and lying side by side on a table I opened the FitBit app and started to install the update. A little while later the Fitbit app said the update was complete. After the update completed I left the Charge 5 on the charger till the Fitbit app said it was charged to 100%.

It is now 7 days later at about the same time of day. I have not had any problems with the Fitbit all week. I also have not charged the Fitbit all week. When I looked at the FitBit app it said that my FitBit Charge 5 had 44% battery remaining. Perhaps I am just one of the lucky ones. Perhaps as soon as I post this it will fail. My fingers are still crossed.

I have worn my Charge 5 all week. I have not done anything on it that requires GPS however. Before the update I had the settings set to Automatic for GPS. I went for a walk and the battery went from pretty good to 10% in less than 1/2 hour. I switched the settings to require the Charge 5 to use the GPS on my phone. Since then I have taken a 5 mile hike with no battery draining. I know this kind of defeats the purpose of having GPS on the Charge 5 but you have to do what you have to do. But this experience with GPS was all done before the update.

One of these days soon I'll try some exercise that requires my FitBit to use GPS from the phone or even test using it from the Fitbit itself but I haven't done anything like that since the update. I'm just hoping that everything continues to work from now on.

I still feel bad for people who broke their Charge 5 by updating. I'm still hopeful that I'm not one of them. I wanted to post this to encourge people who are still under warranty to consider installing the update while under warranty so if it does break your device you can still get it replaced.

I haven't tried any new features or new clock faces. I'm happy with the Runliner clock face because it displays the time, the date, and my current heartrate. Other stats are just one swipe away. I can live with that.

I wish you all the best of luck if you choose to install the update. My experience was good, I hope yours is too.

Bill

[jrfitnessuser]

I made the mistake of installing this update the day I received my new Charge 5 (Saturday). Now the Charge 5's display chronically freezes (no amount of tapping or swiping fixes it). Opening the app to sync fixes the display issue temporarily, but I am then prompted to REinstall the firmware update I've already installed (the correct version number is already displayed in the app as having been installed).

The tracker's battery, which I charged fully on Saturday, had drained to 6% as of this morning. I am also prompted to sign up for Fitbit Pay every time I open the sync app, even though I've dismissed that notification a dozen times. I wish I had checked out this forum before I bought the device last week.

I am hoping Fitbit will soon release a new firmware update that fixes all the issues this one introduced. If not, I'm going to have to return the device. I've been a Fitbit customer since the days of the first Flex. This is the worst experience I've ever had with a tracker.

[jabob]

This issue goes back to July of this year. 

[DanNbalto]

Smart move....

[Catwoman777]

Yes you are fortunate

[SteveCDN]

“…. I am hoping Fitbit will soon release a new firmware update that fixes all the issues this one introduced. If not, I'm going to have to return the device. I've been a Fitbit customer since the days of the first Flex. This is the worst experience I've ever had with a tracker….”


Don’t hold you breath..

[jrfitnessuser]

Well, I gave it a whole week of troubleshooting and frustration. I'm giving up. I am returning the device and replacing it with a different tracker.

For the record, I turned off EVERY feature of the tracker that I could turn off as part of a process of elimination. At first, I thought the vibrations/notifications were causing the display to freeze, which, in turn, was causing the repeated prompting to install the already installed firmware update. I turned on DND, turned off all app notifications, etc. No luck. The display continued its freeze behavior. The first freeze always seemed to happen around 8 a.m. (even though I have no alarms set for that time) and then randomly throughout the day.

I removed/reinstalled, erased/reinstalled, etc., etc. Followed every troubleshooting step I could find. Nothing fixed the issues. 

I'd really like to remain within the Fitbit ecosphere, so I'm replacing the Charge 5 with a new Inspire. Hoping for better results there. If the Inspire has similar issues, I'll have to drop Fitbit entirely and reboot my fitness routine in another way/with another company.

[SteveCDN]

Thanks for the input.

The Fitbit Charge 5 saga is like a slow moving train wreck, with no one driving or really caring anymore. I guess “upgrading” (sic) just accelerated its DOA.

[Catwoman777]

Totally with you. Let me know how the Inspre works.

[Bh11]

So sorry for all your troubles. I’d return it too. I’ve been a Fitbit fan for over a decade but their devices are getting shorter life spans and more problems. It is time perhaps for a new device from another company.

Unfortunately, it is a saga.