Charge 6 Firmware Update 210.26

[LizzyFitbit]

We’re excited to announce that a firmware update version 210.26 for Charge 6 has been released to all our members. 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.

*Firmware releases are not distributed based on region or location and can reach anyone no matter where you reside. We do not recommend performing a factory reset to force the update to your device as your data will be lost and you may not get the update. Please be patient and wait until you see the update banner inside of the Fitbit app to begin the firmware download.

WHAT’S NEW AND FIXED

• Your device can now auto-recognize 6 new workout types: running, walking, biking, elliptical, rowing, and spinning.
• GPS accuracy has been improved by better switching between on-board and connected GPS during a workout.
• This release includes bug fixes and improvements.

Full release notes can be found here.

HOW DO I UPDATE?
See How do I update my Fitbit device? for step by step instructions for updating your Charge 6. If you run into difficulty updating, review these 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.

[AlisonTB]

Latest update (last night) has completely screwed what little functionality my Charge 6 had. It will no longer sync to my phone, despite all the usual recommended steps, so for me, is virtually useless unless I am prepared to keep putting on glasses to peer at the fitbit screen. For a 5 month old, not inexpensive bit of kit, really not acceptable.

[SteveCDN]

I don’t mean to be rude but why did you update. There is a litany of evidence that updates cause problems, notwithstanding what the mods say. 

Did you think that you charge 6 was immune.??

[Vnwalker]

But you ARE being rude.
I don’t need your opinion. I need Google to fix the app./watch

[sashasimone]

If you've turned off all exercise detection settings, but you're still getting pop-ups, here are a few things you can try 1,,, Check App Permissions,,,, Go through the permissions for any fitness or health apps to ensure they aren't still accessing your data. 2,,,,  Disable Notifications,,,, Go into the settings of the specific app and turn off notifications. You can also do this from your device’s main notification settings. 3,,,, Remove the App,,,,  If the pop-ups are coming from a specific app and you don't use it, consider uninstalling it. 4,,,,, System Settings,,,,,  Make sure you check your device’s overall health or fitness tracking settings, as there may be options that override app settings. 5,,,,  Restart the Device,,,,, Sometimes a simple restart can help refresh settings and stop unwanted notifications. If none of these work, let me know what device you're using, and I can help troubleshoot further..

[sashasimone]

It’s tough when you rely on a product and run into those kinds of issues, especially with customer service being so unhelpful. It’s great to hear your new Charge 6 is working well, but I totally understand your hesitation about the update. Hopefully, the software continues to improve without causing more headaches! Have you found any features you really love on the watch?

[Vnwalker]

I don’t have any other fitness app on my phone nor have I ever had any fitness apps besides Fitbit.
My app was erratic this week adding 10k steps to my walk and then during the day would delete steps and then add them back in within a min and I was standing still looking at the app. I have screen shots of all of this.

[Adelbaran]

Whatever you done in this update has killed the ability for the watch to track my swimming laps. It was working before and now it doesn't show how many lapes I have swam. Please fix this.

[Vnwalker]

It’s 6 months old. I’ve been using FB since charge 3 in 2017.
The watch met my needs until it has recently gone crazy. Now I don’t trust any of the data. It’s not just my watch. My neighbor who I walk with has the FB charge 6 has the same issues. Only difference is she’s on Verizon and I on ATT.
We’ve both deinstalled, reinstalled and the standard trouble shooting.
Google needs to fix the issue.

[Gabkicks]

My replacement Fitbit 6 just arrived. It is trying to get me to update the firmware, but I'm scared it will start malfunctioning like the previous unit did after updating....

[BourbonBob]

I wouldn’t.
Sent from my iPad

[phaskitt]

Since this latest version was installed, BT doesn’t connect; tried all the machinations in the various posts 

sucks!

[Pac_man]

This is not working. When is the bluetooth/pairing issue going to be fixed? My fitbit (Charge 6) hasn't synched in 6 days.  Is this still an issue ? the Charge 6 is useless without the fix.  How are you going to convey that this is fixed ?

[Daz_mok]

Ever since the update, the internal gps on my charge 6 stopped working. Can only use the phone gps. Did device restart, updated app and still the not working. 

[AlisonTB]

That is interesting. Mine failed to record two walks yesterday, on two
different gps settings, dynamic and built-in. I didn't really think much
about it, as gps has always been poor on this charge 6. Having said that,
until this update, it had been behaving itself slightly better. Will give
it a try on phone gps today.

[DaveChud]

Firmware and everything else seems just fine.  My Charge 6 has *never* recorded any meaningful sleep or SpO2 data.  I am a restless sleeper, but that's the point of buying the device, to collect as much data about the sleep I do get, and try to improve.  I feel like I got ripped off and paid way more for what's ultimately just a basic exercise tracker in my case, since the necessary functions won't work for me.  What can I do to make the Charge 6 work better for sleep tracking, including ALL short cycles (e.g. 30min+)?  If the new Pixel watch works better for this, I'd happily trade up, but I'm super disappointed so far.

[SweHawkeye]

The update has done nothing good. For a long period, 7-10 days, I had to ‘forget the device’ in my phone’s bluetooth, and redo the whole process to link them up again. Then all breathing stats stopped registering. As of three days now I get no sleep stats at all, ie no health data. Amazing how you could have achieved so much damage to a fully working product

[Jvhfla]

UPDATE:

I finally called Fitbit Support since my device was only a couple of months old. They were going to give me replacement since I bought on Amazon. HOWEVER: it was not sold by Amazon. The seller was not an authorized reseller as far as Fitbit was concerned. I called Amazon since it was an Amazon Prime Item. They offered to either put me in touch with the seller and let me deal with them or offer a partial refund. I took the easy way and got an 80% refund for return from Amazon. Worked out better because the Charge 6 is non on special at $99.

Lesson learned On amazon be careful of "sold by" in case of future problems. Thanks to Amazon for easy solution.

[Reubenday19]

I have updated my Fitbit charge 6 to the latest update and I completely regret it. I never ever had this before with my Fitbit charge 6 ever until now battery is now the biggest concern for me the battery drains instantly within 5 hours of use it dies never done it before until now I’m not making this up I’ve contacted Fitbit support about it but I’m not happy I’m very disappointed with how the update effect my device. Now I got to waste my time sending the device back to the company while I wait for the new Fitbit replacement to come I don’t want to send it back I want to keep the device that I have currently because there nothing wrong with it like the screen in good condition the bands are in newish condition and there no glitches or anything wrong with it works fine but the only thing that doesn’t work properly is the battery. Ever since I updated it boom battery issues it was charged to 100% at 8pm and dies around 6 ish in the morning so it only tracked 10 hours of sleep and I had to recharge it in the morning to sync my data….. so fuming 

[Jvhfla]

I returned mine and am very happy with replacement. Why not get a brand new device for little or nothing? All your data is on the cloud so nothing lost.

[Reubenday19]

I might aswell but it’s a hassle to do the returning process it’s because I couldn’t find a Uk contact number so the US number contacted me, i don’t know why the Us did but not the uk so now I have to deal and waste time to get the right contact support.