Feedback about Ionic firmware update

[Freddawg]

My Ionic has been working flawless and I noticed a firmware update on my app (old firmware 27.33.1.30)

I let the app update watch thinking there were some improvements to the Ionic (new firmware 27.70.7.14)

After the update my Ionic worked good for a day and was at about 80% battery when it shut off. I have tried every method stated in the forums to get it to power up and have not been able to get it back on. I called customer support to see if there was another method to get it to power up and had no luck. After determining the watch was not going to function the Fitbit service adviser stated they would not fix the device but they offered a 25% discount for me to purchase a new one. My Ionic was working perfectly fine and it was their update that broke (bricked) my watch it not me.

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity

[Rich_Laue]

I'm kind of torn hear. If a watch stops working because of something Fitbit required, I think Fitbit should fess up and take responsibility. 

[tonupkid]

youre not alone, there are loads of people that have had their watches broken by this software update, check out the many posts in the update thread, then go buy youreself a garmin

[Juels13_]

Mine was working fine and then shut down as well. I just held the left bottom along with the bottom right button until it rebooted. It took almost 5 minutes but it did the job.

[Juels13_]

I'm definitely moving to an apple watch after this watch, though. Even though I love my fitbit and app, the watch crashes too much and Fitbit doesn't offer much to resolve the issues. Especially because they don't offer repairs. They should at least offer repairs so that we're not just wasting these watches. Or at least a return system so they can recycle their own products. 

[Rich_Laue]

I'm pro and con about repairs. 

Apple offers repairs, but encourages the user to upgrade. Charging up 2 $1000 to replace a power port that simply plugs in. 

If one goes for repairs out of warranty they will pay almost the price of replacement plus shipping both ways and you get your old device back. 

Fitbit offers replacement with a new product at the cost of what apple would charge to repair with free shipping. 

@tonupkid please check out the many many that have done the update, and their tracker still works. 

I still feel Fitbit should own up. 

[CalamityKelly]

Coincidentally, mine just died yesterday all of the sudden as well.  The watch had been working fine; I went to bed with a 72% charge and woke up with a dead watch that won't power back on!  Customer Service gave me the same crap, can't replace but offered me the same 25% off a purchase.  Going to buy a Garmin Vivoactive 3 Smartwatch.  Don't need Fitbit, I've got other choices!

[dogtech]

mine stopped swiping

[tonupkid]

@Rich_Laue   ive had my ionic over 2 years, never had an issue until this update. If an update can trash a device then theres something wrong with that update even if it only affects say a batch of devices, im in the group of updates have worked, but sadly last one didnt and it broke my watch.

@Rich_Laue if the last update broke just 1 watch and all others were ok, fitbit should replace that watch, but its broken many more and is ignoring those who now have a broken device.

The ionic has been for me a good device, not a great one, its had minor issues that i could bear, it offends that just the software thats been put out is stopping my hardware from working

[Dgwp67]

Mine has also stopped swiping properly in the last week  but not sure it happened straight after the update.  Really fed up as this is my third ionic in 18 months.

[rbrenth]

I’m in my 7th Fitbit now.  I’ve had 2 of them, including my current one, quit working after an update, and the other 5 just quit, or break without being abused.  I truly like the Fitbit tracking, the software, and the accuracy, but their hardware it total junk!  I will never purchase another one.  The Apple Watch is inferior in accuracy, but much better in longevity.  

[mamamac330]

THEY SHOULD BE HELD accountable !!!! This is no coincidence that they all stopped working after trying to update them !!!!!  THEY could afford to help us all out !!!! what a poor example of standing behind your customers !!!!

[rbrenth]

My Fitbit was less than 1 year old. It’s just poor quality and it seems as though the company doesn’t want to take responsibility for their poor and damaging update. This is not the first time they’ve had the same problem.

Sent from Brent's iPad

[Peneex]

I am having a similar problem. My fitbit won't sync after the update. My battery used to last 4 to 5 days and now I can barely make it to 2 days.