Fitbit OS 3.0 - Ionic Firmware Release (27.33.1.30)

[MattFitbit]

Fitbit Update 1/10/19: 

Hi all! Big thanks to everyone for your feedback on the release of Fitbit OS 3.0!

Since the majority of users have now updated to 3.0, I will be closing this thread from further comments to help keep our community discussions on-topic. 

If you are experiencing an issue outside of the firmware update process, I invite you to start a new thread on this forum and we will be happy to assist you there. Thanks again and happy stepping!

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Fitbit Update 12/26:

Hey, everyone! We're aware that some of you may have noticed a fast battery drain on your Ionic watches after completing this firmware update. Our team is investigating the root cause of this issue and whether it was caused by this update or other factors are involved. 

In the meantime, if you're experiencing this problem please try a restart on the device then consider switching to a Fitbit made clock face! Many 3rd party clockfaces (especially those with animations) are known to use up more battery. If you try this out and are still seeing a fast battery drain, we can connect you with Customer Support for next steps or you can reach out to them and create a case. 

We look forward to getting you all back on track! 

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Fitbit Update 12/22: 

We've released Fitbit OS 3.0 out to 100% of users. Please make sure you have the latest version of the Fitbit app (2.84) before downloading the newest firmware. 

We're excited for you all to have the newest Fitbit OS, but please let us know if you have any questions about this update. Happy Holidays, everyone! 

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Hi, everyone!

I am excited to announce the release of Fitbit OS 3.0! (Firmware Version: 27.33.1.30)

We've started to roll out this update to 20% of Ionic users. This is a progressive rollout, and all Ionic users can expect to have it soon. We roll out releases in phases as a cautionary measure so that we can monitor performance closely and make adjustments if needed.

WHAT'S CHANGED?

Please check out this help article to see what's new in this update.

HOW DO I UPDATE?

Step by step instructions for updating your Ionic can be found here. We recommend updating your Ionic over a home Wi-Fi network as this can greatly reduce the time it can take to get set up. For more information on connecting your Ionic to Wi-Fi, check out this article.

If you run into trouble updating your Ionic, please follow these steps:

1. Restart the watch. 
2. "Remove" the watch from your account inside of the Fitbit app.  
3. "Forget" the watch from your phone's Bluetooth settings (along with any other Fitbit devices paired to your phone)
4. Try the update again. 

If anyone isn't seeing the Today app after updating, please try the following:

1. Make sure you're running the newest version of the Fitbit app. 

2. Connect to Wi-Fi in the Fitbit app, plug your Ionic into the charger and let it sit. This will automatically update the Today app. 

Looking forward to hearing everyone's feedback on the latest release. If you have questions, please let me know in this thread!

[Fitbatter]

1. I agree. This written instructional advise is only useful as long as you can power on - firmware update failure bricks the Ionic and instructions from the buttons are not received to do anything.

2. At least you are getting replacements. As I purchased around initial release in late 2017, I got an offer to buy a new Ionic at a 40% discount (or another aging model at 25% discount - with a lesser feature set) along with just a 45 day guarantee. The New Ionic would hypothetically encounter the same issue so I’m stuck wondering why i would want to buy in again and risk the firmware release bricking it when I update to 3.0.

[MultiMartin]

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@Fitbatter wrote:

1. I agree. This written instructional advise is only useful as long as you can power on - firmware update failure bricks the Ionic and instructions from the buttons are not received to do anything.

2. At least you are getting replacements. As I purchased around initial release in late 2017, I got an offer to buy a new Ionic at a 40% discount (or another aging model at 25% discount - with a lesser feature set) along with just a 45 day guarantee. The New Ionic would hypothetically encounter the same issue so I’m stuck wondering why i would want to buy in again and risk the firmware release bricking it when I update to 3.0.

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After the initial complaints about the previous versions of Fitbit OS (version 2) I thought that Version 3.0 would fix many of the issues so decided to update. My original Ionic then decided to completely brick while I was out on a run, losing all of my steps and activity. I contacted Fitbit support who said they would replace it as it was within warranty (purchased in July 2017). I asked if I could change to the Adidas version (I was slightly perturbed that Fitbit released this and wouldn't let early adopters have the app). My request was denied so I went back to the original store where I purchased the item (Currys PC World) - when I purchased the original item I bought a service plan for £2.99 per month which I wasn't sure about at the time. I'm pleased I kept paying it as Currys PC World allowed me to exchange my Ionic for the Ionic Adidas Edition which I was really pleased about. I had to upgrade to Fitbit 3.0 during the set-up progress but I assumed the fault was with my original Ionic which had just given up.

It concerned me that I started to read about other people's Ionics bricking but kept thinking that mine would be okay. However, whilst walking around a shopping centre today I went to check the time and the display was completely dead. Nothing.

I have been a Fitbit user since the original Fitbit was released (the one that you had to attach to a docking station to sync it with a computer!). I have had many Fitbit devices over the years including the One, Flex, Charge 2, Flex 2 and the Surge. I have been really happy to support Fitbit and have often recommended them to friends.

I was faced with the decision today when I went back to the shop about whether to get a replacement device or a refund. I decided to get a refund and am going to consider my options. I just can't have a watch which is going to keep bricking at random moments - even though it is in warranty.

The problems which are making me falter with purchasing a new Fitbit:

- First and foremost the fact that the software which is rolled out doesn't seem to be adequately tested and cause devices to become unusable - this sort of thing would never happen to the likes of Apple and if it did they would act swiftly to fix it.

- The fact that the update is still live for new devices. If I bought a new Ionic then I would be forced to upgrade to OS 3.0 which would mean that I am in a constant cycle of my device bricking.

- The fact that Fitbit doesn't replace devices that have bricked if you are not in the warranty period - this is really sad to read.

Thoughts and comments welcome about whether I should purchase another Fitbit device!

[RoccoMarco]

Hey there,

I would like to report to the community (and hopefully to Fitbit team) some multiple issues occurred after the latest updated of my Fitbit Ionic. I had the insane idea to update my device during the holiday. During that period I had some bike trip but I never had the change to test Ionic at all. Today it was the first running session with this device and the test went definitely bad (I am not a great Fitbit fan at moment):
- Huawei P20 lite was working quite fine and even notification was delivered to the Fitbit. This was a miracle according to Fitbit's experts this was not possible. The miracle least few days because, after the APP update occurred a few days before the firmware rollout, it has stopped working. Anyway, that was the proof that a Huawei Lite P20 can sync with Fitbit (even if with workaround). But, it seems Fitbit would not take commitment to support one of the most widespread smartphones (what a wise move).
- Suddenly the Ionic's screen dim start to go crazy and I had to reset the smartwatch itself to solve this problem. Unfortunately, this happened during a running session and this was quite annoying because I wasn't able to see stats, lap time (and because it happened today and it is Jan 2, I had eaten a lot during Christmas period, the external temp is 0° and I was already lacking motivation. Thanks Fitbit!)
- Suddenly the music player started to work sobbing (especially around the lap finishing when the MCU load is higher because it has to vibrate and prompt the lap resume screen). My bt headset is an MPOW Swift that worked quite fine with the previous firmware. Maybe the problem is related to the same that caused the dim issue but I am not sure this problem has been solved with the reset. Anyway, this is the proof that this new firmware has plenty of bugs (Quality first! and again, it is Jan 2, thanks Fitbit for this injection of motivation).
- On the app Exercise, choosing "Running", It is not clear if in goal mode the GPS status neither if Ionic will gonna use it to track your running session: definitely the worst User Interface ever.
- I had the chance to take a look at your firmware\android app changelogs. They are definitely useless (at least Fitbit has been coherent on this). Dear Fitbit, from a developer to a developer: "A lot of bug fixes" is not a changelog. It would be preferable a blank list: it would be more honest.

Sincerely,

a disappointed user.

[winston2010]

Since this last update my Ionic email messages will not clear.  Used to work flawlessly..now when I do a Clear All...not all emails will clear..I have shut down the watch and restart..

[sfcrocker]

Since the last update, my iOnic randomly powers off during exercise. It's getting really annoying. How do I roll back to the previous software release which I used for months with no issues at all.

[neptus1234]

I've now also tried to install using my PC and it still fails, says that install is complete and the watch goes into a reboot loop.  why would you release a firmware that causes the watch to brick?

[bIonicman]

Last week I mentioned a few issues I ran into after this latest upgrade (HR monitor not always working and screen not coming on when pushing the left button).

For now I have that 'solved' in that I changed watch faces. The watch face I was using does not seem all that old when I selected it around 3 months ago, and it worked just fine ever since, but since this latest update I ran into problems.

Now that I changed watch faces to a recently released face (with this update I believe) all works just fine.

I am not aware of how the development of watch faces works, and I am sure that when new firmware gets released, some testing has to be going on, but I do not know if as a developer, you can do so before the firmware gets released to all end user, so therefore, I do not want to just point fingers at this watch face / developer at all, this is just an observation I made, and food for thought .......

[SunsetRunner]

Since 3.0 I keep experiencing sync problems. There is no day without sync issue. I keep going through restarting BT, force closing Fitbit app, restarting watch. Sometimes it helps, sometimes it doesn't and I just give up for a few hours before I try again. Syncing takes a lot longer than before. Until 3.0 I never really experienced so severe syncing issues and usually syncing was going smooth. Now it's a pure nightmare. In logcat, I see usually issues related to BT.

[jsbrando]

I just got a brand new Ionic yesterday.  Validated my iPhone X is a supported device.  Performed setup per instructions.  Received new update to Ionic.  **ahem** won't stay connected via Bluetooth.  I've removed it from app, from Bluetooth on phone, restarted it, reset to factory settings, performed setup again... Issue persists.

This is NOT how I envision  a brand new $300 smartwatch to perform right out of the box.  If I were to spend that much money on a watch and knew these issues ahead of time I would have opted for the Apple watch.  

Furthermore, this appears to be a widespread issue from what I've read in the forums and online in other places.  Why is Fitbit not providing proper support, development, and testing for a product which they charge $300 for on the market?

Longtime Fitbit supporter with the One, Flex, Charge2, Aria, and now the Ionic... About to throw them all in the trash.

[Whistler888]

“If defective they should replace the thing.”

“Fitbit is sending me a new watch!”

“Same happened with me after update.”

Yep.  This is the fundamental take-away most should get from all these forum complaints.  Get a replacement watch!  Or get a Refund!

Call Tech Support since no one on this forum has that authority.

So has been fun Moderators.  But do note seriously -> Edson should not be employed by Fitbit since he reflects very poorly on the Brand.  He never responded in the end.  He is likely way too embarrassed.  Check it.

Overall tho the replaced Ionic has worked better than my original.  But my view is still the same as before -> the Ionic hardware and software need to be updated to resolve all the “known issues” posted over and over on here.  Until then the device will remain buggy and cause all these problems noted in these hundreds of threads.  Can see many more replacements sent out until then.

My position is very clear after being recognized as posting the most “solved answers” and “most helpful” while not being “employed” or “supporting” this brand in any way.  Many of those listed are.  Check out their profiles and posts.  Way too much rah rah and downplaying of valid user concerns.  Hardly any critical Fitbit comments.  In this way valid posts should not be taken down or censored.  This only causes user distrust.

So remember -> Call Tech Support directly and just get your defective Ionic replaced!

[MultiMartin]

After getting a refund on my second replacement device which randomly bricked while shopping, I have decided to go with a Garmin Forerunner watch. I'm quite sad to be leaving Fitbit behind - especially since I have been with them since the launch of the first device, but I just can't be walking around with an expensive device that randomly bricks. 

[Fitbatter]

That only works if you have had your device less than a year. 12 months old + only gets a 40% discount on a new one to brick.

[jsbrando]

Yeah, I got a new one on the way already.  It's just frustrating since it's less than 24 hours old to me, personally.  Ordered it 2 weeks ago, and less than 2 hours of having it I was frustrated. 

After talking with support today they even said "yeah, it shouldn't be doing that in Bluetooth settings".  I was like, yeah, I know... 

[SilviaFitbit]

Hey there @MeThomas3! Thanks for the details that you've mentioned as well for the troubleshooting that you've tried. I would like you to confirm that you've restarted your Ionic and that you're using a compatible device.  

Also, reply to the following questions: 

- Have you tried changing USB ports to charge your Ionic?

- When is your watch showing the diamond on the screen?

Hey @SunsetRunner! Thanks for sharing more information about Fitbit Pay and the banks on Australia. 

Hey @Fitbatter. A factory reset is recommend as a last resource when you've exhausted all the other troubleshooting. The firmware version never goes back to the previous one, it's always going up to the latest one. If you would like to take the option that Support gave you, you can just reply to the case that you have already open. 

Thanks for sharing your experience with the new firmware update @LarryQW. 

Welcome to the Community @tfellenb. I appreciate that you've mentioned you've contacted our Support team. Your feedback is really important to us, this help us to continue improving and providing you with the best customer service. Every solution that our team takes is always based on the Fitbit Warranty. 

Thanks for sharing the solution that you got from Support @drtechieMOH. 

Hey @Stenis. After the last firmware update, now you don't have to turn your wrist to see the notification. It will automatically turn itself on to show it to you. If you would like to learn more about the new update, check this article What's changed in the latest Fitbit OS update?.

I'm glad to hear that after some minutes, your Fitbit Ionic updated properly @Ebojager. What's required is to have the latest app version, a compatible device and a strong internet connection and this should help with the update. 

It's great to see you around @26Dolly! It's nice to hear that since you set up your Ionic, it updated and you've enjoying it. If you have any questions, don't hesitate to post it. 

Thanks for the procedure that you've tried @neptus1234. I would like  you to check this article Why can't I update my Fitbit device? and try the steps listed there. 

Hey @theGman88. I don't have any information about the alarms changing. You can learn more about the changes by checking this article What's changed in the latest Fitbit OS update?. 

Thanks for the advice @SunsetRunner. 

Thanks for getting back @MultiMartin. Thanks for getting back @MultiMartin. Since, you already have a case with Support. I would like you to continue the communication via email, they will offered you further assistance regarding the replacement that you got. 

Hope you can continue enjoying your Fitbit Ionic and the Adidas preview @STEWEE.  

Please try restarting your Ionic and confirm that your bank is on the list @Robyn-TWR. 

Hey there @winston2010. Thanks for the details that you've mentioned. I would like you to restart your Ionic and set the notifications once again. 

Thanks for your feedback, Fitbit is continuously working to improve the firmware updates and the features that are being implemented @bIonicman. 

Great to see you around @SunsetRunner. I appreciate the steps that you've mentioned. If you have an additional tracker paired to your account, please un-pair it and attempt to setup again. 

Hey there @jsbrando. Thanks for the details that you've mentioned. I've shared your post with our Support team and I've noticed that you already have a case, I would like you to continue the communication via email. 

I'll be around if you need further assistance. 

[Fitbatter]

I disagree as I saw the rollback happen to Fitbit 2.x and the app in Android and iOS prompt to upgrade to 3.0 again. The OS does go back to the previous version and that’s why my Ionic has no power and is a paperweight. I agree that the OS should never go back a version but it does and as such it bricked. You have a problem with your firmware quality control. Otherwise, Fitbit wouldn’t roll updates out in a controlled manner to populations to see what occurs

[SunsetRunner]

@SilviaFitbit I don't have more money to waste on another Fitbit device so no, I have only one Ionic :). I'm not sure if my English is so bad or something else stands in the way of understanding what I've been trying to say so I will use bold text:

It worked well with the previous version of the firmware. With 3.0 I have problems with only one Ionic.

Moderator edit: format

[James8936]

@bIonicman I’m in the same position! Since the update I’ve notice severe inaccuracies with the HR monitoring. In tonight’s session I religiously followed Fitbit’s instructions to move the device 2 fingers higher up the wrist but still found it to be reporting a 112bpm after doing a 400m track sprint! I hope they sort this out soon!

[chrisionic1]

After the 3.0 update I had apps stuck in an install loop that caused crashes and forced restart after restart but never initiated installation of apps or watch faces. After being referred to customer support they initiated the replacement process and my NEW ionic arrived this week (they did a great job moving quickly and the process was painless!). Contact them if you are still under warranty I think they are starting to understand the gravity of the situation here.

However, my NEW ionic arrived early this week and performed its initial setup and update perfectly. After having this NEW ionic for 4 days on the 3.0 firmware I have now experienced the restart issue when I start my refresh my fitbit app and the bluetooth begins to connect. This causes the watch to restart, connect, fail to update and restart. So far it has snapped out of this issue after 30 minutes or so of waiting, but it does shed some light on the fact that the PROBLEM IS the new firmware causing these issues...OR the watch is made of hardware that is complete junk and should be recalled. Probably only a matter of time before this watch craps out. Again, the previous firmware was working fine on the ionic, send us back. Bluetooth and install problems are bricking ionics all over. 

[kostax]

Battery dies within 2-3 days, water logging still doesn't work via Fitbit Today. Hoping for a fix soon - sad to hear many are suffering with the latest OS update.

[Stenis]

Well that sucks👎👎👎👎 i dont want to show everyone around me my messeges
you need to fix this immediately🤔