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!

[Ebojager]

I too would like to go back to previous OS version. Unfortunately, I don't think they will let us. Hopefully they can get an update out soon before too many people who have gotten one as gifts decide to return them. 

[LarrySernyk]

1. Purchase date 8/28/2017

2. Upgraded OK and functioning normally on OS 3.0; did earlier OS updates too without any problems

3. No issues noted but I only use to track steps, heart rate and sleep; I use a relatively simple watch face; only apps I use are Weather and Nest

My smartphone is a Pixel 3 XL running Android 9

I am part of the Fitbit app Beta testing group so sometimes we may have a slightly different version of the app

[Ebojager]

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@LarrySernyk wrote:

I am part of the Fitbit app Beta testing group so sometimes we may have a slightly different version of the app

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Do you know if they have a beta test for the Windows phone app, or Desktop app?

[LarrySernyk]

Check this out:

https://www.windowscentral.com/fitbit-windows-beta-test-bluetooth-gatt 

They may still be looking for additional Beta testers.

[LindaRene]

I still cannot get the update to take! Sigh.

Moderator edit: personal info removed

[SunsetRunner]

I upgraded my Ionic and my partner's Versa to the latest Firmware on 24th December. We are happy with some of the new features and data available on the watch. However, both of our Fitbit Pay apps stopped working. We have tried all of the fixes recommended...remove and add cards, reboot watch and iPhones, etc. Nothing!!! Our cards are available to pay but the EFT machines simply fails the transaction.

This is a very convenient feature which if not corrected to work again will make me regret buying this unit and potentially claiming a refund for the units.

[Ebojager]

I have a new issue with this update. I just shut my ionic down 3 hours ago at 8:30pm, it is now 11:30pm and when I turned it on about 5 minutes ago it was saying it was like 8:30pm, took at least 5minutes to update.

So the Ionic can't track time on its own? Is this normal behavior? I never noticed this behavior before.

[benedikt.ebli]

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@SunsetRunner wrote:

However, both of our Fitbit Pay apps stopped working.

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i can understand your dissatisfaction. in austria this feature is promised since over a year but there is no progress. i wish to use it soon. @Fitbit please do something. in germany fitbit pay works with wirecard boon and in austria not. but boon is available in my country. so please.

[DH_Runner]

Hello Matt,

I changed the clock face and restarted the clock but the battery issues are not solved. Like this the watch is not usable. When can we expect an Update?

many regards

Moderator edit: personal info removed

[dixiejypsie]

I could not update to new firmware on my New Ionic!  Used app ion my iPhone !  My son connected on his Samsung phone app and it updated with no issues!  

[SunsetRunner]

Judging from the posts on this thread, you shouldn't update your Ionic until many of these issues get resolved.  Unless you are experiencing problems, I'd hold off.  My Ionic was working perfectly until I upgraded, and it has caused me headaches ever since.  I regret getting the upgrade and will caution other users to not upgrade until Fitbit fixes many of the issues related to the latest release.  Look through this thread and then ask yourself if it is worth it (especially if your watch is working just fine).

[dixiejypsie]

I didn’t have a choice, it was new and would not work until I upgraded!

Sent from my iPhone

[DavideFitbit]

Thank you for the updates and all the feedback that you've provided so far @benedikt.ebli, @jamaburr, @robertosan, @drtechieMOH, @whittlebeast, @LarrySernyk, @SunsetRunner, @chrisionic1, @MaddogWLV, @STEWEE, @Paul201065, @mhouse, @Whistler888, @Ebojager, @SunsetRunner, @DH_Runner, @dixiejypsie. 

Fitbit continuous to monitor the situation after the update, and all the feedback from users is really helpful to continue improving the device performance. In the meantime, I do recommend that you follow the steps listed here below for related issues to battery, syncing and GPS to make sure all troubleshooting steps have been exhausted:  

• Why won't my Fitbit device sync?
• Can I improve my Fitbit device's battery life?
• Why isn't GPS working on my Fitbit device? 
• Make sure the Fitbit app is updated for the latest version. 

I hope this helps. 

[STEWEE]

Do you think we have not tried all advice given over and over again. Do a
reset do factory reset unistall the app reinstall the app we have tried and
nothing works stop telling us to try these pathetic thing and fix the
problems

[benedikt.ebli]

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@Whistler888 wrote:

The Ionic is a poor GPS tracker comparatively to my other devices like Lowrance or Garmin Glo or Apple or Android.

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not in my opinion. gps tracking works very good. in some cases better than with garmin forerunner 735xt (i sometimes compare my recorded track with the track of my wife).

i had wearables with much worse gps capability.

[Whistler888]

Here is a very common situation with the Ionic GPS track.  It loses signal and re-acquires.  Whereas my multiple other GPS devices do not.  It could be that your other wearables do not have good GPS capability.  Mine do.  They almost never lose signal even in dense forested areas.  But as always YMMV.  Both the original and this replacement Ionic have similar GPS qualities.  So for more important tracking would never rely on this device only.  In many instances the GPS distance varies on the same track by 10%.  Most Marathon runners use the race and time tested Garmins.  We know none that use Fitbit.

[drtechieMOH]

It was a mistake for me to update. I haven't worn it for over a week now and it counts steps I don't make and battery drains within half the day. Its an expensive useless excuse for a timepiece 😞 

[Whistler888]

Here is the same GPS track from the destination -> but measured in reverse.  This way the track and distances can be compared and calibrated.  You can see in the exact same spot the Ionic was able to keep the GPS signal and data coming back.  But notice the substantial track variances at the bottom of the pic.  As noted for my purposes -> the Ionic GPS is close enough when my other more accurate GPS devices are not with me.  In that way it serves its purpose.  But you should note the many other threads that users report the Ionic GPS is not good enough for them.

[Whistler888]

Yeah many posts now are reporting this after the 3.0 firmware.  Is very discouraging especially since Fitbit acknowledges this battery drain problem after the update -> but cannot provide a fix to those that are affected.  

As well was told not to do a factory reset to new unless that was a desperate last resort.  It seems the risk is you can brick your device.  In that way the Ionic device is not that software robust.  As well hardware like screens popping off due to water penetration is also very concerning.  Actually keep mine away from water because of all the horror stories posted here.  Fitbit is doing its own thing and simply losing consumer confidence in the process.  Too bad as the device can be really good if more time was spent in a productive manner to truly fix “known issues” like this.

[Colinm39]

@DH_RunnerI use the Fitbit Ace watch face and have no battery issues.. I started using the Ace based on what others in the forums were experiencing with the intelligent watch faces.

I don't use GPS,  only Workout and the other selected exercises., I have the Ionic and the Fitbit One concurrently on my account. All day sync and Always Connected are off on both devices and I selectively manually sync or use Fitbit Connect when I'm near the computer.

I have manual awake set on the Ionic and every available notification works for me. I also have the watch settings to a minimum, like, only Core stats, Heart rate and Hourly steps.. I have an active email account and Weather is active and works.  Fitbit Pay took a heavy use over Christmas and didn't falter, only on the older pay terminals who hadn't updated, then, a second tap would work.

With all of that I get on average 6.5 days between charges wearing the Ionic 24/7.

It's difficult to post in some of the topics because I have no issues and I can feel for the users who are having these issues, because I can't offer any insight when I haven't experienced the problems.

But in saying all of that I had an Ionic replaced a few months ago because it was getting sudden battery loss at about 4 days. I contacted Fitbit support via email and kept documenting the issue and the problem was accepted. I had a new Fitbit from OS in Australia in 3 days.  The image is a sample of the battery usage which I have continued.