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]

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@Monz_86 wrote:

Will this update also correct the syncing issues for the ionic?

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I have not noticed a significant fix in the syncing issues on my Ionic and the Windows Phone app.

Maybe even more issues. Ive had to quit the app and relaunch many more times than I had on the previous OS, before it finds the tracker. Hopefully when they update the Windows Phone app it will fix these inconveniences.

[mhouse]

you're lucky then. My GPS only works where I originally purchased my
Ionic, it won't download new maps. I spend a lot of time travelling for
work and can never get the GPS to work. I was visiting family for the
holidays (after the update) and went for a run, no GPS data. Probably
something wrong with my Ionic, but frustrating all the same.

Moderator edit: format

[STEWEE]

I'm getting shot of my ionic adidas and will not purchase any fitbit again
as they are more hassle than they are worth 300 quid for something that
doesn't work as advertised

[FerdinandFitbit]

Hi everyone! Good to see you all in the Fitbit Community Forums! 🙂

I'm sorry to hear that some of you are still having problems with the battery draining faster than it should with the last firmware update. Thank you all for your patience with this.

Please see this update from yesterday and anything else you may need, we're here to help and hope to have you all back on track soon.

[benedikt.ebli]

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@Monz_86 wrote:

Will this update also correct the syncing issues for the ionic?

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No. It still occurs sometimes. Yesterday I updated my Mi A2 lite to Android 9 and after that syncing did not work. I restarted Bluetooth. No sucess. I restarted the watch. No sucess. I was able to sync data again after unpairing the watch. After that it works till today without issues. Before the Android update it worked for some days and when it stopped working I had to restart Bluetooth. It always did the trick.

[jamaburr]

After the update GPS acquisition definitely takes longer initially and if you travel then the wait would likely be sig longer still as the GPS tries to figure out where you are.  I am more than happy to wait a few minutes longer to acquire GPS that won't disappear on me during my run.

[benedikt.ebli]

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@jamaburr wrote:

After the update GPS acquisition definitely takes longer initially and if you travel then the wait would likely be sig longer still as the GPS tries to figure out where you are.  I am more than happy to wait a few minutes longer to acquire GPS that won't disappear on me during my run.

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interesting. for me the initial initial connection happens faster after the update. accuracy is better imho.

[robertosan]

i have reinstalled fitbit app and is current version, try to sync my watch to my phone it finds the watch then immediately go to bluetooth issues... at my wits end trying to get it to work turn bluetooth off and on removed all bluetooth items ... i have a samsung note 9...any suggestions?

[drtechieMOH]

A Fitbit-made watch face didn't fix the battery drain issue. 

DIY troubleshooting like resetting watch, updating the app, unpair the watch - NOTHING WORKS.

Except that it counts steps even when I haven't been using it since the failed update - 1 week and counting.

[whittlebeast]

My Iconic appears to work way better now on 3.0 and my S8 Samsung.

[LarrySernyk]

I also have noted an improvement with OS 3.0 on my Google Pixel XL 3. I noticed when I adjust settings on my watch faces in the app, they happen immediately. I seem to recall previously that I had to do a synch to get the changes in the settings to take effect on the watch face. This makes it so much easier to customize your watch face. THANKS!!

[SunsetRunner]

I am really not liking this latest firmware release, and I wish there were a way to go back to a previous build that actually worked.  Since I applied the update a few days ago, I've had the following problems:

1.  The resting heart rate is 15-20 beats way too high.

2.  Active minutes are not accurately being tallied.  I walked (9 km) for 2 hours today and only got credit for 94 minutes.  

3.  The battery is draining faster than in previous builds.

4.  The weather app is taking several tries before it finally syncs and displays the information.

5.  The Wi-Fi connection is very unstable.  I keep getting the "Windows cannot find your tracker" error.  I then have to go to my Bluetooth settings, unpair my Ionic, and the pair it again--almost daily.

I did not have these problems prior to the update, so the update is the problem.  I've seen other users post the same issues.  It's time for a fix to all of this--ASAP.

[chrisionic1]

Im curious to see if those of us who had update issues purchased ionics earlier than those that didn't. Maybe there is a batch of these ionics that were just bad and don't play nice with the new update. Post the following :

1. Purchase date? mm/yyyy

2. Functioning normally? 

3. Brief issue list

[MaddogWLV]

@SunsetRunner I had all of those problems

I used settings and turned Fitbit off and back on, Then I reset the watch by Holding the Left Button and right lower button until the Logo appears , Now my Ionic is absolutely better than ever  My heart rate is dead on, as i check it with the treadmill heart monitor. and my blue tooth rocks all devices every time i am near. Both were brutal issues until i did the reset.

The 2 Button reset is an absolute MUST and should fix most issues, at least it did for me I love the update and my Ionic.

My phone is a Samsung 9+, Which i also reset and made sure the Fitbit ap was current and uptodate.+ 

And No i don't work for fit bit, just a happy fan

Best of luck with your issues

[chrisionic1]

1. Date 1/2018

2. No

3. Apps & Faces stuck on install force shutdown and restart loop

[STEWEE]

26th Nov 18 ionic adidas no preview and sync issues

[SunsetRunner]

@MaddogWLV:

I've tried turning off the watch all night and then turning it back on after I wake up.  I'm still having problems. 

Resetting the watch has become a real problem.  The watch simply "blinks" and it takes me several tries to get it to reset.  However, even after I reset it, the problems still persist.

I do not have a smartphone.  I use a tablet PC or a desktop, so no smartphone options are going to work for me.

Again, all of these problems happened after the firmware update.  I am really regretting doing it because prior to the update, my Ionic has worked just fine.

Regarding my purchase date, I bought the watch in November of 2017.  It's been pretty good since then; however, this recent update has been nothing but a nightmare, and I really hate it.  We need an option to go back to a previous build that actually worked.

[Paul201065]

Purchased mine October 2017 no issues but didnt receive the update prior to this one also have only ever installed watch faces on it nothing else.

[mhouse]

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@jamaburr wrote:

After the update GPS acquisition definitely takes longer initially and if you travel then the wait would likely be sig longer still as the GPS tries to figure out where you are.  I am more than happy to wait a few minutes longer to acquire GPS that won't disappear on me during my run.

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I wish it was just a matter of patience.  I've set my Ionic to walk or run and left it outside (new location, no trees, buildings or significant obstructions) for upward of 30 min and no luck getting GPS.  Most likely a problem with my Ionic.  Fitbit support hasn't been able to help with anything but basic troubleshooting advice but it was a gift last year so no warranty anymore. 

I like the new features, but the reliability and sync is quirky. Usually have to sync a couple of times before the water in particular (other stats less frequently) is accurate on the watch and the app.  I'll probably deal wit it until it dies and then go to a iWatch.  The Fitbit products are just too inconsistent.

[Whistler888]

“I've set my Ionic to walk or run and left it outside (new location, no trees, buildings or significant obstructions) for upward of 30 min and no luck getting GPS.  Most likely a problem with my Ionic.”

That is def a problem.  Mine gets GPS signal in about a minute.  It does lose tracking from time to time but re-acquires location after about a min or so.  You can confirm this by checking your track after -> as it will show a straight line.  The Ionic is a poor GPS tracker comparatively to my other devices like Lowrance or Garmin Glo or Apple or Android.  But does an ok job for general interest purposes.  That is all I use it for.

But 30 min without any GPS acquisition would normally be deemed defective. Too bad there is no more warranty for you.  Some on here post over and over saying the same thing.  But the fact is -> many have valid “unresolved issues” that Fitbit acknowledges.  Too bad that updates like the recent 3.0 has not fixed the known problems.  But that is an upper management QC decision.  Unfortunately the Fitbit people on the front line have to deal with the repercussions.  But it is what it is.