Fitbit OS 4.0.2 - Firmware Release (27.68.9.15)

[MattFitbit]

Fitbit Update: 10/9

Hi everyone,

We’re excited to announce the release of Fitbit OS 4.0.2, available for Ionic (Firmware Version: 27.68.9.15). 

We've begun releasing this new firmware to customers. This is a progressive rollout which means everyone will receive it at different stages until it has been completely released to all users. We roll out releases in phases as a cautionary measure so that we can monitor performance closely and make adjustments if needed. 

*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

 
This release includes bug fixes and improvements.

HOW DO I UPDATE?

Step by step instructions for updating your Ionic can be found here. 

If you run into any trouble updating your Ionic, I recommend reviewing these troubleshooting tips. 

We appreciate your patience while we work to roll this out to everyone.  

[chad_moller]

My wife did this update, and her watch stopped accepting a charge. We cleaned the contacts, but it was no good. Now the watch is dead, and we can seem to revive it.

I decided to try this update as well, as I hadn't heard of anyone else with this same issue. I am using a different charging cable than her, and I have the SAME problem. I can plug it in, but it won't charge.

What can we do?

[sammysamsamsam]

I had a similar issue but mine cut off mid way through the update even though I had over half battery. I couldn't get mine to switch on again after that. Another user advised holding all three button in together until fitbit logo comes up and then release the bottom right button, still holding in the other two and wait on the it vibrating. Then having to do factory reset and then removing and re adding to app. This did not work for me however. I called fitbit today and found I have a 2year warranty in the uk and they are sending me a replacement. This was for the ionic, hope you get them sorted. They are too expensive to just go and replace

[chad_moller]

I'll try factory reset. We only have 1 year in the US, and I'm outside that

[MickYNWA]

Firstly I am astounded by the number of identical reported issues - & No Fix! - In my opinion the firmware update has caused this.

My Ionic is 14months old.. Has worked fine, and lets face it at £310 so it should..

Half way through the update my watch died and was completely unresponsive.. after about 5 attempts and factory resets (2 days) last night i had it rebuilt, updated & working fine again.. Charged it up fully and went to bed.. This morning completely dead and no amount of factory 3 button resets or 2 button reboots have helped.. Black screen - DEAD!

Very disappointed - Visited the retailer who informed me they had been inundated with the same issue & pointed me to this forum where i have read the tales of woe!!

HELP I cannot afford to simply write this off

[QUELIBIRD]

Same here! Ionic was working fine before I plugged it in for the FW update. 

Screen is black. No logo, not charging...won't reset, & app says "no device found".

[Ionic_User_12]

I finally got the update and everything ran smoothly. I like the new quick settings feature, and now my ionic is as close to being a versa 2 as it gets. Thank you for the sleep mode.

[michaelye168]

Update failed, failed, failed...

Failed for what reason? Is it so difficult to show a reason or explanation?

Connected to wifi, update started and then failed, retry on bluetooth, update started and then failed. Besides failures, can Fitbit do better?

[michaelye168]

What steps were you going through to get the update successful? Connection via wifi or bluetooth?

Thanks!

I have done all but none works:

Reboot the phone, turn off the Ionic, un-register and factory reset the Ionic, wifi update failed and then changed to bluetooth (slow, slow) and an hour later failed...

[Ionic_User_12]

I did an update through wifi, it took about 10 minutes to finish, I just watched it update, I didn't do anything to it, I think it restarted a couple of times, and voila, new OS. 

[Ionic_User_12]

Probably your best bet is to contact support.

[benedikt.ebli]

@michaelye168 

Never update with Bluetooth. It takes very long and I think many user who bricked their devices did the update through Bluetooth and after some hours they sure thought it was stuck and did a reset which is like a stab in the heart.

If wifi is not working probably try to use another. Maybe a mobile hotspot from smartphone. You can check Wifi working buy installing app. Is it working fast you also should not have problems doing the update. 

Fitbit should have deactivated the update routine when only Bluetooth connection is available.

[Beachbum2D]

Given all of the feedback so far I am confused by a number of things 1) why would anyone think of installing this update, until Fitbit announce that better version is available 2) why, when the update fails are Fitbit disowning any accountability for the "bricked" devices 3) when I'm 2 does occur, no one is actually taking Fitbit to task over their accountibility Most of the user are US based, surely you guys live in such a litigiousness society, it's about time a number of you merged you grievencess and took Fitbit to task on this as a group rather than individuals Frony perspective, this update will rain pending. I have a working Ionic and intend to keep it as is, until there is a far greater degree of confidence in the update

[Butterflywings]

I did the same thing as you I ran the update on wifi. I left it in my wrist and let it do the download which it did twice and took about 20 minutes. The screen did go black and I left it alone until It restarted and I saw my  clock face.  It went great 👍  my ionic is almost 3 years old and work flawlessly. 

[Ecuamer]

Sure I will pass along the info.

Updated the firmware via wireless . Yes I was connected to my WiFi network .
The firmware appeared to go through over night and the next morning the
watch would not power up ( tap on screen or press the left button ) .
I proceed to reset the Fitbit with a two button reset . That brought the.
Fitbit back ( so I thought ) . I put the watch on for the day and noticed
the watch was no longer working( black screen ) and not responding to touch
screen . I did another reset and now noticed th watch was turing offf
every few hours .
You asked for details (I hope your enjoying ) so now I place a call to
Fitbit support explained the symptoms and they drag me through every
possible notion of what I could be but what they already know ( they should
read the forums ) .
The tech told me to reset the watch and remove the Fitbit app from my phone.
I was then told to try and reapply the firmware .
The Fitbit got up to 23% percent and the tech told me I should be good now
and the upgrade would take from 15 to 30 minutes .
I woke up the next morning to a magneta triangle exclamation error (
bricked ) and the phone is now paper weight .
Yes blue tooth and wireless were working !!
The issue as I told them is that I noticed when the phone goes dark it
appears that the phone turns off and the firmware update stops and corrupts
the files System.
This is a flaw in their design and please take the time to read additional
posts !!!

[evillama]

Can't "dismiss/cancel" an incoming call now from the watch??? WTH???

[MarkH68]

I did the last update and my Ionic died, got it replaced as it's 2 year warranty in the UK but I after reading these posts I am sure as hell not trying this update as I am thinking it'll happen again. My partners did the same when she tried to update last time and is having to be replaced but she has now chosen to move to Garmin and I will follow suit when the time comes.

Fitbit could have been so good but in the end poor software and support has made me decide the future lies with a more reliable tracker.

[SilviaFitbit]

Hey everyone! Sorry for the delayed reply. I appreciate the details that each of you have shared. 

As mentioned before, this is a progressive rollout which means that everyone will receive it at different stages until it has been completely released to all users. We roll out releases in phases as a cautionary measure so that we can monitor performance closely and make adjustments if needed. 

Keep in mind that once you update your Fitbit Ionic it's not possible to revert it to the previous firmware version. 

If you have received the firmware update, you should have a message on your Fitbit app that will ask you to update your Fitbit Ionic. Please follow this procedure to update your firmware version. If you don't want to see this red banner asking you to update it, please tap on the x in the right corner of the it and it should disappear. 

If you find any issue while updating your watch, follow the troubleshooting mentioned in this article: Why can't I update my Fitbit device?

In this article, you can learn more about: What's changed in the latest Fitbit OS update? Keep in mind that once you have installed the latest firmware version, you can confirm it by going to your Fitbit app tap on your profile picture > choose your Ionic and you'll see the firmware version that your watch has.

Once you update your Fitbit Ionic, you'll have a new interface on your display, you can learn more about it by checking this article: How do I navigate my Fitbit device's screen?

Hey, @Drakermom. By default, SmartTrack recognizes an exercise that lasts at least 15 minutes. If your activities aren't being recognized, lowering the time auto-exercise recognition setting to 10 minutes may help ensure they record properly.

@SunsetRunner Thanks for stopping by. You should be able to see the hyperlinks shared even though you're in Canada. I would like you to clear cache and cookies and try to check them out. Regarding your sleep that's not being fully recorded, please confirm that you slept in a position that prevented your device from getting a consistent heart-rate reading or wore it too loosely, the band should feel secure but not too tight. 

@AceLupusWarrior It's great to see you around. I would like you to double check these tips to improve your heart rate reading. It seems that you don't have the latest firmware version, keep in mind that it should be progressive, you should receive it soon. Also, confirm you have restarted your watch by following the tips mentioned in this article.

@chad_moller Hey there. I would recommend that your wife contact our Support team, they will be happy to continue assisting her.

@michaelye168 Thanks for stopping by. I would like you to confirm you've tried the steps mentioned on this article: Why can't I update my Fitbit device?

I'll be around if you need further assistance. 

[Tam79]

Hi, I updated and now have ionic which won’t even recognise Bluetooth or WiFi. The watch can no longer tell the time and it is currently unusable. I have had several messages with support and have been asked to be patient whilst this is being worked on. How would the Fitbit correct itself if it has no connectivity to sync? How long are Fitbit expecting us to be patient?

Surely Fitbit should be halting any roll out of a defunct update with immediate effect?

Very poor company response and acknowledgement so far

[Ionic_User_12]

This update seems unsafe, but really, no one will post to this forum, unless they are having errors right?

[aviation]

I have been messaging back and forth with support about this Ionic "bricking" issue since it happened to my out of warranty Ionic on 10/6/19 after updating to the latest firmware.  In their most recent reply they claim to not even know that this issue exists!  I pointed them to this message thread.  It will be interesting to see their reply.  Unbelievable!