Fitbit OS 4.1.2 Firmware Update (70.7.27)

[MattFitbit]

Hello Ionic family!

We’re excited to announce the release of Fitbit OS 4.1.2.

We started releasing this new update 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 aren’t distributed based on region or location and can reach anyone no matter where you reside.

WHAT’S NEW AND FIXED

Read our help article for the latest updates.

HOW DO I UPDATE?

Find step-by-step instructions for updating Ionic here. 

If you run into any trouble updating Ionic, review these troubleshooting tips.

We appreciate your patience while we work to roll this out to everyone. Looking forward to hearing everyone's feedback in the comments below. 🤖

[Bobbnz]

Hi I installed this update and have since had to charge every day as battery drain seems excessive.The single biggest issue I have had is getting the **ahem**ed thing to charge and this has been annoying and difficult throughout the whole time (Two years) have had my Ionic. Now I have to do it every day I am over my fitbit really. Prior to this update battery life was good for 3-4 days. No other issues observed

[ComputerGardian]

Well after doing my testing It doesn't seem downgrading the firmware makes a difference (Yes I did downgrade the firmware to 27.33.1.30) at least with my dilemma, and re-upgrading back (to 27.70.7.27 (27.70.7.14 no longer exists in the pool)) doesn't fix it either. Mine still will not sync or keep time correctly. Like I said before mine started after the last app update from the play store, which also was the same time I was notified of a new firmware update. Mine started before the firmware update was done. @lucaiuli  here said that the ionic syncs with the fitbit cloud. I am wondering at this point could the cloud be the cause of the issue and not us? Because if mine started acting up before the firmware but after the new 3.19.2 app its leading me to believe that it might be something cloud related, but unless we know exactly how the data is being synced or what is being downloaded onto our watches its all a guess.

My opinion is Fitbit should make the Bluetooth connection like Bluetooth headsets, force connection this way its guaranteed connected. How this would impact battery life I don't know, but if that means instead of getting 8 days on my ionic I get 6 or 7 days, I'll sacrifice it.

Also one thing that is starting to bug me really a lot is the lack of transparency when it comes to updates & release notes for "bug "fixes". I understand Google is purchasing them and maybe they don't want to expose their faults in fear that Google will really know what they are getting themselves and back-out, but to keep making your units fail is horrible way to keep your bottom line.

I have had a blaze since 6/2016 and every time my ionic dies because of fitbits missteps I after 3 years (now working on 4) still is solid and hasn't failed me. Not that I will get a answer, but why on earth does my blaze not have 1 error, mistake or hiccup? I'd love a real explanation to that and not scripted on a 8x11 sheet of paper that's cut and pasted.

[SilviaFitbit]

Hey everyone! Sorry for the delayed reply. 

For the ones that have contacted our Support team, please continue the communication through email, they will continue assisting you. If you have any questions about the option you were given, please reply to the case you have opened with them. 

The ideas on the Feature Suggestion board are reviewed by our Fitbit team and even if they are marked as not currently planned, the votes are still opened for your to continue voting and those votes are reviewed by Fitbit. If there's any change made to it, you'll receive a notification if you commented on it. 

Also, it's not possible to downgrade the firmware version. Once you've done the update, it won't be possible to uninstall it.

@Community00user and @ChristieGetFit I would like you try restarting your Ionic. 

@gphionic Thanks for getting back. I've noticed you already have an opened case with our Support team, please continue the communication through email. Due to recent events affecting our operations, we may need more than 7 business days to respond. 

@Alldo and @Bobbnz It's nice to see you on the Community. I've shared your psot with our Support team and someone will reply as soon as possible. Due to recent events affecting our operations, we may need more than 7 business days to respond. 

Just a reminder, make sure to keep a friendly environment and follow the Community Guidelines. 

I'll be around if you have any additional questions. 

[Kermittherunner]

I just received the update today and the watch seems to be responding a bit faster than usual!!! Looking forward for more updates in the near future!!!! ❤️ 

[slywy]

I may never know what this update is. I can't connect to ordinary home WiFi on either iPhone or iPad. Have followed every troubleshooting step several times, restarted every device, disconnected, reconnected, etc., etc., etc. Nada. It shouldn't be this hard.

[slywy]

I finally got connected to WiFi after 2 hours and the sacrifice of a stuffed goat. Some of the bricking may be due to watch face compatibility issues. I noticed the moon phases face I was using is now lacking the moon and text, as though the font is missing (the icons are still there). Weird. Switched to another one but hope the other one works again at some point. Fix the WiFi connection issue, please. It shouldn't be that hard. When it did connect, I hadn't done anything more. It just suddenly said, "Oh, now that you've given up, I feel like connecting!"

[StevenAShirley]

BEWARE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  I have a Fitbit Ionic that was a gift on the Christmas before last and my device stopped working properly after this update. I tried reaching out to support but was only asked to confirm that I reset my device. The next question was about when I received the device and once it was confirmed that it was more than 365 days since it was received, offered a 25% discount before being informed that there was nothing else that could be done. 

Like most people, I've been at home/quarantined, have not damaged or done anything different. Another person in my home had a similar issue but that had since stopped. The watch was working fine prior to this update and others have reported similar issues. I've never had an experience where there was such little interest in addressing an issue or care for customer loyalty as I've experienced today. Do not spend several hundred, or even $50 dollars on a Fitbit device because it could suddenly stop working after an update has been issued...if you want to ensure that it will work beyond 365 days!!!!

Since I was unable to receive any additional support from FitBit, I then tried to perform a factory reset but am now told that the Bluetooth setting is not active but am unable to restart the device because it will no longer even reinstall. I understand that an internal flaw, glitch, etc can happen but if a company is going to sell a so-called premium product, I feel that they should address an issue that arises from its software In my opinion. Even if there was an additional problem with my device, no one would know because the depth of technical support & interest in resolving the issue just isn't there to determine so My family has already invested over $1,000 in watches & a scale, were planning on upgrading this year but will most likely be invested that into an alternative. There are companies much more willing & built for customer support, in my experience.  

For whatever it's worth, I've never written a  negative review in my life and am not someone that enjoys doing this but have never felt so insulted as a consumer. I hope to share my opinion to help others not be in a similar position. Stay healthy!

[StevenAShirley]

I had a similar experience. It was downright insulting!

There are other watches out there from companies that actually value & support their customers.

[StevenAShirley]

This is crazy. Fitbit support had the audacity to tell me that other people are not having this issue!

Worst consumer experience of my life.

The saddest part is that they won't change unless they want to. Personally, I'm sharing my experience with my circle to help keep people I care about from making the same mistake of investing any money in FitBit unless they were to change and fix our problems with their product.

[williamh2k]

My iconic won't screen won't respond after the upgrade to to 70.7.27 - i have secured a replacement from fitbit please see this thread.

https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Ionic/FIRMWARE-UPDATE-70-7-27-BRICKED-my-Iconic-Screen-Won-t-Turn-On...

[Iain_K]

Just a reminder, as people seldom read the entire thread... here's an abridged version of the more detailed information I posted earlier for those left high and dry by Fitbits "customer support".  Just promise me you wont take the refund money and spend it with Fitibit again:D (just kidding mods, they may of course spend it however they want, but I think we all know what the odds of another fitbit purchase are at this point)

 IF YOU BOUGHT WITH A CREDIT CARD The extra year warranty may be a get out of jail card;

FOR VISA

https://usa.visa.com/supporting-info/extended-warranty-protection.html

For Mastercard

https://www.mastercard.us/content/dam/mccom/en-us/documents/Cardholder%20Benefits/GTB-Extended_Warra...

AMEX

https://www.americanexpress.com/us/credit-cards/features-benefits/policies/extended-warranty

Hope this helps someone else.

[Alldo]

Completely agree StevenAShirley -from who I have discussed this issue with had Zero problems before the December and after updates - their updates have know made the Watch no longer Fit For Purpose. 
Surely this cannot be legal to let people pay money for an item that they know can’t be fixed or used. 

[SilviaFitbit]

Hey everyone!

Thanks a lot for your participation on the forums. I appreciate that you've shared the option you have been given by our Support team, if you have any questions about the option provided, please reply to the case that you have with them. Each case is reviewed individually and the Fitbit Warranty is always taken into consideration. 

Once again, your feedback is appreciated, we're always striving to improve our services offered. 

I'll be around if you have any additional questions. 

[Gmshaw]

I’m not still not clear on how warranty comes into play if the device is working perfectly well up until the update and clearly that’s been the case with many users...Even if their warranty is only out of date by a month or two I think your company you need to take a closer look at what’s happened here just because you have the monopoly on these devices and I say monopoly because you do produce the best one on the market it doesn’t mean that you should ignore your users and hide behind a warranty claim you knew this problem was happening there’s no way you didn’t unless you didn’t adequately tested on current and pre-existing models.Insult injury my wife just had hers automatically update she has a versa and it’s dead just like my ionic there almost exactly the same time when they were purchased whether they were under warranty or not this is unacceptable it’s frustrating to admit but we went out and bought a verse or two because we like the ecosystem that Fitbit provides for users that have spent many many hundreds of dollars on your products I think they are owed a little more respect

Sent by IPhone

[Bobbnz]

Hi All

Yesterday I posted my battery drain problem following the update and have since found what appears to be a solution for me at least.

In the phone app, I had the “Always Connected” option toggled off as it tended to result in my phone battery being unduly loaded. Somehow the option had been turned back on. After switching that option off again it seems that the Ionic battery drain may have returned to normal.

I am an unsophisticated user who doesn’t require that constant communication. For me, turning that option off is not a problem. For others who use more features it could well be a problem.

Hope this helps someone.....

[Gmshaw]

Well said!!!

Sent by IPhone

[Backintm]

The latest update also killed my Ionic. It was fully charged and started the update. About midway through, it stopped. Now I have a black screen that resists any attempt to turn off or reboot. I have tried reinstalling the app, tried two different devices (Samsung phone and iPad), stopped and started the link to my devices. Nothing works. I have used this forum before and hope someone has a solution.

[lucaiuli]

I am sorry to hear about that 😞

It happen to me too with the previous update. Right now there is no way to bring it back. It is dead, bricked forever.

I was fortunate to have them send me a replacement, but from what I hear, they will not do that if you’re not under warranty. They will contact you by email if your issue will raise their attention or you can simply contact them by yourself. This community forums are not for hardware troubleshooting or any other advise from Fitbit part... unfortunately. They will take this private.

Hope for the better. It is a nice watch, but they won’t mind brick it from time to time... maybe it is a marketing purpose or something else... old hardware is my guess.

All users that are complaining here I think they have old batch Ionic devices that do not support new firmware adjustments. That’s my guess.

[Mechanicaldoll]

@DucceMicke 

You dont mean enough to me to "warrant" any of those feelings that you yourself alone  thought or either must have assume i would feel? I will take the fitbit approach to your silly attempt to insult me. hope that not hard for YOU to understand or should i clarify too??

either way

duces...............

[Mechanicaldoll]

@LianK 

Thank you for this as my mother was the one who brought this as a christmas gift a year and 5 months ago for me. I really did feel bad becasue i just sentimental like that. 

so we called ,since she did use her credit card and capital one seem to know what they are doing and has taken over.  I told my mom to keep the money and no i do not want a replacement anything.when it all said and done. I have already bought me a garmin watch (will be picking that up tomorrow) and told her im sorry she wasted her money on something that wasn't worth 50 bucks at the end of the day.

If nothing else it a bittersweet ending to a product line that literal dont believe in responsibilities but than again that seem to be the case of just about everything and everyone these days. 

Thanks again for this as i would have never even thought of it.😊