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. 🤖

[noBrain_noPain]

@ifatokun 

I had the flashing logo appearing just a few minutes ago. Happened out of nothing.

But resetting with 2 buttons brought it back. Let's see for how long

[ifatokun]

Goodluck, mine won't even allow me to reboot or factory reset. Its still flashing Fitbit logo until battery goes flat left 4 days recharged it and back to flashing Fitbit logo.🤬🤬🤬🤬

[Gunz1964]

I'm on my 3rd email FROM fitbit. Usual delay tactics; try a reset; reboot;
change power source; clean charging points.

So I feel fortunate to be in communication, albeit frustrated in responses.

I've stressed that

A) I've tried everything
B) screen is dead so cant see/get any of the responses from fix they suggest
C) it was working perfectly before update as they will clearly be able to
see
D) it's not just my problem as forum suggests
E) FITBIT caused the problem

I have asked for a replacement (alternate model might be acceptable)

I'll keep everyone posted

[SilviaFitbit]

Hey everyone! Thanks for participating in the forums. 

Once again, I truly appreciate your feedback be sure that this hasn't been unnoticed and we're always reviewing your comments. 

Thanks for the troubleshooting tried prior to posting. For the ones that have already contacted our Support team, please continue the communication through email, they will continue assisting you. 

@Backintm @SunsetRunner @marrobgrow @Richie190784 @DJS99 @earthiverse @Paulmac @SeperatedEntity I've shared your post with our Support team, they will continue assisting you through email, due to recent events affecting our operations, we may need more than 7 business days to respond. 

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

[Jamie13you]

Same here!  Twitter and all social media, better business bureau

[Paulmac]

Google aren’t the answer, they’re the problem 

Moderator edit: removed personal information

[ComputerGardian]

@noBrain_noPain  Unfortunately this will not make a difference, I tried. If you wish to try send me a pvt msg. No guarantees, but I know of another forum member did try it and it did work for his issue.

[ComputerGardian]

@PaulmacGoogle has nothing to do with the problem at hand with the devices.

If you are referring to anything other then the firmware issues, then it does not apply to the current problem.

[Paulmac]

Google owns Fitbit. So yes they have everything to do with the problem 

Moderator edit: removed personal information

[ComputerGardian]

@PaulmacOfficially the transition isnt complete. Just cause they acquired it doesnt mean google is running the show.

[Gmshaw]

getting off the "Google"  distraction for the moment.

Has anyone seen this...

Let Ionic sit for days with it's the impressive dead screen.

Hold all 3 buttons and a surprise! It lights up for the first time just to remind you that you have "0% power"

Now that is magical, you can do it over and over although technically it has "no power"

This leads me to believe that the firmware update has seriously compromised the power reporting.

If you recharge the Ionic for an hour or so it stays black when you hold down the 3 same buttons.

So it is hiding...in the dark...like a nasty Covidy virus.

Clearly there are hundreds of complaints about this by now, and Fitbit and the moderators are effectively policing vague threats and other calls to action. I'm not suggesting anything more than a fair and reasonable explanation from the powers that be...not "your out of warranty, unfortunately".

I lost an Ionic and a Versa to this plague. Guess what, I went out and replaced both. Not because I wanted to believe me.. but because they have a terrific ecosystem, and maybe, just maybe, they eventually come clean, I get get replacements, and I can give them away as presents.

[ComputerGardian]

@Gmshaw,

Question, from what I know from the last update that blew up the ionic, people were complaining about the black screen, and the problem then was that the "normal" shutdown procedure has been trashed (The shutdown button under about in the watch), so it hangs in the blackhole, the way to bring it out back befoer was to hold the left and buttom right buttons together for almost 10-30 seconds, I think the first 10 seconds turns off the screen, if you let go of the buttons at this point it turns the watch off and keeps it off, if you keep holding the 2 buttons the logo would come back and load normally, UNLESS you are stuck in the logo boot-loop, where in that situation you have to let the battery die completely, then plug it in the charger and let it turn back on by itself and the watch comes back. Whether it works or not is a different issue.

I think the firmware is partly the issue. I dont think its completely all the issue. I'd be happy to explain it and you would see how I come to this conclusion, or you can read the replies in this thread and you can see what I have done and think its a combination of things.

Like 1 example is why when my last watch got screwed up in January from the update, they sent me another one, and I updated the software (Auto-update through Android) everything was fine, then the last app update of 3.19.2 bring the firmware notice, my watch was not updated to the new firmware but yet started to lose time and screw up BEFORE I installed the firmware. This leads me to believe there is more in the cloud syncing that occurs with the watch and their cloud which might be the other reason I think its more then the firmware. Because there have been times where I havent synced my watch for 2 weeks and not once did it lose time or have any issues, until 4/22 when both the new app and firmware popped up.

[IonicDavid]

I agree. My ionic is not working either. I consider my offer for 25% off to be a slap in the face for a 15 month old watch too. 

[MrPicl]

Updated my ionic to 70.7.27 A week or more ago, right when the firmware notification popped up. Been using it just fine for days, I track exercise with the GPS every day.

Last night I charged it, now today all of a sudden the “Exercise” app on the watch crashes when I try to launch it. I checked that I have the latest app on my iPhone, Uninstalled and reinstalled the app on my phone and I rebooted the Fitbit twice. None of which helped. I also fiddled with a bunch of stuff (changing default exercise order, removing other apps). None of it helped.

I did a factory reset of the Fitbit and “replaced” it on my account. Now I can open the exercise app without it instantly crashing.

Annoying.

[noBrain_noPain]

@MrPicl 

Did you also experienced the heavy battery drain?

a) before the factory reset?

b) after the factory reset?

[SunsetRunner]

@Iain_K 

You are correct.  It's affecting the Versa line users as well.

So defintely an across the board issue with Fitbit devices.

[ComputerGardian]

@Iain_K

This is correct, and until the fully acquire it there is nothing fitbit can do, plus I seriously doubt they would allow this to go on.

@SunsetRunner 

This seems to be affecting all devices from the ionic and newer, someone in his post also said the same thing is happening on the versa 2 as well.

What I would love to know is why in the middle of a pandemic do you update the firmware, knowing every update causes a problem? It works leave well enough alone. Every update has an issue across every device, and when we come here to complain we get the same generic answers. Thank you for your concerns we're looking at it, yeah right. Not one legitimate response explaining anything, not one response saying here's what happened, and there would be no way we'll get, yeah we messed up and we're trying to fix it, thats cause then they would be liable. All I know if this happens after my 1 year warranty I'm moving to another brand, and its such a shame considering they "were" once a great company and device, now they are useless as "t" on a bull.

[SunsetRunner]

@ComputerGardian 

Exactly, it makes absolutely no sense to roll out a firmware doing this time and ALL of the recent updates have been riddled with MAJOR bugs. The smart thing would be to pull the firmware off the server so that additional users don't have issues but that's not going to happen.

I have two friends...one an Ionic user and one a Versa user who had perfectly running devices that got bricked due to this update and since they were over the warranty period all Fitbit would do is offer the 25% discount.   How is that fair?  The firmware caused the issue.  Needless to say they warned me about doing the update on my Versa which I was grateful for.  They have been long term Fitbit users but now will be looking for a different brand and warning people to stay away from Fitbit.  I will be doing the same once my Versa dies.  I can't support a company that thinks this behavior is ok and treats their customers in this fashion.

[MrPicl]

I’d noticed extremely rapid battery drain, but had thought it might just be the watch aging.

[drchris]

Hello Sylvia,

Are we all missing something?  I clicked the linked you provided for the article on what is changed.  As you can see all it says is in reference to the Ionic is " This release includes bug fixes and improvements."  What are you referring too?.

FITBIT OS 4.1.2 (IONIC, VERSA, AND VERSA LITE EDITION ONLY) 

• (Versa Lite Edition only) This release fixes an issue where some customers may have been unable to update Versa Lite Edition after completing a factory reset. If you factory reset your device and your watch is on version 38.6.1.1, see Why can't I update my Fitbit device?
• This release includes bug fixes and improvements.