Fitbit OS 4.1.3 Firmware Update (70.80.0)

[MattFitbit]

Hello Ionic family!

We’re excited to announce the release of Fitbit OS 4.1.3.

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. 🤖

[Chereda]

I did not hear from anyone by email so here are the steps I followed to reset the watch after it would not reset.  Unfortunately support did not provide complete instructions which left me without a solution the past 3 days: 

Step 1....turn off the blue tooth on your phone

Step 2....go into your Fit bit app and unpair your phone and your device....usually I just hit the button for add a new device and it asks me if I wish to replace my existing fitbit and I answer yes.  

Step 3.....phone then asks if it can turn blue tooth on to which you answer yes

Step 4.....it then searches for your device and you get once it finds it it asks you for the 4 digit code that is now displayed on Fit Bit screen

Step 5...... allow the system to reconnect with your Fit Bit device.

It is currently reinstalling.  

[YojanaFitbit]

@Chereda @ghate56 and @SunsetRunner thank you for sharing this information, please keep communication open with our team. They will be getting in touch with you. About Fitbit warranty, you can read more details about it here. 

@Mcpro7 thank you for all the steps that you've tried to fix this. I've requested a case on your behalf, our team will be getting in touch with you as soon as possible. We really appreciate your patience.

@Hans2vt sorry to hear that you're having issues with GPS when tracking your activities. Have you tried the suggested steps here: Why isn't GPS working on my Fitbit device?

I'll be around in case that you have more questions.

[SunsetRunner]

I have tried all of these things and contacted customer service. They suggested a battery life test and provided a case number.  The battery life test will fail - but that only started after this last update. I tried a factory reset but am forced to upgrade the software to the current version when I relink the Ionic.  My Ionic would be fine if I could do a factory reset without the forced upgrade.  Please make this possible. 

[Staffeeon]

I tried this nothing working

[Hans2vt]

The GPS help article is not helpful to me, I have used my ionic to track activities extensively. I read it nevertheless and confirm none of that was the issue. The the track was fine first 2 hours but last 30 minutes it lost connection over and over. I was in the same general area the whole time in the woods. I still have 56% battery today and this activity was tracked yesterday so better is not the problem.

This issue has happened 2x since the update I did last week and has never EVER happened before with my Ionic. When I happened the first time I thought nothing of it. 2 time in a week it’s not good . I track GPS activity usually 5 times a week so I’m a frequent user of this feature.

-Hans

[Hebrews12-1]

I too have noticed an increase in GPS issues since this update.  It used to be I only saw GPS issues on runs > 6 miles but now I am routinely seeing GPS issues on runs of 3 miles.  I can't seem to complete any run without the GPS dropping out.

[Staffeeon]

Can an update be removed and go back to version before the  new version  

[Lobomute]

After the last update, my ionic appeared to be bricked. Nothing on screen, no blinking green lights on back, nothing. Here’s how I resolved it:

1) Charge Fitbit overnight. Note: I received no feedback to let me know it was charging... it seemed dead, but did this anyway.

2) the next morning, I held down the left button and the bottom right button at the same time until I saw the Fitbit logo. I don’t remember how long I held them down, I just held them for a while and eventually the device rebooted.

Ionic worked fine after that and had 100% battery upon reboot, so it was in fact charging despite lack of feedback.

Cheers,

Matt

[Hans2vt]

Can moderators confirm if dev team will be looking into GPS issues Now that 2 of us have reported. Then provide an update on what they find? I also submitted that issue via Twitter which seems to be your support channel.

-Hans

[miaconis]

I was able to upgrade just fine to version 70.80.0 and did not have the problems that others have expressed in their replies.  The previous update to 70.7.27 went smoothly as well.  I hope I am not adding a duplicate problem to the replies as I did not have time to read all 251.  Before my updates my Ionic would last an entire week on a single charge, never going below 15%.  After updating to 70.7.27 I discovered that I had to charge my Ionic at least every 5 days.  With the latest update it appears that I am going to have to charge it even more frequently, as the battery low emails are coming sooner.  I don't understand why that should happen.  Does anyone know of a way to get more battery life?  I barely look at the display most of the day.  I usually only check it a few times in the morning during exercises and maybe a couple of times at night.  I have only two alarms set, one for Wednesday and One for Saturday.  I have removed most of the available apps since all I ever use is the fitness info (steps, distance, etc.) and the sleep tracking.  Does anyone have any ideas?

[Staffeeon]

I tried a factory reset my ionic adadis wont even switch on now 

[Staffeeon]

My fitbit has crashed wont even switch on now

[YojanaFitbit]

@SunsetRunner thank you for trying the suggested steps. I've requested a case on your behalf, our team will be checking this issue with you. They have special tools to check this type of information.

@Staffeeon thanks for reporting the issues with your Ionic. I appreciate all the time you've spent to fix this. There is no option to remove latest update, thank you for your feedback. You can share this type of suggestions here. I noticed that you've already requested a case for this issue. Our team will be contacting you shortly. Thank you for your patience during this difficult time.

@Lobomute thank you for sharing your Fitbit experience. I really appreciate comment, this information might help other users having similar issues with Ionic.

@Hans2vt and @Hebrews_12_1 thank you for getting back with us.  @Hans2vt Sorry to hear that this help article didn't help with the GPS issues that  you're having.  Please can you both try to restart your Ionic and confirm if you keep having this issue while recording your exercise. Have you tried other type of exercise? Can you please share a picture of the map after you sync your Fitbit? Confirm what model of phone you're using to sync too.

@miaconis thank you for sharing your feedback about previous updates. You have done an excellent job trying the suggestion to improve battery usage. Did you tried these steps to help your battery?

Keep me posted.

[Atkinsound]

I did the firmware update and today I noticed my ionic stopped syncing with my phone 2 days ago and my battery went from 42% to 0% in a matter of an hour.  Now it’s been charging for 5 hours and all I get is the battery icon with 0%, wont take a charge and won’t restart/reset.  Is this the end of my ionic???

[Hans2vt]

I have an iPhone 8 iOS 13.4.1

the problem activity
https://www.fitbit.com/activities/exercise/31597596455

and a screen shot of that with straight lines on the top sections of this
image are where the GPS dropped. the trails really wind around there and
it missed probably a mile or more of the track.
[image: image.png]

I sync to Strava... see here. You will see the trails that the straight
lines on the top of this track SHOULD have been following... those are
white dotted lines. camp fire and Joes are the trail names.
https://www.strava.com/activities/3543808609
[image: image.png]

I restarted my watch and I'll report back if it happens again.

[Hebrews12-1]

GPS stops just after mile 2

The start and stop were close to each other near Finley Pkwy.  You can see the GPS stoped just after mile 2 as it quickly jumps to 3.11 miles within a block.  I have many other examples if you would like to see more.

I'll try restarting the watch before my run tomorrow morning.

[dyzzle]

Nothing but issues. I am amazed that this $200 watch is so pathetic:

1. Updating took 2 days! I sat the watch on top of the phone while both devices charged and the Fitbit app searched for the tracker. It finally found the tracker today, I calibrated, then the app wanted to start the process all over again!  For 2 days it could not find the freaking tracker! How does that work? It synced yet could not find the tracker to update over bluetooth nor wifi. Sheesh!
2. I finally get the update and proceed to go for my evening run.  Less than 100 strides into my evening run, the music is choppy on my brand new Plantronic headphones.  Surely this update fixed the choppy music???  I switched the tracker over to my right arm, and boom, non-stop, smooth playing music. Really!?
3. Less than a quarter mile into my run, the "Connected" GPS is now "Searching...!"  I finished my run and finally got the flaky watch to sync with the phone. Well, the joke was on me as no workout recorded!  I have Strava connected and it is blank for today ... thanks a lot Fitbit.  Is the Exercise in Fitbit not recorded because the expensive watch lost the GPS connection on a perfect, 75 degree, 3 puffy clouds in the sky day? Seriously??
4. This thing was a gift and I will be sure to notify people in the future to never give me another product from Fitbit.  I anxiously await the updates thinking this update will fix all the issues ... Nope! Same every time, bug fixes and performance enhancements. Yeah right!

Moderator Edit: Formatting

[miaconis]

I tried to see the steps in your link but the help file is not found.  I get Page Not Found: /articles/en_US/Help_article/119

[Piste]

I am sorry, did you read what I had written?  I stated that I had done all of those things that you suggested in your response.  In other words, you didn't read what I had said about re-setting the watch etc.  Therefore, I can only conclude that our voice is not being heard and that you are providing platitudes instead of solutions!

This is such poor customer service.  The issue is that the firmware release is faulty and has induced errors and faults into my Fitbit Ionic sleep tracking system: one which my medical providers are currently relying on to assist me manage my PTSD and sleep. My wife purchased the Ionic to help me manage my condition. Do I have to remind you that it is the most expensive one?

Respectfully, please don't give us the scripted answer!  Fix the problem.

Thank you.

[Jgordon1]

They rolled this out quick cause the last one was bricking ionics and they don't want to take responsibility. So they quick fixed it so they can limit the number of us who got bricked and completely useless ionics now. This way their statement that there is no issue with the last firmware can be covered by this update.