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. 🤖

[Arnaldor]

What to do if the watch is dead? Is Fitbit coming out with a fix?

Moderator edit: personal info removed

[PaulMe]

Hi Staffeeon,

Are you running an Android phone? 

I had sync issues and had to Force Stop the app. See my post a bit further back.

Mine has been fine the last couple of days. Although wifi doesn't stay connected - or reconnect when I'm back in range of my modem. Perhaps this is by design? Although I'm not aware of any documentation to support this theory. Important stuff to know actually! Bluetooth seems to *mostly* stay connected.

This early in my ownership of the Ionic - only a few weeks - syncing *seems* more stable than it was on the Versa I had before. So a plus I guess?

Except no email and Calendar notifications I keep banging on about!

Other things to try/do is remove (forget) the Ionic in Bluetooth devices. On the Ionic got to setting>Bluetooth and under Restore Music Controls change this to Pair. Go back into your phone and select pair new device. Once paired make sure on the Ionic that Restore Music Controls has changed to On. Should happen automatically. But I'm not going to try - If you know what I mean.

Lol.

This should probably be called Restore Bluetooth and Music Controls. It's misleading as it's currently named. Took me ages to work out where Bluetooth was once you entered the Bluetooth menu from Settings>Bluetooth, as I don't store audio on the Ionic, so didn't need to go into music controls! I simply stream from my phone to TWS earbuds.

Also setup Wifi from within the Fitbit app again and make sure it's connected. But I believe syncing is via Bluetooth and not Wifi? I make sure wifi is connected before a FW update. I'm not sure if any FW update is done via Bluetooth only or Wifi, or has the ability to fail over to the other connection as necessary. I've never read anything definitively on this - so best to enable both if in doubt. Another bit of rather important documentation that isn't obvious to owners or is simply NOT documented clearly enough? This type of information should appear on (the app) screen in flashing lights before an update is run. Perhaps having to click Ok to proceed to the update stage?

Moderator Edit: Formatting

[Aklaq]

Just adding to the endless list of user issues with fitbit devices going black screen - we have been avid fitbit users with a total of 8 currently in the household for many years.  Unfortunately, over the last couple of months three have died... just out of warranty 😞

The latest is my wife's Ionic and my daughters Versa...after spending countless hours of research, trying every reset, reinstall, etc. and the screen continues to be black, not syncing nor charging.  I have opened cases with support and just like many of you offered the standard 25% because they are just out of warranty. You would think after years of loyalty and numerous devices, a company would do more than offer a mere 25% to their client.  Like many of you that I have read, I am seriously considering a competitor...you can be sure I will now spend countless hours researching which company and device is not only reliable to function but also have a company reliable to their customers and therefore the companies continued success.

[Xilibrius]

My mom just gave sent me her old fitbit Ionic and i've been struggling with it on the app side since i got it. It wouldn't register in the android app my bluetooth connection during the setup process, so I had to set it up through the windows 10 app which worked. However now i'm attempting to add a watch face i purchased and its saying I don't have the latest firmware, I then realized that no matter which app I connect to (android or windows 10) it's not updating my fitbit past it's current 33.1.30 . I wish there was just a manual update button instead of this "make sure you have all day sync on" and it "should" push out a firmware when available but that clearly isn't the case. I'd appreciate help if any is available. i've done all the googling I can even tried forcing dongle mode in windows 10 which the app claims no dongle is detected but will then sync with it over the dongle and i'm at a loss for words.

[Ssl214]

I already contacted the support team and I’m not satisfied with the options they gave me. Again I disagree with Fitbit as this is a software issue and therefore the fact that I’m out of warranty shouldn’t be an issue. I will never buy another Fitbit product and will continue to let the Fitbit community know and post in social media that your product is not desirable and nobody should buy nor trust your product. Unless Fitbit is willing to replace my Ionic watch, I will it waste any more of my time with Fitbit support

Steve Lee

Moderator Edit: Formatting

[PaulMe]

Hi Xilibrius,

Bluetooth can be problematic. Have you tried my suggestions a few posts back. You really need your Ionic connected to your phone so it regularly syncs, rather than syncing it when you're in front of your PC. I had a syncing issue fixed by Force Stopping the Fitbit app. Also in an earlier post.

Setup wifi as well. 

My ionic only received a prompt for the latest FW a few days ago. It may not have been pushed to your area yet?

[Xilibrius]

I've had it synced to my phone and as far as I know Wi-Fi setup my issue is
that I have to rely on some arbitrary method for it to update when I setup
my Fitbit yesterday it should have automatically updated to the latest
firmware instead of 33.1.30 it makes no sense and is super frustrating that
there isn't even a reliable way to have your device check for updates.
Terrible firmware/software decisions.

[DaveChisnall]

Since this latest update.  My sleep log and steps per hour have gone all over the place without registering them on the app.  No messages are coming through either.  Please sort this out.  Dave. 

[SunsetRunner]

Matt,

  After completing this update (70.8.0) my Ionic’s battery life has gone from 3 days to 0.6. Is there a plan to fix this issue in the next month or so?  Are there any settings I should be checking now? (My watch is already on a manual sync). Any suggestions/info would be greatly appreciated.  

[PaulMe]

Hi LColby,

Failing the mods or someone else more experienced piping up with a useful suggestion - two things I would try.

1. Reboot the Ionic and check battery usage. You've probably already done this.

2. Factory reset the Ionic and reconnect to your phone. I can understand if you're a bit gun shy in doing a reset though. A few other users have mentioned increased battery usage after the update.

I guess I'm one of the lucky ones, mine has been fine as far as battery usage goes.

But syncing died at 1025.11 hours ago. I've just got it back. Deleted the Ionic from my phones Bluetooth. Rebooted the Ionic. Had to reboot the Ionic otherwise phone would not see the Ionic. Went into Bluetooth/Restore Music Settings in the Ionic and changed the setting to Pair. Went back into the Phone and into Bluetooth/Pair new device.  Now syncing - but for how long before I have to do it all again?

I just want this thing to work... and keep working. I'm a bit over mucking around all the time.

Bluetooth isn't very stable at all!!

[DaveChisnall]

Thanks. Kind regards  Dave

Moderator edit: personal info removed

[Staffeeon]

Hi ive tried this and it doesnt work. It wont sync with my phone.

[eaveyk]

Since the recent updates and just before my Ionic has gone a bit crazy. It currently wont turn on and is fully charged. It sync'd yesterday but I can only occsionlly see a backlight. Please help. My Ionic is well used and well loved.

[Damons]

@YojanaFitbit 

Thank you Fitbit for all the support you have kept me as a user/customer. I have enjoyed my Ionic for several years and am looking forward to several more. 

[DaveChisnall]

Had Fitbit since day one. Upgraded to the Adidas ionic last year. Kind regards Dave

Moderator edit: personal info removed

[Craiger00]

Well between my wife and I we have bought about 12 devices in 6 years. If we could all be as lucky as you 'Dave'. 

[DaveChisnall]

I’ve bought quite a few over the years for family members. Kind regards, Dave

Moderator edit: personal info removed

[badass76ta]

just got an ionic yesterday an oh man. after reading this im scared. im still on the old update 27.33.1.30.  funny thing is the fitbit app on mobile and pc is almost pointless because it just gives me the the spinning circle of death if i try to download an app or try to change my watch face. sucks 

Moderator Edit: Formatting and word choice

[KevinR1970]

Googling around for solutions to my Ionic having issues, only to find this thread... oy...
Windows 10 PC, open Bluetooth add device, find Ionic and connect.
Open Fitbit app, Setup new device, enter four numbers on the Ionic screen, Ionic changes from setup screen with logo and text block scrolling through different languages to an 'in proccess(?)' screen of flashing(?) logo and battery bar (full and plugged in), fitbit app errors out (An issue while pairing your tracker).
I have tried everything the error message suggested numerous times, have factory reset my device, still nothing. Restarted computer, deleted and re-added Ionic to Bluetooth, multiple times, nothing.
I left it for maybe two hours, and it was sitting there lit up on in process screen.
Deleted and re-downloaded Fitbit app.
My Ionic seems to get stuck on the flashing in process screen, I have to manually restart it (left and lower right buttons). After that I get the setup screen, but can not access anything else like the Ionic settings?
Any suggestions?

[KevinR1970]

PS; some history...
Fitbit was bought new in June or July 2018.
Had it synced to my Android tablet, but it would only sync occasionally, had to re-download the app every other or third time to get it to sync.
Deleted app, and downloaded app(?) to my pre-Windows 10 PC and could never get it to sync there.
Looking at my profile yesterday my last sync was Sept 2019, and last update was June or July 2019, but these maybe backwards.
I had not worn my Fitbit since March 25th (the day they canceled our HS sports season), and when I plugged in my Ionic to charge yesterday, the date was March 25th, time was off by 4 hours, or 16 hours, don't remember.
Started my tablet to make sure it wasn't paired, app isn't even on the tablet anymore.
Just tried again a few times and once I enter the four numbers, it gets hung up and errors.?