Fitbit OS 4.1 - Firmware Release (70.7.14)

[MattFitbit]

Fitbit Update: 12/5

Hi everyone!

We’re excited to announce the release of Fitbit OS 4.1 (Firmware Version: 70.7.14). 

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

The update includes a variety of new features and enhancements, including: 

• Smart wake: Smart wake will gently begin to wake you with subtle vibrations during the optimal part of your sleep cycle (during light or REM) within a 30-minute window prior to your pre-set alarm. This allows you to wake up feeling refreshed. 

• Clock face switcher: You will now be able to store up to five clock faces right on your device and quickly change from one to the other using the new clock face switcher.

• On-wrist Sleep Score: The score will now be available in the on-device dashboard that can be accessed by swiping up from the clock face. You can still see it alongside your sleep data within the Fitbit app after you sync.

• Exercise app improvements: The redesigned Exercise app will now display all 20 workouts in a new streamlined list on your wrist. 

• Battery notification: When your battery is running low, a new feature will automatically disable notification vibrations

• Agenda app: A new Agenda app allows you to see your calendar right on your wrist. 

For more information on the new features included in Fitbit OS 4.1 check out this article. You can also check out our press release. 

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. 

[Colinm39]

@youhippyIt's difficult on any Community forum because most of the posts are issues.. and not many post about their successes. 

I will always post when I have my successes and always feel helpless when I cannot help others.

My Ionic is over 2 years old, gets 5+ days battery life.

When I upgrade Firmware I ensure

• I have synced the current data
• I have gone into the App and setup my home WiFi
• The battery has a fair charge
• The Ionic is connected to the USB port of the computer and charging
• Then activate the up[date through the App.

That routine has never let me down, but in the early days of firmware updates on my other Fitbit's I did have issues but none were "bricked"

[TomDuke]

Updated my 2 year old Ionic last week, all seemed to go well and seamlessly. I shut it down on Sunday since I wasn't planning to use it this week. After reading about others troubles with restarting it I tried this morning and it would not come on. Then I applied the three button times 15 seconds approach and the watch came on. When I shut it down on Sunday it was 100% charged, this morning at 12%. It's on the charger now, we'll see if it takes and holds a charge. Normally lasts about 4 days. Every one of these firmware updates seems to be problematic. Good luck to all.

[Gregc63]

Also, another issue I am seeing.

The Ionic is not syncing any of the weight (it is continually showing my weight as 425lbs, about 220lbs off, and it seems to sync that, but not my actual weight when I enter it on the watch) or water intake data I am entering on the watch to the phone.

It is syncing everything else.

[Gregc63]

@YojanaFitbit 

Also, another issue I am seeing.

The Ionic is not syncing any of the weight (it is continually showing my weight as 425lbs, about 220lbs off, and it seems to sync that, but not my actual weight when I enter it on the watch) or water intake data I am entering on the watch to the phone.

I have restarted the watch and phone multiple time.

It is syncing everything else.

Update: I removed a couple of the clock faces I was having problems with and reinstalled them and now the background swapping feature on the clock face in question is working and the clock face swapping is working well now.

[YojanaFitbit]

Thanks again for getting back to me with your feedback! For more information on the new features included in Fitbit OS 4.1 check out this article. You can also check out our press release. 

@flopski2 Thanks for sharing an overview of your experience with this update. I think that we can use your suggestions here. You can learn more about how Fitbit decides what suggestions get released in our FAQs. @youhippy you can read more information about Best Answer in our FAQs. 

@Colinm39 Great help! Thanks for sharing this information, I'm sure it will help other users.  @SeattleSysop @James.P @afropick3000 I'm glad to see that you're back on track. Your comments are very important for us.

@TomDuke Thanks for trying those steps with your Ionic! Have you tried to clean your Fitbit device? Since you mentioned it is two years old, it might help. Remember to leave your device plugged in to the charging cable for at least 30 minutes and no more than 1-2 hours since it charges really fast. Try to always use a UL-certified USB wall charger, or another low-energy device.

@Gregc63 Excellent, thank you for letting me know that the display on your Ionic is working again after removing a couple of clock faces. It'd be great if you try to use Fitbit clock faces to see if it happens again. Thanks for sharing your feedback about your weight entries, we'll be passing this information to our team.

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. 

I'll be around if you have questions. 

[Navyvoce]

That’s what I had to do to turn back on. It works, but you shouldn’t have to do that to start your watch. It’s clearly a bug in the software. It’s annoying, plus booting your watch like that drains more battery than the intended method of just pressing the left button. 

[JTKRUG]

I need some help. 

Since my watch updated to 68.9.15 it's been steadily down hill. It started with incessant requests to be calibrated. Then began restarting itself intermittently. The restarting process has now precedence and it's restarting about every 2-3 minutes. It is so often that it won't that it won't allow the watch to load the update.

Seriously,

About to go buy an apple watch.  

[SunriseRun435]

I have installed this update and now tracker will not sync with phone.  What a pain.  There is nothing in the update I needed/wanted and now I am left with a wrist decoration which does not even keep correct time!  What to do now?  Get a different make of tracker?  Not happy

[YojanaFitbit]

Hi @Navyvoce and @JTKRUG thanks for sharing the issues with your Ionic. Have you tried to remove your Fitbit from the Fitbit app and from the Bluetooth settings on your phone? Then turn off your phone for a moment and try to set it up again. Please take in count @Colinm39's suggestions:

• Sync the current data first
• Use home WiFi
• The battery has a fair charge
• The Ionic is connected to the USB port of the computer and charging
• Then activate the update through the App.

Let me know if this helps for you.

[JC2475]

Hello,

I'm having issues with the new update (7.7.14) and just dont like the new features. (3 button start up as oppose to previous 1 button)

How do i revert back to the previous firmware?  What is the process to go back to the previous firmware?

Thanks

Joe

[SunsetRunner]

Fitbits have no provision for returning to a previous OS version.

[tmhaines]

I just did this update and it is now telling me that the meditation timer is now a PAID app?!  Is this correct?

[GIAMMA]

After inatalling firmware my Ionic complitely died. I try to use procedure for reset, chance the usb battery connection...nothing happened. What i can do? Thanks in advance for your help

[MuzDownUnder]

I have an issue with this update which I would like addressed. You have changed the exercise colours from yellow to orange. This is now much harder to read in direct sunlight when i am playing tennis and reduces the usability a lot. Can you make the colours user selectable or change them back to yellow.

Also on the page where you select which exercise you want the writing has got really tiny and rather hard to read for us older folks. Am I able to downgrade back to the last version?

Cheers

Murray

[TomDuke]

MUD, unfortunately Fitbit doesn't offer this sort of customization.  Agree, not a fan of the new exercise shortcut screen vs. the old photo images- the new little rectangular tabs with tiny letters are tough to read. I do like the 5 clock face on the watch feature.  Haven't figured out how to get rid of the wallet app, never going to use that.

[James.P]

Hi @GIAMMA have you tried turning your ionic watch by long-pressing all buttons? Seem like they change the way the watch is now turn on

[James.P]

@Me201701 have you tried turning your ionic watch on by long-pressing 3 buttons?

[SunsetRunner]

I completed this update today and now, when I take my tracker off, the green LED for the HR monitor will not turn off. This was never an issue before. 

[Arthurycl]

for those of you who have updated the firmware successfully, please state whether your ionic was an early generation ionic (when it was first released), or was it bought more recently and also what phone you have (iphone or android)?

[GIAMMA]

Tried to but nothing happened.
G.