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. 

[EdwardsWM]

My problem is relatively minor but annoying just the same. I cannot start an exercise with the physical button. I have to tap the start icon. When you're on a bicycle in traffic, it's awkward. A problem like that suggests very little testing, in my opinion.

[youhippy]

@EdwardsWM YES! And with swimming, this is a pain. Have to shower before getting in to the pool and the touch interface is too sensitive while wet.

[EdwardsWM]

@youhippyAh, ok. Yeah, and on a bike, sometimes the touch doesn't respond on the first time. Grrr! BTW, forgot to mention that I was surprised to learn that there was actually a beta release. Wow, hard to imagine how all of these problems got shipped.

[sean12]

I have the same problem now the ionic doesn’t show pace or heart rate.

Sent from my iPhone

[SunriseRun437]

I have had numerous emails with "Montecarlo and the Fitbit Team" over the past weeks since this upgrade rendered my Ionic not even usable as a watch.  The standard response starts "We thank you for prompt response. We apologise for the inconvenience this caused you. This is not the experience we want you to have"  - but there is no assurance that anything is being done about this.  No forecast of when a solution will be available.  So it looks like another make of tracker is the direction I must take.  

[sean12]

Wow that’s a big step. I don’t want to see a company going under and jobs lost I am sure Fitbit can pull it back. I hope.

Sent from my iPhone

[Jonno34]

Well after multiple efforts the device updated (cant get the notificvation off the app).  However just a couple of days later the device is dead, nothing displayed, nothing when I try to charge it.  I had had so many problems with the charge 3 which I had hoped would be clear after paying for an upgrade which was sent wrongly and I had to travel to what is a defacto other country to collect if.

[tonupkid]

@YojanaFitbit    about time we had some answers now, we've waited long enough

[sean12]

Well I contacted the support team via live chat and they have replaced my watch. I was chuffed with the service.

However this update shouldn’t have happened.

Thanks though for sorting out my problems.

Sent from my iPhone

Moderator edit: personal info removed

[JulieRainey]

Yet another run this morning when despite getting to nearly 2 miles with no problem, the (manual) tracker cut out for no reason, picking up almost a mile later on auto but again, not tracking the remaining distance. Minutes and calorie tracking also lost for the run. Display also barely visible in daylight. Impossible to use the watch for training and monitoring progress.

This is absolutely ridiculous - the Ionic is not a cheap bit of kit and it's now not fulfilling even the basic advertised functionality. We have NO updates on when a resolution is likely - and not even an explanation of what has gone wrong. Fitbit - please could you respond with current plans for resolving this problem which is clearly affecting a large number of your customers with some concrete information? 

[sean12]

I went on to live chat and they sorted me out.

Sent from my iPhone

[sen7ient]

The good news is that I think I have sorted it out.

I noticed that after the update, all bluetooth comms disappeared from the Ionic; when i scanned from my phone, it didnt appear at all.

So the steps I took were;

1. Unlinked Ionic from fitbit app (and any others you might have).

2. Uninstalled fitbit app

3. Restarted phone

4. Re-install fitbit app

5. Factory reset Ionic

6. Add/Link Ionic to fitbit app

After this, it all appears to be working ok.

This should not be necessary to do for a simple firmware update.

[carlfxy]

I was having a terrible time getting my ionic to sync until I discovered this process. I also found out that I lose sync whenever I let the battery run out and have to repeat this process. So keep the battery charged up, don't let it die! 

[EdwardsWM]

@sen7ient  That procedure looks pretty much like what I had to do to get my Ionic running again. My problem did not occur after an update, per se. I left the watch on the charger for a few days while I was out of town and, when I returned, the watch was dead. The Fitbit logo just flashed and the watch was unresponsive

I resorted to a factory reset, and to do that, I had to try multiple times to finally get it to respond. Finally, after many attempts, it reset (even though it said that it could not delete existing data, which was fine and actually good).

I had a Surge before this Ionic, and both occasionally have gotten into some weird state that takes me close to an hour to resolve. I usually have to resort to the steps you listed. Very annoying!

[miyabhai101]

Can you share more information about the same

[YojanaFitbit]

Hi everybody thanks for getting back to us. Thank you for sharing your comments, thoughts and troubleshooting suggestions.  

Sorry about this inconvenience, there is no option to get back to the previous firmware version. At this moment we don't have more information about a future update but we really appreciate the feedback that you're providing. 

If you already have a case open for the issues that you're having with your Ionic, please keep communication open with them. Our team will be checking the best option in your case.

I'l be around in case that you need me to request a new case for you.

[Stingrey]

OK so installed this firmware update a month ago and herewith my experience.  Bit of a roller coaster, my long running bluetooth pairing issue was solved with the previous update and returned once this was loaded. Not able to sync with my phone and PC so would only work independently. Rebooted phone and watch and OK for a day then failed again.

Also noticed that battery life went from 4/5 days to 27hrs!

After a week of this I forgot to charge it one night and it died completely. 

Gave it a full charge and now working perfectly, the only issue being one watch face which I deleted on my phone but is still on the watch with "no licence" displayed, believe me after this amount of time I can live with that.

After 2 years I finally have a Fitbit that works as intended, music tracks loaded, pairs with my headphones every time, texts, emails, and Whats App messages sync. Everything works.

My one question why, at a cost of £240, did it take this long to sort?

Where was the initial product testing? Who decided to release this on to the market 2 months before Christmas 2017 when it had inherently unstable software.

I am happy I persevered but would think twice before replacing it with another Fitbit.

[sandem916]

I attempted to run the update on Monday 1/13/2020 for my ionic and my ionic screen went black and my watch completely stopped working. My ionic was working fine prior to this update, I had just under 50% battery life and had it plugged in at the time I attempted to run the update. I have not been able to get my ionic to turn on since. I have been in touch with fitbit service for 2 day now and they have come to the conclusion that none of the trouble shooting is working a new one would need to be purchased.

It may be a VERY big coincidence that my watch completely stopped working for some reason during the middle of a fitbit update , but that does not seem likely at all. I intentionally waited to update my fitbit in hopes that all of the bugs would have been worked out by now. The last thing I expected was that it would completely damage my watch to the point where it won't turn on and I need to purchase a new one because I am past the 1 year warranty. 

It looks like most people have been able to run the update with little trouble, however, I have researched and also saw that I am not the only one that this has happened to. So, it sounds like it might be one of the rarer cases, but proceed with caution that this might happen to you as well.  

[Tony1985]

Sander how did you pay for your Fitbit and which country are you from? Anything over £100 here in the UK is expected to "last a reasonable amount of time" which is 6 years, you would be entitled to make a claim under section 75 on your credit card or if it was another payment method you are eligible for sales of goods act which would also cover you for having it repaired or being refunded for each year it failed to work. 1 year out of 6 you can expect over 80% of your money back. Just a thought 

[Stingrey]

My experience with Fitbit has been one of pure frustration since the
purchase. Always two steps forward and one back when it comes to upgrades.
Fortunately I have not suffered a complete failure to my upgrade attempts
and have always managed to salvage operation after hours of scrutinizing
the forums, resetting, rebooting and not a little cursing!
Even tonight after writing my review I attempted to add an extra clock face
and it locked up. Now sorted but another 30 mins out of my life.
I wish you well and hope you get some joy out of Fitbit. Good luck!