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. 

[BradMcCormick]

I find it amazing that every time there is an update with Fitbit, people have issues. I thought the idea of updates was to improve operations, not make things more difficult.

I am not installing the new update, just got the bugs from the previous one sorted.

Can't wait for Google to take control and get this company back on track and looking after it's customers

[SunsetRunner]

And I have an android phone

[Duc_tran]

Dear "MattFitbit" !

I updated my Ionic yesterday, and It had problem: my phone (Samsung note 9) can not find it, and fitbit on my phone can not connect to my ionic. I thing firmware have some incorrect I reset to manufacture after  that I can connect to phone, and setup again, but after update finish bitbit lost Bluetooth again. Now, Please help me what do I do?

Thanks you for all

Duc Tran

[YojanaFitbit]

Hi everybody, thank you for sharing your comments about your Fitbit experience after this update. I'll be glad to check each case to give you a hand with your inquires.

As @SunsetRunner mentioned, there is no option to get back to the previous update. In this case, we need to wait for future updates. @JC2475 and @MuzDownUnder thanks for sharing your feedback about the new features. I would like to encourage you to submit your requests as a suggested idea. Members of the Community can comment and vote for it, so it can be implemented in future updates.

Thanks for sharing your input @TomDuke and @James.P!

@tmhaines All apps and clock faces in the Fitbit App Gallery are free to download. However, some other apps and clock faces require a paid subscription service. If a developer requires an activation fee, you may see a message in the app description. You might have to check this information with the developer. What is the name of this specific app?

@GIAMMA Thanks for trying the suggested step by @James.P. I've requested a case on your behalf. You should soon receive an email from Customer Support. They will be glad to check what happened with your Fitbit.

@SunsetRunner Have you tried to restart your Fitbit? Please give it a try and keep me posted. You can also try to turn off your Fitbit, check this article: How do I turn off my Fitbit device?

@Duc_tran Welcome to the Community Forums! Thanks for sharing all those details about your Fitbit Ionic. What model of phone is your Samsung? Please check some useful troubleshooting steps for this issue here: Why won't my Fitbit device sync?

I'll be waiting for your responses. 

[packchick91]

I'm very disappointed that you did not fix the issue with text messaging. Ever since the previous update, I no longer receive notifications on my fitbit that I have a new text message. Please fix this!

[Dcs69]

Hi, since installing the update the synchronising with the app is not very good, it keeps struggling to find the tracker. Therefore also hit and miss on the notifications. I have a oneplus 5t and an ionic. Any suggestions? 

[SunsetRunner]

Your phone is not on the Approved Devices list.

[haakern]

Did the update this evening.  Almost 3 year old Ionic, phone is 4 year old Sony Xperia X running Android 8.0.0.

Initially unable to get the upgrade process to connect to the watch.  Had to remove Ionic from connected Bluetooth devices, and also unpair in Fitbit app.  Then pair and the update went through.  Now the Fitbit app consistently claims “No Device Found” when trying to sync, trying to install secondary watch face etc.

Guess I’ll have to do a restart, so worried that I’ll get the same problem as a lot of others seems to be experiencing - e.g. watch not turning back on.

[SunsetRunner]

Your phone is not on the Approved Devices list either.

[haakern]

That may be so, but it was never a problem the last 2 years 🙂

(And it seems strange that Fitbit will remove support on devices that were current when the watch was bought.  But I guess that’s the way of the world now.. buy-upgrade-throw away-buy new-upgrade-and repeat...)

[haakern]

Quick update; just killed the Fitbit android app and restarted it.  Now it connects with the watch again.  So far so good.

[SunsetRunner]

Very glad to hear that.  Plenty of folks using devices not on Approved list and get most things to work.

[Sealgair]

Mine was purchased just after they hit the market.  It updated OK, but then had problems synching.  So I did a shutdown.  Took a while and a three-button salute to get it to wake up again.

[SunsetRunner]

Hi @packchick91 I noticed that you post in the ios app section so I assume you have an iphone? If so there is a known issue with notifications and ios 13.  Basically Apple changed how notifications are handled to make it a lot more difficult for third parties to receive notifications from ios devices.  This issue does not just affect Fitbit but they are working on it.

[rockn_plumber]

I foolishly updated my 20 month old Ionic yesterday without reading the forum first as I normally do......

Now I have the issue where when I turn it off I have to hold all three buttons for 10 seconds  (like a forced restart) instead of just pressing the left button to turn it back on.

Also....

I turned off my Ionic this morning as I wear my Charge HR to work, when I turned it off it was on 56% battery, tonight when I turned it on it was on 0%.

A big failure all round.

On a side note I notice people saying notifications don't come through on IOS 13 but I haven't had any issues with that yet.

[SunsetRunner]

Nice update. Since the update. I notice that my Ionic is more responsive by touch and overall performance of the ionic is a lot smoother. Before it use to act a bit sluggish. Not anymore. Also thank you for all the new features. Greatly Appreciated. 😄

[GTPune]

I did the update last night and these are my observations:

1. This was by far the fastest and smoothest update I have seen.

2. Functionality of storing and changing watch faces on device is cool and is working fine.

3. Three pull down shortcuts from top of screen and left button shortcut is useful.

4. Not sure what Agenda app does. It just gives me error message to give necessary permissions in app but there are not a whole lot of permissions to be given for Agenda app in Fitbit mobile app.

5. Smart wake up alarm is useful but it seems to have been programmed very aggressively. I set up the alarm for 5:30 and it woke me up at 5. I guess it found me in light sleep mode at 5 and woke me up. I would want it to wait until I am about to slip in deep sleep and wake me up before that. Any light sleep/REM between 5 to 5:30 would have been better than no sleep 🙂

6. I will monitor the notifications and other functions through out the day and report back 

[Duc_tran]

Dear YojanaFitbit !

Thanks you for read my post. My phone is Samsung note 9. It's Bluetooth ok because I can connect to headphone or speaker. My Ionic, I check it on laptop, and sony Xperia ZX, all do not find it. but when I reset manufacture it ok can connect..

Thanks you again !

Duc Tran

[djavabean]

Mine is an early generation and I have an iPhone 11. Upon the first reboot
of the watch after the update it would not turn on, but I pressed two of
the buttons (left and top right I think) and it came back.

[Dcs69]

I agree with you about the agenda app, but after iuninstall it and reinstall it the permissions were there. My biggest gripe with it is that it only ever looks at the Google calendar even if you install a different default app. I use outlook calendar for both my business and personal calendars so it is no use to me.