Fitbit OS 4.2.2 - Ionic Firmware Release (72.1.15)

[FitbitCommunity]

We’re excited to announce that a firmware update for Ionic will be available soon!  Some of you may already have this update available - if you installed it, let us know what you think!

If you don’t see the update yet, that’s expected. Check the Fitbit app in a few days, and you’ll see a message when you can install the update. We expect everyone to receive the update in the coming weeks. We appreciate your patience while we get this update to all of our customers. 

Did you know that we gradually release our updates? We do this to make sure everything is working just right for you. Sometimes we find an issue and it might take a little longer than expected for everyone to get the update. While you might see suggestions on how to “force” an update, we ask that you don’t try any of these workarounds. Most of the time the update won’t be available and you can lose data or encounter other difficulties. The best way to get the update is to be patient and wait for the update banner to appear in the Fitbit app. 

WHAT’S NEW AND FIXED

You can find release notes here.  New Ionic version is 27.72.1.15. 

HOW DO I UPDATE?

You can find step-by-step instructions for updating your Ionic here.

If you run into difficulty please review these troubleshooting tips. 

We’re interested in hearing your feedback on this update! Let us know what you like! If you encounter unexpected behavior during or after your update, please post the details below.

[lcse]

After the pitiful response from Fitbit on this issue, I decided to vote with my feet. Am now the proud owner of a new Garmin!

[brownrice]

Wow...most funniest and frustrating part..most of us are facing same problems. Although I didn't mentioned my battery problem here but I saw people are facing same issue what I am facing

with battery along with other issues. My battery all the sudden start dying from 5 days to 4 few day back to 24hr and now it's not even charging. Yes it's dead. On the top they are offering me 35% discount 🤬.

Why they think after I will fall in there trap after same thing happened to my 2 fitbit devices and never claimed for any replacement during warranty period. They don't deserve good customers....hasta la vista fitbit

I will suggest everyone should give review on there fitbit app and ask people to claim there replacement device before there year warranty expires.

I will suggest huawei watch gt 2 and huawei watch gt 2 pro. Seems like battery life is awesome.

[JohnB44]

I think you’re right - suspect we’re all beta testing !

Fitbit flatly refuse to accept liability for quality of their own firmware and only offer a small discount on a new device if out of warranty - great way of selling new product - NOT ! 
I and my wife have been Fitbit users for years but not any more !

EXACTLY !

Moderator edit: merged reply

[jjump]

Count me among those having issues after the firmware update.  My touch screen is no longer responsive at all so can't switch screens, etc. 

Have tried everything possible with no luck. 

We should certainly be able to rollback this update to restore our devices.  

Fitbit are you listening??

[catkinso]

No they are not, clearly

Sent from my iPhone

[Roche1234]

This update has broken my Fitbit Ionic. At first, the update didn't want to work. It'd get passed half way and lose connection and drop off. I tried with WiFi and Bluetooth and nothing. I restarted the Fitbit, my phone, the app, etc and nothing. Stopped trying after a few days and it randomly worked a few days later. I wish it hadn't. The Fitbit Ionic's left button (or back button) stopped working entirely after this along with the watch no longer counting steps, heart rate, etc. I tried everything from restarting the Fitbit to calling customer service who was less than helpful and nothing has worked. Customer Service made it seem like the back button no longer works on Ionic which is not true if I can restart the Fitbit using the left button and bottom right button. The hardware works, but the software has made this Ionic useless. Customer Service solution was to throw me a B.S. discount for a new device. I don't want a new device, I want the one I already paid good money for to work. Why would I want to buy another Fitbit if this is how they force you to upgrade?

[Boo9000000]

Yeah, I got less than 2 years for a product that I paid $299.99. Offering me a discount on a new Fitbit device seems like a firmware update meant to go wrong to brick this device and gain replacement revenue.

Now that The Apple Watch has a native sleep tracker and a single lead EKG it’s time to switch later next month when the new Apple Watch is released.

I do not have the time or money to blow on a device that seems to have had planned obsolescence from the original product release. $300 for two years and then a firmware release that so many Ionic users are experiencing serious usability issues with the offer of a discount on another of their products? Come on Fitbit (Google)!

I know that this post will be removed because Fitbit (Google) does not want anybody criticizing or stating the obvious.

Adios #itbit!

[SilviaFitbit]

Hi everyone, 

Thank you for sharing your experience updating Fitbit Ionic. Your feedback and comments are appreciated, we're always striving to improve our services offered. Be sure that features are implemented and improved based in user's feedback. 

If you have followed this procedure to update your watch but ran into difficulties, follow the troubleshooting on this article Why can't I update my Fitbit device? 

If you're experiencing battery draining, check out this article for tips on how to extend your Ionic's battery life. 

If the troubleshooting mentioned above has been performed and your Ionic isn't working as expected, get in touch with our Support team, they'll continue assisting you. 

Hope this helps. See you around. 

[SunsetRunner]

Thanks. This didn’t work the five times that I tried it. No one ever responded to my chat request for assistance. Thanks for sending but I have moved on to another brand as of this week. I’m thankful for the good years with FitBit.

[-Angeliclee]

@SilviaFitbit   --  why on earth would I read an article about battery draining when the Fitbit-issued-updated has caused these issues.  There is nothing wrong with the battery.  There is nothing wrong with the device - it worked perfectly fine prior to the update.  These chronically insincere responses from the moderators here are offensive and demeaning to the customers.  We are not that naïve or unintelligent.   All of the Ionic users here are saying the exact same thing - the update crashed the device.  Fix the update and re-issue it.

Moderator Edit: Formatting

[JoeBar62]

The update also crashed my ionic. Please fix it. Thx.

[SilviaFitbit]

@SunsetRunner and @-AngelicleeThank you for getting back. 

@JoeBar62 Welcome to the Fitbit Community. 

I appreciate the details mentioned. Your feedback and comments are appreciated. In this case, it's recommended to get in touch with our Support team, they'll continue assisting you and provide the options available. Keep in mind that you can get contact them through chat or calls. 

Hope this helps. 

[StuartHaslam]

Hi all,

I am having massive issues with the heart rate since this update. It is reading well over 100bpm constantly or is not even reading a heart rate. Since the update, my resting heart rate has gone from 61bpm to 100bpm. 

I have restarted the watch but it is still the same. Anyone had the same issue? 

Regards,

Stu

[JoeBar62]

Your Support offer me a bonus of 35% to buy a new Fitbit watch 😂. I love this kind of support 🤣. No technical solution till yet.

[caravw]

DO NOT UPDATE! Since updating my phone 10 days ago, my fitbit has not synced and the battery has to be charged twice a day. I spoke with online chat trying to resolve the issue and things only worsened. My ionic is now unusable. They did send a discount on a new purchase but so frustrated I'm not sure I want a new Fitbit. So sad since I really liked the Ionic.

[StuartHaslam]

 

 

Update from me....

3 support chats...some assistants utterly helpless and rude. Restarts, resets, re-pairs etc etc and same issue. As I am Sat typing this, my heart rate is showing as 102bpm when it is really 68bpm. When I was with support it was saying 126bpm. screenshots below show pre update and post update:

 

[caravw]

At least yours is doing something. Mine can't get past the Fitbit logo on
restart.

[gharris9999]

Seeing the exact same symptoms with my Ionic.

[Henkt]

Sensor issue:  Support helped me. After the factory reset + update the sensor was working again. It measure heartbeat and was counting steps. At factory restart, it asked for calibrating the sensor, but this gave an error, also by repeating, it gave an error again. Then it stopped asking for calibration. At day two, the sensor started malfunctioning, at day three it did not function anymore.

Battery charge issue: in the nighttime while sleeping the clockface shows everytime light, while I was not pushing the button, which is set in the settings. While I am doing my workout at the crosstrainer, I feel the watch vibrate, once, two times and three times. In the watch screen there is nothing to be seen. I guess the clockface and the vibrating are costing a lot of battery energy.

I’m done with the watch, so I do not ask for further actions, it costs me a lot of time and energy. I will wait untilled Fitbit has an update in which all the problems with are solved. Untill then, I’ll use my old Amazefit watch.

[LupusGoddess]

I have had nothing but issues since the update. From day one of the update I contacted them.  Yesterday was the last straw. They are sending me another ionic.  They said 2-3% of the ionics had issues with the update.  If this doesn’t work I will be looking into an Apple Watch. I don’t want to. I love my fitbit and fitbit family.  With my fitbit I have lost over 100lbs but enough is enough