Ionic- Fitbit OS 4.2.1 Firmware Update (72.1.9)

[FitbitCommunity]

Update 1/20/2021: The firmware is now released to 100%

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We've started rolling out Fitbit OS 4.2.1 Firmware Update for Ionic. 

We release firmware updates to all customers in phases. The update will be available to everyone soon, and a banner will appear in the app when you can install the update. If you don’t see the banner yet, check the app again later.

*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

Read our help article for the latest updates. 

HOW DO I UPDATE?

Step by step instructions for updating your Ionic device can be found here.

We recommend updating your Ionic over a home Wi-Fi network as this can greatly reduce the time it can take to get set up. For more information on connecting your Ionic to Wi-Fi, check out this article. 

If you run into any trouble updating your Ionic we recommend reviewing these troubleshooting tips. 

[pY893t]

I definitely don't have full faith after this experience but ultimately decided the Sense at a reduced price was a better option than the Apple Watch 6 at full price. I wish the discount was higher as I had also ordered a new watch band for the Ionic the day before the watch died.

I can't imagine that updates bricking devices is good for Fitbit and I would hope this experience shines a bright light on the need for additional QA processes before future software updates are released. 

[Roundylb]

I certainly understand the price consideration. Being retired and on a fixed income, the killing of my Ionic galls me even more. I cannot afford to take another chance on Fitbit and their utter lack of consideration for their customers

Sent from my iPad

[Gpatker81]

Any chance of a replacement????? It's plain to see "your" firmware update has caused havoc with peoples fitbit ionics and us paying customers demand the problem to be rectified asap... Stop passing the buck yojana and sort it !!!!!!!

Moderator Edit: Formatting

[LeaderSmall]

I thank you for your reply to this.  Is there a target date for completion of the rollout?  If there is, I'll just wait and then try to reconnect once it is completed.  Perhaps a pinned announcement on this board.  I'm sure that would greatly help many affected users.

[shipo]

@LeaderSmall, even when the rollout is complete I wouldn't trust this release.  I'm thinking far better to wait for the next release and then see what the feedback is.

[Batters]

So basically you’ve broken my Ionic and I have to buy a new one?

[shipo]

Well, I kind of got trapped into updating my Ionic to 72.1.9; having had COVID-19 last year and dealing with lung related issues since, I decided I wanted to change my clock face to the new(ish) SpO2 Signature face, and given the new face isn't available without the latest Fitbit OS, I had to decide whether to take the risk and upgrade.

I upgraded...

So far so good, the upgrade took about ten minutes; the Ionic seems to be fully back online, and now has the new clock face.  I ran earlier today and am not planning on another run until sometime tomorrow, so I won't know until then if GPS and synching have been impacted by the update; I'll report back tomorrow.

[LeaderSmall]

Thanks Shipo.  I'm kind of encouraged that your Ionic is at least working.  I'm going to try it again this weekend.  I personally intend only to spend a few more hours with it and if not successful, I'm running it over with my car.

[SteveMac]

Can I just say, you can delete the post if you feel necessary, I am STILL waiting for a resolution to my Ionic no longer working since the firmware upgrade!!

[LeaderSmall]

Sounds promising.  If it can do what the Ionic did could be worth a shot.  For now I'll revert back to my Blaze and Charge 3.  Ironically they work perfectly and never skipped a beat.

[SteveMac]

Well I finally got an answer: you can have a discount!!! Is that the stock reply, if you keep on at them? No admissions of guilt on their part! 
GREAT customer service Fitbit 

[JohnH422]

My IONIC is now worthless following the update. Touch screen does not work. Inability to switch between screens. Have used the reset feature and turned the phone off and then on. Very frustrated. This watch has been fantastic, was working perfectly and your update has destroyed it.

[BrianH71]

I fixed mine after 3 weeks of blank screen and much googling, not sure if you have tried already but..I deleted the ionic from the app and the uninstalled the app. When I reconnected the ionic, it was still blank screened, I updated the watch face to one of the new generic fitbit supplied faces (not one with oxygen stats as not a premium customer) the face i choose was the one with green numbers for time on the left and grey stats on the right and it eventually updated, i then tried to change the face to another face but this blanked the screen again, had to go through the whole process again!! But if I keep it on that face it works again!!

[shipo]

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@BrianH71 wrote:

...I updated the watch face to one of the new generic fitbit supplied faces (not one with oxygen stats as not a premium customer)...

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Interesting, I am running the SpO2 watch face and I am not a premium member.

Oh, and congratulations on reviving your Ionic.

One more comment; regarding the reports of shortened battery life since the 72.1.9 firmware update, I have been on the new release for 18 days now and when I compare my recharge interval now to my history prior to the update, there is virtually no change.  Prior to the update, I was able to go roughly 48 hours on a charge, including roughly 3 hours in GPS tracking mode; the same still holds true after the update.

[YojanaFitbit]

Hi everybody, we appreciate your feedback on your heart rate experience since updating your firmware, all of this information has been passed on to our team. @BrianH71 thank you for sharing the steps that worked for you!

Regarding other issues you may be running into, please make sure to follow the troubleshooting steps provided in the links below:

1. When Ionic screen is not responding try: How do I restart my Fitbit device?
2. If you Ionic can't finish the firmware update:  Why can't I update my Fitbit device? 
3. You can also try to reconnect your Ionic with your account: How do I delete my Fitbit account? then Why can't I set up my Fitbit device?

Thank you for all the troubleshooting steps that you've tried with your Ionic. If you're still having issues with your Fitbit @Batters, it's best if you can try to chat with us online or give us a call to keep assisting you with more specific steps. Click here to get connected. Remember to connect from a different device, so you can troubleshoot your phone too in case that you need it.

@JohnH422 Please know that when a Fitbit devices is deemed defective we review eligibility using the one year warranty option. For our full warranty terms and conditions, see our Return Policy and Warranty.

Keep in mind that every case is completely different from the other's. For more information about the outcome of your case, please get in touch with our team again or you can check our warranty policies for a better understanding of the information that they provided to you. 

Thank you for your understanding.

[SteveMac]

How can you say every case is different when it’s the firmware upgrade that has fried most of the ionic? I’m thinking you don’t want people to comment so as to keep it under wraps! So no one knows what’s happening!


Sent from the all new Aol app for iOS

[molly227]

Article tells me nothing  about the update.  The link that is to explain it has been broken since the very beginning !!I really would like more information about how  this update is supposed to be beneficial. Thanks 

[YojanaFitbit]

Nice to see you around, welcome @molly227.

Thank you both for your comments, our team is always gathering feedback to improve services and updates in the future @SteveMac. If you need more help with your Fitbit Ionic, please keep communication open with our team. Since they are in charge to check individual cases to give you a more appropriate answer regarding your case. You can find more details about Fitbit updates here.

Thank you again for your understanding.

[SteveMac]

Yojana I’m not having a go at you, but Fitbit doesn’t care about us, they let a firmware upgrade out which has broken many ionic watches! So they care? No they string you along saying try this try that then eventually if you keep on at them they offer you a percentage of a new product, not an ionic as you can’t but them anymore, makes you think IF the upgrade has actually done its job ??

[YojanaFitbit]

I appreciate your comment @SteveMac. Fitbit is really interested on giving you more choices and features, that's why we keep tracking your comments and feedback about this specific update. I understand where you're coming from but at this point we trust in our support team and the resolution they provide to each one of our users. Please keep in touch with them, so they can provide you with more details about your case.

And thank you for keep sharing your thoughts with us.