Ionic- Fitbit OS 4.2 Firmware Update (71.6.19)

[KateFitbit]

Update 9/3/2020: This update should now be available to all customers. If you have any difficulty updating, make sure you are following the directions in this article, and then provide as many specific details as possible in your post so that we can assist.

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We've started rolling out Fitbit OS 4.2 Firmware Update (71.6.19) 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

Release notes can be found here.

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 I recommend reviewing these troubleshooting tips. 

[Paul46123]

Thank you for the assist.  Just finished working with an agent online and replacement on the way.  Satisfied customer!

[Eagle1]

Is the update still being pushed out?  I have not yet seen any indication on my app or device that it's even available for me.  Usually I get the notifications within a week or so of the update being pushed.

[abs_olute]

Thanks Yojana

I have ended up going for a replacement as the money off voucher won't work on the new sense.

Let's hope the replacement works as I notice others have had issues.

My watch is now slowly dying 😔. Touch screen doesn't respond anymore. Nor does the auto motion. Steps or heart rate doesn't count. The quick settings constantly vibrate. Screen brightness is slowly deteriorating and the time is losing up to 10-15 minutes per day if I do not have constant sync on.

Guess I'll lose about a weeks worth of data but if it means I get a working watch then I'll have to accept that.

If the replacement doesn't work... I expect a new sense tbh! 😉

[YojanaFitbit]

@Paul46123 @abs_olute thank you for your comments. 

@Eagle1 If you're having issues updating your Ionic, please check these steps: Why can't I update my Fitbit device?

I'll be around.

[robbijay]

Im glad Fitbit are taking this so seriously and speedily working on either a resolution or a firmware rollback.

its not like it been over a week since my support ticket was updated....

[Snorre]

I have the exact same issue.. and more issues keep piling up. Double registering workouts , not refistrering fitbit coach workouts. Contacted fitbit many times with screenshots and pictures and still not resolved,, beeen months..

[Beachbum2D]

17 days after firmware release and still no option to update on my Ionic.

Any idea how long is a reasonable wait ?

I usually get the updates within the first week of release, so wondering if something has gone wrong ?

My current version is 27.70.7.27, so pretty sure this one applies to me.

Thanks

[Beachbum2D]

Problem with that approach, is that I cannot update to this version, when the next version is released. The only option is to update to the most current, so N -1 is never possible.

[SunsetRunner]

Hi

i have exactly the same issue, i was on the latest update and then last night it stopped working at 5am.  I had no power, charged it partially up to about 30% to go for a swim but it stopped working within minutes of walking to pool.

Charged it to 100% and no have no BPM, or steps being tracked.

So i did a restart, no luck. 

Then i tried a factory reset and still no luck, it's dead.  Now on 27.70.8.0.

This is only 16 months old so i'm really frustrated at why this should suddenly die

Can anyone help?

Kind regards

Andy

[Dinzarelli]

So it seems if you want your ionic to stop working, update the firmware. 

My ionic is stopped tracking steps, sleep and heart rate, and as of right now, it’s not even charging. 

yet sadly, my 2nd ionic is out of warranty and Fitbit won’t replace it, but they will offer me a discount on another one... 3rd tome lucky, or 3 times the fool?

[Beachbum2D]

@robbijayProblem is, N-1 and N-2 all had issues, hence why I am now at N-2, I think. The number of times a new firmware update bricks Fotbit devices is beyond belief, but in the end you have to take at least one of them every now and then

I have now has an Ionic, just over 3yrs maybe, in that time the first one stopped holding a charge after a firmware uodate, but was thankfully still inder warranty in the UK, as we get 2yrs. My 2nd device is just over a year old now.

In all that time, I cannot think of a single firmware update, that has not caused issues, the best you can hope for is one that does not effect too many devices and yours is good. It really is random and no rhym or reason as to which devices get impacted and those that do not

Fitbits approach to out of warranty firmware issues is inexcusable for the most part, with the best people seem to get, being a 30% discount of a replacement device. For what is an issue caused by Fitbit !!!

[Dinzarelli]

I’m in the UK but only got a 1 year warranty? How did you get 2?

[robbijay]

Yeah @Beachbum2D @I completely agree. I guess for those of us that are now running ‘limited functionality’ the NEXT update might fix it. Either way they’ve lost my custom and if they continue they’ll lose everyone else’s too.

[Schedler]

this update messed up all my device...now the heart sensor is not work anymore and the support center said that my only option is buy a new one with 35% of discount...Really???

Moderator Edit: Formatting and word choice

[sarnott153]

I am having the exact same problem!

Scott A.

Moderator Edit: Personal info removed

[Schedler]

you and 90% of people who bought this device..and the fitbit company doesn't care about who is having this problem that they caused...this was their mistake..and the only answer that I had from them is: you need to buy another device....really?

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[PaulMe]

Thankfully the latest update doesn't appear to have been rolled out to users in Australia? At least not this user. But we arn't privvy to whether changes to the code are pushed out when issues are reported and hopefully acted on. The public facing FW version number never changes between the major releases. I don't want 71.6.19

I somehow survived the update to the previous version. That was when I first setup my Ionic. Whilst I'm not a power user, I think most functions are currently working. Wish to keep it that way!

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[Schedler]

you are lucky...cause this version messed up all the devices...and the company instead of admit their mistake..they tell the customers to buy another one......This is Fitbit

Moderator Edit: Formatting

[PaulMe]

@Schedler,

the company instead of admit theyr mistake

They can't and won't admit to anything.

As sad and frustrating as that is for the 100's of thousands (more?) of owners.

But clearly the code needs a complete rewrite. Unless there are hardware issues compounding the problems?

Battery quality/longevity also has me concerned. The batteries should be lasting at least as long as they do in a mobile phone. Probably longer, as the power drain should be more even and consistent and therefore less stressful in these devices.

[Schedler]

there is a lot of people reporting battery problems either...the battery is draining after this update....and I'm so frustrated because I contacted the customer service and the only answer they had was: your device is not under warranty anymore..so you need to buy another one.....REALLY?