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. 

[Roper12]

Once again, another terrible upgrade...I want active minutes tracked not zone mins...how do I change this?

[robbijay]

@Schedler Agree 100%. That’s the most frustrating thing, they won’t own their mistake and try to sort it. They just expect us to think it’s mysteriously got broken hardware after they’ve updated the firmware!! It’s now been ten day since my support ticket was updated with ‘what’s your location’ even though I had already said. I think they’re just ignoring me!

[Dinzarelli]

Was this firmware even tested before rollout? Or even more so, is there a faulty batch of devices that have been shipped like ticking time bombs. 

All I’m seeing are users with issues here. The lack of clarity from Fitbit is astounding too, with a blanket approach of simply factory reset your device and hope for the best... It’s the classic IT support of turn it on and off again and hope for the best. 

But don’t worry, if you have a faulty device, here is a discount to buy another device that will do the same. 

[rtk1103]

f you check what the 35% off is on, it is mostly, if not all, discontinued models. I sent an email to the CEO. He had someone in a Senior position contact me, who then wouldn't respond except to say the canned response "although your ionic is out of warranty, we will make an exception and send you a replacement". Which I don't even want anymore. Looking at Garmin now.

[Beachbum2D]

@Dinzarelli  All goods in the UK get 2yrs, at least I do not know of any that do not.

[Dinzarelli]

Fitbit told me 1 year. 

They also said that don’t replacement device they send out doesn’t come with warranty too. 

I’m on my 2nd ionic and they won’t replace it even though they can’t repair it and resolve the faulty hardware. 

[Beachbum2D]

@rtk1103@All maybe we should all start emailing the CEO, maybe include Googles CEO as well. The Fitbit CEO will get fed up with his inbox filling up and hopefully put things in place to help his customers and top his inbox getting full. 

The Google CEO might be interested in seeing how badly current customers feel about a company he is about to buy 🙂

[Dinzarelli]

I agree. 

What email did you send the complaint too? I’m having no luck so far from support. 

[Beachbum2D]

I have not sent any emails as yet, but a good source of info for Company CEO & Directors is

www.ceoemail.com

[Schedler]

you are lucky....cause who doesn't have warranty..the only answer they have is: buy a new one.....this is ridiculous....

[Marcel2020]

Fitbit 

mr James Park CEO

email **personal info removed**

[YojanaFitbit]

Hi everybody, thank you so much for sharing your experience with our support team.

If you have more doubts about your Fitbit warranty please reply back to the last email you got from support.  As mentioned before, each scenario is different, I really appreciate your feedback. If you have doubts about the response that received from our team, please feel free to get back to them. They will be glad to give you more details about your warranty options.

For troubleshooting steps you can check these instructions:

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. 

See you around.

[robbijay]

2 things:

1. As much as I have come to loathe FB over the past fortnight. I really don’t think it’s @YojanaFitbit‘s fault. She’s just a moderator on the forum, so we should stop complaining directly to her just because we’re frustrated with the company.

2. Much more importantly, my GPS seems to be working today? TWICE! I reckon either a secret update was pushed out or my doing a random combination of turning all exercise related things off and rebooting my Fitbit and phone (To cure a notification issue), then turning exercise back on just on the off chance, has kicked it back into life!! Worth trying before splashing out on a new non-fitbit??

[Beachbum2D]

The How to Update Device info, stil references All Day Sync, yet this feature was removed

Any idea how I can get the update on my device ? I am now on N-2

[YojanaFitbit]

@robbijay thank you for getting back. I've requested more details about your case, sorry for the delay but our team will be getting in touch with you soon.

@Beachbum2D we've sent this information to out team. Thank you for the feedback. Did you tried the rest of steps suggested here?

[askasa]

I had 39 active minutes before the firmware update, now I have zero because the active don't convert to active zone.  Beware - do not run the update midday or you will lose all your activity for the day.  So frustrating!

[Dinzarelli]

Well we are all experiencing issues, and trying to get answers for ourselves, but also for others in the community. 

I mean the banner at the top of the page does suggest that due to the current pandemic, service is reduced etc, so us loyal customers are simply trying to trip fellow community members with their issues too...

[PaulMe]

@Beachbum2D, Any idea how I can get the update on my device ? To check for any update of your Ionic - from within the App... Hit your profile picture top left of app>Scroll down and hit Help>Scroll down to Check for Ionic update. If nothing available - be thankful as the update hasn't been rolled ot to your geographic location. Careful what you wish for! 😁

Moderator Edit: Formatting

[sarnott153]

I agree 100%! This disaster could only be caused by crappy engineering and poor quality control and testing! I'm buying a cheap Chinese band tonight to use until I find a good and reasonable Smart Watch! And yes, I have spent decades in complex system design as an ops requirement guy, lead Ops Analyst, and PM. Both in the military (US Air Force) and as a contractor -- Lead Ops Analyst, Program Manager, Vice President and CTO. I've used Fitbit products for a long time but guess that is over!

[jkimi]

After the update, the Ionic wont track any sleep. It led to factory reset everything 

Before I was using Alta HR and it did well.