Charge 3 Firmware Release - 1.88.11

[KateFitbit]

8/14 Update: We are continuing to roll out the firmware update for Charge 3 and expect more users will see it as available. This is a progressive rollout, and all customers can expect to have it within a few weeks. We roll out releases in phases as a cautionary measure so that we can monitor performance closely and make adjustments if needed. If you don't see the option to update, don't worry - you'll have it soon! 

Please use this thread to share your experience updating the firmware once it's received. If you have a different inquiry, please post in a thread with a similar topic or create a new post. 

---

7/23 Update: the firmware update has only rolled out to a small percentage of users, and will roll out further next week. It should be rolling out to everyone soon. Thanks for your patience and interest, we look forward to hearing your feedback on the new firmware. 

---

We've begun releasing new firmware (1.88.11) for Charge 3 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

Please click here for firmware notes. 

HOW DO I UPDATE?

Step by step instructions for updating your Charge 3 can be found here.

If you run into any trouble updating your Charge 3, please review these troubleshooting tips. 

IMPORTANT NOTE FOR CHARGE 3 FIRMWARE UPDATE: ALARMS CLEARED

We moved where you set alarms from the Fitbit app to your wrist! After you update, any alarms set will be cleared and need to set up again on the device. 

To make sure you don't miss an important alarm, open the Alarms app on Charge 3 and tap *+ Set up a new alarm*. Tap the checkmark to save and make sure it’s set.

[DaveyReyn]

So it looks like you are the first person on this thread to actually receive the update from the rollout on the 17th. Apparently the alarms are set through the band and not the app in new update from the release notes.

[Shadow1961]

Why doesn’t somebody at Fitbit try and fix this situation 

[Corr]

For everyones information:  there is an app update available in Google Play Store. Latest version now is  3.26.
Maybe it will solve issues some people seem to have.

Before anyone starts complaining: this will most likely be a progressive rollout, so not available to everyone at the same time.

[BrokenFB]

Thanks Corr - I'll give a go now. 

You should be a moderator!

***************

I can only find 3.26 as available for Apple. Hopefully Android will be along soon!

[Bob75002]

I have two questions.

1. Why does your instruction say All-Day Sync needs to be turned on when you removed the option for Android phone for the all-day sync setting. This causes unnecessary confusion.

2. Is your Firmware Release - 1.88.11 the last three numbers because my Charge 3 says Firmware Version 28.20001.63.5? I assume my Charge 3 needs updated.

When I go to my account in Fitbit android app and select help, I go to bottom of menu and select Check for Charge 3 update. I am told a New update available. I select continue and next. It tells me it is searching for Fitbit Charge 3, then it is updating and could take 30 minutes. But it only takes 5 seconds and says I am updated. But this same cycles happens over and over again. But I never get a message saying I am already updated and my Firmware Version does not change from 28.20001.63.5. Is there something I am not doing correctly or is there an issue with the update?

[Nicosoccerfan]

So after seeing this I tried the same thing - it says there's an update when you press "check for update" on the app and the whole thing takes 5 seconds and doesn't do jack squat to my Fitbit or the app at all whatsoever. It seems Fitbit has a useless feature in their app which really needs to get fixed because it will cause even more confusion around the app and the whole update itself. And about your 2nd question - yep, the last 3 digits is the firmware you are currently on. I think most of the people on this thread are still 1.63.5 not having received the update yet.

[CallieT]

Mine hasn't been working since Monday, July 20th.  I cannot change the screen on mine so it's essentially a watch.  Can't start any exercise, look to see if I have any steps (and during this time, that's like the only excitement).   I even tried charging it thinking maybe that would help but it won't even register for charging.  Is this ALL part of this firmware update?  Finally came on here to see what's going on.

What I don't understand is - would the few that this is being rolled out to, know in advance?  So are those of us affected, have this firmware now?  And shouldn't everyone else then resume to what it was?

Why was there a change?

[Maltie]

Mine has required a firmware reboot every 4 hours or the app wont find the device at all.

Its becoming one huge pain.

[Decoherence]

@CallieT you will know if you have received the update because you'll get a notification in the app and instructions to follow to install it. So if you haven't done that it's just a coincidence that you are having these problems at a time when an update is beginning to roll out, and the cause is something else. 

Have you tried restarting the Fitbit? My old one would freeze like that every month or two and needed a restart to unstick it. I always thought it was a pain that you have to plug it in as well as press the button to do this, since that would usually mean it would be stuck for several hours before I could restart it.

[Raash3m]

Hi bro I am using it with pixel 3a no issues. First I cooncet to samsung. Then disconnect. And connect pixel. It will b ok.

[Maltie]

I am now having to do that twice daily to get the app to even find the device. That tells me that either the device is dying, the Bluetooth is bad on the device or the firmware is just too buggy to be of value


Sent from my iPhone

[1catfan]

Here are a couple more detailed articles on the 1.88.11 update.https://www.gsmarena.com/fitbit_charge_3_receives_an_update_with_charge_4_features-news-44439.php

https://www.tizenhelp.com/fitbit-charge-3-update-brings-couple-of-charge-4-features/

Still nothing as of 7/24/20 at 11 pm. Everyone should have this by 7/31/20. These are long overdue simple features that should have been by default out of the box. We can actually set our alarms on our actual Fitbit charge 3’s devices now, what do you know...

Spoiler

[1catfan]

Noticed that too. Kind of nice to be able to choose between the two options, whichever one works better for you but I guess not anymore.

Moderator edit: format

[1catfan]

Click the spoiler arrow to open pictures of the two articles (I didn’t intend to set it up as a spoiler by put rather just photos)

[asiayeah]

I would open a champaign if I could receive the update by July 31.

[CallieT]

@Decoherence Thanks for the comment.  It may very well have been a coincidence, as Monday when we were going for our walk, I couldn't swipe the screen to switch it to exercise.  His worked but he has a different version.  Ironically, earlier that night I was going to initiate the yoga setting while teaching but didn't think anything of it when it didn't move.  I even tried again two days ago and again, it wouldn't slide/switch.  I thought something may have been wrong with the screen (or my finger) and I was grateful that it was at least counting my steps though I wouldn't know until I tried to synch it.  Even when I plugged it in, it wouldn't show whether I was actually charging it - the percentage charged nor happy smile did not appear.   YET, right now I can not only swipe the screen (and probably activate one of the exercise setting), it will show me what percentage charged on the charger . . but it's after 2 am so I'll simply let it do the sleep monitoring instead 🙂

[Bammy31]

My iPhone app is the same. 

[Ascully]

It's been a week since this rollout started, anyone get the update yet?

[Nicosoccerfan]

As I know of, I think a few people in this thread have it.

[frustrator911]

Can someone please please please help with the "notification service not running" problem. I read all forums and blogs. Got it solved and it keeps coming back the next day. Im sick and tired of trying so **ahem** hard.