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. 

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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. 

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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.

[1catfan]

Hey pincess, so does your Fitbit charge 3 show the version of 28.2000.1.88.11 when you go to “settings“ and “about” on your watch and are you fully updated now? How did you receive you update notice, by google play store, iOS Apple app or Microsoft? I have all 3 and haven’t received any update yet as of 7/27. What do you think about the new functions? Are you able to set the alarm from your watch now? New clock faces?
Thanks

[1catfan]

Lauren001: I would strongly suggest calling Fibit directly and have them try to troubleshoot it but most likely it will be best to utilize the one year warranty before it expires and have them send you a replacement one for free. I had to do that with 2 of my previous Fitbit devices. They will stand by their warranty within one year.

[DaveyReyn]

Of course rollouts to test for issues is understandable. I think the issue is lack of faith in Fitbit & not enough details for us to have appropriate expectations. If I was told initially that it would be for example a 2% rollout the first week to rule out any issues (also keep in mind there was extensive beta testing already, someone in this thread was part of it), followed by 25% the next, then followed by a complete rollout to everyone by July 31 - I'd know there's a problem with my update if we have not been told there were any issues & I still don't have it by August 1st. Instead we just know it started rolling out on the 17th & so far I believe only 2 people active in this thread received it & I personally know no friends with it. Google search also results in no one outside of this thread having it.

[EPD85395]

My Charge 3 started behaving exactly the same way yesterday.  It won't stay on long enough to see what version is running.  I chatted with FitBit support today and asked them which version had been pushed to my Charge 3.  They didn't know, or did not want to tell me.  All I got out of them is the procedure to hard reset the unit, that did not work because it won't respond to any button pushes, it just continually buzzes, flashes the screen and changes from the Clock face to the notifications setting screen.  It eventually reboots to the horizontal line in the middle of the screen and sits there on the charger.  Removing it from the charger the line goes away.  It doesn't respond to button pushes.  Placing it back on the charger the Smiley face shows up and it starts the buzzing and flashing from screen to screen for a while until it reboots again on its own.  The support "tech" offered me a 25% discount on a replacement.  I want to know what they did to cause the problem before I accept their "offer".

[DaveyReyn]

25% off is the standard procedure for them when their devices always fail just outside of warranty, I've had that with all 3 of my Fitbit models in addition to replacements under warranty. This time I added the 2 year insurance on it knowing the device will never last 2 years - the insurance is cheaper than a 25% off replacement. The convenience & simplicity of their health & fitness tracking only slightly outweighs the quality of their products for me to stay a customer.

[BrokenFB]

FB have just got back me an offer of replacement charge 3 or 50% off a newer model.  I like the c3, but do I trust another one, and will that like a new one fail again after 9 months? 

It's the sleep patterns and HR I like and not all have those functions. 

At least the failed bluetooth has finally been accepted and though it's taken a week and several methods of contact I have a decent response! 

Keep going everyone 🤞

[Ascully]

Coming up to 2 weeks since this firmware was announced, has anyone got it not showing for me at all and I am refreshing the app like a madman.

[Pincess]

My partner didn't get offered a discount OR a replacement for his Charge 3 because they say his Fitbit was put online in December 2018 instead of 2019. I bought the silly thing in December 2019. 

The firmware update has been more stable than the last version. It's almost always connected to Bluetooth now and that wasn't the case before. I used to have to reset my Fitbit regularly to get it to sync. Haven't had to reset it once. Granted it's only been a week but it's a significant improvement after having to reset at least five times each week

[Pincess]

1.88.11 and the notification came on my Android phone Fitbit app. There was a banner that said there was an update available at the top of my dashboard. 

The new clock faces are nice enough but not a big deal to me. I haven't played with the new features much yet because of some crazy happening in real life right now. The best part is that I don't have to reset my Fitbit five days a week anymore. The alarms are on the band. Not too hard to set but I'm not a fan of change sooooo... 

[mquan21]

Did they fix the brightness issue???

[melicioushoney]

Hi, is this the reason my Fitbit is acting crazy lately? Saturday, I was sitting at my computer working, and then I realized my HR was around 140. Across the period of 5 hours, it fluctuated between 120-175 while I was sitting. Is it affected by the update? I was feeling so anxious that I went to the ER to get an EKG (where they told me my Fitbit was extremely flawed(.

[lelkes]

Unfortunately no notification on/for my iPhone 😞

Could it be that the company only cares about the new fitbit 4?

Contacted the support for about 2 month ago, still no answer

[Stevebaby]

Hello , my Fitbit charge 3  wont notify me For txt messages or messenger. I do receive phone calls and emails . I have gone through The settings multiple times and restarted also . Please help me .   

[Anniebananie1]

No fix has been made. Still not syncing at all. Continue to wear watch,
hoping it is storing my data. It is still counting steps and working
though the clock is an hour and 15 minutes slow. I'm planning on
calling fitbit today. 😔

[Decoherence]

@melicioushoney have you had a notification about the update on your phone, followed the instructions and installed the update? If you have not then you don't have the update, and so I'm afraid your problems are due to something else. 

If I ever saw a HR of 140 on the device and wasn't running at the time I'd do a manual check (feel the pulse while looking at a clock) before I contacted the medical profession - I guess I have less faith in technology than you do ;). 

[melicioushoney]

I had faith in my Fitbit until Saturday. I have never seen those readings on it before. Now I check my pulse manually. Think I need to throw away this Fitbit since it’s giving me anxiety.

I contacted Fitbit support but they just had me reset it. I think I need to invest in a better tracker.

Unfortunately, no update yet for me...

[bibic7]

Let me guess, they offered a small discount on the purchase of a new watch?!

[Elsief]

Don’t update!!!! My Fitbit worked perfectly fine until I updated. Then it was vibrating and screen was flashing now it’s just black. I hope Fitbit will be fixing this problem!!!

[MsTeach77]

My Charge 3 was working fine until ten days ago.  Without notice, my tracker froze.  After attempting a reboot several times, the tracker went crazy: ridiculously wrong data being displayed, not able to swipe either direction, not syncing, etc.  Nothing seemed to fix the issue.  Finally called Fitbit only to be told there was no fix.  I was given a "coupon" for 25% off a limited number of new trackers, not including the Charge 4.  I can't get another Charge 3 because it has been discontinued.  This was my first Fitbit tracker, but now I am rethinking staying with the brand.  A tracker should last more than 18 months.

[Maltie]

Also had failed very weak Bluetooth. She brand new they seem fine but the life of these has dwindled. My older charge 2 has a stronger Bluetooth. So did my original Fitbit one. Since then they don’t seem to last

Sent from my iPhone