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.

[BobDavis]

swipe right

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi everyone. Thanks for continued reports and feedback in the Community Forums.

We're continuing to roll-out the firmware update. At the moment the majority of users do not have the update, but should have it soon. Thanks for your patience.

@Charge_2_fan, @Kevorado and @cyclosapien, thanks for sharing the issues that you've experienced with your Charge 3 devices after the firmware update. Also, for the troubleshooting steps tried on your own. I went ahead and requested a case on your behalf so our Support team can provide you with further assistance via email.

Feel free to reply back if you have more questions.

[DaveyReyn]

Well at least we now know most don't have it after almost a month so I don't feel like I'm being left out. Now back to waiting for soon to come...

[Fuz32560]

Can’t help but think that the delay and cautious approach to disseminating info on fitbits part has to do with Googles buyout and potential regulatory probe in the EU.  Can’t have millions of pissed off customers when Fitbit was/is in the process of getting assimilated.  It’ll probably be a year or more before the google effect takes place and post COVID development ramps back up. But this is all conjecture as I’m just sitting here waiting for my charge 3 to get the update. Even though my app tells me daily that there’s an update ready and then it says Fitbit up to date!  When it’s actually still two revs behind. Sigh.

[AhmadB1]

@LizzyFitbit thank you, but many of us including my self were really hoping to get more info. Could you please be more specific rather than using the term "soon". 

A huge "professional" company like Fitbit should do better. 

[ryscar13]

Got the update yesterday. Good update.

Smart wake is really nice (FINALLY); would prefer a gradually increasing vibration option, but I'm guessing that's just not doable with the hardware. 

I like the new V-lines face and some of the others, but the stats on the face are super hard to read.  The stats are displayed as a graphical meter instead of a number. Steps are fine since it's obviously between 0 and whatever your goal is. I don't know what it means if my heart rate is 1/10. Just show me the number.

[Pshaver3350]

I have the same issue. Very frustrated and disappointed.  Talked to someone from help desk who told me to call back in a few hours if the alarm icon didn’t magically appear on my screen.  

[Decoherence]

Fuz32560 no, I doubt it's anything to do with the buyout. Fitbit were this cautious about what info they give out before there was any hint of that. This roll out is a bit slower than usual: in my experience taking 3 weeks or more to get to everyone is not unusual, but only a minority having it at this point is. That may be related to the circumstances which led to Fitbit agreeing to the acquisition, but I doubt it's due to the acquisition itself.

If you are on 1.63.5 then you are on the last one before this update. The one inbetween was only for people on one specific programme, so there will be fewer people with that than there are have 1.88.11 today ;).

(I've not even seen a message about the update on my app yet, though that is probably less frustrating than seeing one and not being able to install it....)

[Nolefan32]

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@STLDOC wrote:

Deleting the ability to set alarms from the app on the phone was a real mistake.  The charge 3 is now pretty worthless to me.  I can't even find the alarms app on the charge3 itself to set the alarms.  I will now look elsewhere for a device that allows me to set silent alarms from the phone.

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I agree. While I get the desire for some to want to set alarms on the device itself, taking the option off the app was not a good move. The Charge isn't the Versa with it's somewhat larger screen.

[DaveyReyn]

I do not have the update yet, but I agree that the Charge 3 screen is not even that great for setting timers so I can imagine setting multiple alarms would not be the best experience. On the device AND in the app probably would have been the better idea.

[an-na]

Got the update two days ago. It took ages to install, but worked fine in the end, and I really like it. No issues so far, and finally my tracker doesn't light up the room when Im trying to sleep!

[SunsetRunner]

Hi, any updates on the percentage of devices that have been updated so far? I'm nearing the end of the return date... was thinking of upgrading to the charge 4.

[DaveyReyn]

@SunsetRunner I was in the same boat, my 45 day return window on this replacement Charge 3 passed almost 2 weeks ago. I was going to return it to get a Charge 4 for the smart wake & screen timeout settings but we were then told the Charge 3 was getting those features...so Fitbit cost themselves a Charge 4 sale if they messed up this firmware rollout.

[Fuz32560]

Decoherence, agreed - probably not due to acquisition.   I do suspect the overall health of the business (Which ultimately led to sale to google) is part of the issue here. And undoubtedly the attrition and complexities of selling a company and merging afterwards get in the way.A la Nest maybe?   Pixel watch rumors abound as well... i'd love to get at least another year or two out of my fitbit.

[SunsetRunner]

But in all honesty, the charge 3 was a popular device, it makes sense to
stagger the updates in case of an issue not all users are affected. I'll
remain patient. Just curious as to the new clock faces included. Are they
the same as the Charge 4?

[0gravity]

BobDavis

swipe right

Or left depending if you’re talking about finger or display direction.

Takes 3 swipes and some delicate finger work after that.

Once set the alarms work fine, just tricky to do on the tiny screen.

[GolfBravo79]

Well reading through all 18 pages of this thread hasn't filled me with confidence.  I'd been finding that the screen brightness on the Charge 3 is useless when outside and also the time-out is too short to be useful.  Even though this is (apparently) being addressed to some degree in the new firmware it seems there are a worrying number of issues with Fitbit products, features and reliability.

Apparently people have been requesting the addition of 'Rowing Machine' to the exercise shortcuts for FIVE YEARS and Fitbit don't think it's worth doing.  Bit of a joke really.  Thank goodness the C3 wasn't that expensive overall.

I've had my C3 since January but I'm going to jump ship to a Fenix 6 of some sort.  Handily I can even import all my legacy Fitbit data to the new platform - that it's an official Garmin process suggests that the Fitbit-to-Garmin ship-jumpers are significant enough in volume to warrant it...

Let's just hope Garmin don't let their servers and infrastructure get crypto-lockered again eh? 😂

[FinAdv888]

Try doing the 8 Second restart and your Fitbit Must be plugged in. I tried it for like 5 times before realizing it wasn't attached to my computer. When I attached it and the power was on, the 8 second reset worked like a charm. Trying the firmware update again now that I've reset the fitbit. Mine is more than a year old so may have issues. We'll see....

[Errgg]

Why have you removed the ability to manage alarms via the app. This upgrade makes the reason I bought the fitbit useless.  Give us the app ability back or send us our money back for the fitbit. You don't take a car into the shop and when you get it back the AC is gone because they felt like it. Nonsense.

[Errgg]

They got rid of setting up alarms on the app. How can you like this upgrade?