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.

[EssexHebridean]

It feels as though Fitbit have just abandoned users at the moment. I'm sure we all appreciate that things are tough with the Covid-19 issues etc, but surely there must still be some staff working on the customer service side? My Ch3 is showing update available but reading this thread means there is no WAY I'm willing to activate it to update until i see some assurances from the company that they actually have an interest in sorting out the problems that go along with the  new firmware!

[SunsetRunner]

Hopeless fw update.

Keeps going in cycles and never finishes.

Can I stop info about update showing up? At last I have something working now, so better to stay this way than get non-working device. Crazy poor customer support. Below any acceptable level.

So called premium (from well established brand) device seems to be not much better than half price alternatives.

[Oleg1975]

Well,  I updated mine a couple of days ago and haven't had any issues since then... the firmware upgrade installed within 30 min or so... it seems that display had become a little brighter (unless it's a placebo effect:)), syncing slightly improved as well... new clock faces don't make much sense,  but I liked the new night option blocking screen wake up as per schedule set by user,  alarm setup right on the device... unfortunately, just as expected, the new update didn't fix the issue with altimeter (hardware problem) and I'm still getting hundreds floors a day....

[WaywardSon]

Sleep time is on the app again. It no longer displays a score, minor change.

This is a replacement charge 3, so no idea if it's the new device or the new software but battery life is starting out way better.

Charged to saturday afternoon and it went to 100%. I never saw the first one get past 99

Monday morning it still has 92%, both showing in the app and when I connect it to the charger.

[SunsetRunner]

I've tried many times including removing Charge from the app and then setting up again. Firmware update did show up as expected. Process started, progress on app did go to 100% but device itself kept restarting many times and never getting anywhere pass eg. 10% (white bar indicator). Every time (when I was actually looking at the screen) it showed an "X" on the screen, then it restarted and whole thing started again.

My current app/firmware are okish. Previous one had huge syncing issues (with 3 different phones) which was so annoying. Software part of the Charge 3 is probably worse than actual hardware.

I don't know if it's even worth updating. There is nothing there really. Charge 3 counts steps during cycling which is so poor behaviour. 1 "if" statement in the code (when cycling mode is manually or auto activated) and problem solved. This seems to be beyond Fitbit capabilities. There are so many obvious things which company like Fitbit should already implement. They've been on market long enough to have those devices polished (stupid things like GUI text going over each other on some screens). Instead Charge 3 looks not much better than cheap Chinese alternatives with way shorter market history.

I bought Charge 3 to avoid all of those annoying reliability/support issues (so common with some brands), but what a surprise 🙂

[DaveyReyn]

@SunsetRunner are you saying deleting & re-adding your Charge 3 to the app triggered your notification for the firmware update? I've tried that several times with no luck.

[SunsetRunner]

As far as I understand current firmware has not been rolled out to all devices. My gf has also Charge 3 and there is no info about firmware update either.

[EssexHebridean]

"Sleep time is on the app again. It no longer displays a score, minor change." 

Hi @WaywardSon  - can you confirm, this sounds as though you are saying that the new firmware removes the ability of standard Charge 3 users to see sleep scores - is this the case? 

[that0nepers0n]

same been waiting since last month to get it 

[WaywardSon]

Well, that was the case. Sequence of events:

Old Charge 3 had an update, i installed it. Old screen was largely unreadable but under warranty, fitbit sent a replacement.

Saturday I set up the replacement. The app no longer showed the sleep data.

Sunday there was no sleep data.

Today there was only the time, 6 hr 35 min

Now I looked again and it once again includes the score of 80

So it's back.

[DaveyReyn]

@that0nepers0n it is going on the 5th week since the announcement of the rollout & I also still don't have it. One is left only to guess there were some issues so they are holding it back (some of the people posting here are reporting issues after the update) since there is no reason for it to take 5+ weeks to rollout an update to all Charge 3 users. However, Fitbit  moderators have offered no information to indicate issues, they have only indicated it is still rolling out & we should expect it "soon" - I guess one person's soon is another person's eventually. Excellent Fitbit customer service as usual - and I do not consider offering 25% off on another Fitbit device (their standard customer service solution for everything) after all their devices fail just outside of warranty good customer service, they are still making a very nice profit even with the discount because we all see how cheaply these bands are made.

[carolynahil]

I updated the firmware on my device last week.  It no longer vibrates to alert me to notifications, text messages or calendar reminders.  I have already contacted customer service and competed all the trouble shooting suggestions, no change. Please advise how to resolve this. 

[Kbatchh]

Horrible customer service. Tried to do everything mentioned to help with my blank screen but 100% battery issue, they literally told me they can't do anything and my only option was to wait for the update or purchase a new fit bit and sent me a coupon. I don't want a new fitbit, just want the one I purchased to work properly. 

[narf57]

Finally!   

[MaxMaxMax]

I hope this fixes the horizontal line cutting across my screen! I've tried everything else including reset, long reset, change clock face etc. Frustrating.

[WaywardSon]

The update did not fix my screen, it took a replacement.

[narf57]

Update complete!

It took a little over 30 minutes, the progress bar reset a few times during the process, don't be fooled. It's not done til the watch resets itself. 

Everything synced up fine after the restart. I really like the new watch faces, I can finally have a full date displayed. 

I find setting the alarms on the watch face intuitive and easy. I'll be trying out the smart wake function tomorrow. 

All in all, an impressive update for a tracker that I expected to be at the end if it's product cycle. 

Thanks

[tkruijer]

I've just received the update. My fitbit still works fine and I really like the update! Setting the alarm on your device is so much quicker than having to go to the app on my phone when going to bed. And it's nice having my agenda on my wrist too :-). For all the haters of shifting setting the alarm on your device. Just try it out for a couple of days. Can't wait to try the smart wake function 

[AhmadB1]

Finallyyyy

I've just received the update. Installing took roughly 30 min with no complications at all. Everything seems to be working fine up to this point. 

I'm only worried about the battery Wich I will be monitoring in the next few days. 

[SteveNKY]

Charge 3 will not update firmware.  Firmware version 28.20001.63.5  Model FB409.  I have attempted multiple times to remove, reset, reboot, add to Android and iOS smartphones.  Is a replacement necessary?