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.

[KevinKy]

Commend Deleted

[Fittowalk78]

Updated on Saturday and screen has not worked since then.  Tried typical reset twice, did not work. 

[SunsetRunner]

@Fittowalk78 if you scroll down a bit there's a "Repeats" option (similar to what you could do in the app).

[Andyj1120]

I am not a fan of the layout. The hourly movement is one of my favorite motivators, but with every update it gets more and more hidden. From charge 2 to charge 3, it was no longer available on the watch face. That was disappointing enough. But scrolling up would kind of work, but still annoying. Now with the firm ware update, it doesn’t make the cut for the first scroll up, you have to go down another scroll. When dealing with the fact that the touch screen is sometimes glitchy, this is a lot of work to get to the information I need. 
I would be great to be able to reorder the items on the watch face, and include the 9 of 9 progress directly on the watch face. 

[SunsetRunner]

I've been trying to update fw since yesterday. It takes hours and then restarts. I have iOS 13.5.1. This has been another frustrating experience with fitbit. The little bar on the charge 3 face gets about 10% and then stops. The Updating status bar on the app gets about 60% done and then stalls. It just keeps restarting. I'm ready to quit fitbit for good over this. I've tried all the tips, reconnecting, restarting, blah blah blah. Still doesn't work. 😤

[LindaLiz]

Spoiler

Same here. Tried it twice yesterday and even overnight. I thought the update was finished, but it didn't take. Tried 4 times today, the screen with the line on it only moves a miniscule amount and goes back to the clock. Yes I've rebooted several times.

[Snowy000]

The alarm function is not working. I have gone through the app and it says its installed.... It still not available. Please can you sort

[robartG]

The same has happened to me. Clock losing time and annoy pair or sync ever since firmware update appeared. Tried all the resets etc but no joy .  A nightmare!

[robartG]

Have exactly the same problem as soon as firmware update banner appeared. Can't pair, can't sync, can't update!  Only upgraded to charge 3 a couple of Montys ago. Nou good enough!

[Kathjc]

Attempted to update yesterday and since my charge3 hasn't worked and won't display. The android app can't locate the device and I am unable to reboot the watch (best I can get is a constant smiley face). Do I throw it away or is there a fix?

[robman501a]

Anyone else experiencing the vanishing update notification? My Android phone says there's an update for my Charge 3 but when I take it, it fails. Same issue as everyone else. So, I went to try to do it on my Windows PC. 

The first screenshot is the initial sync coming off of the Android app.

Oh, there's an update, better take it!

After the sync completes, where the heck did the update go?!?!?!?!

[FireWarrior]

Moving the functionality to set silent alarms from an easily usable phone app to the wristband was a poor decision from my standpoint.  What was the rational????????

[EtheP]

I suspect they were trying to give owners the ability to schedule alarms when the phone wasn't available. In that case, why not do both, phone scheduling ad Fitbit scheduling.

[sandyc126]

I am having same problems as many of you.  Mow watch will not sync or keep a charge.  Says can't find device.  My charge 3 is only 6mos old  geez.  I really want to give up on fitbit  this is my 3rd device since 2014

[BCQ]

I ran the Charge 3 app update last night. My Fitbit will no longer track steps. It has been trouble-shooted by various people in help-chat, to no avail. Any suggestions? VERY frustrated. 

thanks.

BCQ

[Stuart_56]

The text below is misleading. You did not clear my alarms, you removed my favorite feature and replaced it with an app/feature that is difficult to use and can be managed only on the tiny screen on my wrist. (Thinking seriously about a Samsung watch)

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.

[jfeinour]

I got the update and now it doesn’t track my activity period. I get a crazy spinning arrow and when I press the back button it takes me to DND and sleep. And both those options don’t do anything. The Fitbit is stuck In This screen.  What do I do??

[Staque]

Mine won’t finish the update. It won’t even get halfway. 

[CallieT]

So where are we supposed to find how these new "improved" features are to work?

I'm seeing from posts that we can't schedule alarms on our phone app which is a big bummer as I finally figured that out last month but now can only use the same two alarm time via phone.  How are we to set it via Fitbit watch?  

Then again, today, my Fitbit is STUCK on the clock view.  I couldn't activate exercise, nor swipe any direction to get anything else.  This is one heckuva expensive watch for just time.  As I'd at least get one to show date.

Please fix!!

[steveg1]

Got mine to update by connecting to charger and leaving it lay on top of phone. Does take some time appears to stop/stall but have to just let it go. Also with my Android phone it would stall every time phone display would sleep so set it to 30 minutes time out and tapped a few times to make sure it never slept.