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.

[vikrantsagar]

OK, so I contacted customer support and we tried couple of options. Everything failed to update the firmware on my charge3. Fitbit team is sending a new one.

Hopefully this one will resolve the issue.

[steveg1]

Mags11, If looking in fitbit app on phone try stopping it and clearing the cache. I had to do that.

[robman501a]

I wonder why this update is causing so many people to get a replacement for their Charge 3.

Seems a bit strange to me. 🤔

[sandyc126]

I tried that nothing worked.  Getting a replacement.  Something went seriously wrong and whatever happen fit b it should ensure it doesn't happen for future updates.   Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

[sandyc126]

I really hope t he replacements have updated firmware already.Sent from my Samsung Galaxy smartphone.

[BCQ]

I contacted them and was on the phone for 2.5 hours. They will not send a replacement Charge 3. So frustrating. Fitbit will not track my steps. Stuck on "0" since the app update. 

[SunsetRunner]

After days of frustration in getting the update to work, I DMed support in twitter. They gave me the following steps and it worked. I hadn’t found this info anywhere else. Hope it helps someone else:

To further assist you, please try the steps below:

1. Tap Settings > Bluetooth on the phone.
2. Follow steps to “forget” Charge 3 from Bluetooth settings.
3. Turn off Bluetooth, wait 5 seconds, turn Bluetooth back on.
4. Return to the Fitbit app and immediately tap the banner to start the update.
- You may see a message that says “Bluetooth Pairing Required” after returning to the Fitbit app. DO NOT pair Charge 3 until the update is complete.
5. When prompted, allow the phone to pair with Charge 3.

[kimro82]

In my oppinion it is very uncomfortable to Set alarms on the device instead on my mobile! The device Screen is too small. I'd be happy if you Switched that back to the mobile!!! 

[Mags11]

Hi

Its a nightmare. This will be the last Fitbit I purchase, customer services are no help at all. 

Kind Regards 

Margaret 

[VeraLCP]

Since I got the update, I have like 8 ghost alarms vibrating on my wrist every morning. I have not set them since the update, I cannot see them in the alarm list on the tracker, but they make my tracker vibrate. First one at 5:37, second 5:38, next at 5:46, and so on... Fortunately, I'm supposed to be awake at this time, or this would be a nightmare. Already tried resetting and unpairing/pairing again, but it didn't work. Anyone had the same problem? What can I do to stop these extra alarms?

[mattlamont83]

I was able to update yesterday no problem but now the GPS connection with my IPhone X is messed up.  I’m not getting the detailed route that I run like before.  Seems to only record my location every so often then connects the dots which leaves an inaccurate trail and inaccurate distance ran.  Please fix this.  I haven’t had any issues til now.

[Ryanthered]

For others who haven't tried the update, my advice if it's not broke don't try to fix it.

[liams085]

Sounds like smart wake is active. Its supposed to start up to 30 minutes
ahead of your set alarm time

[Dixonlyn]

Okay- but it won’t switch off even when I turn off my alarm- just keeps going all day! How do I stop it?

Cheers


Sent from my iPhone

[ajay2020]

Since completing the update my Fitbit Charge 3 is no longer recording calories correctly. Is anyone else experiencing this problem? How can it be fixed? 

[mattlamont83]

ajay not sure about calories but distance and gps connection with my phone is not accurate.

[FlyingHigher]

Here is the latest issue....Once I updated the firmware today, my watch face went black and when I plugged it into the charger it came to life temporarily and then when I took it off the charger it went black again and it remains a black screen. I have had syncing problems since day one and have to regularly reset and turn of and on my Bluetooth and I have also had problems with the sleep feature since the day I got it. Sadly, I bought two and neither of them have worked properly since day 1. I want to know if this company is standing by this product and what they intend to do for us - these watches cost a lot of money and the Company should be replacing these with a better quality watch. What does the Company intend ti do for us?

[Blues2go]

In my desperation I did find there is a Fitbit Charge 3.0 User Manual online- if you like manuals - don’t know if it is current.

Note prior this update Premium no longer charted sleeping heart rate - after update still doesn’t 

note my Fitbit after update took around 3/4 days to come good? 
main problem was the Heart Rate detector - registering anywhere from 20/60 beats above usual. This also affects Calories greatly and as rate was also inconsistent NO sleep score possible. At this point not sure if Resting Heart Rate is accurate as it jumped up 5 beats. Still no Fireworks when I reach 10000 steps - ces’t last vie - the highlight of my Fitbit day.
In that desperate time in no particular order

1 put Fitbit back in charger and held the display button in - Did this 2/3 times at different times

• 2 - also REBOOT from Fitbit ABOUT settings Did this 2/3 times - keep scrolling down there it is the last option

3 deleted Remove this Charge 3 from the phone app. On 1 occasion 

it came good 3 1/2 days later.

Heart Rate ok so Calories ok and sleep Charting is ok. But alas no Fireworks - which I guess from what I have been reading is tied up with ALARMS.

It is a SOFTWARE glitch that generally can be tied up with a combination of events in the system Fitbit on Board computer.

What they should be DOING I guess is do a TOTAL system delete followed by the NEW software update - maybe that is what they do anyway? Could be the deletion of the PREVIOUS software was incomplete and hence CORRUPTED THE UPDATE. Who knows - maybe it wasn’t wearing a MASK.

Understand the frustrations here - when I posted it was up to page 24 now 28.
If Fitbit helps to “run” your life or at least understand it - it’s like the loss of the use of a body part.

keep trying

kind regards Frank

[Blues2go]

Last point - Fitbit live died yesterday - so not Automatic when App left open.

Day before was able to have App opened while I walked and watch the steps and distance update “live”
thx Frank

[sroyerind]

My Charge 3 has not been working properly since receiving the update. It is extremely slow to respond to my swipes and taps. Sometimes it is completely unresponsive. Also, it appears to be more dim than before.

Thanks for you time and attention.