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.

[DaveyReyn]

Tomorrow will be 3 weeks since the update was announced and only a handful of people on this message board have received it - and that handful includes a beta tester that had early access. An update on when we should all anticipate receiving it with more detail than "soon" would be nice...

[asiayeah]

Is Fitbit delaying this because it believes this would help the sales of Charge 4?

[DaveyReyn]

Almost returned my replacement Charge 3 that I received with the usual 25% discount when I saw 4 got an update with smart wake & settings to adjust screen timeout length. Then they announced those features coming to 3. Of course now I'm a week past the 45 day return window so I will not be returning it & getting a 4 & if I don't get the update I will not be getting another Fitbit product if this one dies outside of my 2 year insurance covered warranty  - yes, after 6 years of products dieing right after the 1 year warranty I realized just getting the insurance will be cheaper than the 25% discount they offer on another product.

[Charge_2_fan]

Hi Katefitbit and the Fitbit Community, here's my experience with using the latest 1.88.11 Charge 3 firmware over the last few days. To start with, my Fitbit app updated on Google Play more than 3 days before the update became visible.
I'd left Wifi on overnight by chance. On opening the Fitbit app when I woke in the morning, the banner for firmware update showed prominently at the top of 'home screen' of the Fitbit app (I didn't have to find it in any sub menus). It was very noticeable despite being dark grey in colour.
The update took between 30 and 40 mins. I'd charged the device up fully before installing with device off the charger.

****First the bad bit*** for me at least - the new fields for sleep score and sleep data on the device 'today' screen (swipe up from watch face) are not updating despite everything else syncing perfectly. So sleep data showing on the device still doesn't work in my case.

****The good points - SPOILER ALERT - DETAIL ON NEW FEATURES***

5 new clocks have been added coming from the Charge 4: V-lines, Totem, Pendulum, M-Tumbler & Rightful Stats.
Screen timeout has been added, settings are default/medium/long (approx. 3/6/9 secs)
Countdown time now settable to the second e.g. 10 mins 37 secs.
Sleep (DND) schedule settable to nearest hour to automatically turn off raise to wake, suppress alerts (including reminders to move) and screen forced to dimmest setting (only viewable by pressing inductive 'button's on left of device).
Alarms being set on device works well for me, and the scrolling of digits to set time and repeats I do not find fiddly.
Conclusion: I'm very happy with how the update went, and the new features available. It's a shame the sleep data isn't showing on the device, but naturally it's all available in the app anyway, so not a disaster. The Pendulum clock face would've my preferred one, but in practice the clock hands are tiny and skinny - I'm not sure if I'd be able to see them in bright sunlight. 'Rightful Stats' is my new face of choice.

I wish everyone well on this forum for their update to go successfully, and I do hope the rollout progresses well.

[DaveyReyn]

Thanks for sharing your experience. I was starting to doubt it was still rolling out, so you also give us hope.

[AnneEliza]

I updated yesterday. My charge 3 no longer records active minutes.  It automatically detected my 30 minute walk with the elevated heart rate, but no active minutes.  The heart rates should absolutely have produced active minutes for the whole 30 minutes.  How do I fix this?  

[EPD85395]

Dead man walking!

I haven't seen a heart beat since July 28, and have not received updated firmware yet.

Yesterday the red light on the back of my C3, the only light I've seen on the back of my C3 since 7/28, started to faintly glow. While  charging, the light got brighter. At full charge, the light was bright enough to illuminate my whole finger tip when toughing the light. 

This morning the red light is off.

Changed the clock face and got several horizontal lines on the screen. Rebooted and still have the lines. Changed to another face and still have lines. 

I guess it is what it is.

[Magstros]

What mobile device do you have? iPhone or Android? Make and model?

[AnneEliza]

Multiple reboots got active minutes back ( lots of exercise testing!). I
use a Moto G6 w/current Android. No phone syncing issues. I'm positive the
problem was release related, working just fine before, not working
immediately after. Just keep rebooting if this happens to you.

[liams085]

• Can Fitbit say how many users have the update at this stage of deployment to all users 

[EntropicLife]

Android Samsung S9+

[EPD85395]

Motorola Z4

Android 10  Build QDFS30.130-42-5-2

[Alfredo_]

I just received the update yesterday, and from reading through this topic it appears I am one of the (un)lucky ones. Other people have written about the new features, and everyone can read the changelog so I won't rehash what's said there. After about a day of use, my Fitbit is officially dead. Nothing special happened. It worked all day, was syncing fine, and then randomly it started vibrating on and off with a blank screen. I plugged it in, tried a short reboot (8 seconds), then a long reboot (15 seconds), and neither works. As soon as I press the button, the Fitbit starts vibrating and will continue to do so for the full 8 seconds. Then it stops and appears to be rebooting (but no screen), since it doesn't respond to button presses any longer. After about 10 seconds, it'll vibrate again when I press the button. The screen never turns on though. The Fitbit app can't see the tracker either.

Since I've had it for 16 months support offered my their condolences and a 35% discount on my next purchase. They also claim they haven't heard about this issue from anyone else who has received the firmware update. So either I'm the first one, or it's a really unfortunate (and suspicious) coincidence with this new update. Either way, my device is dead and that really shouldn't happen after only 16 months.

[DaveyReyn]

You can find posts on the main message board describing similar issues you are describing that have been occurring long before this update. I had similar issues as you describe after 18 months, but I only got 25% discount offer so you did better than me. I do not have the update yet, but I suppose it is possible it is just the typical Charge 3 hardware failure you experienced & may have nothing to do with the firmware update - or we are all in for a big disappointment when we finally receive the update & our devices all fail.

[ESSW]

Re: alarms. Please bring back the option to set alarms on the app. Too difficult to navigate on device if setting throughout day and/or several. 

Device only not great for people with limited mobility/dexterity!

[AnneEliza]

Recovery Runner, that's how my Charge 2 died.  Once you lose the lights, it's all over.  Unfortunately, as these devices gain more functions, they seem to become more delicate.  Too much is going on right now for me to switch to another device universe, but I may eventually try to find the most durable fitness tracker.  I hope that I can keep using my Charge 3.  I don't want to lose my Active Minutes to the Charge 4's Active Zone minutes.  That gives me redundant info that I already have under exercise for cardio and removes my ability to track my background activity level - something that studies show is very important.  Here's hoping that they don't "update" my Charge 3 into a Charge 4 in that respect.  I deliberately chose the Charge 3 for that reason.  

[Nolefan32]

Google Pixel 3, Android 10.

[Kevorado]

I performed the update last week and afterwards noticed my Charge 3 had difficulty recognizing my heart rate and syncing my steps. I followed some of the forum instructions to perform a hard reset. Now my device is stuck in this mode where it periodically vibrates while the screen bouncing back and forth to “clock error” and the ”DND” “Sleep” screen. 

[Epicgamer]

It's been 2 months and it still hasn't arrived to my charge 3. I really don't like Fitbit right now!

[Decoherence]

This thread started on 2020-07-17, i.e. 3.5 weeks ago. How does that add up to 2 months?