Inspire FW Release 1.88.11 Issues

[Kevin70]

I think we should have a thread where people post their FW 1.88.11 issues.  This FW update caused a significant issue for me.  For whatever reason, which is incomprehensible, Fitbit doesn't allow downgrading firmware once you have updated.  Even though that is a standard practice for troubleshooting when you update software/firmware and have issues (I have developed firmware for MANY years), for some reason Fitbit doesn't allow it.  Actually, I assume the reason is that it keeps their support cost down by not having to support those who have older firmware, but it totally screws those who are hurt by firmware updates.

Here is my issue.  I updated to firmware 1.88.11 (not sure what I had before, probably whatever the previous latest is).  I use my Fitbit Inspire with a Clip instead of on my wrist and had to change the setting back to Clip after the update (the firmware update seemed to restore it to the default).  At any rate, I use an Elliptical Machine every day.  The Fitbit Inspire had always tracked my steps properly when using the Elliptical Machine.  If the Elliptical Machine said I did 3000 steps, the Fitbit was always very close to 3000 Steps.  After the update, it is NOT close.  I just did 45 minutes on the Elliptical Machine which was about 5500 Strides, and the Fitbit only shown I did a little less than 4000 Steps.  If I look at the screen that tracks the steps per 15 minutes, it normally says about 1600 or so Steps/15 minutes, this time it says less than 1000 Steps/15 minutes.  I am 100% CERTAIN that the firmware update changed the behavior when using an Elliptical Machine.  I have tracked this closely for months.

Fitbit apparently changed the algorithm for detecting steps (at least in Clip Mode).  I do NOT know whether it will now track steps inaccurately during normal walking, but I KNOW it tracks them wrong when using an Elliptical Machine.  Previously, I had confirmed it was VERY accurate for both normal walking and with the Elliptical Machine.  Now, all my step goals are going to be unattainable and I'm going to lose interest in the Fitbit.  Thanks Fitbit!

I have now learned.  NEVER allow a firmware update to your Fitbit if things are working well.  I was not having any issues with my Fitbit.  I was happy with it (which is something I couldn't say with my Fitbit One because, while a great device when it worked, I went through several which had hardware issues).  Now, I am very unhappy.

[Ata1anta]

Ok, I'll contribute. After the update, as many have attested, there is a new screen which shows battery life, time, day, and date. Thank you, just what I always wanted, an extra screen that I have to scroll past to get to the data I really want that I can't re-arrange into, for me, a meaningful order. 

Going the other direction, the new notifications screen. I would have liked to re-arrange the order and put it AFTER exercise. So when I tried to re-arrange the order in the app on my iPod Touch, it deleted the notifications app from both my fitbit app and my device. Gee, I would have liked to be able to look at notifications for more than the few seconds they may appear on my screen (like the pickup code for the Amazon locker).

I don't expect anyone from FitBit to respond, but have any users figured a way to recover the notifications app and get rid of the extra clock screen????

[TanyaK]

I have that issue, too! I haven't found a way to get rid of the extra time, day and date on my Fitbit Inspire HR, though. I did  find a way to get rid of the new Notifications icon, though. 

[MarilynWalks]

I keep getting a message that says "Nothing new here" with a 0 above it. Perhaps it's for notifications, but I thought I had that turned off. Anyway, when it shows up, I can't get out of it, can't scroll. It doesn't go away when I sync. I changed the clock face and it went away but now it's back. This started happening after the hardware update.

[amboo8]

Yes!! It's driving me crazy that I now have to swipe to a useless screen and then again to see my steps. Is there any way to re-arrange the order? Or remove the completely useless time/date/battery screen? I don't want to see my steps on my main screen, but I'd like to see them with one swipe, not two.