All articles tagged with #fitbit
Google Health's iOS update (v5.05) adds two-way syncing between Google Health and Apple Health, letting Fitbit data and other wearable metrics—steps, distance, heart rate, sleep, etc.—flow into Apple Health (HRV data may not transfer); setup is via the Google Health app under Connections > Apps and services, and the update also adds Smart Health Links for sharing medical records.
Google Health 5.05 now lets Fitbit workouts, steps, and vitals be linked directly to Apple Health, enabling data to flow from Google Health to Apple Health without third‑party workarounds. The update follows Google Health replacing the Fitbit app earlier this year and adds Smart Health Links to share medical records; previously, users could only import Apple Health data into Google Health.
Google Health for iOS now supports two-way syncing with Apple Health, allowing exercise records, sleep, vitals, steps and Fitbit data to be written back into HealthKit and shared with other HealthKit apps or healthcare providers via Smart Health Links; the update (version 5.05) is available now on the App Store.
Android Authority argues the Pixel Watch 4 remains the better buy over the Galaxy Watch 9 for four reasons: its timeless, comfortable design; a more cohesive Wear OS experience; superior health data via Google Health/Fitbit; and a more trusted heart-rate sensor, with Pixel Watch 5 teased for later this year.
Pixel Watch users report a persistent Fitbit sensor permission screen that blocks access to health apps even when all permissions are enabled, across multiple generations. Factory resets don’t fix it, suggesting a software issue in the Fitbit-to-Google Health integration. Google hasn’t issued an official statement yet. The recommended interim steps are to keep the watch firmware and Google Health app updated and ensure data is syncing, while avoiding factory resets since they rarely help.
Google Health 5.02 restores several rebrand-era gaps for Android and Pixel Watch users, bringing back hourly activity in Today/Health tabs, sleep-editing fixes, and naps on Android, plus easier log clearing and an expanded Today view; rollout is phased across Android and iOS (with 5.03 for iOS coming later).
Using All of Us data, researchers analyzed 753 obesity patients prescribed GLP-1 medications (including semaglutide/Ozempic and tirzepatide) who had Fitbit data before/after starting therapy. After initiation, average daily steps fell from 5,047 to 4,487 and moderate-to-vigorous activity dropped from 28 minutes to 22 minutes, suggesting exercise promotion should accompany pharmacologic treatment. The findings are preliminary (to be presented at ENDO 2026) and older adults or those with musculoskeletal pain may be at higher risk for muscle loss.
Google released the Fitbit Air CAD drawings and design guidelines to enable third‑party bands and accessories, including general branding rules and material standards. The PDF CAD visuals (not the actual CAD files) accompany policy notes, with the goal of accelerating a market for affordable aftermarket bands. The post notes potential ideas like cross‑device band integrations and adapters, while highlighting some drafting quirks like ‘Not to Scale’ and confidentiality markings.
Google/Fitbit's Fitbit Air is a $99, screenless wearable focused on passive health monitoring and sleep tracking; it's incredibly comfortable with long battery life and a low-distraction design, but lacks onboard GPS and some advanced health metrics, making it best for casual users who want a simple, affordable wellness companion rather than a data-heavy smartwatch.
Google lays out a roadmap of 39+ features and fixes for Google Health, covering exercise tracking, sleep, nutrition, and the Google Health Coach, with rolling updates starting this week and continuing through summer to address gaps left by the Fitbit transition and improve overall usability.
Google has outlined a comprehensive rollout of bug fixes and new features for the redesigned Google Health app, with improvements spanning exercise tracking (correct run labeling, run splits, faster map loading, TCX exports across devices), nutrition logging (duplicate logs prevention, better meal types, energy-burn accuracy), sleep features (missing Sleep Scores fixed, 24-hour sleep view including naps), and upgrades to Google Health Coach and Ask Coach (more visuals, concise messages, memory improvements, log deletion, core temperature logging). Additional updates include plans for more structured Fitness Plans, enhanced metric views and dashboards, data sharing with Apple Health and Smart Health Links, and improved account migration (June: delete child accounts). Google Health Premium and Google Fitbit Air are now available, with ongoing updates planned through summer and Apple Health sharing on the roadmap.
Google Health has replaced the Fitbit app with an AI-driven interface, prompting confusion and frustration as users navigate a redesigned Today screen, limited quick access to stats, and an AI health coach. Some users appreciate the coaching features, but many want the old Fitbit app back and complain about scrolling through long AI notes and cluttered data presentation. Google notes that with a connected wearable you’ll see extra tabs for Fitness and Sleep, and third‑party wearables may be supported later, plus the AI coach can be disabled via Privacy Controls. The transition coincides with the launch of the Fitbit Air.
The Fitbit Air is a 12g, screen-free fitness band with a week-long battery and robust health sensors, designed to work with Google Health and a paid AI health coach that analyzes workouts and offers actionable guidance. It aims to help non-fitness enthusiasts improve sleep and overall health, with data integrated across devices, and launches May 26 at $99.
Google has migrated the Fitbit Community to Google Health Community, folding Fitbit into its broader health ecosystem. The redesigned forum now covers the Google Health app, Google Fitbit Air, and existing devices like Sense, Versa, Inspire, and Ace, while older Fitbit discussions are harder to access, potentially erasing years of troubleshooting and support content.
Google’s Pixel Watch lineup (2–4) is dealing with multiple bugs after a March software update: sleep data and overnight blood-oxygen/skin-temperature readings no longer appear on the watch, with the device showing 'No recent data. Wear your watch to sleep' even though the Fitbit app records wear time and data in the background; separately, Pixel Watch 4 fails to count steps during workouts. Google says it’s working on a fix. Workarounds include ensuring Blood Oxygen and Temperature permissions are set to 'All the time' for the Fitbit app on the watch, force-stopping and clearing cache/data for Fitbit on both watch and phone, and rebooting; a factory reset remains a last resort but will erase data, with no guaranteed success.