What you need to know
- The Fitbit app is becoming the Google Health app starting May 19 following an automatic OTA update.
- Fitbit data will automatically carry over to Google Health, and Google Fit users will be invited to migrate their data later this year.
- Fitbit Premium is now Google Health Premium, and the annual plan is now $20 more expensive. However, it’s free for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in more than 30 countries.
Google is no stranger to high-profile acquisitions, and we’ve seen the blueprint before. It buys a company, and eventually, the ecosystem becomes one with Google’s own ecosystem. We saw this play out with Nest, which is part of Google Home. Now, we’re seeing the final stages of the Fitbit transition, following Google’s acquisition in 2021. The Fitbit app is becoming Google Health in under two weeks, and while the platform certainly isn’t going anywhere, there are big changes ahead.
Google Health will be the new home for health and fitness data across the Google, Fitbit, and Android ecosystems. It’s rolling out as an app update for the current Fitbit app, so users won’t have to make the manual switch to a new app. All existing data will carry over to the updated Google Health app, too. To unify the health suite, Google Fit users will be able to migrate their data to Google Health later this year.
The centerpiece of the new Google Health app is the Health Coach, an AI-powered trainer previously tested as Fitbit Health Coach. It’s an exclusive feature for Google Health Premium subscribers, and Health Premium is replacing Fitbit Premium. Here’s everything you need to know about the change, including the rollout timing and new features.
Fitbit will become Google Health, and there’s no opt-out
Google’s choice to update the Fitbit app rather than release a new Google Health app confirms that there’s no opting out of the transition. Starting today, Google will nudge Fitbit app users about the Health rebrand with push notifications and pop-ups. That will give users a bit of time to brace themselves for the Google Health rebrand, which is set to roll out as an app update on May 19. Since everything is automatic, users won’t have to manually transfer data or make any changes to the app itself.
The new app is more than just a facelift. It offers new functionality, like advanced machine learning models that are 15% more accurate for sleep tracking. It presents data alongside uploaded vitals and medical records, enabling Ask Coach to answer questions using the information provided. It supports nutrition logging with personalized calorie and water intake targets.
The Google Health app launches with four tabs: Today, Fitness, Sleep, and Health. The interface is customizable, allowing users to pick their favorite metrics and pin them to the dashboards at the top of the Today and Health pages. It’s designed to work with devices beyond the Fitbit and Google ecosystems, supporting Health Connect and Google Health APIs, but also Apple Health, Peloton, and MyFitnessPal.
Google Health leaderboards are now expanded to make step tracking and cardio load a competition among friends. Cycle tracking is also upgraded with improved navigation, better logging, and an interactive calendar.
Google Health Premium is replacing Fitbit Premium, too
The flagship Google Health feature, Health Coach, requires a Google Health Premium subscription. This is the rebranded version of the longtime Fitbit Premium service, which cost $9.99 per month and $79.99 per year. The new Health Premium plans cost $9.99 per month and $99.99 per year, representing a $20 increase for annual subscribers.
However, the basic Google Health experience includes activity tracking, sleep tracking, health tracking, and manual wellness logging. The paid experience adds AI-powered features leveraging Gemini, but it’s not required.
Crucially, the Health Premium tier will be free for Google AI Pro and Ultra subscribers in over 30 countries. Fitbit Premium was available for AI Pro and Ultra users previously, but only in the United Kingdom. The expanded availability will help more Google One subscribers get premium Google Health (formerly Fitbit) features without paying extra.
Android Central’s Take
Believe it or not, the Fitbit Charge HR was the first wearable I ever owned, so I’m familiar with the Fitbit legacy. Personally, I don’t think it’s going anywhere. Google already overhauled the design and feature set of the Fitbit app for the better.
The only major difference here is the new brand, and moving to the Google Health name makes sense for consistency and recognition. The Fitbit brand isn’t going anywhere either, as the just-announced Fitbit Air proves it’ll live on in other products.
The Health Premium price hike for annual subscribers is unfortunate, but selfishly, I’m thrilled that it’s now included with Google AI Pro plan. For $20 per month, you get Google One features, exclusive AI tools, 5TB cloud storage, Google Home Premium, and now Google Health Premium. It might be one of the best deals in subscriptions, period.
I didn’t like the scattered nature of Google’s health offerings between Fitbit and Google Fit. I’m glad Google Health will unify the experience while retaining what made the Fitbit app great.