September 17, 2024, 7:59 am | Read time: 4 minutes
Fitbit has been part of Google for around three years. This could mean some advantages for owners of fitness trackers and smartwatches, but Google has been increasingly restricting Fitbit’s functions for several months now.
It is the latest annoyance in the history between Google and Fitbit. The internet company took over the sports tracker manufacturer in 2021 but has apparently lost interest in the devices in the meantime. At the end of 2023, Google severely restricted the sale of Fitbit wearables in 29 countries. The reason given: The company wanted to focus more on its own smartwatch, the Google Pixel Watch.
However, it is not only the sale of Fitbit fitness trackers and smartwatches that has been restricted. The subscription platform required for full use is also no longer available in the relevant countries. At the time, Google explained that it remained committed to its customers and had not made any changes that would affect existing Fitbit devices. In the meantime, however, things have changed, as Fitbit devices are now losing the important support for many apps and, therefore, functions. TECHBOOK explains the background.
No more third-party apps for Fitbit
Unlike the sales stop a few months ago, the current app restriction only affects Fitbit users in Europe. Google is ending support for third-party apps here with immediate effect. Drastic restrictions in the range of functions of the fitness trackers and smartwatches accompany this.
In addition to the applications pre-installed by Google and Fitbit, it was also possible to install programs and watch faces from other providers on models such as Fitbit Sense (2), Fitbit Versa 2, 3, and 4, Versa Lite and Fitbit Ionic via the App Gallery. These could be weather apps or sports apps, for example. However, Google will discontinue this option in June 2024.
The step is justified on the support page with new legal requirements – Google is likely referring to the Digital Markets Act (DMA), which recently came into force in the European Economic Area. However, as the company is not commenting on this in more detail, one can only speculate as to why it is not working on a solution that would continue to allow third-party apps on Fitbit.
Owners of Fitbit devices were only able to download and install third-party apps until the end of May. However, the apps and their functions are no longer available. Google displays its own apps and watch faces instead.
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Current restrictions follow a pattern
With its ever-new restrictions for Fitbit devices, Google has been giving the impression that the models have only been running on the sidelines for some time. This makes them increasingly unattractive to potential buyers and owners. Just a few weeks ago, Google changed the naming slightly. “Fitbit by Google” became “Google Fitbit.” This gives the company name more weight. Shortly before the change, Google had already integrated the Fitbit Premium subscription into its Google One service. Packages of 2 terabytes or more receive the Fitbit function as an additional extra.
In addition to these changes, Google has also made some cuts. For example, the online store operated by Fitbit was closed in April. The devices can now be found in the Google Store. Google has also announced the discontinuation of Fitbit Pay. The payment method will be replaced by Google Wallet on July 29. Fitbit Pay will still be offered only in Japan, Taiwan, and Saudi Arabia.