Fitbit shared that its transition to using Google Accounts for logging in and new device registration will start this summer.

Fitbit is moving away from its own login system to just use Google Accounts. Google touts benefits like having one username/password for Gmail/YouTube/Photos/etc., and Fitbit, as well as “industry-leading privacy and security.”

Users will have added, unified privacy controls – including the ability to manage all Fitbit data in the Google Privacy Center – to keep their health and wellness data safe and secure. They will also be able to see and manage where they are logged in across their Google Account.

For example, Fitbit two-factor authentication (2FA) only takes place over SMS today.

 

 

 

 

Google reiterates that “Fitbit health and wellness data won’t be used for Google Ads, and it will continue to be kept separate from Google Ads data.”

Besides the login experience, Fitbit says users should not expect any changes to accessing historical health and wellness stats. This upcoming move is being positioned as laying the groundwork for future Fitbit capabilities, with similar phrasing used to describe the recent removal of Challenges and open groups.

This will start rolling in a few months, and users will see a prompt in the Fitbit app (or an option in app settings) to migrate to logging in with a Google Account. You will have the ability to “review your existing setup before you move.”

Existing users will not have to switch until 2025, but new Fitbit users will need to go the Google Account route to set up devices when this rolls out.

 

 

 

As of 2023, Fitbit will require a Google Account to use new devices and features. As part of transitioning to a single account system, Fitbit.com is losing support for Google sign-in.

At the moment, Fitbit.com lets you sign in with a username and password (aka Fitbit account) or by using “Continue with Google” (Google Account). In 2021, the website also supported signing in with Facebook, but that was eventually and unsurprisingly deprecated.

The Fitbit website’s sign-in page has been updated with the following message: “We are removing the option to log in to your account on fitbit.com with your Google credentials to support an improved experience coming soon.” No hard date for when this will occur is provided.

To prepare for this removal, be sure you know the email address and password you use for Fitbit. If you don’t know your password, click Forgot Password

For more information about your Fitbit account, including how to find and change your email address, see our help article.

 

 

 

 

Fitbit wants all users to be aware of their email addresses and password, which is already required by the Android and iOS apps. You’re advised to reset your password and enter a new one if not.

This change is in service of Fitbit accounts being replaced by standard Google Accounts, so there will no longer be two different systems. A Google Account will be needed to access new features and set up devices, though users will be able to stick with existing Fitbit accounts until 2025.

Besides access to new features, Google touts feature like “industry-leading account security, centralized privacy controls for Fitbit user data, and more features from Google on Fitbit.”

When this consolidation launches, you will have to “consent to transfer your Fitbit user data from Fitbit to Google.” This is no timeline yet for when this will occur.

Fitbit Challenges and open groups are no longer available as Google pulls the plug

Following an announcement earlier this year, Fitbit has today pulled the plug on challenges and open groups, two longtime features of its app.

As of today, March 27, Fitbit has discontinued support for four different “legacy” features within its app. Available since 2017, those most notably include “Challenges & Adventures,” which were social activities that allowed Fitbit owners to compete with one another with real-life movement and activity goals. The challenges included:

• Challenges: Find the extra encouragement to move more by competing with friends and family.
• Virtual Premium Challenges: It’s even easier to play! For a limited time, earn bonus active minutes and Active Zone Minutes during challenges.
• Adventure Races: Virtually race against your friends along real-life locations.
• Solo Adventures: Virtually explore real-life locations.

Further, Fitbit has also today removed open groups from its app, now limiting the feature to only private groups with friends. Open groups allowed Fitbit owners to share progress and discuss topics on a public forum accessible through the Fitbit app.

Google and Fitbit said that the reason for removing Challenges and open groups was in an effort to “streamline areas” of the Fitbit app as the two companies move toward further Google integration.

We’re working hard behind the scenes to enhance the Fitbit app with Google technology this year. As a result, we’re streamlining areas of the Fitbit app and will remove all challenges, including adventures, and trophies on March 27, 2023.

However, both of these removals have not been well-received by the community. Longtime Fitbit owners have expressed their outrage at the decision and called on Google repeatedly to reverse the decision. At this point, though, the features have already shut down, and it seems they’re unlikely to make a return unless Google opts to reinvent them in the future.

The “Discover” tab in the Fitbit app is now lacking these longtime features, instead only showing workout guides, mindfulness and nutrition content, and similar programs and content.