How does Google Pixel Watch record EOV data?

[justIvan]

@LizzyFitbit Can you clarify how Fitbit is getting the EOV data? The official word for Pixel Watch is that oxygen saturation (Sp02) reading isn't yet available for the device. From the following Fitbit article, the description is that estimated oxygen variation (EOV) is an approximation of the changes in your blood oxygen saturation levels.

https://help.fitbit.com/articles/en_US/Help_article/1876.htm 

How can you get EOV chart if oxygen saturation reading hasn't been enabled? Does Fitbit use a different way to get EOV? Or was it a stealth launch of the Sp02 feature?

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[t.parker]

@justIvan most likely it is due to the certifications needed for the new device so for now SpO2 isn't available yet. EOV was Fitbit's way to utilize sensor in non-medical way before SpO2 readings where officially available. That's just my guess but previous devices went that path, too.

[LizzyFitbit]

Welcome to the community, @justIvan. @t.parker Thanks for taking the time to share your insights.

@justIvan I've moved your post to a different thread so we can keep the forums organized. Thanks for the time taken while researching more about this topic. As you may know, the estimated oxygen variation (EOV) is an estimate of the changes in your blood oxygen saturation levels. On the other hand, Fitbit SpO2 estimates your average blood oxygen saturation levels and range while you sleep. Please note that to collect SpO2 data, you'd need to install an SpO2 clock face or the SpO2 app on supported devices.

I understand how helpful it'd be to get this data on your Google Pixel Watch, and I'd encourage you to vote for this idea posted in the Feature Suggestions board so our developers can take it into consideration.

[justIvan]

@LizzyFitbit You're taking what I said out of context by moving my reply to a separate post.

For reference, here's the original post where I originally posted my reply:

https://community.fitbit.com/t5/Android-App/Google-Pixel-Watch-EOV-doesn-t-display-in-Sleep-tile/td-... 

In this post, the question is why EOV data suddenly disappeared for Pixel Watch users. This feature has been available on and off, and it seems can be available/unavailable after some Fitbit updates, causing confusion to users, whether this feature is supposed to be available or not. My question was to confirm whether EOV is supposed to be available for Pixel Watch users or not. I understand SpO2 is not currently available for Pixel Watch users.

Can you please clarify if EOV supposed to be available for Pixel Watch? Your statement below is very vague.

As you may know, the estimated oxygen variation (EOV) is an estimate of the changes in your blood oxygen saturation levels. On the other hand, Fitbit SpO2 estimates your average blood oxygen saturation levels and range while you sleep. Please note that to collect SpO2 data, you'd need to install an SpO2 clock face or the SpO2 app on supported devices.

Are you saying that Pixel Watch is currently supposed to be able to get EOV data? If yes, how does it work (where is it getting the data from)?

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi there, @justIvan.

Thanks for getting back with more details and sharing your feedback. Before anything else, let me clarify the previous thread was related to an issue related to the EOV not displayed on the Sleep tile of the Fitbit app for users with a Google Pixel watch paired. This issue was already resolved by our team and some of our members also confirmed to be receiving EOV readings.

Regarding your question, the Google Pixel watch supports EOV tracking and should show this information on the Fitbit app. While your previous post mentioned that you've reviewed this help article, I'd recommend to check it one more time as in there you'll find more information about how this data is recorded.

[justIvan]

@LizzyFitbit Thanks so much for the comment and my apologies if I was misinterpreting the question on the original post. Really appreciate you confirrming that the Pixel Watch currently support EOV tracking. There were a lot of questions by user in the Pixel Watch community, and having confirmation from a Fitbit Moderator is definitely reassuring.

I did read the article, but there are some things I'm confused about. From the article:

Your device tracks your EOV while you sleep using red and infrared sensors on the back of the device. The sensors shine red and infrared light onto your skin and blood vessels, using the color of the light that bounces back to approximate how much oxygen is in your blood:

• Richly oxygenated blood is red and reflects more red light than infrared light.
• Poorly oxygenated blood is bluish red and reflects more infrared light than red light.

Right now the only sensor that's coming from the bottom of the Pixel watch is pulsing green light, which I assume is for measuring the heart rate. I don't think I've ever seen the red pulse. Does that mean the red pulse is only active when we sleep? ? Is there a way to test to see that this function actually works? Obviously I can't check this when I'm sleeping.

[LizzyFitbit · Accepted solution]

@justIvan It's nice to see you here.

You're welcome, and not worries. Thanks to you for reviewing my post and sharing more details. In regards to your question, yes, the green light is the heart rate sensor, whilst the red light is the sensor for the EOV which turns on when your device detects you're sleeping. Currently we don't have a way for you to manually check the sensor performance other than verifying if the EOV appears in the sleep tile. However, you can always share your question in the Help Forums to receive help from the Community.

Please note we always recommend visiting a health care professional for any questions related to your health.