Is a Google account required for Charge 6?

[ArrowsAndSpurs]

Does this mean the device won't function if we don't establish a Google account?

NEVERMIND!  I found the answer at https://www.fitbit.com/global/us/technology/compatible-devices

"A Google Account is required for all new users.

A Google Account is required to activate new Fitbit devices released after the launch of Google Accounts for Fitbit.

Existing users have the option to use either a Google Account or their existing Fitbit account until at least 2025 at which point they will be required to use a Google Account for login."

Additionally, https://help.fitbit.com/articles/en_US/Help_article/2478.htm says:

"Support of Fitbit accounts will continue until at least 2025. After support of Fitbit accounts ends, a Google Account will be required to use Fitbit."

Between the disappointing "improved" app and being forced to have an account with Google, it's time to look for a new fitness tracker.

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[Odyssey13]

Hi @ArrowsAndSpurs if you currently have or previously had a Fitbit account, you should be fine. I have a Fitbit account and plan to keep it until the switch is required.

[N8teGee · Accepted solution]

@Odyssey13 This doesn't seem to be the case.

The Charge 6 product page states the following.

"Google Account required - A Google Account is required to activate new Fitbit devices released after the launch of Google Accounts for Fitbit." 

Since the Charge 6 is released after the launch of Google accounts, I think it would be safe to assume that it will be a requirement. 

[Odyssey13]

Thanks @N8teGee  that makes sense. The latest Fitbit, a new app and setting up with Google for a fresh start.

[Dopovo]

I understand the same as @N8teGee but it wouldn't be the first time the official documentation by Fitbit would be wrong (see the mess concerning the family account), maybe @Odyssey13 has more information?

[Odyssey13]

@Dopovo  just the information that's on the supported devices article.

[tompabes]

I agree about the disappointing (which is euphemism...) new app. However, as to the Google account... any tracker you buy will require you to create an account with the producer. And... come on, who doesn't have a Google account today?

[Triletics]

I interpret it like @N8teGee . I think, statement is quite clear. That may be a way of speeding up the transition from Fitbit to Google. Well... it would probably work of Charge 6 had an altimeter 😉 One thing that I don't understand is why wait until 2025 for existing users? Now, there is annoying "data wall" between people who already migrated and those who decided to stay. Yet, eventually everyone will have to migrate so why postpone it until 2025? 🤷

[ArrowsAndSpurs]

Call me silly, paranoid, naive, whatever, I don't trust Google.

[Zekiette]

The Charge 6 refuses to set up through my Fitbit account. I would rather not migrate to a Google account and am waiting to hear back from customer service for a possible solution.

[ArrowsAndSpurs]

Zekiette,

Please let me know what customer service says.  Meanwhile, I've started looking at other devices.  Fitbit is becoming more and more disappointing to me.  I kind of, sort of, maybe understand losing the elevation tracking ability of the Charge 4 for the color screen of the Charge 5.  But, the "improved" app seems to require more taps to do the same things.  And, now the forced move to a google account.  It might be time to move on.

[MavroDrakos]

I've just been told that to use an Ace 3 that was bought in 2022 I have to create a google account for my kids. 

I think it is anticompetitive and in breach of contract to force people to have a google account just to use a device they have already bought.

I don't trust google with my data and I don't want my 7 year old to have a google account. I don't want them holding or profiling my kids for advertising purposes.

[ArrowsAndSpurs]

@Zekiette,

Did you get a solution from customer service to setup your Charge 6 without a google account?

[User198]

I went through this with my Nest Cameras.  After Google bought Nest, they kept nagging me to use the Google app.  I tried it out but it sucks compared to the Nest app.  Luckily, my old Nest Cameras are still working and I can keep using the Nest app.  However, if I buy any new cameras I'll be stuck.

Now My Charge 4 died on me, I just bought a Charge 6, and the FitBit app is telling me "In order to set up this device, you should first move your account to Google".  This is a bummer.  I suspect the Google App will be less functional and less user friendly but I don't seem to have an option.  The word "should" in the message is a lie.  They mean "must" because they won't let me add it to the FitBit app.

Edit: Not as bad as I thought.  I'd prefer not to use my Google account everywhere, but you can still use the same FitBit app.

[Jsrdavis]

Were you able to get a solution? I'm having the same issue.

[CarolynA2]

When logging in with your Google account

1. If migrating an older device to Google, does historical data migrate? (& eventually remain when upgrading to the Charge 6)

2. Is the app on my Android phone the same?

3. Is the browser dashboard the same?

(Thinking to migrate accounts with my current device while waiting for the Charge 6 bugs to be worked out.)

[walker99]

I just upgraded to the Charge 6 as my Charge 5's screen died.  To answer your questions, 1) yes, you can keep your old data.  When it asks how much data would you like to Delete, just move on to keep everything (you can choose not to delete anything). 2) The app appears to be the same one you currently use, but has a slightly different, not so user friendly appearance, but everything is still there.  3) I'm not sure on the browser dashboard, as I usually only use the app.  It does force you to use/create a Gmail address for any further notifications (annoying; but I've found a work around).

For those of you that prefer getting your fitbit emails somewhere other than Gmail after you switch your accounts, you can set a forwarding email in your Gmail account and/or create a filter to forward fitbit emails to a preferred account.  See instructions here:

https://support.google.com/mail/answer/10957?hl=en

[LadyAtia]

Not so much. I have a fitbit account and it let me log in, but it forced a connection to my google account and would not let me do anything else until I did. The SpO2 feature for the C6 is also clownshoes

[Goochswife]

I have a Google account and can't even get anything to work and fitbit support is of no help.  Guess the fitbits going back to the store.

[Gmfitzkee]

I previously had a Fitbit (not on Google) and just received my charge 6. I had to move to Google to activate it 😞