My thoughts about the Fitbit app and Google migration

[tidal]

The privacy and personal information issues are of huge concern or should be do all who have bought a Fitbit watch - in my case a Charge 6. I had a Versa 2 but it burned out literally. For a 1/3 discount, I bought a Charge 6. What could go wrong? 

1. Trying to "add" the Charge 6 to my Fitbit account on an iPhone, the message prompts me to "first move your account to Google." It states "should" move account. But, that should is stronger than the word implies. When I selected "maybe later" the app recycles me back to the beginning. Effectively, there is no way to proceed without migrating your Fitbit account to Google. Wait! It gets worse. 

2. Out of curiosity having at this point decided I do not want a product from a company that forces me to make decisions I don't want to, I select "proceed" to continue the migration of my account to Google. I'm then told "are you sure you want to leave this screen?" I'm not sure but have no choice. I'm then taken to another screen where there's information about the meaning of Fitbit being Google. I "get started." I then choose my Google account. I then "review and confirm" my Fitbit setup. 

3. Now, the cautionary language happens. "Fitbit profile info, like your height and weight, will move to your Google account along with your health and wellness data..." Hmmmm.....do I want Google computers to know this much about me. I'm fine with my docs knowing this information but a sales and marketing behemoth....not so much. For curiosity sake, knowing I'm not going to complete this registration, I continue. 

4. I decline allowing Google Fitbit to inundate me with "news, updates, research invitations...." And, now get to the clincher - Step 3 which states "Review how Google uses Fitbit data and agree to move." I'm given the invitation to continue with this "take a moment to learn what information will be collected about you, how it's used, and the privacy controls available to you." I'm thinking at this point the best privacy control that I have is not to allow them to have my information in the first place. Granted, there is language that states "your Fitbit health and wellness data won't e used for Google Ads....." Do we really believe behemoth Google has our best interests at heart in the use of very personal and specific data of our fitness and health? How long have you had your blinders on? 

5. There are then multiple more steps to which you must agree; there is no negotiation. Sound familiar? 

6. This leaves me and hopefully others with the questions - when is too much too much? When are we consumers going to say "enough!" Or, are we going to proceed with the next bright and shiny object being led off cliffs into an abyss of now knowing who and what knows everything about us?

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject

[gdio53]

@tidal 

1. All new Fitbit devices require a Google account to to finish setting up the device. Existing Fitbit accounts will be required to move their accounts to Google in 2025.

3. Google purchased Fitbit in November, 2019, so they have had your data since then,

6. Google is no different than other companies when i comes to collecting health metrics, Apple, Samsung, Garmin & others also collect information about you.  Your information is out there whether you choose to not share it with a company.  Just search for your name, phone number or address to see what information is available.

I moved my account to Google last year and have had no issues.  No additional spam emails, and the search for my name, phone number or address doesn't return any more information than what was showing before I migrated.

While I respect your concerns, I understand, but I'm not fooling myself by thinking that no one has any of my information.  I'm more concerned with the phishing and spam emails I get, and the websites that may try to collect my login information.  I use a password manager to save all my logins, and most have at least a 20 character password with random letters, numbers and special characters.  I also use 2FA whenever the site allows it,

[Mcav75]

Google has owned Fitbit for nearly 5 years now, and has had full access to Fitbit data since. Moving your fitbit account to a Google account will not make an ounce of difference.

However, based on your 4th point, it appears that nothing will convince you otherwise. 

[XaraTheImpaled]

You're worried about data collection? 😬🤣

[lesleykl]

Not worried about data collection, I am worried about loosing my data. I received a congratulatory email on my 9th anniversary from fitbit today. Coincidentally I bought a charge 6 yesterday and had the same experience as you. I had an operation in July and want to keep records of the extraordinary progress I have made. Once I transfer to Google, which I also don't want to do, I am asked to delete either today, week, month, year, all time. I do not want to delete anything. I call help centre who says we can't work around that I must delete. Charge 6 is going back to the shop...

[Mcav75]

I transferred from Fitbit to Google and did not lose any data. I was also able to easily sync Google Fitbit and Google fit through Health Connect. 

You will lose nothing.

[lesleykl]

Thanks for your answer. What did you select when it asked you what you want to delete?

[Mcav75]

When I moved my Fitbit account to my Google account, I wasn't asked to delete anything. Do you have a screenshot of where you are being asked this? 

[lesleykl]

No because I gave back the charge 6. It was after I was asked if I want to move to google and if I didn’t I couldn’t go any further. I went through the process with Fitbit support over the phone and it happened with him and he said there was no choice I had to select an option day week month or year to delete.
Lesley Lawson Botez
Sent from my iPhone

[Mcav75]

It's interesting because no such screen turned up for me, none of my data had to be deleted, my entire Fitbit history is intact and synchronised with Google fit through health connect, and no screen saying you have to you to "delete" anything shows up on any step by step guides: 

https://youtu.be/_Y09hCr4oCc?si=7pwEr1z3nKCAqcXG

https://youtu.be/AEKsDuGO_DM?si=RgNz2wqOESwJ2Nxo

The 2nd is a screen grab of someone actually making the transfer.

[Tovli]

I'm in the same boat! I think we have to "migrate" from Fitbit to Google by March 2025. I love Fitbit, but Google no longer supports Windows on the PC. Due to low-vision issues, being able to process my data from my Fitbit on the PC is crucial. Now, the forced "migration" is concerning—just "no choice" for the consumer. Bummer.

[Tovli]

Thanks for this note.  Suggesting increased PW security is certainly an intelligent recommendation.  

[vmcclusky]

After a 2 year break, I bought a brand new FitBit and decided to get back on track.  I was EXTREMELY disappointed to find that the Fitbit dashboard website no longer existed.   So many companies are cancelling their traditional websites and forcing us to use their apps.  Note everyone enjoys using an app on a tiny phone screen to gather and track more complex information.  I have a desk job and it's FAR easier to log into the traditional FitBit app and preview my recent stats.  Maybe I'll get used to this garbage, I don't know.........

[lesleykl]

I didn’t know about that and agree completely. 

Sent from my iPad

Moderator Edit: Personal info removed

[lesleykl]

I didn’t know about the dashboard and agree totally with your comments. I’m thinking about an oura ring next time. 

[RJCoote]

I too am always worried about losing history because it has happened before with another smart device company and it was never resolved. It looks like the official migration is Feb 2026. 

 

[lesleykl]

I received this very morning an email from google telling me to hurry and move my account before February 2026! I think by then I will have moved to the oura ring but better see who it belongs to. 

[CRakoczy]

I use a Google Workspace for most of my Google activity because I'm a small one-person business and pay for Workspace. Technically I do have a personal Gmail account which was setup when I first bought a smart phone back in... forever ago.

Question: since the Fitbit migration will not work with Workspace accounts, if I connect it to my personal account, would I still be able to connect services like Workspace email and calendars and whatnot to a future wearable if that wearble is on my personal account?

[lesleykl]

Well I returned charge 6 to shop and kept old inspire 2 because of all of that. I plan an oura ring be feb 2026 when I have to move to google. 

[KDBW]

Why not be concerned about invasive programs? So far my SSN has been released by health care and used twice. So no, I don't want this device in my email or sharing personal data. If you don't care that's you, but don't laugh at others who watch out for their data.