Able to return to previous Fitbit app version

[Dsarazin]

Woke up this morning to your new app. To say the least I am not impressed. It lacks color and is boring and adds nothing new to what was there before. I absolutely hate it. I am a longtime Fitbit user but this might actually change that on next purchase.

Moderator edit: Clarified subject

[Bappass62]

I spoke to a moderate yesterday he said you cannot change back to the old
format I'm going to cancel my subscription and ask for a refund of my versa
3 had I have know changing it would cause issues I would not have changed
!!!!

[valyba]

To return to the previous version of the Fitbit app in Android - Uninstall the latest version.  Then, follow the instructions in this video.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=icEyr2OGryI

In the end, you do not have to turn off automatic updates for ALL apps.  You can do it just for the Fitbit app. 

1. Go to Play Store and click on your picture/avatar.  2. Manage apps & device  3. The Manage tab (not the Overview) 4. Select the Fitbit app  5. The 3 dots in the upper right you'll find the option to Disable auto updates for just this app.  

[BeechewDC]

THANK YOU @valyba and @Kafski !

Argh, VERY SADLY I'm an iPhone'r ... I canceled my Fitbit Premium – looks like I'm making the swap to Apple Watch!

[acidtest]

Hi @DawBee

Your thread "Bleak and Depressing Redesign" was not deleted exactly- it was merged with another thread "Able to return to previous Fitbit app version".

Many threads have been merged into another one, including two of mine, specifically "Anyone happy with this app?", and "At least FIX THE BUGS". which were merged into "The redesigned Fitbit app is rolling out"

It looks like the Moderators are burying critical threads so no one can find them anymore. That is why I started a separate thread requesting they timestamp threads, leave markers for deleted posts, and indicate if a thread has been merged into another one.

Another thing that happens when a thread is "merged" - you can't vote for it anymore!

[dRezzed]

Fully agree with this and also my extra two cents - New update is bland and doesn't operate as optimally as you think it would. I would much rather be able to organize my stuff the way I want to prioritize rather than toggling and organizing group by group. Its also insanely bright solid white. Why are we spending hundreds on a watch only to also be forced to use a blinding white app with a paywalled Dark mode. Awful.

[MariaCurly]

I will be doing the same… but can I ask how did you rill back the app ?

Sent from maria's iphone

[MarkIndia]

I've almost forgotten what the old app looked like now so am not in position to make a reliable comparison. The new app is definitely badly designed, unattractive and not user friendly. Im would have liked to be able to organise data as per my requirements and interest.

On the other hand - all the relevant information seems to be there although it is all over the place. I hope light dawns on Fitbit and they redesign the app. 

[Bappass62]

I agree bring back the original fitbit model.

[acidtest]

(app version 3.9)

[MsHellMenz]

OMG all of this, particularly what Nymdoc added. I just can't get on with the new app look and feel. It's dull and less informative. Please, please go back to what we had before. It's so much less user-friendly. I love data, and I loved the Fitbit app. This combined with the problems I've had with my Charge 4 and am now having with my three-month-old Charge 5 are making me question why I'm dragging my feet about moving to Garmin. I want to love Fitbit as much as I did on day one, but you're not making it easy.

[Lilybet]

I'm likely going to go with the option that rhymes with Mans Sun. As I found out today they don't use any Nickel in their Smartwatches.

Google is looking at loosing Millions of users because of shafting us with a Shoddy replacement (app)

[MsHellMenz]

100% agree. The data is sort of there still, but much less user-friendly. It's a real shame as it makes it so much harder to use and interpret.

[1GinnyME1]

I just went to Google & made a 1-star review. They honestly don't think they about their customers at all. So unfortunate because I've been with them since 3/2014 when I had to have heart surgery to monitor my heart, sleep, etc. after a stroke 12/2013. It was Fitbit back then(nothing to do with Google) and they cared. Google doesn't seem to be bothers by losing customers.

Samsung will continue to gain my business as I've been with Samsung longer with absolutely no issues and they respond extremely quickly to DM's.

Signed,

About a ex Fitbit user!

Sent by Samsung Galaxy S20 GG via Microsoft Outlook

[Nancysw]

I agree! I want the old app back period! I have been a fitbit user since 2015. Guess my next purchase will be a different one. I am so sad.

[Olek1024]

I wasted almost an hour going through the online tutorials and help topics only to realize that exercise shortcuts customization is gone. This never was told explicitly. I do not trust the official docs anymore. And given this thread the changes that users never asked for is a trend. When my device dies or my needs grow beyond the product capabilities I will look at the new players on the market.

[Homebody315]

I have a brand new Samsung s23 plus. My biggest complaint with is new Fitbit app is that text messages no longer show on my watch. With so many websites asking for second level verification code it was much easier when those codes came through on my watch than having to hunt for my phone (which is less than 20 ft from me.). First world problem, I know, but it's still more than annoying. It's stress making, when I work in a stressful job to begin with.

• I turned off the Bluetooth and turned it back on again.
• I've checked notification permissions (Allowed). Push notifications (Allowed). I have paired and unpaired both my Luxes several times. I turned off the Bluetooth and turned it back on again I even uninstalled the app and reinstalled it. Then re-paired the watch. I had my husband send a test text. Nothing. (I checked the phone AFTER the watch - message was there)...

As so many others have said, if it ain't broke why would you have tried to fix it?!?! I'm going to be looking at a Garmin when I can afford a new one, not Fitbit and certainly not Google. If Google's idea with redesigning the Fitbit app was to make people shift over to Google watches... It's only made a lot of us decide that we will never buy another Google product. 

[ldusseau]

As many others have noted, the new app is awful. To make matters worse, there was no tutorial included, just BAM! Here's your app, good luck finding things. The home screen is one white blob. Battery remaining is in a subscreen, not easily found and provides no details. I could go on but I would be repeating all the other complaints you received

[SunsetRunner]

That’s me finished with Fitbit after approximately 6 years and have now ordered a Garmin. Well done Google and think you will be losing a lot of previously loyal customers. 

[hellotom]

So I've just gotten a delightful Fitbit email "Your weekly progress report from Fitbit!" It arrived in my gmail account.  All because I accidently hit a key on my phone. Now I'm stuck FOREVER in Google hell. Screw you, any company that takes away my ability to send use my proper email address is **ahem**.

[PepPepPepper]

I was forced to update the interface and it is terrible. @SunsetRunner said it better than I could. Everything that was changed was a step back. I will be changing brands because this became something not useful to me in health tracking. I will have to manually track until I find a replacement. I don't understand how you decided this was needed but your design/product development methods need serious attention if you think this was what your clients wanted or needed. 

[PA_Espinosa]

Clarkey100:

Google rolled the dice and expects for the 120 million registered users to
make the switch to Google’s higher priced $349.99 Pixel Smartwatch.

I believe the Free Market and Keynesian Economics will make a dent into
Google’s bottom line. Some top executive at Google took to heart “Greed is
good” by the theatrical Gordon Gekko! Google’s decision to degrade the
Fitbit App is antagonizing the Fitbit Community as a whole.

Google may roll Snake Eyes with this decision!

[sagepatel]

Return to the previous app.  There are so many problems with this new update.  Starting with silly developers who thought it was great idea to remove battery % from the home page to creating groups of information that doesn't allow the user to individually customize to their personal needs to the monochrome colors to having to click more to seeing the basic information that we want to see like weekly step counts to cardio and peak ranges.  Jeez the list just on and on.  Simple solution go back to the last update.  It's like these developers started from scratch.  Why do that? Unless Google wants to go over t o thief product. Well I'm angry enough to go to apple.  What a mess for no reason!

[Catman81]

Referring to Nymdok's extensive comment that does a good job of illustrating what we have all been saying, Google and FitBit management need to read and take to heart his comments. He is spot on in his assessment of the new update. If management only reads one comment, this is the one to read. Google would have done well to have someone like Nymdok as project manager. 

[Shadywood]

Interesting out of date reviews.  I just looked at the many online reviews of fitness trackers.  The Fitbit line is at the top of every single review.  Obviously these reviews are out of date.  Fitbit may have earned those high ratings before the disastrous forced app update.  I wonder how long before the reviews reflect the current status of the Fitbit blunder.

Note that not a single Google tracker was even mentioned is any of the reviews. Zero. Zilch.

[PA_Espinosa]

This is very intentional by Google. It purchased Fitbit in 2019 and set a
plan in motion to “rape” Fitbit’s market leading technology and integrate
it into Google’s higher priced $349.99 Pixel Smartwatches. Launched on
October 4, 2023.

I am positive the degradation of the Fitbit App was ordered from the top
level executives at Google. Google has rolled the dice and is hoping that
the majority of the 120 million loyal Fitbit Community makes the switch to
Google products.

Google’s ad even confirms the “rape” in their launch ad, over words are
used “combining the best of Fitbit’s health tracking tools”!