Check SpO2 at anytime on supported Fitbit devices

[mbarylski]

The new Sp02 clock face is nice, but can you also add the ability to check Sp02/pulse ox at anytime during the day rather than just during sleep?

Moderator edit: Updated label and subject for clarity

[DaberDo57]

For health and fitness people  need to know their SP02 Levels other than just sleeping.   They need to know how their Levels react to exercise or just ordinary walking. I currently have a fitbit Inspure HR. I am wanting to upgrade to one I can track SP02 any time.   I  CAN get that with Garmin!  Looking at Garmin Venu sq.  But was hoping Fitbit would come out with one or an app I could download if I bought a  Fitbit Versa 3.

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That last part should say, Fitbit  Versa 3.  But somehow it got sent before I could correct spelling Versa and finish the sentence. 

[gmacmail]

I totally agree with your comments.  My health wouldn't let me wait for Fitbit to respond to mysimilar Charge 5 request for measuring O2 on demand so I took advantage of the Black Friday Sales and bought me an Apple Series 7 Watch.  I will be selling my Charge 5. I've been usingFitbit Charge Activity Trackers since they came out but now, I'm done with Fitbit.

[pbug56]

I believe that Garmin has let you monitor SPO2 in realtime on one or more
devices for a while now. Some of us have been waiting for a couple years
or longer for Fitbit to even explain why they refuse to allow that on their
devices.

[Sandman42b]

Why isn't this a thing yet? Where is the logic in only being able to view oxygen levels for sleep? I knew I should've gotten an apple watch. 😞

[pbug56]

It seems like every company making trackers other than Fitbit offers models
that allow you to track and see your SPO2 in realtime (presumably in most
cases sampled once every several seconds). Some expensive, some not. But
Fitbit won't even tell us why they won't allow it.

[Kennyfar]

I upgraded to the Charge 5 because of the oxygen sensor. I had no idea it was only available just while you sleep. It seems crazy to have the ability to check your oxygen level and not use it.

[Ginazari]

I agree we need this 🤗

[oeagleo]

Unfortunately, this has been asked for since the Sense came out, and before, I believe.  Fitbit neither listens, nor cares about it's customers, after all, they have your money, why would they want to give more?  I think you can forget about 24/7 SpO2, until they come out with a much more expensive wearable, then they'll tell us that they've listened to us, and are providing what the users want.  After 2 or 3 years...

[pbug56]

It was expected with the original Versa, Ionic and others. In all this
time, Fitbit refuses to tell us why they won't allow us to have it when
clearly the hardware supports it, and keeping mind that other companies do
offer this capability. It's certainly not about the watch being 'too
cheap' and waiting for a more expensive one. Versa was not cheap, nor
Sense, nor Ionic. The watches have the tech, it just needs to be enabled
for non-sleep purposes. Say one sample every 5 seconds to keep battery use
down but give viable numbers so we can see what's going on for resting,
light exercise, heavy exercise, etc. With those of us with asthma it would
be incredibly helpful. Give that we're surrounded by COVID, even more so,
especially for those of us who are immune compromised. We need
realtime SPO2 readings on our Fitbit's now more than ever!

[DaberDo57]

Yes, I did.  I bought a Garmin Venu Sq.  But still going to use my Fitbit Inspire hr.  I had bought an extension for my Fitbit. So I can wear it around my ankle while pushing a shopping cart or another time I will be walking,  but can't keep moving my arm.  Otherwise I don't get an accurate step count. Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphone

[pbug56]

In day to day use, how is the SPO2 display? Like if you go for a walk, it
might drop a bit, go running, more, etc.? Their description is exactly
what I'd want my Sense (or my old Versa) to do. How is it in real life?

[jennameyer]

@pbug56 - it only tracks your SpO2 when you sleep.

[pbug56]

The Garmin?

[jennameyer]

No, the Fitbit. My bad, I thought you were asking about the Fitbit haha

[oeagleo]

If you keep your phone in your pocket, the Garmin Vent Sq will combine the steps from the phone with the watch and give an accurate count.  All Garmin's, Apple Watches, TicWatches, and most of any others will do this.  Given the trouble Fitbit has with the SpO2 readings, I would question whether their personnel have figured out how to merge the two data sources. 😞

[pbug56]

Perhaps our moderator can tell us why Fitbit won't tell us why we can't have real time SPO2 on the several different devices that have the hardware for it.  It seems very clear that battery use is not the issue with most of them.  If we can have it for sleep, than why not while we are awake?  Especially since other brands, big and small have it now.

[oeagleo]

Chances are that the moderators know absolutely nothing about any of the devices, production, or engineering.  They may even simply be volunteers.  I've come to the conclusion that Fitbit has had ample time to develop a 24/7 SpO2 algorithm, but have chosen not to do so, not because of any implementation problems, but it is because the SpO2 hardware on the device is extremely inaccurate, and they don't want you checking their accuracy against something like a finger cot device, like every testing YouTube video does for the other devices they test.  I'm convinced they simply DON'T WANT you to compare the readings from the Fitbit device to a known accurate device, and by keeping it only during sleep, this prevents this.  Your SpO2 numbers during sleep are simply wild guesses, and not from anything on the device itself, probably based upon heart rate.   MODERATORS, PROVE ME WRONG.

[DaberDo57]

Sent from my Verizon, Samsung Galaxy smartphoneI have the finger sp02.  I find the Garmin Venu sq's sp02 pretty much in sync with what you say is more accurate, the finger sp02.  I just bought my Garmin,  tired of waiting on Fitbit.   Sp02 seems just as accurate as the finger one.  So if Garmin's isn't accurate,  neither is the finger oximeter. 

[rebidus]

Just received a Charge 5, and I am  extremely disappointed there is no instant spo2 reading as it is the sole reason for the purchase. I have interstitial lung disease and it would be very helpful when exercising. Returning it and looking at other options. 

[pbug56]

Lots of people bought SPO2 equipped Fitbits believing they would be able to
get realtime SPO2 readings like on watches from other companies. Fitbit
refuses to tell us why they won't enable it on theirs.

[pbug56]

Hard to tell on a Fitbit because you MAY get an overnight average (and you
may get zip). The average sort of seems to make sense to me; it's a few
points below my typical awake level, and I know that when I lie down I
breathe slower and have less air movement due to ongoing congestion. So
I'd be happy to have it, and yes, I'd compare it to my finger clip.

Fitbit, why won't you enable this?

[pbug56]

If this was one of their early devices with SPO2, I'd agree, but the
overnight average that sometimes pops up on my Sense, or did pop up on my
Versa seemed to make sense to me. They seem to be using the same tech that
everyone else in the business does. But then again, years of non-response
to numerous customers asking why they won't provide real time readouts (and
chart data) does make one wonder. They just ignore us, and some of the
moderators delete comments on the subject.

[Jeanniemih]

Solved my problem by upgrading to an Apple Watch on Black Friday. I get the while they don’t want people relying on it, it may not be accurate but even with the new Apple Watch if I get an absurdly low reading I’m going to double check it with my pulse ox, which I started carrying with me, as I do have asthma and chronic bronchitis. I gave up on Fitbit ever caring enough to actually get on demand spo2 up and running. Gave my Versa to my teenager who doesn’t have breathing issues. 

[pbug56]

You hit it exactly. Let's say you're commuting and have some stairs, a
decent length walk. Or you're out getting some exercise. And you have
asthma or COPD, etc. And you don't feel quite right, you check your SPO2
on your fitness or smart watch, and it's low. You reach out to your
doctor. If you're feeling lousy, and see you have a low SPO2 reading, you
go to an Urgi, or ER as seems appropriate.

A few years ago I was in an ER - they were having difficulty deciding if I
should be admitted. They had me walk down the hall with a finger clip (not
practical out and about) without O2 to see what would happen. Only
difference here is that out and about and you're not feeling well, this can
help you realize you need assistance. It's not a medical diagnosis device,
but yes, a viable early warning device. Just like every manufacturer who
sells units which do have real time readings will tell you.

[oeagleo]

I too gave up on Fitbit implementing features that they know how to include, but refuse to do so.  I upgraded to an Apple Watch, and reports from others, like on YouTube state that for accuracy, there is no better hand held device.  Check out what "The Quantified Scientist" has to say about both.

It's my position that there are only a few reasons why Fitbit won't implement this feature, one is they don't know how.  Well, that's not true, or there wouldn't be the "sleep only" implementation, or they want to introduce a "more robust" model of wearable, at an increase in price, and have it "expand the SpO2 capibilities of the Versa and Sense, or perhaps they didn't want to introduce it because they were changing owners, (Fitbit -> Google).

I believe none of these, although the marketing explanation would seem more feasible.  I honestly believe that it is way beyond begging Fitbit to include the "on demand, 24/7" type SpO2 capability, and start asking WHY DON"T THEY LISTEN TO THEIR CUSTOMER BASE?  It's obvious they don't listen, or at least if they do listen, they don't care, after all, they've got your $229, or more, now they want you to pop for another $75? a year to get what everyone else offers for free?  I think it's obvious, but what do YOU think the reason they refuse to listen to their customers and add this very common feature.

I say once again, if accuracy is what you're wanting in a good smart watch, look very closely at the Apple Watch 6 and above.