Check SpO2 at anytime on supported Fitbit devices

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
521 Comments
TerryHarrison
Recovery Runner

Hi, I have been using an Ionic for several year now, but when the new Sense showed that it does SPO2, I thought "that'll be a good idea", as I'm an asthmatic and it would be good to know how much my SPO2 varies during a workout.

Imagine my dissappointment when I bought one, only to find that it only work when I sleep! Not so much a Fitbit, more like a Sleepbit. A waste of £280.

So, to me the Sense is as useful as my old Ionic.

mxtfitness
Jogger

I think the simple truth is that these devices don’t measure SPO2 reliably. The wrist just isn’t a good place for consistent readings even on the same person, let alone different people. I am guessing that FitBit released these watches with hardware they thought was good enough and promised to release the feature when they had the metrics and software worked out. Well, they haven't delivered, and I don’t think they can at this point. We were duped by their optimism.  So we have a device that will never do what they said it would, and is mediocre to useless for things it does do, like simple pulse, which is completely inaccurate during most anything but sitting down. 

 

To be fair, I haven’t been able to get reliable readings from ANY device that is wrist based.  Other companies tout that they do, but when you compare the readings to known accurate methods none of them stack up: not Apple, Garmin, Suunto…But it isn't right to advertise features you don't have and leave your customers hanging.

DDamian
First Steps
Add to the Sense the option to get skin temperature and SpO2 readings on-demand, not just during sleep, add apps to perform such actions
LizzyFitbit
Premium User
Fitbit Moderator
Fitbit Moderator

Hi @DDamian, thanks for sharing this suggestion about allowing your Sense to track your SpO2 data on demand with us. This idea was already requested in the Feature Suggestions board, so I’ve moved your post here. This will help us to make sure the suggestions don't get confused, or split a popular vote. You might also be interested in this other suggestionClick on the thumbs-up to show your support.

NAYNESH
First Steps
In IONIC model also this needs to be incorporated.
Thanks

Sent from my iPhone
bturcotte
First Steps

100% need on demand SpO2 readings with the Fitbit Sense!

 

I have a heart condition and knowing when my oxygen levels drop would be priceless.

Sarahdem
Recovery Runner

This is a basic feature most amazing watches have for free. It’s downright greedy to fitbit to be charging for the most basic of features. 

LMC33
First Steps

I would like to be able to see my SpO2 level all the time. I have some health issues and need to be able to see what my level is. The SpO2 tracker was one of the main reasons I bought this and am now disappointed that it only tracks when sleeping! 

jennameyer
First Steps

Honestly, this is what I thought I was purchasing, so to find out that it was only during sleep was a HUGE disappointment. I’m hoping that we can get real time 24/7 SpO2 stats soon. It’s one of the biggest reasons I purchased my new Fitbit.

gmacmail
Jogger
I just received my NEW Fitbit Charge 5. I must say I was a bit disappointed to find out that the Sp02 feature was only providing Sp02 results during sleep. Sp02 also needs to be available on demand.
LizzyFitbit
Premium User
Fitbit Moderator
Fitbit Moderator

Hi @gmacmail, thanks for sharing this suggestion about tracking SpO2 data on demand with your Charge 5 with us. This idea was already requested in the Feature Suggestions board, so I’ve moved your post here. This will help us to make sure the suggestions don't get confused, or split a popular vote. Please click on the thumbs-up to show your support.

JavaGypsy
Recovery Runner

Totally agree.  This is a valuable measurement for a multitude of reasons, especially these days. We need to be able to check this at will.

Raftav00
First Steps
Oxygen levels when sleeping are good, but it would be most useful to see oxygen levels real time. Most people recovering from Covid and have respiratory complications get sent home with a tank. Fitbit Charge 5 can be a great tool to monitor oxygen levels and know when to finally get rid of an oxygen tank for example.
DavideFitbit
Moderator Alum
Moderator Alum

Hi @Raftav00, thanks for sharing this suggestion about the option to track blood oxygen levels in real time. I noticed that idea was already requested in the Feature Suggestions board, so I’ve moved your post here. This will help the team of developers to make sure the suggestions don't get confused, or split a popular vote. Don't forget to add your vote and comments to Support this idea. 

 

Thank you again for your participation in the Community. 

Raftav00
First Steps

Right now I use one of those oxygen monitors that go on the finger.  I have to to physical therapy and keep looking down at it to make sure my oxygen does not drop too much.

 

Setting up a range too is also important.  If I could program the Fitbit charge 5 to vibrate when my oxygen levels drops under 85 that would be awesome.  I'd like to stay between 85 and 95.  This feature would continue to be useful for oxygen capacity training and even training your lungs and breath work.  So many possibilities and it serves almost no purpose to know what your oxygen levels are while you sleep.  Maybe if you want to monitor oxygen level increase progression overtime....

Arazie
Jogger

It's a real shame. You get the most advances health monitoring smart watch and it doesn't do oxygen saturation measurements for you on demand. Just about every other (if not literally every other) smart watch has this. It's too late to return my Sense but I can tell you I am *never* buying Fitbit again.

PilgrimTom
First Steps

When I saw my device advertised SPO2 I expected it meant on the spot data, not this nightly average nonsense? This is my first fit bit and I am considering returning it after 5 days.

pbug56
Sprinter
As I walk, exercise, etc., I need at times Real Time SPO2 readings from my Sense.
LizzyFitbit
Premium User
Fitbit Moderator
Fitbit Moderator

Hi @pbug56, thanks for sharing this suggestion about being able to check your SpO2 data at anytime on your Sense with us. Because this idea was already requested in the Feature Suggestions board, I’ve moved your post here. This will help us to make sure the suggestions don't get confused, or split a popular vote. Please click on the thumbs-up to show your support.

pbug56
Sprinter

Healthy people exercising want and need to know how their SPO2 is affected.  And people with breathing conditions NEED to know if what they are doing is a problem.  And I had one time when I was sick but didn't know if it was time to get to an ER - if I'd seen my SPO2 level I'd probably have gone sooner.

 

The hardware and bulk of the software is in place.  If you are concerned with accuracy, allow us to adjust it against a known SPO2 finger clip - though I don't think that's a problem for most people.

EHills
Jogger
Please add more clock faces that support SpO2 that aren't just during Sleep times.
YojanaFitbit
Moderator Alum
Moderator Alum

Hi @EHills, thanks for explaining why you would like to have the option to see SpO2 at anytime on Versa 2. I've moved it into a similar request. I think that a lot of users would like to have this option on their Fitbit devices. You can learn more about how Fitbit decides what suggestions get released in our FAQs.

 

Thank you again for your participation in the Feature Suggestions Forums.

SigHillDude
Base Runner

Yet another posting loop.  The old link links to the new link and the link within the posting from fitbit loops back on itself.  The discussion appears in chronological order so the older posts are what a user sees, not that there is an additional year of comments and kudos to request an operational change.  IS THERE ANY REASON THAT FITBIT DOESN'T OFFER AN UPDATE ON THE FIRST PAGE OF THE FEATURE REQUEST?????  After over 1000 requests, maybe there is a design FLAW that means that this cannot be done within the wide range of fitbit devices, of that only a select cross-section of devices will ever be capable of it, or that Fitbit is taking the new feature under advisement and the feature is under development for some/all devices but the minimum requirements of devices will be.......  

pbug56
Sprinter
All we know is that Fitbit refuses to even explain why they won't allow
users to have realtime SPO2 displays on Fitbit's equipped for it. We
explain to them how it can help with fitness training, how it can help
someone who may be sick to realize they need to either check with their
doctor or perhaps get to an ER. We don't expect a diagnosis, just the
info, like heart rate, that gives us an idea of what our bodies are doing.

Imagine, for instance, that I'm taking a new med, and my pulse rate goes
way up. Seeing it on my Fitbit would help me understand that I MIGHT have
a problem that might need immediate attention. I have an SPO2 finger clip,
gives the same info except that real time SPO2 - why can't I get that from
my Sense? I can't commute or run with a fingerclip on. But Fitbit /
Google won't explain to us why not.
JanLamb
Jogger
You are so right. I’m the OP, and I gave up on Fitbit giving us any kind of answer.

Sent from my iPhone
To comment, you must first accept the terms of the Idea and Feedback Submission policy.