Integrate with iOS Health

[so-rich]

Hi there,

I'm really excited about Apple's announcement of the Health App in iOS 8 to be release this fall.  I'm looking forward to seeing a product announcement by Fitbit for a successor to the recalled Fitbit Force, and I'm really hoping to hear some exciting news about Fitbits intigration with Apple's new Health App to be released alongside iOS 8 this fall.  

This is a huge oportunity to make your devices even smarter and more integrated - Please support these APIs!  Thanks!

Moderator edit: updated subject for clarity and labels.

[HelloKitty99]

FitBit's decision not to integrate with Healthkit is very short-sighted. I've had my One for almost two years and like many others I have been loyal to the product and encouraged others to buy one as well. I was thinking about shopping around for another tracker around the holidays and this decision just reinforces that notion. This announncement is dissapointing because it shows that FitBit is not the forward-thinking company I thought it was.

[Bmy]

Shame on Fitbit.

No Healthkit integration ? Really ?

So, I have all my data in Healthkit except Fitbit ? I plan to move to another tracker.

[jsclayton]

This is a huge disapointment. I don't care if anything other than steps is shared with HealthKit, but I really want my Fitbit step data shared. Combined with an iPhone 5S, 6, or 6 Plus this would help augment step data collected by the phone to give me - your customer, i.e. the person paying you my hard earned money - a more accurate view of my activity.

I can safely say that if this hasn't happened by the time my Flex dies I'll be looking elsewhere.

[thesimplelife]

It is an astonishingly poor decision to say no to HealthKit. If fitbit says no, I say no to fitbit and move on to another device.

[jbmoney13]

Very dissappointed. 

I'm a huge fitbit fan. I enjoyed the Force (until it literally unglued itself from my wrist and was forced to return it to fitbit as part of the recall), the caloric burn rate accuracy was the key differentiator between the fitbit flex and jawbone up24. 

Without Healthkit integration, I would be forced to only use my fitbit as a tracker. Unfortunately, that isn't going to be realistic. I'm forced to wear one tracker now, but in the near future, I expect to switch devices more frequently. Healthkit solves this issue by storing the data from multiple devices. fitbit cannot expect to be, and doesn't plan on being the catch all fitness device. Therefore, fitbit must allow it's users to store it's data seperately. Trust that consumers will love your product for what it is. Creating this friction with Apple's healthkit forces a fan of your product, like myself, to make the switch to a slightly inferior product like the UP24. 

Your breaking my heart, I lost 76 pounds with the help of the fitbit Force and I really dislike making the switch to Jawbone. If fitbit is dedicated to helping people lead healthier lives, then allowing people to track their data across multiple devices of their choice is key. Consumers will buy your products if they are the best at what they do, the data the device collects belongs to us, your mission is to encourage us to use this data to better our lives. Remove the barriers, don't create them.

btw...you could have timed this info with the release of your new product to soften the blow. 

[miketangovictor]

Seriously guys, this needs to be integrated.  

[iOS8Healthkit]

a technology company refusing or being slow to change.... this strategy will not work well for you.

Stop dropping the ball here and add healthkit integration. I have the Aria Scale from fitbit and would very much like to see this information integrated into the Healthkit app.

Thank you

[minimicrite]

So, all my data goes to HealthKit except Fitbit?  That's easy, replace the Fitbit.  It's not the only game in town.

Come on, guys, add integration.  

[odditie]

Fitbit staff, since you like to ask us questions, please help answer mine.

How does keeping our fitbit data hostage help achieve your mission statement?

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To empower and inspire you to live a healthier, more active life. We design products and experiences that fit seamlessly into your life so you can achieve your health and fitness goals, whatever they may be.

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[jonmichaels]

I want to add my voice to the sea of others all saying that I want FitBit to add their data to Apple's HealthKit.

After a horrible experience with the FitBit Force (I have awesome photos of the huge rashes I developed from wearing it), the company did the right thing and exchanged it for the One. And I love me FitBit One. It's very nice to have it be nearly inconspicous and collect the data.

However I also love me iPhone and now that Apple is making it easy to gather all of my health data in one place, it's a no brainer for me.

It would be a shame to have to switch to another device for activity tracking but if FitBit isn't going to support HealthKit, then I'll make the choice of Apple over FitBit.

[dak]

Waiting patiently for the second edition of the force and the use of Apple's healthkit API to show steps, stairs and sleep. A single, integrated app to view health related activities and status is most warranted.

[NeilK]

---

@so-rich wrote:

Hi there,

I'm really excited about Apple's announcement of the Health App in iOS 8 to be release this fall.  I'm looking forward to seeing a product announcement by Fitbit for a successor to the recalled Fitbit Force, and I'm really hoping to hear some exciting news about Fitbits intigration with Apple's new Health App to be released alongside iOS 8 this fall.  

This is a huge oportunity to make your devices even smarter and more integrated - Please support these APIs!  Thanks!

---

I agree. Hey Fitbit, let's get on the bandwagon or get left behind.

[diddly]

been using fitbit one for 2 years, was eagerly awaiting HealthKit integration. This announcement is driving me into the arms of Apple Watch.

[mlimon]

I'm convinced that Apple's HealthKit will become the central repository non only for health infos but, more in general, for the "quantifiable self" paradigm. I have an old beat up Ultra, if Fitbit really decide not to integrate HealthKit, when it finally breaks down I will shop around. 

[ComingOfShadows]

FitBit's current stance on this is disappointing at best.  I just picked up an iPhone 6 and was excited about the new HealthKit features, under the assumption I would be able to link up my Data from my FitBit One.  I was actually thinking of picking up an Aria scale to sync as well, but without integration into HealthKit I am going to pass for now.  

I cannot understand the "wait and see" approch they are taking with this when it is quite obvious that Many customers would love this option to have a unified dashboard.  

Personally, I am not going to use the iPhone as a step meter as I do not keep it with me 24/7 like I do my FitBit and will always have a secondary device.  I do not beleive I am alone in this, so I do not beleive that they are in danger of many customers jumping ship and ditching their FitBit for a Phone.  However, they DO have the potential of people switching to alternate devices that support HealthKit integration such as the Jawbone.

FitBit needs to Add in HealthKit integration to their iOS App for all available tracked Data ASAP.  If not, I will most likely be moving to a new device in the near future.  Considering the issues they had with the Force a few months ago, you would figure that they would be doing everything they can to foster good community relations.

[opmisk]

Wife and I bought each bought a Fitbit One two weeks ago assuming HealthKit integration. Nice product, but there are others. We're moving to the Jawbone... 

Quickest way to lose your position as a market leader... be slow to react. Bad move guys.

[jimmcq]

I've carried a FitBit with me every day for over four years.  I'm now on my 3rd FitBit actually, as I've gone through upgrades, buying new products.

Reading that FitBit doess not plan to integrate with HealthKit has made me decide to no longer carry my FitBit and shop other brands for a replacement.

[bluefunk]

Indeed, all data from various health apps and devices go into HealthKit, except for Fitbit. If integration is not provided very soon, it's an Aria scale, Fitbit Flex and Fitbit One for sale (though where it actually belongs if this is the case is in the trash!) and onwards to something better (by now there are plenty of excellent alternatives) plus advice to all friends, acquaintances and family to do the same. 

PS: People talk. Word of mouth, as powerful as it can be in your success it can also be your downfall. Let's hope Fitbit won't let it get that far.  

[jschwanz]

Significantly disappionted by this lack of functionality. Searching for alternative devices now.

[DougFresh]

Given that you already integrate with a wide variety of other apps, I am very disappointed in your wait and see stance re:Healthkit.   

I purchased my first Fitbit almost 4 years ago and have been a loyal user ever since. Even thru the 'Force' fiasco.  I downgraded to the Flex but that was a definite step back in functionality.  Since then no replacement for the Force or to my knowledge any sign of a new product to replace it.   In the absence of that, how can you justify not supporting something that would give your customers a better way utilize your device.

[Happynot]

Aside from the poor grammar of the FitBit statement on Health Integration, it provides no actual reason for not providing this function, seeks to rationalise inaction - kicking the can down the road, ignores what this thread shows is overwhelming customer support for this feature, and, I fear, reflects a company in denial.  It is an irksome, ignorant and vapid response to its customer-base and the ~34 pgs of posts to this thread.

That Fitbit needs to ask - plead(?) - for us to "imagine (what) a HealthKit integration would entail and what do you expect to get out of it" demonstrates an appalling tone-deafness to customer wishes.  Users want to: a) own their data, b) be able to mix and match apps / devices as they wish; and c) use/distribute consolidations / extracts of that data as they see fit.

Add to this announcement a product pipeline that ran dry long ago (where is that 'exciting new-product' that was going to follow the Force?), superior competitor product offerings, and the hypocrisy inherrent in supporting MS Healthvault (how many users actually asked for this I wonder) but not Health; and so - after so many happy years with Fitbit - for this customer at least, this is the final nail in the coffin, and I'm off to Garmin, Tanita & Withings (better products and either existing or promised Health integration).

[lumis]

did not really want to get a apple watch, or other device.... but looks like i will now.

[kyteflyer]

Like many others, I'll be looking for an alternative.  I got fitbit because of its sleep tracking.  I'll revert for the time being to Sleep Cycle which is planning integration in the near future.  I have not yet updated, but continuing to use Fitbit when it has no intention of integrating with Health.app would seem to be something of a waste.  I know its already integrated with Microsoft Health Vault, but I dont like the app at all so I no longer use it.

Additionally, one of the very early comments about how Apple should integrate with Fitbit, not the other way round, its just arrogant in the extreme.  Can't believe I read that.

As for what an integration would entail:  surely thats obvious:  data would be pulled from the Fitbit app and integrated into Health.app. For me, there would also be my blood pressure and BGL data.  It would all be in one place.  Thats the point of the health app.  My doctors are happy to look at one app, but I cannot see them sitting there whilst I call up several one after the other, to see the results.  Thats what I'd get out of it. Less frustration for my doctors and specialists.

[Kristab12]

I VERY much want Fitbit to interagrate with the Health App. It would be a perfect match. 

[Christophe]

Well, if you don't integrate with Healthkit, I can't connect the data coming from my flex to my iOS Health dashboard which is a bummer.