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.

[TeRRyZx]

Quote:

I'm a bit confused.....fitbit "says" they won't integrate with health kit because it wants to include ALL it's users, not just apple users. However, challenges are only available to android and ios users.....not windows etc... Why don't you just tell the truth? It's because Apple is a competitor now with the new iWatch.

===

And let us NOT forget about intergrating with Microsoft Cortina as well as Microsoft Health Vault. This kinna devalues that "include ALL users" junk.

BTW...I have Microsoft Health Vault and Firbit has NOT sync'd ANYTHING there since July. Apparently that Health Vault has some ISSUES that FitBit chooses to OVERLOOK???

[travburt]

It seems strange that FitBit would hold back on HealthKit. People aren't going to choose FitBit over their iPhones, so by breaking away they're simply ostracizing themselves. I like my FitBit Aria scales but I'll soon be trading them in for a set of Withings unless I can see my data in HealthKit with all my other health data. 

[JamJar]

I am now kicking myself for spending a hundred dollars on my Fitbit One in September, ONLY because it cannot connect to the iOS 8 Health app.  I love my Fitbit, however, I will be trying to find a similar device to replace it that WILL connect with the Health app, which will make all of my health information easier and far more helpful to use. I am absolutely shocked at your company's position.  

Talk about buyer's remorse -- I have it big time!

[Basalt]

http://iphone.appleinsider.com/articles/14/11/22/how-to-make-the-most-of-apples-healthkit-in-ios-8

[Kye]

Just make it work

[mw526]

It was inevitable that someone would come up with a solution. So my thanks to James McAndrew for creating Sync Solver for Fitbit. I would have thought Fitbit must have taken this into account when deciding not to bother with their own Health Kit integration. For some reason, they must have thought the better option would be not to bother. I can't see, however, how this would improve Fitbit's position.

[ridleykiller199]

I personally have an Android smartphone, an iPod touch, and a Windows 8 pc, so I would love to see integration with all the health platforms. Fitbit has the unique position to connect all platform-specific health apps, bridging the gap between my devices, if only support was added. Please think of it this way, and add support

[manshms]

Im guessing Fitbit is dragging their feet as they see this as a threat to the bottom line.   Circumstances may require a change in the business model to stay competitive or go the way of the typewriter.  I may have to look for an alternative that is integrated with Apple Health in the mean time.

[Basalt]

http://appadvice.com/appnn/2014/11/you-probably-shouldnt-be-buying-a-fitbit-charge-this-holiday-seas...

[dpearlman122]

I would also like my Fitbit to link with the health app for iOS8. Any idea when we can expect this update?

[Mike_in_LR]

I do hope that these reports, that Fitbit are NOT planning any Health App intergration, are false. However, if true, I shall simply have to change my fitness tracker for one that does allow integration. It is highly annoying this current attitude by Fitbit and, please remember, like many others I am asked my opinion on these devices by many friends and colleagues. I have advised 'caution' about Fitbits due to this intransigence. 

[ChrisCA]

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by Mike_in_LR 20 hours ago

I do hope that these reports, that Fitbit are NOT planning any Health App intergration, are false. 

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It's not a report.

Fitbit states, "We do not currently have plans to integrate with HealthKit."

Look at the top of this page...

[ChrisCA]

I do hope that these reports, that Fitbit are NOT planning any Health App intergration, are false. 

[mediabeast]

Why lock down our own data? We should be able to do what we wish with it. You guys make awesome products. Focus on that.

[ChrisCA]

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by mediabeast 5 hours ago

Why lock down our own data? We should be able to do what we wish with it. 

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Your data is not locked down.

You can do whatever you want with your data

Fitbit even gives you access to their own developer API's to do so...

-> http://dev.fitbit.com

[ChrisCA]

Why lock down our own data? We should be able to do what we wish with it. 

[exuser]

Yeah, it's so simple for non-programmers to access their own data! Look how trivial, I'll post the simple 6 step instructions on how to do it with Google Spreadsheets below.

(C'mon ChrisCA, that is a disingenious answer at best. Is *anyone* posting in here willing or able to do the following? I did it years ago and wrote R scripts, but these people are not developers. Dial back the smart mouth mister.)

1. Set up your Google spreadsheet and script
   • Create a new google spreadsheet. Important: You must use the old version of Google Sheets. You can access that here - g.co/oldsheets (If you want to use the new version of Google Spreadsheets skip to Step 2.)
     
   • Go to Tools->Script Gallery
   • Enter “fitbit” in the search box and hit search
   • Install the “Fitbit Download” script by clicking install.
   • Click authorize in the dialog box.
   • Click “ok” in the new window that opens.
   • The script is now installed on your spreadsheet.
   • Close the script gallery dialog box.
2. Set up your FitBit Developer account and register an app.
   • Go to dev.fitbit.com and sign in using your FitBit credentials.
   • Click on the “Register an App” at the top right corner of the page.
   • Fill in your application information. You can call it whatever you want.
   • Make sure to click “Browser” for the Application Type and “Read Only” for the Default Access type fields.
   • Read the terms of service and if you agree check the box and click “Register”
3. Copy the API keys
   • Copy the Consumer Key.
   • Copy the Consumer Secret.
   • You can save these to a text file, but they are also available anytime you return to dev.fitbit.com by clicking on the “Manage my Apps” tab.
4. Authorize the Fitbit Download Script
   • Go back to your Google spreadsheet.
   • Go to Tools->Script editor
     • If you have chosen to run the new version of Google Spreadsheets you must download this script, copy it’s contents, and paste into the script editor window. Make sure to delete all text in the editor before pasting. You can then follow along with the instructions below.
   • Select “setup” in the Run drop down menu. This will open a dialog box in your spreadsheet.
   • In your spreadsheet past the Consumer Key and Consumer Secret that you copied from your application on dev.fitbit.com.
   • Enter the day to start retrieving data. If you know when you purchased your Fitbit I would suggest using that date.
   • Select the data you want to save to your spreadsheet. By default all available Fitbit data is selected.
   • Click “save setup”
   • Go back to your script editor window
   • Select “authorize” in the Run drop down menu. This will open a dialog box in your spreadsheet. Click yes.
   • A new browser window will open and ask you to authorize the application to look at your Fitbit data. Click allow to authorize the spreadsheet script.
5. Download your Fitbit Data
   • Go back to your script editor window
   • Select “sync” in the Run drop down menu. This will download your Fitbit data to the spreadsheet.
6. Set up an automatic trigger to automatically update your spreadsheet with new data on a specific schedule.
   • Go to Tools->Script Editor
   • Go to the “Resources” menu and select “current project’s triggers”
   • Add a new trigger that runs “sync” that is ‘time driven’ and choose an interval for the spreadsheet to update. I currently have mine set to “daily” updating between “midnight to 1am” but feel free to choose something different.
   • Click save.

[SunsetRunner]

Replying to the original post, there is no point in not to support a semi-standard which is providing a wider user base like iOS does. In particular, users start to connect their other apps to the health app for having one UI instead 3..4 different ones.

One can argue for ages that perhaps a seperate Fitbit app might by much better, but it doesn't lead to anything objective conclusion as Fitbit will just go their way to ensure turnovers which is natural, healthy and ok.

However, it is very likely, like I do, that users wait until their curent device just turns down and then move to another brand which simply supports semi standards like Apples health kit.

Semi-professionals use - more or less - their gadgets to record life-data, professionals Polar / Suunto etc pp equipment. So, a Fitbit is not a professional sportsman piece of electronic, no rocket science (yeah yeah the air pressure sensor will some say but anyway that is past) and in the mid-price segment.

What is the individual profile, the outstanding element of a e.g. fitbit one or even a new fitbit band that would lead me to stick to Fitbit even considering that Fitbit is not supporting a cost free all-in-one gimmick from iOS?

Nothing.

Plus, communication to their users is a mess. Fitbit does not even have the cochones to make a clear statement on what is their committment re users apps / community strategy. Neither with or without Apple. But in their usesless responses of requests regarding software bugs they always mention exciting features in their future apps instead fixing gaps.

OK, I paid off my Fitbit one because I liked it at that time, if it breaks, I'll move to any other comparable competitor (no preference). But for sure one with Apple Health Kit support which sucks info's from where I need it (incl. a useful nutrition database not like Fitbits funny German one :DDD).

Well, now let's have a great weekend 😉

[ChrisCA]

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by exuser yesterday

(C'mon ChrisCA, that is a disingenious answer at best. Is *anyone* posting in here willing or able to do the following?

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How were people accessing their data prior to iOS 8 /Healthkit/Health app release?

Apple adds Health app and all of a sudden the data is no longer acessible?

No.

Health/Health app kit simply adds another way to acces this data and Fitbit has not yet chosen to go that route but the data can still be accessed the same way it was prior to iOS 8 release.

I understand (and agree with) that people want Healthkit integration but don't make completely illogical arguments.

[ChrisCA]

(C'mon ChrisCA, that is a disingenious answer at best. Is *anyone* posting in here willing or able to do the following?

[clcardiff]

Please integrate with the Health App, I thought it did and that's why I bougt it! I will return it and get one that will.

[Stoned78]

50$ a year to get your own data from your own device!?...im out!

no ihealth option....im out.

fitbit one for sale...fitbit did commit suicide! Investors stay away...ship is about to sink!

[kxh3011]

I would love to see fit bit dashboard be added to health app. That way you can add other health tracking apps too and get an overall look of my health.

[gutsma]

Closing in on 1000 thumbs up votes to integrate with Apple HealthKit, and over 2000 comments.  This issue has unleashed a wave of negativity among formerly contented fitbit users.  

Fitbit sent us to this specific location to vote and leave comments because they wanted to hear from us.  We naive faithful dutifully came, voted, and commented.  Every so often a mod stops in to acknowledge some comments and politely reprimand when we move astray from the identified topic.  

Had fitbit not initially seemed receptive to their customers' thoughts, there would not be as much anger.  Most people do not care to be lied to and that is what it feels like.  Had there been ANY REMOTELY HONEST response from fitbit, many would have accepted the decision far more easily.

When you break trust, the relationship spirals downward.  That is what has happened here.  We've been lied to.  Now some are questioning all aspects of fitbit.  Right or wrong, that happens when deception enters the relationship.  It's a sad reality that increasing numbers will not believe what fitbit says any longer.  Corporate broke trust.  Why should we believe you now?  

I'm not venting.  I'm not angry.  I'm no longer hoping fitbit will do the right thing and either integrate or just be honest and say something along the lines that integration is not consistent with fitbit's corporate/marketing plan.  It's been grossly mishandled, and I do hope you learn from this PR disaster.  

For me, I'm still in limbo waiting for a replacement product to launch.  It will be one that fits for me.  One from a corporate that has not lied to me. 

[BenKenon]

FYI, native iPhone 6 resolution support three months after the device was released and breaking your app's ability to sync with my Fitbit is bad customer service.

[jpatl007]

I would like to add my vote to integrate all FitBit devices into IOS 8 Health application, to include the FitBit scale. If FitBit is not going to move forward then I guess I will not purchase a FitBit scale and replace my Fit Bit with a Garmin Vivosmart. Seems pretty silly not to integrate into Apple application.

[lindydonna]

I'm so surprised that you're actually asking whether or not to add this feature!  One of the main reasons I like the FitBit is the iOS app, and integrating with Health would make it so much more useful.

Many of the other activity trackers already integrate with Health, so it's very strange that FitBit doesn't.

[SunsetRunner]

ok... 82 pages of comments later it's now clear I have to switch to a company that listens to its customer. Since I already got a withings scale, the choice is obvious and instead of goig for a charge, that'll be a pulse O².

don't really understand what's happening there, why fitbit still doesn't link to health app ?

we're not looking for a lot of fancy strange features, but only to get everything in one place.

I already have a separate app for "real" sports data with my suunto watch... another one for day to day activity is enough. bye bye fitbit.

PS: anyway, for those who still want to use their fitbit device with iOS HealthApp, you can try out this (available in the apple store) : "Sync Solver for Fitbit".

There's a few limitations due to the poor API provided by fitbit, but that does the trick...