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.

[Bobj500]

Here's my vote for IOS Health integration. You already connect with other apps, go ahead and support the new Health app.

[BradT]

Check out the reviews for the Fitbit app in iTunes.  For all versions the app receives 4 out of 5 stars with more 5 star reviews than the combined totals of 1 through 4 star reveiws.  For the current version the reviews have been completely reversed.  Fitbit is receives an average of 2 1/2 stars with more 1 star reviews than the combined total for 1 through 4 star reviews.

How can you be this tone def to what your customers want?

[SunsetRunner]

Bit ridiculous in my opinion, they keep asking us why they should integrate and not explaining why they think they shouldn't .

As others have said - technological suicide - you gotta deal with the devil to get people in. 

Unfortunately, I am in for a Flex (much prefered the 'One'), and the Aria scales, so am already a little committed. 

Personally, I see it as nothing but corporate greed/insecurity - they clearly don't want us to use an app that pulls in health data from another source, especially with their new blood pressure watch things on the horizon (sure to fail - if you're already part of the Fitbit community, you already have most of the features in your Fitbit from what I can see) and their 'premium' dashboard option. Have to question their motivation - morals/health of the user vs money/revenue.

I joined Fitbit several years ago when the company looked to be technically brilliant, the service got even better when they started to link in with all the other health stuff out there (e.g. My Fitness Pal). 

Make Fitbit too inconvenient for people to use (even by simply having a different app) and simply, people will go elsewhere. The market has changed and become a lot more mainstream since Fitbit started out and to basically say 'but you still have access to what you had before' is neither engaging or appealing to me, the consumer. 

82 pages (!!) of comments from people who have invested in and supported the company and still no app or decent reason why not to provide - well this is just embarassing, and is something that I'm sure will cause lasting reputational damage! It's such an inexpensive fix (cost of half a day for a developer?) and I think Fitbit will end up paying dearly for it, which will be a shame...

[krisjacobsen]

Add my vote to the requests for integration with the iOS 8 Health app.  I just returned a Jawbone in favor of the FitBit Flex, in part because the app is available on Android, iOS and Windows.  But it is a little disconcerting that the question has to even be asked about the Health app.  

[SunsetRunner]

Why is this request still under consideration? What more possible reason or information do you need?

[taff426]

I personally see FitBit's reluctance to integrate with iOS 8 a little disappointing. Like Nokia and Toshiba HD Discs, I feel FitBit have paved the way within their respective field. Pioneers of their trade some may say. However consumers are fickle, if FitBit fails to keep up with other company’s out there, they could become unstuck. Look what happened to Nokia and HD Discs!

I have had several issues with my FitBit Flex and it’s only due to the fantastic customer services that I remain loyal. However, with companies such as Runtastic quickly overtaking them with what they have produced, how long will loyalties last? So far Runtastic is offering everything I am looking and I feel I am now “making do” with my option to remain with FitBit.

Runtastic have created the Orbit which is similar to the flex or the force or even standalone GPS watches for running. Their apps integrate well with other apps and the phones data also (iOS 8 Health App). They have some phenomenal accessories such as bike speed and cadence sensors, heart rate monitors. They have Libra weighing scales that also measures fat, muscle, and water %’s. They have even safety apparel such as flashing shoe lights for running in the dark. Everything integrates with itself and operates in one nice app. So what is my point?

I love my FitBit it’s been great! But the developers need to be more cutthroat with their decision making. Having known about the Health app since June / July and opted to not utilise it to “See how it matures” is another nail in the coffin for my loyalty. My FitBit will soon be sat in the loft next to my black Nokia 8210 and the distinctive maroon case of the Flags of Our Fathers on HD DVD, if they don’t start to respond and keep ahead to the evolving requirements of this newly emerging market.

Come on FitBit, reignite the flame!

[mattaum]

I live in Brazil and had two options to purchase my Flex: Buy here and pay like $ 240 or import and pay the fees of the brazilian mail. I decided for second option. I had problems with app (not have my region), with the bracelet quality and problems with charging. And, of course, this nonsense of Fitbit not to connect to Health. It is sad. I still want to purchase a Charge. You are a world-renowned company, should think of their customers. Look how many people are asking that.

[SunsetRunner]

Found and ordered my new non fitbit product... I will test it out make sure it meets my needs... And if does then I will complete the switch...

fitbit makes a solid product... I just fail understand what makes 3 lines of code so impossible... Ultimately I must believe that fitbit entered into an unwise contract with a vendor that prevents them from integrating with Healthkit which would have been a better answer than... Dear customer we don't give a rats tail about what you want...

But there are a sea of new trackers rolling out in the next few months... Happy hunting to all... May you find what you need in a tracker and may the maker of your next tracker actually care about what you want:)

[Obease_Duck]

I vote for iOS 8 Health Kit integration. At minimum Fitbit should be able to read and write all the sort of data it normally records. It would also be pretty awesome if Fitbit could integrate with the Apple Watch and share data with it. A WatchKit-based widget for the Apple Watch that would display your daily progress or whatever data you're interested in would be the cherry on the cake.

[Shawnananah]

I would also love to see my Fitbit update the info into the new Apple Health app.

[HOFFERN]

I have been looking for this thread! Finally found it.. now, I was in the market to buy a Fitbit Surge here the other day when I got their email (noticed that I am too late now anyway though).. but when I realized that they had not bothered supporting iOS 8 Health App on the iPhone.. but does support Microsoft Health. I was kind bothered by it and decided to skip the whole thing.. 

Sorry Fitbit, but unless you include the iOS 8 Health support in your app, I will not buy your products. It is simply because all my information through my other current products and apps are being tracked and added to the Health app for easy viewing.. I want that for the Fitbit app as well. So instead I have gone for the Garmin Vivofit as of now, and will check back on Fitbit later.. I can easily afford the Surge.. but if it won't support Health, then I will go for the Apple Watch instead later on. Since now my other apps such as: 
- Carrot 3
- Garmin Connect
- Sleep Cycle
- MyFitnessPal
- Heart Rate

YES.. even your biggest competitor, UP by Jawbone is supporting Health. Get your ass up and do it. The response is obviously there from the users.. if you keep ignoring us, you will just loose a lot of customers. 

My thoughts on a healthkit integration would be simply to add my steps, sleep statistics, heartrate, etc. etc. to the Health app as well.. so that the ones, me included, using it will have all their data in one place for the most accurate tracking of my days ever. This will not work unless you do not help us out. 

If I see an announcement where you integrate the Health app and Fitbit app, working together, I will buy the Surge the moment it hits the stores here in Norway.. either through a friend in the US and having him ship it to me, or buying it here if it releases on a similar date. If not.. I simply will not use Fitbit anymore in the future, as your competitors will have won me over.

[karthikakesav]

We have recently launched an app called SyncFit. Its a simple and straight forward app, which automatically and periodically updates the SyncFit data into Healthkit seamlessly. The standout of the app is that you can sync for any date in the past. Please check out. http://www.syncfitapp.com/

[gutsma]

Over 1000 votes to sync to AppleHealth...83 pages of comments...

Those figures tell the story from the users' perspective.  They also tell us Fitbit's perspective.  What will it take?  Obviously it isn't the voting and comments we were initially led to believe mattered. 

Are you still waiting to see how it all plays out?  If you read these 83 pages, you can tell how it plays out from your current and former users.  

A little transparency would be appreciated.

[BradT]

This is hilarious!  3rd party apps are now doing what Fitbit refuses to do and integrating Fitbit with HealthKit.  You are turning over part of your ecosystem to 3rd parties and losing control of your platform.  Thank you @karthikakesav and others for doing what Fitbit refused to do!  At least those with long standing investments will be able to easily move their data to the Health App.

[ErinBrown]

Any time soon?

[Supergran]

Can't believe this doesn't integrate when other 3rd party apps do. Seems it's all been said before. 

[JimC_NH]

I recently switched from a Withings Pulse to a fitbit One (the pulse went through the washer). Unfortunately I didn't do my homework and just assumed that fitbit would integrate with the Apple Healthkit app. Very dissapointed and I may return it and purchase another pulse. I'm a long time iPhone user and have a few health related apps. Being able to view the data on one dashboard is very appealing to me. The bottom line.....It's not a "fantastic" app but I can see how it may improve in the future. When purchasing new devices, connectivity to the healthkit app will definitely play a factor in what I purchase.

[DJinMN]

I'm having good success with a 3rd party app called Sync Solver. It even works with my One, so it should work with the newer fitbit devices as well. It synced all of my history of fitbit data back from 2012 to now so I see all my history from fitbit in Apple's HealthKit app, and it automatically syncs new data every day. So it seems that this will work for now until hopefully one day when fitbit supports HealthKit themselves.

[mb03557]

As a start I'd like to have Steps and Flights of stairs climbed integrate with the Apple Health kit.

[Thaddeus]

This is kind of hilarious at this point. Fitbit is willing to sync data with Microsoft's health app. Because Microsoft phones are such a market mover. But not Apple's. 

Brilliant thinking there guys. 

Anyone else notice that all Fitbit products have been pulled from the Apple stores, both online and B&M?  Hey Fitbit, how's that affecting your bottom line? Notice a bit a of a dip this holiday season?

I would have been a regular Fitbit customer and used to reccomend the trackers to all of my friends. 

Not anymore! I'll share a photo of my shiny new Apple Watch that I'll be getting instead of the Fitbit-what's-it-called-oh-who-cares-it's-not-a-relevant-product-anymore this spring.

[zapleahy]

@MusikGeek @mw526 @ridleykiller199 @manshms Thanks for taking the time to vote and comment.

@Mike_in_LR @mattaum @mb03557 Appreciate the feedack.

@taff426 Great post. Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the subject.

@dpearlman122 Fitbit has not made a determination for this integration yet.

@irinac42 Thanks for the feedback regarding Sleep Cycle and your current need for two apps to do it all. To sync your sleep data, you might consider one of the third-party apps mentioned in this thread. There are a few to choose from now, including Run Gap, Sync Solver, Wristband Manager and SyncFit.

@natswalks We strive to bring feature parity across platforms and are currently working to bring Challenges to Windows users. I'm guessing by your participation in this discussion that you have an iOS device, but it may be handy info to have so you can prepare for weekend warriors with your Windows phone toting friends.

@TeRRyZx Have you tried unlinking/relinking the app? You can do so by heading to https://www.fitbit.com/user/profile/apps, then adding the connection back from our apps page. This is a fairly common troubleshoot that tends to resolve third-party syncing issues. If the problem persists, you will need to inquire with the HV Support team.

[gohoos]

I'd remind everybody that a new version of the Fitbit app is out. With each new version, the votes reset. Please express your opinions there. Also share your feeling with friends, family, and coworkers during this Christmas shopping season. My personal Fitbit body count is now up to 12. Word of mouth is very effective, and my friends have been very appreciative of my recommendations.

[ChrisCA]

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by gohoos 2 hours ago

I'd remind everybody that a new version of the Fitbit app is out. With each new version, the votes reset. Please express your opinions there. 

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What votes get "reset"?

Express our opinions where?

Also share your feeling with friends, family, and coworkers during this Christmas shopping season. My personal Fitbit body count is now up to 12. 

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Meaning you have persuaded 12 people to get a Fitbit or not to get a Fitbit?

[ChrisCA]

I'd remind everybody that a new version of the Fitbit app is out. With each new version, the votes reset. Please express your opinions there. 

[Grandorx]

Just wanted to cast my vote for integrating fitbit's devices with  HealthKit.

Why do I want that? I have 2 Fitbit devices now and love the open integration so that I can look at the data and analytics as I choose, combining it with any other metrics that I choose. If I choose to use  HealthKit for that or myftitnesspall then that is my choice.

Not saying Fitbit should integrate with anything under the sun (that would cost too much) but the major ones (and HealthKit is definitely that) should absolutely be supported.

If not, withings will be my next device supplier which would be a shame. But I did buy into the openness of the devices, not in a closed proprietary ecosystem  

[gohoos]

Sorry, ChrisCA, I realize I wasn't clear at all 🙂 The ratings in the App Store reset everytime Fitbit puts out a new version of the app, so each time they put out a bugfix you need to go back in and resubmit your rating. (Well, technically they track ratings for "current version " and "all versions" but the default view is "current version." It is only fair that potential customers know what they are getting into with all this. And by "body count" I mean that I am responsible for at least 12 purchases which were to be Fitbit products going to another tracker. I know it isn't much, and Fitbit couldn't care a bit, but it's something.