What happens if I don’t move to google?

[Dev0n1an]

A recent email states that we have to move to Google by February 2026. what happens if I choose not to move?

Will the watch not charge? I don’t pay and use all the ‘extras’, I use the basics and don’t need to store my history. 

[LZeeW]

Hi @Dev0n1an.  Your Fitbit needs to sync with the app to keep the correct time.  You won't be able to change the time zone if you travel and you won't be able to change it if you live in an area that changes from standard time to DST.  If your battery dies, you will have the wrong time when you recharge it. 

[MissMyData]

Hi @LZeeW , so are you saying that the only thing that won’t work if we choose not to migrate accounts to Google is the time will not reflect accurately the time zone we are in at that moment? If so, if that’s the only thing, then I would be happy to keep everything the same as it is right now and make allowances for that. 

[LZeeW]

@MissMyData   The US observes DST for almost 8 months and Europe is a few weeks less.  Why would you wear a watch that has the wrong time most of the time?  The time can also drift on all battery operated clocks.  Then you will have the wrong time all of the time.

[MissMyData]

Hi @LZeeW  well I guess it all depends on what you use the device for? If the only thing that won’t be accurate (for some part of the year) is the time by one hour, versus moving a fitbit account to Google which seems to marred by its own challenges just now, then for me it’s a consideration. 

[N8teGee]

You'll be very surprised as to how quickly these devices lose time. After as little as a week it could already be a few minutes slow. They are extremely bad time keepers, hence the the reliance to sync with a time server multiple times a day. 

[LZeeW]

@MissMyData   I did a little experiment.  I added my Luxe, then removed it.  I used it in addition to my Sense 2 and kept it charged.  The time started to drift in 11 days.  Longer than the time @N8teGee estimated, but this is a real phenomenon and you should plan accordingly.

[N8teGee]

Thanks for doing some tests @LZeeW. Definitely an interesting topic. How much was it out by after the 11 days? I also think you could have two identical Luxe's and they would drift at different speeds.

[LZeeW]

@N8teGee   I compared it to my Sense 2.  I turned on the AOD on both, had them side by side and watched for the time change while looking at my computer time with minutes and seconds.  They were identical at the start.  I didn't look closely until today -- today was the first time I saw a different time on the Luxe.  The Luxe drifted by 10 seconds.

[MissMyData]

Interesting experiment @LZeeW  But if I only use a device for exercise tracking does the fact that time drifts affect that function output? Or is there another factor that would make it obsolete after February 2026. 
I am still trying to figure what’s actually going to disappear on February 2nd if I don’t migrate to a Google account as requested.

[LZeeW]

@MissMyData   Your Fitbit account will be deleted if you do not migrate to a Google account by the deadline.  If you track an exercise, you will see the summary on your screen and then that data has no where to go.

[MissMyData]

So effectively @LZeeW it’s working as a stand alone exercise tracker device but data won’t be uploaded for storage or comparison. 

[JuanFitbit]

@LZeeW @N8teGee Thank  you for your help. Interesting the experiment from LZeeW .

@Dev0n1an @MissMyData , A warm welcome to the Community! Thank you for your messages. 

We have seen that the time on the trackers/ watches can "drift' from time to time. 
And it is independent from the model. As N8teGee  mentioned, putting 2 Luxes side by side, the "drift"can be different from device to device. That's why we alway recommend to sync the Fitbits at least 1-2 a day. 

Regarding your question about the migration to the Google Account. :

If you don't migrate, you won't be able to log in into your account with your Fitbit credentials. 

• You can use your existing Fitbit account with your Fitbit devices and services for as long as it's supported.
• Your Fitbit data will be deleted when support ends.

Here are some benefits for moving your account to Google. 

• A single Google login to manage your connected apps and paired devices.
• Google’s industry-leading privacy and security, along with unified privacy controls.
• A continued commitment to privacy, ensuring that your Fitbit health and wellness data won’t be used for Google Ads and remains separate from Google Ads.

More about this can be found here: How to move a Fitbit Account to a Google Account

[N8teGee]

Another thing to consider if using it as a "stand alone" tracker is the inability to update your physical profile. For example, if you are losing weight you will have no way to tell the device this. This will of course mean the calorie count will not be as accurate as it will be calculating it based on a different weight. 

[MissMyData]

@N8teGee  Very good point