How do I get Sense ECG app in Australia?

[thejesus]

Hi, to my understanding we dont have access to ecg here in australia, does anyone know how to trick the fitbit into thinking its in a different country so i can download it?

Moderator Edit: Clarified subject and updated label

[LizzyFitbit]

Hi everyone. Thanks for your participation in this thread. @Rich_Laue Thank you also for sharing your insights about this situation.

As you may know, the Fitbit ECG app is only available in select locations and additional countries will be added as regulatory clearance is obtained. This was described in the User Manual and in the box. I understand where you're coming from about not being able to use this feature and please know your feedback has been pass along to the proper team so they can work in bringing this feature to other countries soon. I'm sorry for this inconvenience and my best recommendation is to keep an eye to this link which is regularly updated by our team.

See you around.

[meganjj]

Thank you for your response. Like most people however the in-box
information (noting the box is sealed prior to purchase) and user manual is
not accessed until AFTER the product is bought. As others have suggested:
simply apply a sticker indicating that the ECG feature is not available in
Australia or better still dont have it stocked in Australia until features
(ECG) advertised and promoted are accessible. I still feel cheated by my
purchase and disappointed by the lack of remedy

[Rich_Laue]

All fitbit manuals may be found here and this page has more info on the ECG. Neither page requires a fitbit device to access. 

I may be the exception, but 8 years ago, I downloaded the manuals and researched for 3 months before choosing between the Ultra and the fitbit One. 

I only knew one person who had a fitbit and asked him many questions. 

[Babstar]

One other thing to consider is the quality of the ECG outputs from various consumer level devices.  This thread has piqued my interest for two reasons, a). I am in AU and b) I am on a mailing list for the Skeptical Cardiologist [Anthony C. Pearson M.D.] who regularly reviews these, he uses them himself (Atrial Fib) as well as for his patients. 

I highly recommend reading his blog posts about this ECG technology, its various limitations & uses before deciding what they can & can't do for you.  He doesn't directly address Fitbit, as it is relatively new, however he provides great background from a Cardiologists perspective.

If you are purchasing this product deliberately for the ECG functionality, if and when it becomes enabled in AU, you probably have a strong interest in doing your due diligence first.

[meganjj]

Thank you for your considered response. I am very much aware of the
limitations of these 'medical' devices. However they can be a useful first
indicator for the need to make further investigations, eg can flag a rapid
or slow heart rate which can be followed up/checked more reliably. Your
response however just adds to the case for the ECG feature not to be
promoted as a sell point in Australia.

[SunsetRunner]

I did that and got nowhere except the, watch this space reply that it "might" be available in the future

[Rich_Laue]

The standard 12 lead ECG gives a 6 line chart, the fitbit and Apple watches are only 2 leads and at best will only display a 1 line chart. 

However there already are cases where a doctor was able to get all the info needed from a fitbit (and Apple) readings. 

If a doctor understands what they are looking at, it is possible that the Fitbit, or apple can confirm, or show, that further testing will or will not be needed. 

@SunsetRunner there are 169 countries that do not have the fitbit ECG.

[JoeyB_108]

• Apple Watch has Australian TGA approval for ECG app. Fitbit, it's time to sort it out. It's a huge deal-breaker. Rant over. Regards, Joey

[meganjj]

Thank you for kindness in suggesting this option. I'll give it a try. Thank you again. Stay safe! MSent from my SAMSUNG Galaxy S7 edge on the Telstra Mobile Network

[R0bl]

"This was described in the User Manual and in the box". So we are supposed to download the User Manual and read it **before** we purchase the device to check if the advertising for the product is misleading in Australia  ?. 
 

[MrDavid-NT]

Seriously, if you lot had done your research you would have known the Sense didn’t have ECG in Australia!

I’ve had Fitbit since a Zip.  Toss up between Apple Watch and Sense late last year. Even then Apple ECG was NOT available.  Chose Fitbit basically due to other features and battery life. Try getting 7 days out of an Apple Watch!

As I understand it, request is with TGA.  How long had Apple ECG been out before it was approved here?   Was only approved earlier this year.  ECG will come to Fitbit.  

Just get over your entitlement and have some patience.

[TheMooseLord]

The problem for most of us is that there is 0 information about when we can expect the ecg app. I fail to see how wanting a feature that you were told would be available in the coming year is entitlement. The Apple Watch now having that function just adds to the frustration that there is again 0 information or updates in regards to the availability of the app or even the status of where the company is at on waiting for the approval. 

[Leighdon]

I only bought a Fitbit over other devices for the ecg. You should have a disclaimer on the packaging stating that it’s not available. There are cheaper options that don’t have an ecg function. This is surely against trading standards?

[LostScientist42]

I also bought the Fitbit Sense for the ECG function in 2021.

There was a vacuum of information when it came to highlighting that the ECG function was NOT available in Australia.

Being told to be patient in an environment with an ongoing lack of information on this issue is adding to the aggravation. And if like me, you've got ongoing issues with other advertised features, expenditure on a Fitbit Sense is looking to be an act of a fool.

[lexa000]

Hey Fitbit,
If Samsung can get TGA approval for their latest watch to support ECG functionality before it is even released, why can't you manage to get TGA approval 10 months AFTER you launch your product?

https://search.tga.gov.au/s/search.html?collection=tga-artg&profile=record&meta_i=371370

Apple got approval for it back in May of this year.

Is it that the Fitbit ECG functionality is inferior and the TGA are refusing to approve it? Is Fitbit just not bothering at all?

Why are we still waiting on an answer after two major competitors have BOTH managed to out-do you?

[Sharky9000]

Just received this from the TGA

https://www.ebs.tga.gov.au/servlet/xmlmillr6?dbid=ebs/PublicHTML/pdfStore.nsf&docid=D4C6800F24A61F56...

Product Type Single Device Product Effective Date 2/07/2021
GMDN 47699 Cardiac electrophysiology application software
Intended Purpose The Fitbit ECG App is a software-only medical device used as a spot check to create, record, display, store and analyze an ECG.
The Fitbit ECG App (working name: ECG Spot Check) consists of a Device application ("Device app") integrated on a consumer
Fitbit wrist-worn product and a mobile application tile ("mobile app") on Fitbit's consumer mobile application. The Device app uses
data from non-medical grade electrical sensors on a consumer Fitbit wrist-worn product to create and record an ECG. The
algorithm on the Device app analyzes a 30-second recording of the ECG and provides results to the user. Users are able to view
their past results as well as a pdf report of the waveform similar to a Lead I ECG on the mobile app.
Intended Purpose: The Fitbit ECG App is intended to allow the user to record a waveform similar to a single lead ECG that is then
classified as sinus rhythm or atrial fibrillation (AF) on a classifiable waveform. The ECG and rhythm classification is not
recommended for users with other known arrhythmias. The Fitbit ECG App is intended for home use by lay people aged 22 years
and over.

concerning Approval dated 2 July 2021

[Liam2567]

Hey i just recently got access to ecg in australia as i live in perth so you should be able to receive it now by either going to the apps area in fitbit or just by finding it on the watch

[meganjj]

Thank you so much for letting us know! I've just successfully activated the app, which must have come with the recent firmware update. Now very satisfied! My grateful thanks. Stay safe!🙂🙂🙂Sent from my SAMSUNG Galaxy S7 edge on the Telstra Mobile Network

[LostScientist42]

Thank you!

I had given up checking.

[Chri5ty]

I’m sure I speak for many but I am easily pleased. One little app we have waited so long for here in Australia. The recent update has changed my feelings towards my sense. 
Thank you Fitbit! I’m off to take an ECG 😉