The Fitbit app is getting a significant makeover, so much so that it will no longer have that name. On Thursday, Google, which completed its acquisition of Fitbit in 2021, announced that the Fitbit app will be rebranded as Google Health on May 19.
"By transitioning to the Google Health app, we are creating a unified destination for all your health data -- whether from your Fitbit device or Pixel Watch, your favorite apps or your medical records," Taylor Helgren, director of product management at Google, told CNET.
On both iOS and Android, Google Health can be paired with hundreds of other apps, such as Peloton and MyFitnessPal, and devices, including Fitbit, Pixel Watch and the company's new Fitbit Air, which was announced on Thursday.
However, you can use the app without a fitness-tracking wearable.
Along with its name change, the Google Health redesign aims to make it easier for you to find the data you seek.
Based on user feedback, the app's former three tabs -- Today for all your health data, Coach for fitness and mindfulness videos and You for personal goals and assessments -- will now become four tabs: Today, Fitness, Sleep and Health. Each tab will have that topic's data, while Today will display your daily metrics.
The Today tab will display timely insights. Fitness houses your weekly workout plan. Sleep provides data related to your rest. Lastly, Health will give you access to your medical records and health metrics.
GoogleWhat can Google Health do for you?
With Google Health, you'll be able to see medical records like medications, lab results and allergies alongside your health and fitness metrics.
Depending on the provider, you can search for your doctors and connect to their member portals. Or once your identity is verified using the identity verification platform Clear, medical records can be searched for on your behalf.
A notable part of the Google Health transition is the company's AI health coach, which is only available to premium subscribers. Previously called the Personal Health Coach, the Gemini-powered Google Health Coach exited its public preview testing phase and officially launched on Thursday. It can analyze your sleep, offer fitness plans tailored to your goals and real-time data and provide evidence-based answers to your health questions.
In addition to tracking your menstrual cycle and logging your nutrition, you can now get more accurate sleep insights with Google Health.
Compared to its previous model across all compatible Pixel and Fitbit devices and based on clinical validation of sleep algorithms against gold-standard measurements, the company's new advanced machine learning models are 15% more accurate for sleep tracking. This allows Google Health to more precisely collect data on sleep stage transitions, naps and interruptions, resulting in a more true-to-life sleep score.
Nap, sleep interruption and sleep stage transition data are more accurate with Google's updated sleep algorithms.
GoogleGoogle also plans to consolidate all its health and fitness offerings into Google Health. Later this year, users of the Google Fit activity-tracking app will be asked to migrate their data to Google Health.
The Google Health Coach can offer insights based on your medical records. However, AI and health care experts say you should hesitate before uploading your medical records to an AI tool.
Google Health privacy
Despite becoming Google Health, it appears the privacy terms remain the same. Google says in a statement that you can delete or export your health data at any time and delete your Google Health account with the option to change your mind for 30 days. Optional features, such as AI training, can also be turned off or on, it says.
According to Google, it won’t use the health and wellness data in Google Health for Google Ads, the company's online advertising program.
Data transmission between devices and servers is encrypted. Two-step authentication is also available.
The company also has plans to give users the ability to securely share their data with loved ones and doctors.
Will Fitbit app users need to download a new app?
"The Google Health app will replace the Fitbit app through a normal app update," a Google representative told CNET. "Fitbit users will not need to download a new app or take any action."
Fitbit app users' data will automatically be available in the new Google Health app.
Android users will receive the updated Google Health app as it rolls out between May 19 and 26. Starting May 19, iOS users can immediately update the Fitbit app to become the Google Health app.
Premium Google Health subscribers get access to a workout library.
GoogleGoogle Health Premium versus its free version
The premium version of Google Health will cost $10 per month or $100 per year.
Previously, Fitbit Premium was $80 per year, so it's gone up by $20. The monthly price remains the same. However, if you purchase a new Fitbit or Pixel Watch device by May 18, the day before the Google Health app launches, you can get a six-month membership included.
Premium subscribers can use the Google Health Coach, which provides personalized weekly fitness plans and workouts, along with detailed insights into sleep and medical records.
You can also access a workout library, mindfulness sessions and proactive guidance across your health, fitness and sleep metrics.
The Google Health Coach AI chatbot can log your activity and nutrition conversationally or with photos.
GoogleThose who opt to keep the free version of the Google Health app, which is included with a paired Pixel Watch or Fitbit tracker, can still track:
- Activity: distance, cardio load, steps, calories and readiness
- Sleep: schedule, duration, stages and score
- Health: blood oxygen (SpO2), heart rate, heart rate variability, medical records and breathing rate
Users can also log their weight, meals, menstrual cycle, water intake and moods.
Just remember that both the Google Health Coach and Google Health app are not intended to diagnose or treat any health condition. For that, you'll want your human doctor.
