Fitbit trackers and smartwatches are very popular gadgets that allow you to track your steps, distance, calories burned, heart rate, sleep and more simply by wearing them day and night.It’s a brand synonymous with fitness, though some may be unaware Fitbit was acquired by Google back in 2021.In 2023, Google announced that all Fitbit users would, by 2025, have to migrate their data from their Fitbit account over to a Google account if they wanted to keep their legacy Fitbit data.Users would also have to eventually use a Google account to use their Fitbit, even if they didn’t want to migrate their old data.Google has now announced you have a little longer to make the switch.
As spotted by The Verge, Google has sent out emails to some Fitbit users, presumably those who have not yet made the switch, informing them they now have until February 2026 to do so.“As we have previously shared, Fitbit is now a part of Google, and Fitbit Account holders will need to transition to Google Accounts to continue using Fitbit,” Google reportedly states in the email.“If you want to keep using Fitbit, you must move to a Google Account by February 2, 2026.”If for any reason you don’t want to move your Fitbit data onto Google’s servers, the email says that if you do nothing, “your historical data will not be retained beyond February 2, 2026 (except as needed to comply with laws), and your account and data will be deleted.”Google added that if you don’t want to migrate your account, you can download and delete your legacy Fitbit data any time before the deadline.Though the date has been pushed out, giving users longer to decide what to do, the face reams of historic data will be deleted if you don't act adds a sense of urgency to the deadline.Fitbit fans took to social media to complain despite the deadline extension.“They have me because I don't want to lose my period tracking data,” one user said on Reddit.
“It truly sucks that good companies with great products get sold to inferior large companies and they proceed to wreck what they bought.”Fitbit introduce their brand new Charge 4 device “100% agree,” another replied.“Fitbit was such a great company before Google bought them.It's been mostly downhill since then.
I can't say that I've seen one improvement that Google has made since they took over.”Other users said they did not want Google to have their data and would be purchasing products from Garmin and other brands instead.But it’s worth noting that, reportedly, the terms of Google’s acquisition of Fitbit states that Fitbit data cannot be used to target you with ads.If you’re still using your Fitbit account and have not yet linked it to Google, it probably means you’ve had your tracker for some time, or have had a few but signed up to Fitbit years ago.Even though Google has pushed the deadline for data migration to 2026, if you buy a Fitbit branded tracker or smartwatch today, or a Google Pixel Watch that uses the Fitbit app to track health data, you have to sign in using a Google account to activate the device.It’s not clear why Google has delayed the need for data migration but it could be good if you are planning to move away from the Fitbit platform.
Google acquired the brand but has slowed the release of new hardware to the point the firm admitted last year there will not be any new Fitbit branded smartwatches in the future.Instead, Google has taken the Fitbit brand and technology and concentrated on building it into its Pixel Watch smartwatches.The last Fitbit to be released was the Fitbit Charge 6 in 2023, which continues to get software updates alongside other latest-generation devices such as the Inspire 3, Versa 4 and Sense 2.Trending SUBSCRIBE Invalid emailWe use your sign-up to provide content in ways you've consented to and to improve our understanding of you.
This may include adverts from us and 3rd parties based on our understanding.You can unsubscribe at any time.Read our Privacy PolicySome of these devices have been updated to support Google apps such as Google Maps and Google Wallet, though Google ditched third party app support for the Versa and Sense lines, to the ire of the Fitbit faithful.
