Google Health app sparks backlash as Fitbit users demand their old app back

Google replaces Fitbit app with AI-focused Google Health

On May 26, Google officially retired the Fitbit app and replaced it with the new Google Health app, alongside the launch of the Fitbit Air fitness tracker 1

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. While Google had been preparing for this transition for nearly a year, the forced migration to Google Health caught many users off guard and triggered immediate backlash across social media platforms and app stores 4

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. The new app brings a complete design revamp intended to create a more centralized health experience tying together Fitbit, Google Fit, and Health Connect, but the execution has left many longtime Fitbit users deeply frustrated 2

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Survey reveals over 50% of users express negative user experience

A survey conducted by Android Authority revealed the extent of user dissatisfaction with the Google Health app. Over 1,500 readers voted, with slightly more than 50% saying the app looks good but they don't like using it 2

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. Only 23% of voters think the app is gorgeous and works well—less than a quarter of respondents. Meanwhile, just 5% said they love how it works but don't like the look, while 13% remained indifferent and 9% don't have the new app yet 2

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. These numbers paint a clear picture of a poor user experience that has failed to resonate with the existing Fitbit user base.

Fitbit users complain about AI integration and cluttered interface

The most vocal complaints center around the prominent AI health coach feature that dominates the app's interface. On Reddit, users have flooded threads with criticism, with one post titled "Thanks, Google, for ruining Fitbit" receiving nearly 2,000 upvotes on the r/fitbit subreddit 3

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. One user complained, "Why must I now scroll through paragraphs of AI slop on every tab before I can actually see my activities and data? I don't want or need to read platitudes about my 15 minute walk to the grocery store" 1

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. The AI coach takes up significant screen real estate, with many users noting they can't completely fill their home screen and only have two large tiles available 1

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. While some users found the AI integration helpful for designing workouts, the majority view it as intrusive and unnecessary 1

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Missing features and inaccurate tracking drive users to competitors

Beyond the user interface problems, Fitbit users complain about missing features and health data that were previously available in the original app. Many of the hundreds of one-star reviews on Google Play mention inaccurate tracking of sleep and workouts—two of the most popular features that drive people to buy wearable tech in the first place 4

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. Users report that certain sleep tracking stats and in-app challenges have been removed entirely 3

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. One Reddit post with over 1,200 upvotes stated, "I participated in the public preview for the new version of this app, and turned it off after a week. It was clear that Gemini was extremely poorly implemented" 3

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. The Fitbit app replacement has pushed many users to consider switching to Garmin, which is high on the list of exodus destinations according to Reddit discussions 2

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Google responds with roadmap promising bug fixes and improvements

Facing the mounting criticism, Google has posted a roadmap for the Google Health app promising to address user concerns with a series of improvements and bug fixes starting this week 3

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. However, many users question why Google didn't address these issues during the year-long preview period before the official launch 4

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. As of May 27, there is no way to revert to the old Fitbit app, and Google appears unwilling to provide the original version to customers 4

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. For users invested in the Fitbit ecosystem for over a decade, this forced migration to Google Health represents a significant disruption to their health tracking routines. The situation highlights a broader trend in tech where established products are overhauled with AI features despite user preferences, raising questions about whether Google can win back trust from its fitness tracking community or if the damage to the Fitbit brand is already done.