14 DAY TRIAL // Google’s takeover of Fitbit came with the promise that the company would continue to run independently. But since the acquisition was closed, Google’s services are slowly but surely becoming a more important part of the Fitbit experience.
Most recently, the Mountain View-based search giant has decided to make Google accounts mandatory on new Fitbit devices.
In other words, even if you have a Fitbit account, you’ll need a Google account to activate and set up a new Fitbit device.
The change will come into effect next year, and Fitbit says that once the device is activated, users can stick with their Fitbit accounts to use the trackers.
The change will come into effect in 2023
“After we launch Google accounts on Fitbit in 2023, some uses of Fitbit will require a Google account, including to sign up for Fitbit or activate newly released Fitbit devices and features,” Fitbit explains on a FAQ page.
“If you have a Fitbit account, after the launch of Google accounts on Fitbit, you'll have the option to move Fitbit to your Google account or to continue to use your existing Fitbit devices and services with your Fitbit account for as long as it's supported. Support of Fitbit accounts will continue until at least early 2025. After support of Fitbit accounts ends, a Google account will be required to use Fitbit. We'll be transparent with our customers about the timeline for ending Fitbit accounts through notices within the Fitbit app, by email, and in help articles,” the company continues.
For now, however, Fitbit guarantees that Google won’t use Fitbit health and wellness data for Google Ads.
More information will be provided at a later time close to the moment when the Google accounts would become mandatory for setting up new Fitbit devices.