The Fitbit app is no more. Along with the launch of the new Fitbit Air, Google has officially replaced it with Google Health, as previously announced. The transition marks a significant shift in the fitness tracking ecosystem, but many of the responses we’ve seen so far are full of confusion, frustration, and requests to get the old app back.
Fitbit users have taken to forums and social media to express their discontent. One post on Reddit highlights a common issue: “I can’t even completely fill up my home screen. They only have 2 large tiles available and I can’t just scroll down to see everything.” The landing page now features a small section at the top showing steps and basic stats, but a large portion of the main page is reserved for recent activity updates and chatty notes from Google’s AI health coach.
The AI integration, while touted as a key feature, has been met with mixed reactions. For some users, the AI bot is a helpful companion. One person commented, “When I ask it to design a moderate workout using my office gym equipment, circuit style, I usually end up feeling great afterwards.” Another user found it useful for updating their sleep log by chatting with the bot. However, many others find it intrusive. A 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. I want to see my stats from my morning run.”
The visual design has also drawn criticism. One user described the graphic UI as “something an 8 year old would make,” while others lament the loss of the intuitive interface that made Fitbit a beloved brand. A post on Google’s help center sums up the sentiment: “This app is a huge disappointment and a total time drain to get minimal results. How can I get back to using what worked?!” Replies echoed the sentiment, with one stating, “it’s no longer a genuine fitness app.”
Despite the backlash, Google has positioned Google Health as the future of fitness tracking. The app is built around AI coaching, which Google claims will offer personalized insights and motivation. However, the rollout has been rocky. On Google’s blog post, a sample image shows a version of the Today screen with all the information and AI chat that many users couldn’t get to show up. There seems to be no way to remove the Ask Coach or activity window that takes up so much screen space, though the bot can be disabled in the app’s Feature Privacy Controls.
Background: Fitbit’s journey under Google
Google acquired Fitbit in 2021 for $2.1 billion, promising to enhance the platform with AI and deeper integration with Google services. For years, Fitbit maintained its brand identity and app, but in early 2026, Google announced plans to merge Fitbit into Google Health. The decision was met with skepticism from the start, as Fitbit had a loyal user base that valued simplicity and data clarity.
Fitbit’s history dates back to 2007 when founders James Park and Eric Friedman launched the company. It quickly became a leader in wearable fitness trackers, known for its user-friendly app and community features. Over the years, Fitbit expanded from simple step counters to advanced health monitoring, including heart rate, sleep tracking, and stress management. The acquisition by Google raised concerns about data privacy and the potential loss of Fitbit’s unique identity.
The transition to Google Health has now materialized, and the concerns are proving valid. Users report that the new app buries their data under layers of AI chatter. For instance, to access workout logs, users must navigate to the Health tab, then Fitness, then Focus areas, and finally Exercise days. In the old Fitbit app, that information was just a scroll away on the main Today page.
Even users with supported wearables find the new interface cumbersome. According to a support page, Google Health shows two additional tabs for Fitness and Sleep when a compatible device is connected, but the redesign still requires extra steps. One reviewer noted that even with a Fitbit device, the app prioritizes AI interactions over raw data.
User feedback: A divided community
The feedback has been overwhelmingly negative, but not all is lost. Some users appreciate the AI coach’s ability to generate workouts and log activities naturally. For instance, one user shared how they could ask the bot to create a circuit workout using their office gym equipment and felt great afterward. Another user noted that the bot helped them log a missed sleep session seamlessly.
However, these positive experiences are overshadowed by the sheer volume of complaints. A common refrain is that the app feels like a downgrade. One user wrote, “I’ve been a Fitbit user for years, and this new app is a mess. I can’t find my data, and the AI keeps interrupting with useless comments.” Another added, “Google should have left Fitbit alone. It was fine the way it was.”
The design itself has been called childish and cluttered. The lack of customization options frustrates power users who were used to arranging their dashboard. The introduction of large tiles and AI content reduces the space available for actual metrics. Users on platforms like Reddit and the Fitbit forums have started petitions to bring back the old app, though Google has not responded.
Comparison with other platforms
The shift from a dedicated fitness app to an AI-driven health hub mirrors trends across the industry. Apple Health and Samsung Health have also integrated coaching features, but they maintain distinct apps for wearable data. Google’s approach differs by merging everything into a single app, which some argue dilutes the fitness tracking experience.
Competitors like Garmin and Whoop continue to focus on raw data and performance metrics, appealing to athletes who prefer minimal interference. Fitbit’s strength was always its balance between accessibility and depth. With Google Health, that balance seems lost.
The new app also lacks third-party device support initially. Google’s Rishi Chandra mentioned that Google Health will eventually support third-party wearables, but currently, only Google and Fitbit devices work fully. Users with third-party smartwatches, like the Nothing Watch Pro 3, cannot access the Fitness and Sleep tabs, making the app feel incomplete.
What Google needs to fix
Based on user feedback, several issues stand out. First, the app should allow users to customize the home screen and remove AI content. Second, data accessibility must be streamlined—users should be able to see all their stats without navigating multiple tabs. Third, the AI coach should be optional and not dominate the interface. Google has already provided a way to disable the bot, but the layout still allocates space for it.
Another critical issue is performance. Users report that the app is slower and more resource-intensive than the old Fitbit app. This is likely due to the AI processing and additional features. Google must optimize performance to ensure a smooth experience.
Finally, communication from Google has been lacking. The company did not adequately prepare users for the drastic interface changes. Better onboarding and tutorials could have mitigated some of the frustration. As it stands, many users feel blindsided and betrayed by the redesign.
In summary, Google Health has replaced the Fitbit app amid a wave of user discontent. While the AI coaching feature has some merit, the overall experience has been derided as cluttered, confusing, and a step backward from the simplicity of Fitbit. With thousands of users calling for a return to the old app, Google faces a challenge to either refine Google Health or risk losing its loyal fanbase. The coming months will be crucial as Google decides how to respond to this feedback.
Source: The Verge News