Google discontinues Fitbit's web dashboard, reduces fitness tracker to the app

Google appears to be gradually phasing out Fitbit and the various functionalities of this fitness tracker. Since April, it has no longer been possible to make purchases in the previously independent Fitbit webshop; users are redirected to the Google Store. In July, the Fitbit web dashboard was also discontinued and users were redirected to the Fitbit app. However, they complain that the app does not have all the functions of the dashboard and does not display fitness data clearly and graphically.

Google completed the acquisition of Fitbit at the beginning of 2021. The following year, Google launched its first own smartwatch, the Pixel Watch, which relies on Fitbit and its app for fitness tracking rather than its own Google Fit service. However, although Google proclaims health as a central component of Android 14, the data company is gradually reducing the functions of some services. Google Fit's Android APIs will be discontinued in mid-2025, leading to speculation about the end of Google Fit.

Fitbit puts app in the foreground

Now it's the Fitbit web dashboard. In its own community forum, Fitbit explains: "Next month, we're consolidating the Fitbit.com dashboard into the Fitbit app. The web browser will no longer provide access to the Fitbit.com dashboard after July 8, 2024." Fitbit promises that "all activity, nutrition, sleep and weight data and logs will continue to be available in the Fitbit app".

But the end of the web dashboard leaves gaps at Fitbit. Users complain that the app does not display a lot of data graphically and lacks clarity due to the limited screen size of smartphones. In addition, the Fitbit app does not support larger displays, such as on a tablet. This means that users are deprived of the only option of viewing the data on a larger screen.

Criticism from users about missing functions in the app

Users complain on Reddit, for example, that they cannot create their own meal or add a missing workout in the app. The dashboard also does not show how many calories you need to burn to reach your goals. Entering your own data is much more convenient with a keyboard than on a cell phone. Fitbit would therefore fall behind the competition. Garmin, for example, still offers such a web dashboard and the Apple Watch has a health app for the iPad.

It is not known whether the reduction in Fitbit functions is part of the further cuts announced by Google CEO Sundar Pichai this year. Google started out as an internet and web company, but is now apparently focusing more on apps and is increasingly dropping desktop functions, as Ars Technica criticizes.

(fds)