Early Google Fitbit Air deliveries hit a snag with missing Android app update

At a glance:

• Some customers received the Google Fitbit Air before its May 26 expected delivery.
• Pairing failures occur because the required Google Health 5.0 app update is missing.
• Google says the updated app is rolling out soon and Apple Health integration is coming later.

Early deliveries and user issues

The Google Fitbit Air began arriving ahead of its May 26 launch window, catching some early adopters off guard. A Reddit user posted that they received the screenless tracker on the same day but could not pair it with their phone. The issue stems from a missing Google Health 5.0 app update required for initial setup.

The device cannot be used without the updated app, which is still rolling out to Android devices. The company explained that the updated Google Health application must be installed before the wearable can be paired. While iOS users can already update via the App Store, Android users are awaiting the Play Store deployment.

Google's response and app rollout

Andy, a product team member at Google, responded on the Reddit thread confirming the need for the newer app version. He noted that Google is accelerating the rollout of the updated Google Health app to support early deliveries. The rollout is expected to reach a broader audience within days, according to the internal update schedule.

The updated app, version 5.0 of Google Health, was first made available a few days ago but has not yet reached all Android devices. Google indicated that the update will be pushed more widely shortly, allowing the Fitbit Air to function fully. In the meantime, users can monitor the Play Store for the new release.

Apple Health integration prospects

During the same Reddit exchange, a user asked whether Google Health could write data to Apple Health and Apple Fitness. The Google product team replied that support for writing to Apple Health is “coming soon,” suggesting future cross‑platform syncing. This would enable Fitbit Air data to flow directly into Apple’s health ecosystem once the feature launches.

The company also hinted that additional Apple Health integrations may follow, expanding the device’s compatibility beyond Android. No specific release date was provided, but the roadmap indicates continued focus on multi‑platform data sharing. Users can expect further announcements as the rollout progresses.