Google health replaces Fitbit app, users demand the old app back

At a glance:

• Google has retired the standalone Fitbit app and rolled its features into the new Google Health platform.
• Users report frustration with limited home‑screen tiles, intrusive AI health‑coach chat, and difficulty accessing historic workout logs.
• The AI coach can be disabled in Feature Privacy Controls, but many still call for the classic Fitbit experience to return.

Google health replaces the Fitbit app

Google officially retired the Fitbit app this week, bundling its functionality into the newly‑branded Google Health app alongside the launch of the Fitbit Air smartwatch. The change had been hinted at in earlier announcements, but the actual rollout caught long‑time Fitbit users off‑guard. The new home screen now shows only two large tiles for steps and basic stats, while the rest of the page is dominated by recent activity updates and a chatty AI health coach.

User backlash focuses on UI and AI overload

Social media and community forums quickly filled with complaints. A Reddit user lamented, “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.” Others described the graphic UI as “something an 8‑year‑old would make” and decried the need to scroll through “paragraphs of AI slop” before reaching their actual activity data. The sentiment was summed up on Google’s own help center: “This app is a huge disappointment and a total time drain to get minimal results. How can I get back to using what worked?!”

The AI health coach: helpful for some, noisy for others

Not every reaction was negative. One commenter praised the AI, saying, “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 highlighted a practical win: they were able to update a missed sleep session simply by chatting with the bot. Google does allow the AI feature to be turned off via the app’s Feature Privacy Controls, but the option is buried and many users remain unaware of it.

Navigating historic data in the new layout

Finding older workout logs proved cumbersome. The author noted that to locate rowing workouts stored in the former Fitbit app, they had to swipe left on the “Today” page, tap the “Health” tab, then drill down into “Fitness” → “Focus areas” → “Exercise days.” In the legacy app, the same “Exercise days” block was visible by scrolling down on the main screen. This extra navigation step has been a pain point for power users who rely on quick glanceability.

Wearable compatibility remains limited

Google’s support page mentions that connected wearables unlock two extra tabs—Fitness and Sleep—on the Health app. However, the author’s Nothing Watch Pro 3 does not trigger those tabs, echoing earlier comments from Google’s Rishi Chandra to The Verge that broader third‑party support is still forthcoming. Until Google expands compatibility, users with non‑Pixel wearables will continue to see a pared‑down experience.

What’s next for Google health and the Fitbit community?

Google appears committed to iterating on the AI‑centric design, but the outcry suggests a sizable portion of the Fitbit community still values the minimalist, data‑first interface of the original app. Future updates may need to re‑introduce customizable home‑screen tiles or a “classic mode” to retain those users. For now, the only immediate remedy is to disable the AI coach in settings and adapt to the new navigation flow.