On May 26, 2026, Google officially sunset the standalone Fitbit app, replacing it with the newly launched Google Health platform. The transition, which had been announced months earlier, was expected to bring a unified health-tracking experience under Google's umbrella. Instead, the rollout has been met with widespread user backlash. Across social media forums, help center threads, and tech community boards, long-time Fitbit users are expressing confusion, frustration, and a collective plea: bring back the old Fitbit app.

The core of the discontent centers on the new user interface. Google Health's landing page, dubbed 'Today,' prioritizes an artificial intelligence health coach that occupies a large portion of the screen. Users report that they cannot customize the layout to display their most important metrics at a glance. A Reddit user complained, '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.' This sentiment reflects a broader shift: whereas the Fitbit app allowed users to see a comprehensive dashboard of steps, heart rate, sleep data, and exercise logs with a simple scroll, Google Health forces them to navigate through multiple tabs and embedded AI chat boxes to find the same information.

The AI coach, which Google positioned as a key differentiator, has become a major source of irritation. For many users, the chatbot's unsolicited suggestions and progress updates feel intrusive. One senior editor at a tech publication recounted that the AI initiated a conversation about his daily plans, which he found unsettling. 'I wasn’t quite ready to have a chat with a bot about my morning routine,' he said. Others described the AI's output as 'platitudes' that clutter the screen. A user on Google’s help center wrote, '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.'

Despite the overwhelming negativity, some users have found value in the AI assistant. One person noted that the bot helped design a circuit workout using office gym equipment, leading to effective sessions. Another highlighted the ability to retroactively log sleep sessions via chat. 'When I ask it to design a moderate workout using my office gym equipment, circuit style, I usually end up feeling great afterwards,' commented one user. However, these positive anecdotes are dwarfed by the volume of complaints about the app's design and usability.

The visual design has also drawn sharp criticism. A user claimed, 'This graphic UI looks like something an 8 year old would make.' Others pointed out that the new app buries essential data. For example, an editor who tested the app found that to view historical rowing workout logs, she had to drill down from the 'Today' page to 'Health,' then to 'Focus areas,' and finally to 'Fitness' and 'Exercise days.' In the old Fitbit app, that same data was visible by simply scrolling down on the main page. The extra steps are particularly burdensome for users who do not have a supported wearable—without a recent Fitbit or Google Pixel Watch, the app does not display the dedicated 'Fitness' and 'Sleep' tabs that could streamline navigation.

Google’s response has been limited. A support page offers guidance on disabling the AI bot through Feature Privacy Controls, but there is no option to remove the large Ask Coach window from the home screen. The company has stated that third-party wearable support will eventually arrive, but for now, users with devices like the Nothing Watch Pro 3 are left without the full layout improvements.

The transition is part of Google’s larger strategy to consolidate its health and fitness offerings under the Google Health brand, following its acquisition of Fitbit in 2021. The goal was to integrate Fitbit’s hardware and data with Google’s AI capabilities and cloud infrastructure. However, the execution has alienated a loyal user base that valued Fitbit’s straightforward, data-driven interface. Many users feel that the new app prioritizes Google’s AI agenda over the core functionality that made Fitbit popular.

Historical context helps explain the outrage. Fitbit built its reputation on simplicity: a clean dashboard that presented daily step counts, active minutes, sleep stages, and exercise logs without editorialization. The app’s social features, challenges, and community badges also contributed to its charm. Google Health, by contrast, seems designed to push users toward AI coaching, health tips, and reminders—features that some view as unnecessary for seasoned fitness tracker owners.

The current situation evokes memories of other controversial app redesigns, such as when Instagram moved from a chronological feed to an algorithmic one, or when Twitter (now X) introduced the 'For You' tab. In each case, companies faced user pushback but ultimately stuck with the changes. For Google Health, the stakes are high: if enough users abandon the platform for alternatives like Apple Health, Samsung Health, or dedicated fitness apps like Strava, the Fitbit hardware ecosystem—which still commands a significant market share—could suffer.

Industry analysts suggest that Google may need to strike a balance. Some propose offering a 'classic mode' that mimics the old Fitbit layout, with the AI coach as an optional feature. Until then, online forums are filled with guides on how to minimize the AI's presence, but no workaround fully restores the old experience. One user’s plea on Google’s help center captures the mood: 'This app is a huge disappointment and a total time drain to get minimal results. How can I get back to using what worked?!'

Google has not announced any immediate plans to revise the interface. The company’s blog post showcases a version of the Today screen that includes all the information in a cleaner layout, but that view hasn’t materialized for most users. Until Google addresses the feedback, the sentiment among many Fitbit veterans remains clear: they want their old Fitbit app back.

Source: The Verge News