February 21, 2023
Fitbit is removing some of its most popular features from its app, including challenges, adventures, and open groups, to make room for Google. The move comes only three years after Google purchased Fitbit.
Fitbit users will no longer be able to participate in challenges, adventures, or open groups after March 27th. Fitbit’s integration with Google, which acquired the company in 2020, is the reason for the change. The move is expected to pave the way for new Google features and services.
Users will lose any trophies they earned from participating in challenges after March 27, but they can download their data prior to that date by visiting this Fitbit settings page and going to the Fitbit dashboard. Users can still interact with their friends through the app’s Friends leaderboard and Community Feed.
Furthermore, open groups which allow anyone to join a community with a common interest will be discontinued. This means users will only be able to form private closed groups with their friends; open groups, on the other hand, do not require an invitation to join and, unlike closed groups, anyone in the community can send a request to get roped in. Fitbit users can still connect through the Health & Wellness forums.
Fitbit Studio, a tool for creating third-party apps and watch faces for its smartwatches, will also be discontinued on April 20.
The removal of these features has dissatisfied some Fitbit users, who have expressed their displeasure on social media. Fitbit has assured users that the changes will have no effect on their data and that they will continue to have access to their health and fitness data.
Since the acquisition, Fitbit has been gradually integrating with Google, and the removal of these features is part of that process. Fitbit has stated that it will continue to provide new features and services in the future, and that the changes are required to ensure the company’s long-term success.
The sources for this piece include an article in AndroidCentral.
