Google has issued a significant warning to Fitbit users in Europe, announcing that third-party apps and watch faces will be removed from their devices starting June 2024. This change affects models such as the Fitbit Sense, Sense 2, all members of the Versa family, and the Fitbit Ionic. Lower-end series like the Inspire, which did not support third-party content, remain unaffected.
The decision stems from “new regulatory requirements” impacting users in the European Economic Area (EEA). Google clarified that “users in other countries will not be impacted.”
This development marks a continued decline in Fitbit’s support for third-party content since Google’s acquisition of the company in 2021. Notably, the Fitbit Versa 4 and Sense 2 launched without third-party app support, and preloaded apps for services like Spotify have been removed from older models.
The removal of third-party apps and watch faces is expected to occur when devices sync with the Fitbit app after the specified date. While this change may not significantly impact users due to the dwindling support for third-party content, it underscores Fitbit’s evolving focus towards its Fitbit Premium service, a $9.99 monthly subscription offering advanced metrics, video workouts, and nutrition plans.
Users are advised to prepare for these changes by exploring alternative solutions or transitioning to Fitbit’s native offerings to maintain their device’s functionality.
