Hello there! It’s Kathleen again with a subject that everyone (or nearly everyone) will be interested in—fitness devices and Google Fit. I think nearly everyone over the age of 13 and under 93 owns some type of fitness device, whether it’s an Apple Watch, a Garmin, an Amazfit, or Fitbit.
Have you been thinking of buying a new Fitbit but you wonder if Fitbit with Google Fit is a good match? I mean, nothing is more frustrating than to get a new electronic device or fitness tracker only to find it won’t sync data with other apps. Good news to you, the answer is yes, and we’ll talk about “how” in this article.
The information that we receive from these devices is simply amazing, don’t you think? Where else can I find out my heart rate, number of calories burned, how well I slept, steps I’ve taken, monitor my weight, and more without a doctor’s visit?
Even my doctor wouldn’t know how long or how well I slept, as well as the number of calories I’ve burned, so these fitness watches are really packed with important info.
I’m going to talk about fitness apps, what Fitbit (the biggest selling fitness app there is) and Google Fit can offer you, and other little tidbits about your fitness tracker that you may not be aware of (Be sure to also read up on my smallest step trackers here).
Are you ready? Grab your little nifty third-party apps and devices and let’s talk fitness data!
Can Fitbit Sync to Google Fit?
Let’s attack this question head-on. Will Fitbit sync to Google Fit? You bet your Aunt Mary it does!
Fitbit has no problem syncing to Google Fit, and I think even older versions will sync data with little or no issues. It makes sense, too, when you discover that Google owns Fitbit. Google wanted to make its own fitness tracker but had a hard time finding a brand or manufacturer to make a deal with them.
I suppose when you can’t beat ’em, you join ’em. Google bought the Fitbit company, problem solved.
I don’t know if there was ever an issue syncing Fitbit data with the Google fit app before Google bought the company, but there is certainly no problem now.
How Do I Sync Fitbit with Google Fit?
You shouldn’t really have to do anything other than have a Google account. If you don’t have one yet, sign up for a Google Gmail account, and you are good to go,
After you download the Google Fit app, it asks you which Gmail account you wish to use. Click on the one you want to use for this app. I recommend using the same Gmail account on your Fitbit as well.
That’s it. Google app may ask you a few questions, such as your current weight and height, as well as how many steps is your daily goal. The app permissions may need you to click yes or slide a button to approve what the app syncs, but the truth is that once you download the Google fit app, you will have it up and running in about 3 minutes. Maybe less.
Will Google Fit Work with iPhone or Apple Watch?
I have good news for all you iPhone users. The Google Fit app will work flawlessly with your device.
I have an iPhone and a different brand of fitness tracker. I had zero issues downloading the Google Fit app and synching it to my watch.
If you have an Android phone, you don’t need to do anything but visit the Google Play Store and download Google Fit.
For your iPhone, download the Google Fit app from the iOS app store. Like with Fitbit, you should already have a Gmail account. Link the Gmail account that your watch or fitness tracker is connected to. Answer a few questions, and all your data should sync automatically.
Can I Use Google Fit Without a Fitness Tracker?
Technically, yes, you can. While Google Fit is made to sync with fitness devices, it is actually a fitness tracker in its own right.
There are a few drawbacks to using your Google Fit account all by itself.
- You need to carry the phone everywhere. While most of us DO take our phones as if they were a vital part of our body, we also set them down. This means that if you don’t want to (or you can’t, like when you go swimming) take your phone as you go running, you will need to enter your activity manually.
- To check your heart rate, respiratory rate, and other data, you need to use your phone’s camera and do this manually. When you have a Fitbit or other fitness device, this type of information is usually monitored continuously and then uploaded to Google Fit.
- You may not get accurate readings if you live or work out in areas that have little or no 4G or wifi, or if you’re out of the range of GPS. Google Fit relies on the internet and GPS to keep your data accurate and synched.
- Without a Fitbit or other fitness watch, your phone will rely on GPS for workouts. This can use up your phone’s battery, especially if you are on a very long workout (such as hiking for several hours). It might be a good idea to keep a spare battery pack with you.
If you don’t like fitness watches, you can still use Google Fit on your cell phone, it just may not be as accurate or as simple as allowing your fitness device to do health sync anytime.
What If My Fitness Device Won’t Sync with Google Fit?
In the rare instance that you have an older or little-known brand of fitness watch and it won’t sync with Google Fit, you don’t need to buy a new device.
There are plenty of third-party apps that should work to get your data synced. FittoFit is perhaps the biggest and best known, but there are other apps, including My Fitness Sync, Fitbit Import, and others.
These third-party apps transfer data from your Fitbit account or other device and sync the data to Google Fit.
You might need to tap “transfer data” on some apps, but many of them simply ask if you want to download health sync and apply it to Google Fit.
Is Google Fit Accurate?
If you are using Fitbit or another type of device, you can count on it being as accurate as your device.
This is because Google Fit simply transfers data from your watch to the Google Fit platform. If your Fitbit device is accurate, then your Google Fit data will also be accurate.
You can try comparing the information you get from both platforms.
Disable auto-sync in the Google Fit app. Remember to take your phone with you everywhere you go for the next day or two. Take regular heart rate measurements and manually enter any activity that Google Fit did not record.
Now you can compare the information from both devices. Chances are that when you view data, you will see that they are very, very similar.
There might be some small discrepancies, but generally speaking, I have found that Google Fit and my fitness tracker have about the same readings, which makes me feel confident that both Google Fit and the fitness app from my watch are very accurate.
Does Google Fit Let Me Download My Data?
This is perhaps one of the best things about Google Fit. Authorizing health sync’s use means that Google Fit is storing your data in the app and in its database. You can access your Google Fit account online via your tablet or laptop, and download your data.
OK, some people aren’t fans of “big tech” but I happen to like the ease with which Google Fit makes everything happen without me remembering or taking additional steps to accomplish simple tasks.
Google Fit uses the data from your tracker or from your smartphone sensors and automatically uploads it to their servers. All you need to do is to access your account online and hit that download button.
Can I Download My Fitbit Data Without Google Fit?
Yes, you can, but it’s not as simple as using the Google Fit app.
First, you need to upload the information from your Fitbit device to your laptop, desktop, or tablet.
Start by downloading the software you will need here.
Download Fitbit as an EXE file and follow the app settings installation instructions. Now you are ready to access Fitbit data and tell the app the sync direction.
To sync your Fitbit tracker to another device, insert the Fitbit wireless dongle into your PC’s or tablet’s USB port. Be sure to keep your Fitbit tracker no further than 20 feet away from the dongle. In the lower right corner of the screen, you should see the Fitbit Connect icon. Click on the icon and select open.
Your Fitbit will need to use your computer’s Bluetooth function so they can find one another, but after this initial setup, synching will be a bit easier.
Now you know why so many people enjoy the benefits of Google Fit! It’s super simple to use and everything is automatic.
Does Google Fit Use a Lot of Battery Power?
Yes and no.
Generally speaking, Google Fit doesn’t use a lot of battery power, but some instances may drain your phone’s battery. For example, if you are using Google Fit without a watch, the app will depend on GPS for tracking your location, and for those who don’t know this, GPS systems use a lot of battery power.
If you plan on using Google Fit without a watch or Fitbit, the best way to save your battery is to disable the GPS when you are not tracking your workout or to keep a spare battery pack close by in case you get caught without access to electricity or your charger.
The Final Takeaway
I like Google products overall, and I think that Google Fit is a great way to collect and store your workout data.
It’s easy to sync your Fitbit data with Google Fit, and since Google owns Fitbit, it’s exactly as pain-free and easy to use as you expect it to be.
You can use Google Fit by itself, without Fitbit or other device, but Google Fit works best when paired with a fitness app or fitness tracker.
Stay happy and healthy, friends! Life is too short for anything else.
Written by Kathleen Langdon – TheHealthPot.com Founder
Certified Personal Trainer (CPT), Certified Corrective Exercise Specialist (CES)
Kathleen, a mother of two, struggled with ongoing weight and health issues. She created this website after she turned her life around. She built Thehealthpot.com to help inspire and motivate others with their fitness goals. Read more about Kathleen here.