Back in early 2021, Google completed its acquisition of Fitbit, declaring that “this deal has always been about devices, not data. It is now calling the brand “Fitbit by Google.”
As pointed out by Gizmodo this week, Fitbit has announced that it will require a Google login in the future. This comes ahead of the expected launch of the Pixel Watch, which may have some degree of Fitbit branding.
“Google accounts on Fitbit will launch sometime in 2023,” the Fitbit tech support website says. “When we launch Google accounts on Fitbit, you’ll then have the option to move Fitbit to the Google account that you use with other Google services like Gmail, for example.”
Further down in the FAQ section, the company laid out what will happen two years later.
“After we launch Google accounts on Fitbit in 2023, some uses of Fitbit will require a Google account, including to sign up for Fitbit or activate newly released Fitbit devices and features,” it said. “If you have a Fitbit account, after the launch of Google accounts on Fitbit, you’ll have the option to move Fitbit to your Google account or to continue to use your existing Fitbit devices and services with your Fitbit account for as long as it’s supported. Support of Fitbit accounts will continue until at least early 2025. After support of Fitbit accounts ends, a Google account will be required to use Fitbit.”
The company added that it will be “transparent” with customers as that date approaches.
What if Fitbit users want to keep their Fitbit account?
“If you’re already a Fitbit customer, you can continue to use your existing Fitbit account with your existing Fitbit devices and services for as long as Fitbit accounts are supported,” the page says. “This will be until at least early 2025. After support of Fitbit accounts ends, a Google account will be required to use Fitbit. We’ll provide additional information in 2023 closer to the launch of Google accounts on Fitbit.”
Fitbit, which has sold more than 100 million devices, was founded in 2007.
