Fitbit data syncing is changing: What you need to know
Updated: 3 days ago
What's happening
Google, which owns Fitbit, is replacing the system that apps and research platforms use to receive Fitbit data. The old system will be switched off on October 30, 2026. After that date, Fitbit step counts, active minutes, sleep, and heart rate data will no longer flow into Pathverse through the old connection.
Does this affect my study?It affects you only if your study collects data from participants' Fitbit devices using our combined trackers (e.g., Combined Steps with Apple Health, Google, etc) . Studies that don't use Fitbit, or that use our exclusively Fitbit data (e.g., from the "Fitbit" dropdown on the Trackers page) are not affected.
What will change for participants
The new Google system uses Google account sign-in instead of the old Fitbit login. Because of this, participants will likely need to reconnect their Fitbit to Pathverse once. Existing connections can't be transferred automatically.
What this means for your data
Data already collected in Pathverse is safe and will not be lost.
If a participant doesn't reconnect, new Fitbit data from that participant will stop arriving after October 30.
What we recommend you do now
Check whether your study uses Fitbit data collection.
Let participants know a reconnect step is coming, especially if they're mid-study. Participants will be prompted with new permissions for Health Connect (Google) or Apple Health.
If your ethics protocol or participant materials describe the Fitbit login process, check with your IRB/REB whether an amendment or notification is needed.
What Pathverse is doing
We are moving our Fitbit integration to Google's new system and expect it to be ready by October 19.
How to update iOS
How to update Android
Questions? Contact Amanda at amanda@pathverse.ca! We're happy to help plan communication with your participants.
