Google has decided to restrict access to third-party apps and watch faces for Fitbit devices in the European Economic Area. In a few months, Google will restrict European Fitbit users from downloading third-party apps and clocks, citing “new legislation” as the reason. This decision impacts all Fitbit devices that previously supported external app downloads, including
- Fitbit Sense 2, Fitbit Sense
- Fitbit Versa 4, Fitbit Versa 3, Fitbit Versa 2, Fitbit Versa Lite, Fitbit Versa
- Fitbit Ionic
The change, effective from June 2024, will see the removal of third-party apps and watch faces from the Fitbit App Gallery for users in the European Economic Area.
While users can currently download and install these apps, after June 2024, users will continue to have access to a diverse gallery of apps and clocks developed by Fitbit and Google. It is worth noting that Fitbit users can store only up to 5 watch faces on their wearables at a time. If a user tries to download a new watch face while already having 5 saved, he will have to remove one of the saved faces on his watch.
Google has not provided specific details about why it is implementing this restriction but has mentioned that it is due to “new regulatory requirements.” This move is likely influenced by recent legislation such as the Digital Services Act and the Digital Markets Act, which aim to increase access to more app stores and third-party software on platforms. Users in other countries will not be impacted by this order and will continue to have access to 3rd party apps and clock faces.
Apart from the regulation the issue of permissions to download 3rd Party Apps on Fitbit Sense 2 and Versa 4 has been going on for some time.
It’s disappointing for Sense 1 and Versa 3 users to find missing many popular applications such as Uber and Starbucks on their new Sense 2 and Versa 4.
The decision to remove the ability to download and install apps on wearables like the Fitbit Sense 2 or Versa 4 is understandably disappointing.
