Google to take away Fitbit third-party apps in Europe

Fitbit smartwatch customers in Europe will lose entry to third-party apps beginning this summer season. In an replace to its help pages, Google-owned Fitbit has introduced that it’s going to take away help for putting in third-party apps and watch faces beginning in June 2024. This is because of new regulatory necessities within the European Financial Space (EEA).

Fitbit stated that customers will nonetheless have entry to apps and watch faces developed by Fitbit and Google. Nonetheless, the power to find and set up new third-party choices via the Fitbit App Gallery might be eliminated. It stays unclear whether or not current downloads will proceed to work after this date.

“You may obtain and set up third-party apps till June 2024. After that date, you’ll proceed to have entry to a various gallery of apps and clocks developed by Fitbit and Google,” Google wrote on the up to date help web page.

Google will take away Fitbit’s third-party apps and watch faces in Europe

The removing of third-party app help will impression a variety of Fitbit’s smartwatch portfolio, from older fashions just like the Ionic and Versa traces to the present flagship Sense 2. Nonetheless, primary fashions just like the Cost 5 and Encourage 3 seem protected from this alteration for now. Equally, Google’s personal Pixel Watch is unlikely to be affected.

The transfer isn’t solely shocking, as Fitbit customers have seen a discount in options and performance over the previous few years. Google has eliminated in style options like Fitbit Adventures, Open Teams, and Challenges. Assist for utilizing the Spotify and Deezer apps has additionally been eliminated.

These adjustments come after Google’s latest resolution to update the brand from Fitbit by Google to one thing shorter. Its new title, Google Fitbit, is rather more on model with how Google normally names its services.

The precise rules weren’t specified. Nonetheless, that is the most recent blow to the smartwatch expertise on Fitbit units in Europe. Fitbit customers within the EU may have a restricted window to make use of third-party apps and watch faces. You may check out this Google web page for affected Fitbit smartwatches.