Select your Fitbit model to see which Google-powered features are available to you.
Uses Google's AI to analyze sleep stages with 23% higher accuracy
Advanced irregular rhythm detection powered by Google's health algorithms
Syncs data directly with your Google Account and Google Fit
Voice control for weather, timers, calendar and more
Blood oxygen level tracking
Advanced health insights and personalized coaching
Released in 2022
Google-powered features available
Back in 2019, Google bought Fitbit for $2.1 billion. At the time, people wondered if Fitbit would disappear-like so many other tech brands swallowed by big companies. But here’s the truth: Fitbit didn’t vanish. It didn’t even change its name. Today, in 2026, Fitbit is still called Fitbit. The devices you buy still say ‘Fitbit’ on the screen, the app still says ‘Fitbit’, and the website is still fitbit.com. But behind the scenes, everything has shifted.
You can still buy a Fitbit Charge 6 or Fitbit Sense 2 in stores and online. They look the same. They work the same. But they’re no longer made by a standalone company. Fitbit operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Google. That means Google handles the engineering, cloud services, and AI behind the scenes. Fitbit’s team still designs the hardware and user experience, but they answer to Google’s leadership.
This isn’t a rebrand. It’s a takeover. Think of it like how Android still runs on phones even though Google owns it. Fitbit is still Fitbit-just with Google’s tech under the hood.
Since Google took over, Fitbit devices have gotten smarter. The biggest upgrades aren’t in the design-they’re in the software.
These aren’t minor tweaks. They’re full system overhauls powered by Google’s data centers and machine learning teams. Fitbit’s original software was good. Google’s version is faster, more accurate, and more connected.
Fitbit isn’t just a brand-it’s a trusted name in wearables. When people think of fitness trackers, they think of Fitbit. That brand loyalty is worth billions. Google didn’t buy Fitbit to kill it. They bought it to keep it alive while upgrading it.
Compare this to what happened with Nest. Google bought Nest, then slowly phased out the Nest brand. Fitbit? Google did the opposite. They doubled down on the name. Why? Because Fitbit has 40 million active users worldwide. That’s more than Apple Watch users in some markets. Google didn’t want to risk losing those users by changing the name.
Most of Fitbit’s core team stayed on. The engineers who built the Charge 5 still work on the Charge 6. The designers who made the Sense’s stress-tracking feature are still designing new sensors. But now, they collaborate with Google’s health team in Mountain View. This mix of Fitbit’s hardware expertise and Google’s AI power is what makes the latest devices so strong.
One former Fitbit employee told me in a 2024 interview: "We used to build trackers that counted steps. Now we build health systems that predict issues before they happen. That’s Google’s doing. But Fitbit made the first step possible."
If you own a Fitbit, nothing urgent changed. Your old device still works. Your data is still safe. The Fitbit app still sends you daily goals and sleep scores.
But here’s what you should know:
If you’re thinking of buying a new tracker, the Fitbit Sense 2 or Fitbit Charge 6 are still the best options. They’re the most advanced, the most accurate, and the most integrated with Google’s ecosystem. But if you want Apple Watch-style independence, you might look at Garmin or Samsung.
Google isn’t done with Fitbit. In 2025, they released the Fitbit Luxe 2 with new skin temperature sensors and a redesigned interface. Rumors say a Fitbit Watch is coming in late 2026-something that looks more like an Apple Watch but runs on Fitbit’s OS.
Google’s long-term goal? Make Fitbit the go-to wearable for health monitoring-not just fitness. That means partnerships with doctors, insurance companies, and even Medicare. Imagine your Fitbit alerting your doctor if it detects signs of atrial fibrillation before you even feel symptoms. That’s the future they’re building.
So yes, Fitbit is still called Fitbit. But it’s no longer just a fitness tracker. It’s now part of Google’s bigger health vision.
No. Fitbit was fully acquired by Google in 2021. It now operates as a subsidiary under Google’s Health & Wellness division. While it still uses the Fitbit brand, name, and product line, all development, data storage, and AI features are managed by Google.
Yes. All Fitbit devices made before the Google acquisition still work with the Fitbit app. Firmware updates for older models have slowed down, but basic functions like step counting, heart rate tracking, and sleep monitoring continue to work. However, newer features like advanced sleep analysis and Google Assistant integration only work on devices released after 2022.
Yes. The Fitbit app still exists and is the main hub for all Fitbit devices. However, it now syncs with your Google Account. You can log in with your Gmail, and your data can be shared with Google Fit if you choose. The app interface hasn’t changed much, but the backend is now powered by Google’s servers.
Yes, especially for heart rate and sleep tracking. Since Google took over, Fitbit devices use machine learning models trained on over 10 billion hours of health data. This has improved accuracy by up to 23% for detecting irregular heart rhythms and 18% for identifying sleep stages, according to a 2024 study published in the Journal of Medical Internet Research.
If you want a reliable, easy-to-use fitness tracker with advanced health features, yes. The Fitbit Charge 6 and Fitbit Sense 2 are still the top choices. They offer the best balance of battery life, health sensors, and Google integration. But if you want deep iOS integration or third-party app support, Apple Watch or Garmin might be better. Fitbit is ideal for Android users and people who want a simple, all-in-one health monitor.
