Google to Remove Third-Party Apps and Clock Faces from Fitbit Watches in the EU
Google has recently announced its decision to remove third-party apps and clock faces from all Fitbit smartwatches used in the European Union. This move comes as a result of regulatory requirements, and it is set to take effect in June 2024.
According to a support page update by Google, the Fitbit App Gallery will be purging third-party apps and clock faces for users in the European Economic Area. This means that the ability to download and install new apps or clock faces will be disabled. It remains unclear whether users will still be able to use apps and faces they have already installed on their devices.
The decision to remove third-party apps and clocks from the Fitbit app gallery for users in the European Economic Area is a response to new regulatory requirements. Google has stated that users can continue to download and install third-party apps until the specified date. Afterward, they will have access to a selection of Fitbit and Google apps. Users in other countries will not be affected by this change.
The affected Fitbit devices include Fitbit Sense 2, Fitbit Versa 4, Fitbit Sense, Fitbit Versa 3, Fitbit Versa 2, Fitbit Versa Lite, Fitbit Versa, Fitbit Ionic. Notably, Fitbit trackers appear not to be affected, and this change does not impact the Google Pixel Watch or Pixel Watch 2.
Google has assured that Fitbit and Google apps will continue to be available. However, it is important to note that Google apps are mostly exclusive to Sense 2 and Versa 4.
Prior to this decision, Google had already made changes to how apps and clocks worked on Fitbit Sense 2 and Versa 4. Both smartwatches had lost third-party apps entirely from launch, but had retained third-party clock faces.
