The redesigned Fitbit app is on its way – here’s what’s new

The August announcement revealed that the Fitbit app was changing the layout from its earlier four-tab layout (with Today, Discover, Community and Premium tabs), to a slicker three-tab setup (Today, Coach and You).  

But this is more than just a cosmetic change for the Fitbit app. Google confirmed several new features that are worth highlighting. 

You can watch Google’s introduction to the new Fitbit app below

Usually, you’d need to wear a smartwatch or fitness tracker to track your activities. But thanks to improved communication between your phone’s sensors and the app, you can now track walks, runs and hikes without wearing a Fitbit or Google Pixel watch. 

The Today tab will allow users to customise what information is on display, allowing for greater focus on the metrics that really matter to you.  

The Coach tab is broadly the same as the Discover tab, in that it lets you search for workouts, meditations and more. The big difference here is in the added filters to help you find the content you really want, particularly in relation to workouts. You will be able to filter workouts based on things like workout type, duration, equipment, and even the instructor.  

This reminds us of the comprehensive filters available on the Peloton app, and we see this as a significant improvement over having to search manually to find what you want. 

Arguably one of the most important aspects of a fitness app is how well it presents and explains your data. And with this revamp, the Fitbit app promises to include easy-to-understand information about your metrics, highlight any patterns, and generally do an improved job of helping you make sense of it all. We’re certainly interested in seeing how well this works. 

Finally, Google has highlighted new privacy controls. This includes the ability to review and manage your data directly from the Fitbit app (they explain in detail how to do this on the Fitbit website). And there is also confirmation that your Fitbit health data won’t be used for Google ads. 

Google also hinted at one further intriguing possibility. In a separate post on the same day as announcing the new Fitbit app rollout, Fitbit teased the prospect of a new Fitbit device via a post on X (formerly known as Twitter): 

It’s a brief clip of someone swinging their arms, with a fitness tracker easily spotted on their wrist. It looks very much like a Fitbit Charge, and rumours have been growing about a new Fitbit Charge 6 in the works.  

The Fitbit Charge 5 was released in September 2021, and a two-year release schedule would be consistent with previous Charge devices. Is it a coincidence that the clip is six seconds long?

We won’t have long to wait until we find out, as the reveal is set for September 28, 2023. The Fitbit Charge 5 currently tops our best budget fitness tracker list, so the Charge 6 has a hard act to follow, if it turns out to be what Fitbit has up its sleeve.