Photo Credit: John Schnobrich
Fitbit is removing Mac/PC syncing and music transfer this year.
Fitbit is discontinuing support for Mac and PC syncing, and the company will remove the option for users to sync their trackers using the Fitbit Connect app on October 13. The only way to continue transferring data from your wearable device will be through the Fitbit mobile app.
These changes will primarily affect those with older Fitbit devices but will also make it harder for users to transfer songs to wearable devices for offline play. At that point, if you use your Fitbit device to listen to music without your smartphone, you’ll have to depend on either the Deezer or Pandora apps to transfer and play stored music.
“On October 13, 2022, we’re removing the option to transfer playlists to your Fitbit watch through your computer,” says Fitbit. “You can continue to play personal music stored on your watch and transfer music to your watch with the Deezer app and the Pandora app.”
Additionally, the company is “removing the option to sync your Fitbit device with the Fitbit Connect app on your computer” on October 13, with the desktop application being “deactivated” at that time.
Fitbit says to use the Android or iOS Fitbit app instead, which won’t impact most users, given the prevalence of smartphones. Still, those with older Fitbit devices — those which can only connect through plugging a dock into your computer or the Fitbit Connect desktop app — will undoubtedly be forced to upgrade.
It seems unlikely that the company will update existing Fitbit devices for use with new music apps, limiting current Fitbit device owners the most. The Fitbit Connect app for Windows 10 and Mac OS X is currently available for download, with instructions for wireless sync if your computer isn’t Bluetooth-enabled. Relying on a third-party service to sync music to your hardware isn’t a good look. Perhaps Fitbit will get closer YouTube Music integration since they’re Google owned, too.