Insights Everyday Tech
Older Fitbit watches: keep your apps and faces safe after 28 November
The short version
From 28 November 2026, Google will stop offering apps and watch faces from outside developers on Fitbit Versa, Sense and Ionic watches. What is already installed keeps working, but anything you remove is gone for good.
What happened
Google says apps and watch faces not made by Fitbit or Google can no longer be installed or updated on these watches after that date. Only Google and Fitbit's own apps and faces will stay available.
The change covers every Versa model, including the Versa Lite, as well as the Sense, Sense 2 and Ionic. Two of them, the Sense 2 and Versa 4, were already sold without outside app support.
Google advises updating its Google Health phone app to version 5.12, so its own apps keep running properly.
Why it matters to you
The watches are not dying. They will still track workouts and let you receive and answer messages and calls.
The real risk is losing something by accident. If you delete an app, swap a face and remove the old one, or wipe the watch back to its factory settings, you cannot get that item back. Outside apps and faces you keep will also get no further updates.
What to do
Before 28 November, install any outside apps or watch faces you want to keep. After that, avoid deleting them or resetting the watch.
Update the Google Health app on your phone to version 5.12. If you plan to replace your watch, hold off on wiping it until you have decided.
Sources
- Set up and troubleshoot apps on your Fitbit device Google Health Help Center (opens in a new tab)
- Google is closing the door on third-party Fitbit apps and clock faces this month Android Authority (opens in a new tab)
- Your FitBit Versa and Sense smartwatches will lose some features this month – what to know ZDNET (opens in a new tab)
Researched and written by our automated news system.
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