The change already happened. Google removed the ability for users in the European Economic Area (EEA) to install new third-party Fitbit apps and clock faces in June 2024. This is not a forthcoming shutdown: affected watches still provide built-in Fitbit and Google features, while Google said previously downloaded third-party items would remain accessible.
The EEA comprises the European Union plus Iceland, Liechtenstein and Norway. The United Kingdom is not part of the EEA, and Google says users in other countries are not affected by this particular restriction.
What changed in June 2024
For EEA users, the Google Health app no longer permits new installations of third-party Fitbit apps or clock faces. Third-party apps are software made by outside developers, including utilities, services, games and specialist health tools. Third-party clock faces provide alternative designs and data layouts.
This did not delete every app or disable Fitbit smartwatches. Google says a selection of Google Health and Google apps remains available. Built-in functions such as activity and exercise tracking, heart-rate and sleep measurements, alarms and timers continue according to each model’s capabilities.
#1 Best Overall
- 1.59in l x 1.59in w x 0.49in h. ECG, stress sensing and a skin temperature sensor. Get notifications for calls, texts, calendar events and apps like Gmail and Facebook plus send quick replies and voice replies right from your wrist.
- Compatibility: Apple iOS 12.2 or higher, Android OS 7.0 or higher, Syncing range: Up to 30ft, Music control via Bluetooth Classic on Android and Bluetooth LE on iOS devices.
- Built-in GPS + GLONASS, Speaker, Microphone, Multi-path optical heart rate sensor, IR sensors for oxygen saturation (SpO2) monitoring
- Water-resistant to 50 meters. Battery life up to 6+ days. Heart rate tracking technology. Saves 7 days of detailed motion data minute by minute.
- International Model - No warranty in the US. In Box: Fitbit Versa 3, Classic wristband (both small & large), Charging cable
Google’s current explanation is available in its Google Health Help Center.
Which Fitbit models are covered?
| Model family listed by Google | EEA restriction |
|---|---|
| Fitbit Sense 2 | New third-party apps and clock faces cannot be installed |
| Fitbit Sense | New third-party apps and clock faces cannot be installed |
| Fitbit Versa 4 | New third-party apps and clock faces cannot be installed |
| Fitbit Versa 3 | New third-party apps and clock faces cannot be installed |
| Fitbit Versa 2 | New third-party apps and clock faces cannot be installed |
| Fitbit Versa Lite | New third-party apps and clock faces cannot be installed |
| Fitbit Versa | New third-party apps and clock faces cannot be installed |
| Fitbit Ionic | Listed by Google, but subject to a separate voluntary recall |
Do not treat the Ionic as a sensible second-hand alternative. Fitbit issued a voluntary recall for that model, so app support is not a reason to buy one.
Google’s notice identifies these smartwatch families rather than every Fitbit product. Contemporary reporting indicated that Charge and Inspire trackers were not affected by this specific app-gallery change because they did not use the same smartwatch app model. That does not mean trackers offer a full smartwatch-style third-party ecosystem. Pixel Watch devices are separate Google wearables and are not covered by this Fitbit restriction. See Android Authority’s report for that distinction.
What existing EEA owners can still do
Use built-in and first-party features
Core Fitbit health and activity functions, ordinary watch tools and the first-party Google/Fitbit software supported by each model remain usable. Features vary between Sense, Versa and Ionic generations, so this policy does not make every model identical.
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Google told Android Authority that users could continue accessing third-party apps and clock faces they had already downloaded. That clarification is less explicit than the current support page, so it should be understood as an attributed statement rather than a promise that every item will work indefinitely.
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- Assess your heart for atrial fibrillation -a heart rhythm irregularity- and easily share results with your doctor (The Fitbit ECG app is only available in select countries. Not intended for use by people under 22 years old.Operating temperature: 14° to 113°F
- An on-wrist skin temperature sensor tracks yours each night so you can see how it varies. You can also see your nightly blood oxygen levels at a glance with our collection of clock faces.Radio transceiver: Bluetooth 5.0.Operating temperature: -10° to 45° C
- High & low heart rate notifications alert you if yours seems above or below your average.Battery lasts 6 plus days plus, fast charging gives you a full day's charge in just 12 minutes (Varies with use and other factors; up to 12 hours with continuous GPS).Use built-in GPS during runs, hikes, rides and more to see pace & distance without your phone and use the built-in mic and speaker to take Bluetooth calls hands-free when your phone is nearby (Requires more frequent charging).
Understand the reset and replacement risk
There is an important difference between an item already present on a watch, an item retained in a user’s library and a brand-new installation. After a factory reset, device replacement or removal of an app, reinstalling it may not be possible in the EEA. Google’s public documentation does not define a complete recovery outcome for every migration scenario.
Even an app that remains in a library can stop working if its developer closes the service, changes an external API, requires a subscription or account, or releases an update that cannot be downloaded. A previously installed clock face is therefore not guaranteed permanent access.
Does travel or a VPN restore the app gallery?
Google describes the policy by EEA user geography, but it does not publish a supported workaround involving a VPN, account-region change or temporary travel. Availability may involve the Google or Fitbit account country, mobile-app and store settings, device location, billing country and whether the item was previously installed. Region spoofing can fail and may create account or support problems, so it should not be treated as a reliable solution.
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Google said it acted after assessing the impact of “new regulatory requirements,” but did not identify a specific law. Reporting at the time suggested the European Union’s Digital Markets Act (DMA) as a possible explanation; that remains inference, not a confirmed Google statement. The original announcement and contemporary clarification are documented by TechRadar and Android Authority.
There is separate regulatory background. On December 17, 2020, the European Commission approved Google’s Fitbit acquisition subject to commitments. The Commission required Google not to use EEA Fitbit health and wellness data for Google Ads, to keep relevant data technically separated, to maintain Fitbit Web API access subject to user consent and to preserve Android interoperability APIs for competing wrist-worn devices. Those commitments lasted ten years, with a possible extension for the advertising commitment. They provide context, but they do not prove that the 2024 app-gallery restriction was directly required by the DMA.
Rank #3
- Optimize your workouts with a Daily Readiness Score that reveals if you’re ready to exercise or should focus on recover (requires Fitbit Premium membership. Premium content recommendations are not available in all locales and may be in English only)
- EDA Scan app detects electrodermal activity which may indicate your body's response to stress and a built-in skin temperature sensor logs yours each night so you can see when it varies
- With a compatible ECG app right on your wrist, assess your heart for atrial fibrillation--a heart rhythm irregularity--and share the results with your doctor (Only available in select countries. Not intended for use by people under 22 years old)
- An on-wrist skin temperature sensor tracks yours each night so you can see how it varies
- Includes a 6-month Premium membership complete with personalized insights, advanced analytics, guided programs and more (New & returning Premium users only. Must activate trial within 60-days of device activation. Content and features may change)
Read the Commission decision at ec.europa.eu.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Should you buy a used Fitbit Sense or Versa in the EEA?
If downloadable apps or custom faces are a priority, no. An older Fitbit smartwatch should not be bought for its former app ecosystem, and a seller’s claim that it supports hundreds of apps may describe another region or an earlier period.
Questions to ask before buying
- Is the specific app or clock face already installed?
- Has the watch been factory-reset?
- Does the software require a developer account, subscription or online backend?
- Are the battery, charger and phone compatibility acceptable?
- Can you live with losing the item if a reset or replacement becomes necessary?
The restriction may matter less if your priority is Fitbit health tracking and built-in watch functions. However, these are older generations, so battery degradation, software support and repairability should be assessed separately from app access.
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| Priority | Platform to consider | Main trade-off | Official page |
|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone and a broad app ecosystem | Apple Watch, including the SE line | iPhone-only compatibility, more frequent charging than many trackers and potentially higher total cost | Apple |
| Android smartwatch apps | Google Pixel Watch | Wear OS rather than Fitbit OS; less suitable for multi-day battery priorities | Google Store |
| Android plus Samsung integration | Samsung Galaxy Watch | Some features depend on Samsung phones or regional support | Samsung |
| Fitness, training and battery life | Garmin smartwatches | Less emphasis on a phone-like third-party app marketplace | Garmin |
| Health tracking without rich smartwatch apps | Withings watches | Poor fit for extensive on-wrist apps or notifications | Withings |
| Sleep and recovery in a ring | Oura | Not a smartwatch replacement; subscription terms apply | Oura |
Check current compatibility, prices, subscriptions and regional availability before purchasing; those details change by model and market.
The Bottom Line
Fitbit’s EEA restriction is a completed June 2024 policy change, not an upcoming shutdown. New third-party apps and clock faces cannot be installed on the listed Sense, Versa and Ionic watches, although built-in features and first-party Google/Fitbit software remain. Previously downloaded items were reportedly retained, but resets, replacements and discontinued developer services can make them impossible to recover. For EEA buyers who want a durable third-party ecosystem, an older Fitbit smartwatch is a poor choice.
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Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
