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Yes, Google confirmed a real Google Assistant phase-out on Fitbit’s Sense and Versa 3. The clearly documented change is the removal of voice control for activities, such as starting, pausing, resuming, and stopping workouts. Amazon Alexa remains the official alternative where supported, but Google has not announced Gemini for these older Fitbit OS watches.
What Google actually confirmed
Google’s Fitbit support documentation says Google Assistant voice control for activities is being phased out on the Fitbit Sense and Fitbit Versa 3. The company originally described the change as happening progressively “over the coming weeks.” That wording appeared in reports and user notices in March 2025, including an on-device notification reported by Android Central on April 16, 2025.
Google’s official pages do not provide a single final deactivation date. As of September 2026, the safest description is that the phase-out is genuine, but its completion date is not specified publicly in the documentation reviewed.
The announcement is also narrower than saying “Google Assistant is disappearing from every Fitbit watch.” Google specifically describes the loss of voice control for activities. It does not establish that every Assistant-powered command—such as alarms, timers, weather, or smart-home controls—will disappear simultaneously on every Fitbit model.
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Which Fitbit models are affected?
| Model | What can be stated confidently |
|---|---|
| Fitbit Sense | Google specifically names it in the Assistant activity-voice-control phase-out. |
| Fitbit Versa 3 | Google specifically names it in the Assistant activity-voice-control phase-out. |
| Fitbit Sense 2 | Listed in Google’s Fitbit voice-assistant documentation, but not specifically named in the reviewed phase-out wording. |
| Fitbit Versa 2 | Listed among Fitbit devices with Alexa support; do not automatically treat it as confirmed to be part of this retirement. |
| Fitbit Versa 4 | Listed among Fitbit devices with Alexa support; do not automatically treat it as confirmed to be part of this retirement. |
| Charge 6 and other trackers | Not presented by Google as part of this smartwatch Assistant phase-out. |
Some secondary reports have described the affected list more broadly, including Sense 2, Versa 2, and Versa 4. That conflicts with the more specific model wording in Google’s current documentation, so owners of those watches should check the Google Health app and current support notices rather than assume their Assistant access is ending.
What stops working on Sense and Versa 3?
The confirmed loss concerns voice control of Fitbit activities. Once the change applies, you should expect to use the watch’s touchscreen or physical controls to:
- Start a workout
- Pause an activity
- Resume an activity
- Stop an activity
This does not mean the watch immediately stops tracking workouts or that its physical controls stop working. It means you can no longer rely on the Assistant voice interface for those activity commands. Google’s Assistant change documentation contrasts this with Pixel Watches, where activity controls remain available.
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Google recommends Amazon Alexa as the remaining Fitbit voice-assistant option on supported devices and in supported countries and languages. Alexa availability is not universal: it depends on the watch, market, and language. Google lists support in markets including the United States, Canada, Mexico, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, France, Germany, Italy, Spain, Japan, and India, with language limitations varying by location.
To try setting up Alexa:
- Open the Google Health app.
- Tap Connections in the top-left corner.
- Select your Fitbit device.
- Tap Voice Assistant.
- Choose Amazon Alexa.
- Tap Sign in with Amazon.
- Select Get Started.
The exact options may not appear if Alexa is unavailable for your country, language, or model.
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Alexa is not a fully standalone replacement
Alexa on Fitbit depends on the paired phone and an internet connection. Google’s troubleshooting guidance says:
- The Google Health app must remain running in the phone’s background.
- The phone should be nearby; Google specifies within 30 feet when troubleshooting a “Connection Lost” message.
- The phone needs Wi-Fi or cellular data.
- You need an Amazon account.
- Some features require the Alexa app and the Fitbit skill to be installed and enabled.
Alexa is launched through the Alexa app on the watch. Saying “Alexa” alone does not activate it. If workout commands fail, check that the Fitbit skill is enabled in the Alexa app. If the watch reports no internet, reconnect the phone to Wi-Fi or cellular service. If voice recognition is poor after swimming, let the microphone dry before trying again. An incorrect time zone may require correction in Alexa’s settings. If Amazon sign-in fails, Google recommends clearing the phone’s cookies and retrying.
Is Gemini replacing Google Assistant on Fitbit?
There is no confirmed Gemini replacement for Sense or Versa 3. Google’s Gemini documentation covers select watches running Wear OS, including compatible Wear OS 3.0-or-later or Wear OS 4.0-or-later devices, depending on the feature and model. Sense and Versa watches use the older Fitbit OS platform.
That distinction matters. Google’s broader move toward Gemini on Wear OS may explain why readers associate this change with Gemini, but it is not proof that Gemini will arrive on Fitbit OS. Google has not announced such a migration for the affected Fitbit watches.
Should you replace your Fitbit?
For many owners, no. If your primary use is health tracking, notifications, exercise recording, and normal on-watch controls, the Assistant change alone does not make a Sense or Versa 3 unusable. Keep it if:
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- An on-wrist skin temperature sensor tracks yours each night so you can see how it varies
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- You are comfortable starting and controlling workouts manually.
- Alexa works in your country and meets your needs.
- You do not require Google-specific routines or Gemini on your wrist.
Consider replacing it if hands-free Google control is essential, Alexa is unavailable or unacceptable, or you want a watch platform receiving Google’s newer assistant development. A compatible Wear OS watch, including a Pixel Watch model where available, is the more direct route to Google’s current assistant ecosystem.
Moving from Fitbit to Wear OS is not a universal upgrade. Compare battery life, health and fitness features, phone compatibility, app support, and any service costs before buying. Do not buy an older Sense or Versa 3 specifically for Google Assistant.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Support and security are separate questions
The end of a voice feature is not the same as an immediate hardware shutdown. Google says Fitbit devices may continue receiving software releases, security updates, warranty fulfillment, and customer service according to its support policies.
However, Google’s published minimum security-support table lists these dates:
| Model | Published minimum security support |
|---|---|
| Fitbit Sense | September 2025 |
| Fitbit Versa 3 | December 2025 |
| Fitbit Versa 2 | December 2025 |
| Fitbit Sense 2 | February 2028 |
| Fitbit Versa 4 | February 2028 |
Those are minimum security-support dates, not a promise that a watch stops functioning afterward. Google also notes that dates may be extended for devices still sold through Fitbit.com or the Google Store. Check the current support table for the latest model-specific information.
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- Check whether Google Assistant and activity voice controls are still available on your watch.
- Update and sync the device.
- Open Google Health and look for Connections → your device → Voice Assistant.
- Try Alexa if it is offered in your region and language.
- Install or enable the Fitbit skill in the Alexa app if required.
- If Alexa is unavailable, use the physical controls, touchscreen, Fitbit app, or phone assistant.
- Replace the watch only if the loss of on-wrist Google services outweighs the cost and trade-offs of changing platforms.
The bottom line
Google did confirm that Google Assistant’s activity voice controls are being phased out on Fitbit Sense and Versa 3. The change should not be inflated into a confirmed shutdown of Assistant on every Fitbit smartwatch, and Gemini is not a promised replacement for Fitbit OS. Alexa is the official alternative where supported, but it requires an Amazon account, a nearby connected phone, internet access, and compatible regional settings.
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