Google’s Gemini-powered Fitbit AI health coach has finally arrived on iPhone, bringing personalized wellness guidance to millions of iOS users . The feature promises to transform your health data into actionable advice, acting as a 24/7 digital wellness companion that understands your goals, adapts to your schedule, and even pushes back when you make poor choices .
But beneath the excitement lies a conversation: What happens to all that health data? Is Fitbit Premium worth another monthly subscription? And why is Google making this move now, just as Apple scales back its own AI health ambitions?
This article takes a step back from the feature announcements to explore the bigger picture—the privacy implications, the cost-benefit analysis, and what this expansion tells us about Google’s long-term strategy in the health tech space.
The Privacy Question: How Much Data Does Fitbit Really Collect?
Fitbit Tops the Charts for Data Collection
Before you start chatting with your new AI coach, it’s worth understanding what’s happening behind the scenes. According to recent research from VPN firm Surfshark, Fitbit collects up to 24 different types of user data, making it the most data-hungry fitness app on the market .
| Data Category | Examples | Fitbit Collection Status |
|---|---|---|
| Health & Fitness | Heart rate, sleep patterns, steps, workout history | Collected (core functionality) |
| Location | GPS tracking for runs and walks | Collected (core functionality) |
| Contact Info | Name, email address, phone number | Collected |
| Identifiers | User ID, device ID | Collected |
| Usage Data | Product interaction, app crashes | Collected |
| Diagnostics | Performance data | Collected |
| Purchases | Premium subscription status | Collected |
| Third-Party Data | Information from connected apps | Potentially collected |
Of the 24 data types Fitbit collects, 19 were deemed unnecessary for the app to function . This extraneous data can be used for third-party advertising, developer marketing, analytics, or product personalization.
To be fair, Fitbit isn’t alone in this practice. The research found that among 16 popular fitness apps, 75% share user data with third parties . But Fitbit’s position at the top of the list raises legitimate questions—especially now that Google is integrating the platform more deeply into its ecosystem.
Google’s Promise: “We Will Never Sell Personal Information”
When Google acquired Fitbit for $2.1 billion in 2021, privacy concerns immediately surfaced . Critics worried that Google—a company built on advertising revenue—would exploit Fitbit’s intimate health data for ad targeting.
Google moved quickly to address these fears. Rick Osterloh, Google’s SVP of devices and services, stated clearly: “We will never sell personal information to anyone. Fitbit health and wellness data will not be used for Google ads” .
The company has repeated this assurance multiple times. Fitbit users maintain control over their data through Google’s Privacy Center, and the health information collected by your wearable remains separate from Google’s advertising business .
The Skeptic’s View
Despite Google’s promises, some consumers remain uneasy. As one industry observer noted, data privacy concerns are amplified when a company with Google’s advertising DNA enters the health space .
Justin Peyton, chief strategy officer at Wunderman Thompson APAC, offered a balanced perspective: While concern may be warranted, Google’s assurance to separate personal health data from advertising should provide some level of comfort. He added that the value of Fitbit data is likely less about individual targeting and more about the scale—Google now has a foundation from which to extract insights about health and behavior across millions of users .
The Mandatory Google Account Merge: What You Need to Know
February 2026 Deadline Approaching
If you’re a longtime Fitbit user, there’s something critical you need to know. Fitbit is requiring all users to merge their accounts with Google by February 2, 2026 .
Here’s what happens if you don’t comply:
- Your Fitbit account and all stored data will be deleted
- You’ll lose access to Fitbit’s features entirely
- All historical health, fitness, and wellness information will be wipedÂ
The company began sending emails to users about this deadline, which was extended from an earlier 2025 cutoff . If you have a newer device or recently created a Fitbit account, you’ve likely already completed this merge during initial setup.
How to Merge Your Account
If you haven’t merged yet, follow these steps:
- Open the Fitbit app on your iPhone
- Navigate to Settings > Move Account
- Ensure your app is updated to the latest version
- Review the terms and complete the migration
Google states this change improves user experience by providing a single login for Fitbit and other Google services, industry-leading account security, and centralized privacy controls .
What This Means for Privacy
The account merge gives you access to Google’s Privacy Center, where you can manage all stored Fitbit data directly . This centralization could actually enhance privacy controls—but it also means your health data now lives squarely within Google’s infrastructure.
For users already uncomfortable with Google’s data practices, this mandatory migration may be unsettling. However, as one analyst pointed out, “a bigger company should be in a better position to protect your data than a smaller company” . The question is whether you trust Google to fulfill that responsibility.
Is Fitbit Premium Worth $9.99 Per Month?
The Value Proposition
The AI health coach is locked behind Fitbit’s Premium subscription, which starts at $9.99 per month . For years, critics have described Premium as “feature-light” and difficult to justify . The AI coach changes that equation.
| Premium Feature | Value Add | Worth It? |
|---|---|---|
| AI Personal Health Coach | Personalized plans, adaptive intelligence, conversational insights | High—this is the killer feature |
| Detailed Sleep Analysis | Sleep stages, sleep score, recommendations | Medium—basic sleep data available free |
| Advanced Health Metrics | Heart rate variability, breathing rate, skin temperature | Medium—nice but not essential |
| Wellness Reports | Monthly summaries and trends | Low—interesting but passive |
| Guided Programs | Structured fitness and mindfulness content | Medium—good for beginners |
What Reviewers Say
Tech critics who’ve tested the AI coach are unanimous: this is the feature Premium has been waiting for .
Steve Hogarty at The Independent called it “the hyper-personalised experience that wearables have been promising for a decade” . Another reviewer noted that the coach bridges the gap between data collection and coaching, offering adaptability that standard apps simply can’t match .
PCMag’s Andrew Gebhart found the AI coach ahead of the pack, helping improve both motivation and fitness over five weeks of testing. The Wall Street Journal’s Nicole Nguyen appreciated that the coach “rolled with all of my excuses,” adapting to travel, time constraints, and missing equipment .
The Catch: AI Limitations
Before subscribing, understand that the AI coach remains in public preview and has limitations :
A Fitbit spokeswoman acknowledged these issues, stating the team is actively improving the Personal Health Coach based on user feedback .
The Verdict
If you already own a compatible Fitbit device and care about personalized fitness guidance, Premium is now worth the $9.99 monthly investment. The AI coach delivers genuine value that justifies the subscription cost—something the service couldn’t claim before.
If you’re happy with basic activity tracking and don’t need conversational coaching, stick with the free tier. Your device will still track steps, heart rate, and sleep without the AI overlay.
The Strategic Picture: Google Pushes Forward as Apple Pulls Back
Apple’s Health+ Retreat
The timing of Fitbit’s iOS expansion is remarkable. Apple has significantly scaled back its own AI health coaching plans .
According to Bloomberg, Apple was developing a service called “Health+” that would have launched with iOS 27, offering AI-powered health recommendations based on personal data. That comprehensive service is no longer planned. Instead, some components may be repurposed and integrated into the existing Health app over time .
Google’s Power Move
Industry observers view this expansion as a confident statement from Google . Rather than keeping the feature exclusive to Android and Pixel devices—which would encourage hardware sales—Google is prioritizing user acquisition and ecosystem growth.
For iPhone users who wear Fitbit devices, this is an unqualified win. They now enjoy the same AI-powered insights previously reserved for Android users. But the move also puts direct pressure on Apple, demonstrating that Google can deliver innovative health features across platforms while Apple hesitates.
Why Apple Might Be Hesitant
Some analysts speculate that legal liability concerns may be driving Apple’s caution . Health recommendations carry significant risk—if an AI coach gives dangerous advice, who’s responsible? Google appears willing to accept that risk; Apple may be more conservative.
The different approaches reflect each company’s broader AI strategy. Google is aggressively integrating Gemini across products; Apple is taking a more measured approach to AI in sensitive domains like health .
The AI Health Coach Landscape: How Fitbit Compares
Fitbit’s AI coach isn’t the only game in town. Here’s how it stacks up against competitors:
The Wall Street Journal’s comparison test found that each platform excels in different areas. Fitbit offers the best personalization and flexibility. Peloton provides the strongest accountability with real-time form correction. Apple’s audio coaching delivers the most natural motivation. The ideal platform doesn’t exist yet .
What’s Next for Fitbit and Google Health
New Hardware on the Horizon
Beyond the AI coach rollout, Google confirmed in October 2025 that it will release new Fitbit hardware in 2026 . This suggests the company remains committed to dedicated fitness trackers, not just smartwatches.
Deeper Google Integration
The account merge is just one step in deeper integration between Fitbit and Google services. Future developments may include:
- Enhanced Google Fit integration
- More AI features powered by Gemini
- Potential connections to Google’s health research initiatives (Verily)
- Corporate wellness program expansionsÂ
The Long Game: Health Tech as a Growth Area
Analysts view the Fitbit acquisition as Google’s announcement that health tech is a significant future focus . With 28 million active Fitbit users and decades of historical data, Google now has a foundation from which to launch into the estimated $20 billion health tech space.
As Forrester analyst Jeff Becker noted, the acquisition shows Google recognizes it cannot be a player in healthcare without a consumer engagement strategy . Fitbit provides that engagement, and the AI coach demonstrates how Google plans to use it.
Practical Tips for iPhone Users Considering Fitbit Premium
Before You Subscribe
- Check device compatibility: Ensure your Fitbit model supports the AI coach (Charge 5/6, Inspire 2/3, Versa 2/3/4, Sense/Sense 2, Pixel Watch 3/4)Â
- Complete your Google account merge: Don’t wait until the February 2026 deadlineÂ
- Review privacy settings: Visit Google’s Privacy Center to understand what data is collected and how it’s usedÂ
- Start with a monthly plan: Test the AI coach for 30 days before committing to annual billing
During Your Trial
- Test the adaptive intelligence: Tell the coach about real-life disruptions (travel, weather, missing equipment) to see how well it adaptsÂ
- Push back against suggestions: See if the coach offers intelligent counter-arguments when you make suboptimal requestsÂ
- Verify recommendations: Double-check workout plans for appropriate weights and exercises, especially during complex conversationsÂ
- Use the proactive insights: Pay attention to morning summaries, post-workout analysis, and bedtime suggestions—these are where the AI shinesÂ
Conclusion: A Powerful Tool With Strings Attached
The arrival of Google’s Gemini-powered Fitbit AI health coach on iPhone represents genuine innovation in personalized wellness. For $9.99 per month, users gain access to a surprisingly intelligent digital coach that adapts to real life, offers meaningful pushback, and finally makes sense of all that health data your wearable collects.
But this convenience comes with important considerations:
| Consideration | Bottom Line |
|---|---|
| Privacy | Fitbit collects extensive data (24 types), but Google promises not to use it for ads. The mandatory Google account merge centralizes your health information under Google’s infrastructure. |
| Cost | $9.99/month is now justified by the AI coach, but only if you’ll actively use the personalized features. Casual trackers can skip Premium. |
| Accuracy | The AI coach is impressive but not infallible. Hallucinations and context confusion remain risks. Verify important recommendations. |
| Competition | Fitbit leads in personalization while competitors like Peloton excel at real-time feedback. The ideal platform doesn’t exist yet. |
| Strategic Context | Google is aggressively pursuing health tech while Apple hesitates. This expansion signals long-term commitment to the space. |
For iPhone users who already wear Fitbit devices, the AI coach is a compelling upgrade that finally delivers on the promise of personalized, actionable health insights. Just go in with eyes open—understand what data you’re sharing, verify the AI’s recommendations, and decide whether the $9.99 monthly investment aligns with your fitness goals.
Your Decision Checklist
- ✅ I understand Fitbit’s data collection practices
- ✅ I’ve merged my account with Google (before Feb 2026)
- ✅ I have a compatible device
- ✅ I’m comfortable with AI limitations and will verify recommendations
- ✅ I’ll actively use personalized coaching features
If you checked all the boxes, welcome to the future of AI-powered wellness. Your surprisingly bossy new coach is waiting.