Fitbit Air Users Suffer Connectivity Issue with Android Phones
Fitbit Air Users Suffer Connectivity Issue with Android Phones
Publish Date: 2026-05-26 06:34:00
Source Domain: www.techadvisor.com
Summary created by Smart Answers AI
In summary:
- Tech Advisor reports that the new Fitbit Air fitness tracker is experiencing pairing issues for Android users due to the Google Health app requiring an update to version 5.0.
- The device offers a budget-friendly alternative at £84.99/$99.99 compared to the Whoop Strap 5.0’s mandatory £160/$199 annual subscription requirement.
- Google is actively addressing the Android app rollout while iOS users can already update, with future Google Health updates enabling Apple Health integration.
Google’s new screenless fitness tracker, the Fitbit Air, launches today. It’s the first new Fitbit in years and a handful of users have managed to get theirs early only to be met with disappointment when trying to pair the device with their smartphone.
The issue, which was spotted by GSMArena, seems to largely affect Android users and comes as a result of certain devices not having been prepped with the version 5.0 update of the Google Health app. Users trying to connect the Air with their phone have been met with an “app update required” error message.
What’s interesting is that the problem, which has now spawned a wider discussion on Reddit, has led to an intervention from an official Google employee with the following statement:
“We are doing our best today to accelerate the rollout of the updated app on Android via Play to accommodate early deliveries and it should be available shortly. Anyone on iOS should be able to update via the App Store already.”
Thomas Deehan / Foundry
Some users in the thread have mentioned being able to circumvent the error by side-loading the Google Health app, but the hope is that a permanent fix is in place by the time the Fitbit Air starts to arrive en masse to those who pre-ordered the device.
Capitalising on the opportunity to speak to someone at Google, another user asked about whether or not Google Health could send its collected data to…
