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AI & TechnologyGoogle Fit API Deprecated: Moving to Health Connect in 2026

Simon Dziak
Simon Dziak
Founder & developer, App369
LinkedIn
October 18, 20267 min

Key takeaways

  • Since May 1, 2024, developers cannot sign up to use the Google Fit APIs. Google's migration guide says the Fit APIs, including the REST API, will only be supported until the end of 2026.
  • Google recommends Health Connect for step tracking and mobile-first Android apps, and the Google Health API for cloud-based integrations. Fit on Wear OS moves to Health Services.
  • The Fit History and Session APIs map to the Google Health API, and the Recording API's step counts to Health Connect. Google lists no replacement for the Goals API, and BLE apps should use the Android Bluetooth APIs directly.
  • Health Connect works differently: no OAuth, on-device data, Android manifest permissions and a health apps declaration in Play Console. Google's comparison shows different registration, sign-in and permission models, so in my view expect code changes, not just a library swap.
  • Google says the legacy Fitbit Web API lost support on September 30, 2026 and will be turned off on October 30, 2026. Its replacement is also the Google Health API.

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The Google Fit APIs are on their way out: Google says they, including the REST API, will only be supported until the end of 2026, and no new developers have been able to sign up since May 1, 2024. Google recommends Health Connect for step tracking and mobile-first Android apps, and the Google Health API for cloud-based integrations. Which one you need depends on which Fit APIs your app calls, and some features, such as Goals, have no replacement at all.

If you landed here from an old link to the Google Fit docs or a Fit tutorial, this is what changed and where each piece goes. The dates and mappings come from Google's Fit and Health documentation and the Android Fit migration guide, as listed in the sources. I checked each page on October 18, 2026.

Disclosure: App369 is my studio. I build and fix mobile apps, including Flutter apps on Android and iOS, and the last section mentions what I sell. Google doesn't pay me for anything on this page.

What happened to Google Fit, and when

DateWhat happenedSource
May 1, 2024Developers can no longer sign up to use the Google Fit APIsGoogle Fit
September 30, 2026Google says support for the legacy Fitbit Web API ends. It keeps operating, without bug fixes or API supportGoogle Health API
October 30, 2026Google says the Fitbit Web API will be turned off and will no longer function or sync dataGoogle Health API
End of 2026Google says the Google Fit APIs, including the REST API, are supported until thenFit migration guide

Google hasn't published an exact turn-off date for the Fit APIs. The migration guide says Google will keep its section on existing Fit app integrations updated with when to deprecate them.

What the old addresses do today

Checked on October 18, 2026:

  • developers.google.com/fit still loads, with a banner saying the Fit APIs will be deprecated in 2026 and new sign-ups closed on May 1, 2024. The Android and REST getting-started pages still load too.
  • developers.google.com/fit/migration returned 404.
  • The old Health Connect migration guide address redirects to the new Fit migration guide on developer.android.com.
  • A request to the Fit REST API at googleapis.com/fitness/v1 without sign-in returned 401, so the API still answers for now.

Which replacement fits your app

Google's migration guide picks the path by app type:

Your appGoogle's recommended pathWhy, per Google
Step tracking appHealth ConnectMobile-centric reading of aggregated step data from several sources
Fitness tracker companion appGoogle Health APIA web-centric platform with OAuth for user integration
Health and fitness platformBothThe Google Health API for Fitbit and Google device data, Health Connect for on-device aggregated data

And by which Fit API you call today:

Fit API you usePhoneWear OS
History APIGoogle Health APINot applicable: use Health Connect from the phone app, not the watch
Recording API (steps)Health Connect. The total includes mobile steps on Android 14 or higherHealth Services
Sensor API (real-time data)Android Sensors framework or the Fused Location Provider APIHealth Services (PassiveMonitoringClient, MeasureClient, ExerciseClient), or SensorManager and the Fused Location Provider
Session APIRead and write sessions through the Google Health API; track start and stop inside your appStart and stop with Health Services (ExerciseClient); read and write through Health Connect in the phone app
Goals APINo replacementNo replacement
BLE APIAndroid Bluetooth APIs directlyAndroid Bluetooth APIs directly

Source: Fit migration guide, last updated September 10, 2026. For inserting a workout or sleep session, the guide says to use Health Connect from the phone app with an ExerciseSessionRecord or SleepSessionRecord.

Health Connect is not a drop-in swap

The migration guide compares the two. The Fit API for Android is registered in Google Cloud Console, is cloud-centric and uses OAuth 2.0 with OAuth scopes. Health Connect is registered through your Play Store project and a health apps declaration, stores data on the device, needs no OAuth, and uses Android manifest permissions. My read: that means changes to your sign-in flow, your permission screens and your Play Console declaration, not just the API calls.

The Google Health API is the other way round: Google describes it as the next generation of the Fitbit Web API, with OAuth 2.0 access to data from Fitbit, Pixel Watch and other devices and apps. If your backend pulled Fit history through the REST API, this is the closer fit.

What to do now

This section is my advice, not Google's.

  1. List every Fit call. Search the app and backend for com.google.android.gms.fitness, Fitness.get, googleapis.com/fitness/v1 and any Fit OAuth scopes. Note which of the APIs in the table above each one uses.
  2. Check your Flutter package, and any other health library you use. The Flutter health package says it removed Google Fit support in version 11.0.0 and now uses Health Connect on Android. If your app pins an older version, the upgrade and the Health Connect move are the same job.
  3. Pick the path per feature, not per app. A step counter can move to Health Connect while a synced workout history moves to the Google Health API. Use the two tables above.
  4. Plan the permission change. Health Connect asks users for on-device permissions instead of a Google sign-in. Write the new permission screen copy, and fill in the health apps declaration in Play Console before you submit the update.
  5. Rebuild goals yourself. Google lists no replacement for the Goals API, so store goals in your own app or backend and compare them with the data you read.
  6. Keep existing users working while you switch. Google's guide says that if your app has a way for users to connect to Google Fit, or is on the Works with Google Fit list, you can keep that integration for current users, and that Google will update the guide with when to deprecate it. Google recommends offering Health Connect or the Google Health API as a new option, and not asking users to disconnect from Google Fit.
  7. If you also use the Fitbit Web API, do that first. Google's date for turning it off, October 30, 2026, comes before the end of 2026.

Need a hand?

If your app reads steps, workouts or sleep through Google Fit and you need it moved to Health Connect or the Google Health API, the App Fix Ticket covers it in two fixed-price steps. A $450 Diagnosis gives you the root cause with evidence and a fixed repair quote within 3 business days, credited toward the fix. If you go ahead, the $1,200 Fix takes 5 business days. If the app was built with an AI tool and you're not sure what it calls, the AI-Built App Rescue starts with a $450 Launch Check in 3 business days. Or send me a short description.

Frequently asked questions

Is the Google Fit API being shut down?
Google says the Google Fit APIs, including the REST API, will be deprecated in 2026 and will only be supported until the end of 2026. New developers have not been able to sign up since May 1, 2024. On October 18, 2026, an unauthenticated request to the Fit REST API returned 401, so it was still responding. My advice is to plan your move before the end of the year.
What replaces the Google Fit API?
Google recommends Health Connect for step tracking and mobile-first Android apps, and the Google Health API for cloud-based integrations such as fitness tracker companion apps. For a health and fitness platform, Google says to use the Google Health API for Fitbit and Google device data and Health Connect for on-device aggregated data. Fit on Wear OS moves to Health Services.
What is the Google Health API?
Google describes it as the next generation of the Fitbit Web API. It gives OAuth 2.0 access to health and fitness data from Fitbit, Pixel Watch and other third-party devices and apps, and Google's Fit migration guide names it as the replacement for the Fit History and Session APIs.
Is there a replacement for the Google Fit Goals API?
No. Google's migration guide says no replacement API is available for the Goals API, on phone or Wear OS. If your app shows goals, my advice is to store and track them in your own app or backend.
Does the Flutter health package still support Google Fit?
No. The health package on pub.dev says it removed Google Fit support in version 11.0.0. It reads and writes Apple Health on iOS and Health Connect on Android, so a Flutter app on an older version needs to upgrade and move its Android code to Health Connect.
When does the Fitbit Web API stop working?
Google says support for the legacy Fitbit Web API ended on September 30, 2026, and that on October 30, 2026 it will be turned off and stop syncing data. Google says to migrate to the Google Health API to keep access.

Sources

  1. Google for Developers, Google Fit
  2. Android Developers, Fit migration guide (last updated September 10, 2026)
  3. Android Developers, Health Connect
  4. Google for Developers, Google Health API
  5. Android Developers, Health Services on Wear OS
  6. pub.dev, health package
Tags
#google fit api deprecated #google fit shutdown #google fit rest api deprecated #health connect migration #google health api #fitbit web api shutdown #google fit alternative #flutter health package google fit #health services wear os #google fit end of 2026
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