Picture: BitBytec · Original illustration, BitBytec
What is in the update
Google Health 5.11 is rolling out as a sizeable update for Fitbit trackers and the Pixel Watch, according to 9to5Google. [1] It is available on iOS and still rolling out for Android users. [1]
Smarter workout tracking
Improved Automatic Activity Tracking is available now for the Fitbit Air and Pixel Watch 3, 4 and 5. The Fitbit Edge gets it at launch on 27 October. [1] Google says the number of activities a device can detect rises from 10 to up to 100, including strength training, swimming, and racket and team sports. [1]
The company says it now uses more context, such as workout routines, historical data and manual edits, to deliver "nearly 2x more accurate detections" and cut missed workouts by more than half. [1] These are Google's own figures as quoted by 9to5Google, and we have not seen independent testing. Workouts that meet a minimum duration, 15 minutes by default, with a sustained elevated heart rate are logged automatically, with a summary typically sent to the app within 30 minutes. [1] The feature also learns from your confirmations and edits. [1]
Health Guardian for Premium subscribers
The Fitbit Air and Edge gain two Health Guardian features for Google Health Premium subscribers. You can set up blood pressure and insulin resistance trends now, and the first report arrives at the beginning of November. [1]
Blood pressure trends need the Fitbit Air worn for five or more consecutive days in October. Insulin resistance trends need seven or more days and nights of wear in October. [1] These are described as trends rather than diagnoses, and anyone with health concerns should speak to a clinician.
Glucose and sleep
"Blood glucose" is now simply "Glucose" in the app, with updated charts. Users can set custom time-in-range goals for data from connected continuous glucose monitors. [1] In the US, Lingo by Abbott can connect directly so readings show in the app within 30 minutes. Premium members can also ask Google Health Coach about glucose trends. [1]
Sleep tracking improves in two ways. Wake detection now factors in step data, to catch short awakenings such as getting up to use the bathroom. Users can also remove a mismatched nap directly from the nap card. [1]
Why it matters
Wearables are moving from counting steps towards offering ongoing health signals, and some of the more advanced features sit behind a Premium subscription. For businesses running wellbeing schemes, that raises questions about cost and about who handles the data.
Staff who track health data on these devices should know what is shared with which app. The features described here depend on a paid tier and on specific devices, so check what is included before promising it to employees.
For ordinary users, the practical gains are better automatic logging and fewer missed workouts. The staggered rollout means features may not appear on every phone or watch at the same time, and the glucose syncing is US-only. [1]
Sources
- Google Health 5.11 rolling out with Fitbit Air Health Guardian, improved sleep tracking, & more — 9to5Google (primary source)
Written with AI from the sources listed, checked against them before publishing.