If you own a Fitbit Versa, Versa 2, or Ionic, soon you won’t be able to transfer music from your computer to your Fitbit device. In a support page spotted with 9to5GoogleFitbit says it’s discontinuing its Fitbit Connect app, leaving you with only two ways to get music on your device: a paid subscription to either Pandora or Deezer.
Fitbit Connect is a companion app for Mac and Windows computers that lets you sync fitness data between devices and transfer music to legacy Fitbit devices. Fitbit is phasing out the software in favor of its mobile app, as it no longer recommends that users download it on the install page.
But without access to Connect, there’s no way to download music to Fitbit without a paid subscription to either Pandora the Deezer. On its support page, Fitbit says you “may qualify for a 90-day trial” of either service, which will cost you $9.99/month for Deezer Premium or $4.99/month for Pandora Plus once the test is over.
However, this change doesn’t affect newer Fitbit models, as they don’t have the option to transfer files between your computer and your Fitbit device (devices like the Versa 3 and Sense already only let you download music via Deezer or Pandora). If you have an older Fitbit that has the ability to store music, you’ll still have access to the music files you currently have on your Fitbit device — you just won’t be able to download additional songs without past Pandora or Deezer by the October deadline.
Many users use their Fitbit devices to monitor the music they play on their smartphone, whether they’re streaming music through Spotify or listening to songs they’ve already downloaded to their phone. However, access to local music files can be useful if you listen to music offline or want to use Fitbit without your smartphone.
While Fitbit doesn’t explain why it’s getting rid of Fitbit Connect, it’s possible there isn’t enough demand to keep the service running. Google (Fitbit’s parent company) did not immediately respond The liphis request for comment.
