You will soon be unable to transfer music from your computer to your Fitbit Versa, Versa 2, or Ionic if you possess one of these devices. Fitbit notes on its support website that it is discontinuing its Fitbit Connect app, leaving you with just two options for downloading music to your device: a paid membership to Pandora or Deezer.
Fitbit Connect is a Mac and Windows companion programme that allows you to sync fitness data across devices and transfer music to previous Fitbit devices. Fitbit has gradually phased out the programme in favour of its mobile app, and it no longer promotes it on its setup page.
However, without Connect, you can’t download music to your Fitbit without a paid membership to Pandora or Deezer. Fitbit notes on its support website that “you may be qualified for a 90-day trial” of either service, which will cost you $9.99 per month for Deezer Premium or $4.99 per month for Pandora Plus until the trial period expires.
This update does not impact later Fitbit models, since they do not have the ability to transmit files between your PC and Fitbit device (devices like the Versa 3 and Sense already only let you download music through Deezer or Pandora). If you have an older Fitbit with the capacity to store music, you will still be able to access the music files on your Fitbit gadget right now – you simply won’t be able to download any further songs without Pandora or Deezer after the October deadline.
Many Fitbit users use their devices to manage the music they’re listening to on their smartphone, whether they’re streaming music from Spotify or listening to tracks they’ve previously downloaded. However, having access to local music files might be useful if you want to listen to music offline or use your Fitbit without your smartphone.
While Fitbit does not explain why it is discontinuing Fitbit Connect, it is probable that there isn’t enough demand to keep the service going.
