Connect Your Fitbit to Apple Health Using the Health App

You can send Fitbit data directly to Apple Health by connecting the two apps through your iPhone's Health app. The process takes about five minutes and requires that you have both the Fitbit app and Apple Health installed on the same iPhone. Once connected, your daily steps, distance, calories burned, heart rate, and sleep data will sync automatically between the two apps.

The connection works one way: Fitbit sends data to Apple Health, but Apple Health does not send data back to Fitbit. This means you can view all your Fitbit metrics in one place without losing any of your existing Fitbit app features. The sync happens in the background whenever your phone is connected to the internet.

Key Takeaways

  • Open the Health app on your iPhone, tap your profile picture, then select Health Data and choose the metric you want to connect (steps, heart rate, sleep, or calories).
  • Tap Data Sources and Integrations, then Add Data Source, and search for Fitbit to authorize the connection.
  • You must have the Fitbit app installed and be logged into your Fitbit account for the connection to work.
  • Data syncs automatically once per hour when your phone has an internet connection, so you do not need to manually refresh.

Step-by-Step Instructions to Add Fitbit as a Data Source

Start by opening the Health app on your iPhone. Tap the profile icon in the top right corner of the screen. From the menu that appears, select Health Data.

In Health Data, you will see categories like Activity, Heart, Sleep, and Nutrition. Choose the first metric you want to connect—most people start with Steps. Tap Steps, then look for the option that says Data Sources and Integrations (the exact wording may vary slightly depending on your iOS version). Tap that option.

You will see a list of apps currently sending data to Apple Health. At the top, you should see an option to Add Data Source. Tap it. A list of available apps will appear. Search for Fitbit in that list and tap it. You will be asked to authorize Fitbit to share data with Apple Health. Tap Authorize or Allow.

The Health app will open the Fitbit app automatically so you can log in if you are not already signed in. Once you confirm the connection in the Fitbit app, return to Health Data and repeat this process for any other metrics you want to sync—Heart Rate, Sleep, and Calories Burned are the most common choices.

What Data Can You Send from Fitbit to Apple Health

The metrics available depend on which Fitbit device you own and what your Fitbit app is tracking. Most Fitbit devices can send Steps, Distance, Calories Burned, Heart Rate, and Sleep Duration to Apple Health. Some newer Fitbit models also track Oxygen Saturation (SpO2) and Resting Heart Rate, which can be synced as well.

You do not have to connect every metric. You can choose to sync only Steps and Sleep, for example, while leaving Heart Rate out of Apple Health. This gives you control over which data appears in your Health app without affecting what the Fitbit app records.

If a metric does not appear in the Data Sources list, your Fitbit device may not track it, or your Fitbit app version may need an update. Check the App Store to make sure you have the latest version of the Fitbit app installed.

Troubleshooting Connection Problems

If the Fitbit app does not appear in the list of available data sources, the most common cause is that you are not logged into your Fitbit account on your phone. Open the Fitbit app, check that you are signed in, and then return to Health Data to try again.

If you see Fitbit in the list but the authorization fails, try closing both the Health app and the Fitbit app completely. Swipe up from the bottom of your screen (or swipe down from the top right on newer iPhones) to close the apps in the background. Then open Health again and repeat the authorization process.

If data is not syncing after you have connected the apps, check that your iPhone has an internet connection and that you have not disabled background app refresh for the Fitbit app. Go to Settings, then General, then Background App Refresh, and make sure Fitbit is turned on. Data typically syncs within one hour of being recorded on your Fitbit device.

How Often Data Syncs Between the Apps

Once you connect Fitbit to Apple Health, the sync happens automatically about once per hour. You do not need to manually refresh or open either app for the data to transfer. The sync occurs in the background as long as your iPhone has an active internet connection.

If you want to see updated data when ready, you can force a sync by opening the Fitbit app and pulling down to refresh. Then open the Health app and the latest data should appear within a few seconds. This manual refresh is useful if you have just completed a workout and want to see the updated metrics right away.

Disconnecting Fitbit from Apple Health

If you decide you no longer want Fitbit data in Apple Health, you can remove the connection at any time. Open the Health app, go to Health Data, select a metric like Steps, and tap Data Sources and Integrations. Find Fitbit in the list and tap it. Look for a Remove or Disconnect option and tap it to confirm.

You will need to repeat this step for each metric you connected. Removing Fitbit from Apple Health does not delete any data that was already synced—it only stops new data from being sent. Your Fitbit app will continue to work normally and record all your activity as usual.

Using Your Combined Data in Apple Health

Once Fitbit is connected, you can view all your activity data in one place within the Health app. Open Health, go to the Summary tab, and you will see your daily steps, distance, and other metrics displayed alongside any other health data you are tracking. You can also create custom dashboards by tapping Edit on the Summary screen and adding the Fitbit metrics you want to see most often.

If you use other health apps or devices, you can connect those to Apple Health as well. This allows you to consolidate data from multiple sources—for example, your Fitbit steps, Apple Watch workouts, and a separate sleep tracking app can all appear in one Health app view. The Health app will not combine the data automatically, but you can see all of it in one place.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I need an Apple Watch to connect Fitbit to Apple Health?

No. You only need an iPhone with the Health app and the Fitbit app installed. An Apple Watch is not required. If you do have an Apple Watch, it can send its own data to Apple Health separately from your Fitbit.

Will connecting Fitbit to Apple Health drain my battery?

The connection itself uses very little battery. The hourly sync happens in the background and has minimal impact on your iPhone's battery life. If you notice unusual battery drain, it is more likely caused by something else, such as background app refresh being enabled for many apps at once.

Can I connect Fitbit to Apple Health on an iPad?

The Health app is available on iPad, but the Fitbit connection process works best on iPhone. If you want to view your Fitbit data on an iPad, you can open the Health app there after connecting on your iPhone, and the synced data will appear automatically.

What happens to my Fitbit data if I disconnect from Apple Health?

Your Fitbit app will keep all your historical data. Disconnecting only stops new data from being sent to Apple Health. Any data that was already synced to Apple Health will remain there unless you manually delete it from the Health app.

Can I connect multiple Fitbit devices to Apple Health?

You can only connect one Fitbit account to Apple Health at a time. If you own multiple Fitbit devices, they all sync to the same Fitbit account, so connecting that account to Apple Health will include data from all your devices.