Fitbit and Apple Health don't sync automatically, but you can move your data between them

Fitbit and Apple Health are separate systems that don't talk to each other directly. However, you can send your Fitbit data into Apple Health using a free app called Health Sync. The process takes about five minutes and works on any iPhone that has both the Fitbit app and Apple Health already installed.

The connection is one-way only — data flows from Fitbit into Apple Health, but changes you make in Apple Health won't go back to Fitbit. This matters if you use both apps to track the same metrics like steps or heart rate, because you'll see different numbers in each place.

Key Takeaways

  • Fitbit and Apple Health require a third-party app called Health Sync to share data, because the two companies don't have a direct partnership.
  • You need an iPhone with both the Fitbit app and Apple Health already set up before you can connect them.
  • Health Sync is free to download, but you may see ads or a prompt to upgrade to a paid version that removes them.
  • Once connected, your Fitbit data syncs into Apple Health automatically, but the connection only works in one direction.

What you need before you start

Make sure you have the official Fitbit app installed and signed in on your iPhone. Open the Fitbit app and confirm you can see your steps, heart rate, and other data. If you haven't set up your Fitbit device yet, do that first — the device itself must be paired to the Fitbit app before any data will appear.

You also need Apple Health already on your iPhone. This app comes built into iOS, so it's already there — you just need to open it once to make sure it works. Tap the Health tab at the bottom, then tap your profile picture in the top right corner. If you see your name and health information, you're ready to move forward.

Download and set up Health Sync

Open the App Store on your iPhone and search for "Health Sync". The app you want is made by a developer called Xweise — it has a blue icon with a heart symbol. Tap Get, then tap Install App, and use Face ID or your Apple ID password to confirm the download.

Once Health Sync is installed, open it. The app will ask permission to access your Fitbit account and your Apple Health data. Tap Allow or Grant Access when prompted. You'll then see a screen asking you to sign in with your Fitbit credentials — use the same email and password you use in the Fitbit app.

After you sign in, Health Sync will show you a list of data types it can sync: steps, distance, calories, heart rate, sleep, and others. You don't have to sync everything — uncheck any categories you don't want to send to Apple Health. Most people leave all of them checked. Tap Save or Confirm to finish setup.

Turn on automatic syncing

Health Sync can sync your data once manually, or it can sync automatically in the background. To set up automatic syncing, open Health Sync and look for a Settings or Sync Schedule option. Tap it and choose how often you want the app to check for new data — most people choose every hour or every few hours.

If you don't see an automatic option, the free version of Health Sync may only sync when you open the app manually. To sync right now, look for a Sync button or Refresh button in the app and tap it. Your Fitbit data will move into Apple Health within a few seconds.

Check that your data arrived in Apple Health

Open the Apple Health app and tap the Health Data tab at the bottom. Scroll down and look for categories like Steps, Distance, or Heart Rate. Tap one of them and you should see data from today and previous days. If you see numbers that match what's in your Fitbit app, the connection worked.

If you don't see any data, go back to Health Sync and tap the Sync button again. Sometimes the first sync takes a few minutes. If data still doesn't appear after five minutes, close both apps completely and open them again in this order: Fitbit app first, then Health Sync, then Apple Health.

What to do if Health Sync keeps asking for permission

Health Sync needs permission to read your Fitbit account and write to Apple Health. If the app keeps asking for these permissions every time you open it, the permissions didn't save properly. Go to your iPhone Settings, scroll down to Health Sync, and tap it. Make sure the toggles next to Health and Fitbit are both turned on (they should be green).

If the toggles are already on, try signing out of Health Sync and signing back in. Open Health Sync, look for a Settings or Account menu, and tap Sign Out. Then tap Sign In again and enter your Fitbit email and password. This usually fixes permission problems.

Understanding the limits of this connection

Health Sync only moves data from Fitbit to Apple Health — it doesn't work in reverse. If you manually enter a workout or steps into Apple Health, that information won't appear in your Fitbit app. Both apps will show your Fitbit device data, but they won't show each other's manually entered data.

Health Sync also can't sync data older than what Fitbit currently stores. Fitbit keeps about 30 days of detailed data on the device itself, and older data lives on Fitbit's servers. Health Sync can only access what's in the Fitbit app, so very old historical data may not transfer. If you need data from more than a few months ago, you'll need to check it directly in the Fitbit app.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will connecting Fitbit to Apple Health drain my battery?

Health Sync uses very little battery because it only syncs data when you open the app or on a schedule you set. If you choose hourly syncing, the battery impact is minimal — most people don't notice any difference. You can always turn off automatic syncing and sync manually instead if you're concerned about battery life.

Can I use Health Sync with a Fitbit Charge, Fitbit Sense, or any Fitbit model?

Yes, Health Sync works with any Fitbit device as long as it's paired to the official Fitbit app on your iPhone. The device model doesn't matter — Charge, Sense, Inspire, Versa, and others all work the same way.

What happens if I uninstall Health Sync?

The data that already synced into Apple Health will stay there — uninstalling Health Sync won't delete it. However, new Fitbit data won't sync anymore. If you reinstall Health Sync later, it will start syncing again from that point forward, but it won't fill in data from the time the app was uninstalled.

Is Health Sync made by Apple or Fitbit?

No, Health Sync is made by a third-party developer called Xweise. It's not an official app from Apple or Fitbit, but it's been around for years and is widely used. The app is free to download, though the developer offers a paid version that removes ads.

Can I sync Fitbit data to Apple Health on an Android phone?

Health Sync only works on iPhone. If you use an Android phone, you'll need to look for a different app — search your Google Play Store for "Fitbit to Google Fit" or similar options, since Android uses Google Fit instead of Apple Health.