Fitbit may eventually become a pre-installed app on Android phones

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The global Oppo Find X8 phones come with the Fitbit app installed by default.

Pixel Watch 3 run coaching suggestion in the Fitbit app on a Pixel 9
(Image credit: Andrew Myrick / Android Central)

What you need to know

  • The brand-new Oppo Find X8 series includes the Fitbit app in the pre-installed Google folder by default.
  • While most Android phones ship with a slew of pre-installed Android apps, this is the first time the Fitbit app has been included.
  • The presence of the Fitbit app on the Oppo Find X8 series could be a precursor to it being included on more Android phones in the future.

The Oppo Find X8 and Oppo Find X8 Pro are now available globally, and we've reviewed the Find X8 Pro as one of the best Android phones you can buy — if you're outside of North America. Aside from packing a great camera and impressive specs, the Oppo Find X8 series includes a new, pre-installed Google app for the first time: Fitbit.

The move, initially spotted by 9to5Google, represents a first for an Android phone. On Find X8 phones, the Fitbit app is pre-installed and appears in the Google folder. Interestingly, the Fitbit app seemingly replaces the Google Fit app in this folder, since the latter isn't installed by default. While the company's own Google Pixel brand has included the Fitbit app on its phones, the Oppo Find X8 lineup represents the first time a partner OEM made the switch.

OPPO Find X8 Pro review

(Image credit: Apoorva Bhardwaj / Android Central)

This comes as Google tries to streamline its fitness offerings. The company shut down the Fitbit web dashboard earlier this year, but is simultaneously going all-in on the Fitbit app for mobile. In fact, Google Fit APIs are being discontinued, and Google is giving developers until June 30, 2025 to switch, according to a support document.

While most Android users in the U.S. probably aren't importing an Oppo Find X8 device, the inclusion of the Fitbit app could be a sign of what's to come stateside. Future phones from the likes of Samsung, Nothing, and OnePlus could similarly feature the pre-installed Fitbit app, taking the place of Google Fit. Although many users like Fitbit and the features it offers, some users are unsatisfied by how it feels out of place beside other stock Google apps, using its own color theme and ignoring system defaults.

"The Fitbit app has been available since earlier this year to Android OEMs as we continue to support the health and wellness of more consumers," a Google spokesperson said in a statement to Android Central. "Several device manufacturers have chosen to preload the app on their mobile devices."

This statement reveals that while Oppo is the first partner OEM to include Fitbit in its default apps package, other companies have had the opportunity to as well dating back to early 2024. Presumably, more brands will follow as Google Fit continues to give way for Fitbit as Android's top fitness service.

Update (Nov. 21, 2:45 p.m. ET): Added comment from Google spokesperson.

Brady Snyder
Brady Snyder
Contributor

Brady is a tech journalist for Android Central, with a focus on news, phones, tablets, audio, wearables, and software. He has spent the last three years reporting and commenting on all things related to consumer technology for various publications. Brady graduated from St. John's University with a bachelor's degree in journalism. His work has been published in XDA, Android Police, Tech Advisor, iMore, Screen Rant, and Android Headlines. When he isn't experimenting with the latest tech, you can find Brady running or watching Big East basketball.

4 Comments Comment from the forums
  • me just saying
    If it happens, it would be one of the very first apps that would be deleted.
    Reply
  • Mooncatt
    me just saying said:
    If it happens, it would be one of the very first apps that would be deleted.
    Same.
    Reply
  • SeeBeeEss
    While I personally use the Fitbit app, except for core services/functions that would apply to the majority of users, I don't appreciate finding a bunch of pre-installed apps on my phone and have avoided some brands for that very reason.

    If you are going to charge me a premium price for my phone, don't try to monetize it further by putting a bunch of unnecessary apps on it that I, and the majority of users, will never use. I am a big boy, I know how to use the Play Store, and can figure out on my own what I need and want on my phone, thanks.
    Reply
  • Laura Knotek
    SeeBeeEss said:
    While I personally use the Fitbit app, except for core services/functions that would apply to the majority of users, I don't appreciate finding a bunch of pre-installed apps on my phone and have avoided some brands for that very reason.

    If you are going to charge me a premium price for my phone, don't try to monetize it further by putting a bunch of unnecessary apps on it that I, and the majority of users, will never use. I am a big boy, I know how to use the Play Store, and can figure out on my own what I need and want on my phone, thanks.
    ^^This.

    Even though I currently use a Samsung device, I chose it because I am aware of what is preinstalled, and use many of the preinstalled apps. However, I don't want extra apps to be preinstalled willy-nilly on any Android device. I haven't always used Samsung devices, and I've preferred using Play Store to find and install apps that I want on those devices, as well as on Samsung devices. Additionally, I understand that many people choose devices running stock Android or close to it in order to avoid preinstalled apps that they consider to be bloatware. It's best to avoid preinstalling these apps that aren't OEM apps and letting users decide what they want.
    Reply