Google and Samsung take on Apple’s Health app with new fitness hub

Google Pixel Watch
(Image credit: Google)

There are dozens of apps that can measure your steps, sleep, nutrition, exercise — not to forget the multitudes of fitness devices that also have their own native Android apps where they store data. Luckily for us, Google and Samsung have come together to try and simplify the otherwise fragmented fitness world with Health Connect. This is a fitness hub that will be able to sync data between different Android apps so all information is stored in one place for users. 

This includes apps like Samsung Health, Google Fit and Fitbit. Google is also working with the developers of MyFitnessPal, Leap Fitness, and Withings. This means that if you have a Samsung phone and track your fitness using a Fitbit, you will be able to sync your data from the Samsung Health app or the Fitbit app directly to Health Connect. This will also help users who track their fitness using multiple devices to have it all in one place.

Health Connect is similar to Apple’s Health app that syncs data from various health and fitness apps.

Health Connect is currently in an open beta accessible to all Android developers. Announced first at Google I/O 2022 and then in a Samsung press release, developers have access to a single set of APIs (application programming interface) that enable the creation of fitness and health experiences.

Google says users will get complete control over what kind of data they share and which apps they share it with. In case there is more than one app collecting similar data, users can choose which one to choose over others. 

Health Connect supports over 50 data types including activity, sleep, vitals, nutrition, body measurement and cycle tracking. 

Recently, Google and Samsung have been collaborating for different projects in the fitness and wearables space. Samsung contributed to the development of Wear OS 3, which is currently on the Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 and Watch 4 Classic, but many more watches are in the pipeline for the new OS.

Health Connect is a big leap in bringing the vast Android fitness and wearables world together in one place. The tech should be fully developed and available in time for the Google Pixel Watch launch later this year.

Sanjana Prakash
News Editor

Sanjana loves all things tech. From the latest phones, to quirky gadgets and the best deals, she's in sync with it all. Based in Atlanta, she is the news editor at Tom's Guide. Previously, she produced India's top technology show for NDTV and has been a tech news reporter on TV. Outside work, you can find her on a tennis court or sipping her favorite latte in instagrammable coffee shops in the city. Her work has appeared on NDTV Gadgets 360 and CNBC.

Read more
Person wearing the Samsung Galaxy Fit3 while putting on running shoes
Samsung just launched a new fitness tracker with nearly 2 weeks of battery life — and it's under $60
Close-up of the Samsung Galaxy Fit3 fitness tracker in hand next to a Fitbit Charge 6 with an orange strap and a Fitbit Inspire 3 with a black strap
I just went hands-on with the Samsung Galaxy Fit3 — a Fitbit killer for less than $60
The Google Pixel Watch 3 and 3 XL in a user's hand showing the screen
One of the Pixel Watch 3’s best fitness features is coming to older Google and Fitbit smartwatches
Samsung Galaxy Watch 7 in 40mm on a user's wrist
Samsung Galaxy Watch 8 could get this game changing health feature
The Samsung Galaxy Fit3 next to the Fitbit Inspire 3 on a user's wrist with each screen showing the total step count for the day
I walked 6,500 steps with Fitbit Inspire 3 vs. Samsung Galaxy Fit3 — here's the winner
Close-up of the Samsung Galaxy Fit3 next to the Fitbit Inspire 3 in a user's hand
Samsung Galaxy Fit3 vs Fitbit Inspire 3: Which budget fitness tracker should you buy?
Latest in Fitness
a woman doing a kettlebell lunge
No gym needed — you just need 1 kettlebell and 30 minutes to build full-body strength and boost your metabolism
Man holding a dumbbell in right hand with elbow flexed during arm workout outdoors
You just need 20 minutes, 1 dumbbell and this superset workout to strengthen your whole body and boost your metabolism
a photo of a woman in her 60's working out
Not swimming or Pilates — a Harvard study reveals this exercise protects memories and keeps your mind sharp
Man squatting
I’m a personal trainer — forget regular squats, and try Spanish squats to reduce knee pain instead
the Orbea Denna on a gravel track
Orbea's new e-bike is designed to tackle both road and gravel — and you can build your own
woman exercising with ankle weights
I exercised with ankle weights for 3 weeks — here's what happened to my body
Latest in News
NYTimes Connections
NYT Connections today hints and answers — Monday, March 17 (#645)
iPhone 17 Air render
New leaked iPhone 17 dummy units show off super-thin iPhone 17 Air with this surprising design tweak
Simone Ashley and Hero Fiennes Tiffin in "Picture This" now streaming on Prime Video
Prime Video top 10 has 3 must-watch movies — including a bubbly romcom starring 'Bridgerton's' Simone Ashley
(L-R) Josh Hartnett as Cooper and Ariel Donoghue as Riley in "Trap"
Netflix top 10 movies — here’s the 3 worth watching right now
NYT Strands on a cellphone
NYT Strands today — hints, spangram and answers for game #379 (Monday, March 17 2025)
iOS 19 logo on an iPhone
Apple WWDC 2025: iOS 19 and everything we know so far