What you need to know
- Google Health app receives a June update this week, bringing back “Hourly Activity” to the Today and Health tabs.
- Google’s also giving Android users better customization tools, alongside Nap recording, which will head to iOS in a future patch.
- The Google Health app debuted around the time of the Fitbit Air’s launch, but it was missing some classic features users were accustomed to.
Google Health is the new future for the Fitbit app. This week, the company detailed a massive v5.02 patch that’s bringing updates Android users desperately need.
This morning (June 18), Google detailed an update that’s rolling out now for Android and iOS devices. This patch will arrive “in phases” over the next few weeks, so reception times will vary from device to device. Two updates this week concern Android specifically. In the Health tab, Google says it’s made it easier for Android users to “re-order Key Metrics.” Users can now hit Customize > long-press desired chart > drag to new location.
iPhone users will have to wait for v5.03 of the Google Health app for this. Another update hitting Androids only is “Naps.” The app is giving more attention to recorded naps, highlighting them in a separate tab within the daily Sleep Score view. The next update will bring this to iOS.
More sleep data updates head to both Android and iOS this week, such as a better understanding of your restlessness. Users can now delete sleep sessions and edit them, which was an issue Google says some had reported.
The “Today” tab welcomes you to the app, and that’s receiving upgrades, too. With v5.02, Google is adding “more metrics.” It states this was done to give users an expanded metric focus without needing to switch between tabs. What’s more, similar to reordering your Key Metrics, users will find easier reordering controls for Today tab metrics.
On the fitness front, Hourly Activity returns to the Google Health app. Charts for your step goals per hour can be found in the Today and Health tabs. Users can hit the customize button on their Today tab to add this chart. Google’s also fixing issues with this feature, including incorrect “step and distance” reports and more for biking.
Health app made some changes
Around the time that the Fitbit Air launched, Google was talking about its Health app, which replaced the former’s app. We were told early on that we would miss a few features the Fitbit app had. A few of the classics (sleep profile, badges, social aspect) were going away. For badges, Google said its AI-driven health coach would keep you up to date and congratulate you on making progress. The same AI approach was taken with its sleep profile and badges.
The animal-based summaries are gone, replaced by a Q&A session with the AI about sleep management. Google started fixing some issues with the app shortly after, in May, which affected workout tracking and sleep scores.
Android Central’s Take
A few of the features rolling out this month were teased back in May by Google. The company was aware early on of what users wanted, and it seems it made it a goal to get them out. We’ll probably see these types of updates again as Google figures out and polishes the app until it’s in a good place. It’s on its way, but could probably use some more attention.