Guide·8 min read

Guide

Syncing Samsung Health and Google Fit in 2026: what actually works

Direct Samsung Health → Google Fit sync no longer exists. Here's what happened, the Health Connect workaround that works today, and the limits you need to know.

Published May 23, 2026

If you're looking for how to sync Samsung Health with Google Fit, you've probably already noticed the old method doesn't work anymore. And if you've read guides written before 2024, those instructions are likely outdated. This article explains the real situation in 2026: why direct sync disappeared, what replaced it, and what to expect from the Health Connect workaround.

The short story: Google Fit was deprecated

Google Fit existed as an Android health data exchange API since 2014. In 2022, Google announced it would move the entire ecosystem to Health Connect — the new on-device platform replacing Google Fit's role as cloud intermediary. The direct Samsung Health ↔ Google Fit integration was discontinued during 2024, when Google officially stopped developing Google Fit as a product.

Google Fit as an app still exists on phones (and the Play Store), but receives no significant updates and Google has stated its future is uncertain. It's not an officially dead product, but it's not one to bet on either.

The Health Connect workaround: practical steps

If your need is for Samsung Health (Galaxy Watch) data to be readable by another app that previously used Google Fit, here's the path. It works for most data — with some exceptions we explain after.

Verify Health Connect is installed on your Android phone (on Android 14+ it's preinstalled; on Android 12-13 search 'Health Connect' on the Play Store).
Open Samsung Health → tap your profile top right → Settings → Data management.
Find 'Health Connect' in the list and tap to open settings.
Enable sync with Health Connect and select the data types you want to share: steps, heart rate, sleep, calories, workouts.
Open the destination app (the one that read from Google Fit) and find the Health Connect or Data Source section in its settings.
Authorize that app to read from Health Connect for the data types you need.
Verify data flows: usually within 30-60 minutes apps see new data.

What works and what doesn't: the honest map

Via Health Connect, Samsung Health exposes most standard data. However, there are specific gaps to know about before relying on this solution for critical uses.

Data available via HC

•Daily steps and hourly count
•Heart rate (continuous readings and summary)
•Sleep data (duration, main phases)
•Calories burned
•Distance walked/run
•Basic workout data (duration, type, calories)
•Weight and body composition (if entered in SH)
•SpO2 (if measured)

Unavailable / limited data

•Samsung Score and Samsung proprietary metrics
•Full workout GPS data (track, pace per km)
•Samsung Health Energy score and Recovery metrics
•Granular sleep phases (REM vs deep vs light) — exposed in aggregate form
•Historical data predating HC authorization (not retroactive)
•Body Battery and proprietary stress metrics

If your app doesn't support Health Connect: alternatives

Not all apps that read from Google Fit have updated their code to read from Health Connect. Some older or slow-developing apps have remained on the old paradigm. If you find yourself in this situation, you have some options.

Check if the app has an update: look on Play Store → app detail → recent updates. Read version notes to see if they mention 'Health Connect'.
Use a bridge: some apps like FitMesh Sync read from Health Connect and can export data in formats or to platforms that still use the old system.
Manual export: Samsung Health allows exporting data in CSV or XML. Useful for one-time imports but not for continuous sync.
Consider switching apps: if the destination app doesn't support Health Connect by 2026, it's a sign it's not actively maintained. More updated alternatives exist.

Troubleshooting: the most common problems

Here are the most frequently encountered problems and their solutions.

Samsung Health doesn't appear in Health Connect: open Samsung Health → Settings → Data management → Health Connect → enable sync. If it still doesn't appear, update Samsung Health to the latest version.
Steps are there but activities aren't: Samsung Health exposes steps automatically, but workout sessions require separate permissions. In Health Connect → App permissions → Samsung Health, verify 'Exercise' is enabled for writing.
Data appears delayed: sync between Samsung Health and Health Connect isn't real-time — it happens periodically, usually every 30-60 minutes. You can speed it up by manually opening Samsung Health.
Historical data is missing: Health Connect doesn't sync retroactively. Activities before authorization won't appear. Use Samsung Health manual export to recover historical data.
Destination app sees nothing: verify the app has READ permission on Health Connect — Samsung Health having write permission isn't enough.

Frequently asked questions

Why doesn't Samsung Health sync with Google Fit in 2026?+

Because Google deprecated Google Fit and moved the Android ecosystem to Health Connect. Samsung followed this change: Samsung Health now writes to Health Connect instead of Google Fit. If you have apps that read from Google Fit, they need to update to read from Health Connect.

Do I need to uninstall Google Fit?+

Not necessarily. Google Fit is harmless even if installed. But if you're trying to use it as an intermediary to receive data from Samsung Health, it won't work as before. Health Connect is the correct path. Google Fit can remain installed but is no longer the central point of the Android health ecosystem.

Does Health Connect work on all Android phones?+

Health Connect requires Android 9 or higher (but some features require Android 12+). On Android 14 and above it's integrated into the operating system. On Android 12-13 it must be installed separately from the Play Store. On versions older than Android 9, it's not available. Most Samsung phones on sale today (Galaxy S and A series) support Health Connect without problems.

Is my historical Samsung Health data lost if Google Fit stops working?+

No. Historical data in Samsung Health is in Samsung's cloud (Samsung Cloud), independent of Google Fit. The fact that Google Fit no longer works as intermediary doesn't touch data in Samsung Health. If you want to port historical data to another platform, use Samsung Health export (CSV/XML) or new Health Connect integrations for recent data.

Can Samsung Health sync directly with Google Health?+

Google Health isn't a separate public platform — it's the umbrella brand for Google's health products (which includes Health Connect, Fitbit, Google Fit). The technical integration point is Health Connect. Samsung Health writes to Health Connect, and any app (including Google's) can read from there. There's no direct Samsung Health → specific Google cloud sync outside this mechanism.

Disclaimer

FitMesh Sync is an independent product. Samsung, Google, Fitbit are trademarks of their respective owners. This article implies no affiliation or sponsorship.

Medical disclaimer

The information in this article is for informational purposes only and does not replace advice from your physician, pharmacist or healthcare professional. FitMesh Sync is a fitness/wellness app, not a medical device, and does not diagnose or treat any conditions. For symptoms, clinical questions or treatment decisions always consult your primary care physician.

Written by

Matteo Pizzi

Founder & Solo Dev, FitMesh Sync · Fosforonero

Italian software developer. I built FitMesh Sync to fill the gap between my smartwatch and a real personal dashboard. Privacy-first, indie, EU servers.

More about the project

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