Updated

Updated · The New York Times · Jul 9

Google Revamps Health App as Samsung Updates Dashboard Tools for 3 Phone Platforms

Updated

Updated · The New York Times · Jul 9

Google Revamps Health App as Samsung Updates Dashboard Tools for 3 Phone Platforms

Q: As Google Health adds advanced metrics, why are users reporting that basic food logging features have been downgraded?

Users say the downgrade is not about Google Health adding more metrics; it is about core nutrition tools becoming less usable during the shift from Fitbit to Google Health. The new 5.03 update does improve food search on iOS by showing serving units and calories more clearly, but complaints focus on what was lost or made harder. Users report that search results often do not show enough detail up front, portion units are harder or impossible to change in some cases, and deleting a logged food item now takes several taps instead of a quick swipe. Many also say custom foods, snack categories, and the old calorie-deficit-focused layout were reduced or removed, making routine logging slower and less intuitive. Some users also question data quality. Reports describe inaccurate calorie and protein values from photo-based logging and even barcode scans, which undermines trust in a basic tracking feature. That matters more to many users than the addition of advanced wellness metrics such as HRV, SpO2, resilience, or blood glucose tiles. In short, Google is expanding the app upward into richer health analytics and AI coaching, but some users believe it has regressed on the everyday basics they relied on most: fast entry, flexible portions, easy editing, and dependable nutrition data. Google has begun addressing parts of the backlash with updates, but user feedback suggests the fixes have not yet fully restored the old Fitbit experience.

3 articles · Updated · The New York Times · Jul 9

Google has revamped Google Health and Samsung refreshed Samsung Health last month, highlighting phone-based health dashboards that work even without a smartwatch or fitness tracker.
The apps let users manually log workouts, food, mood and sleep, while basic phone sensors provide free step counting and linked diet or exercise apps can feed data into one place.
Medical features extend beyond fitness: many providers allow record imports, and users can create a lock-screen medical ID and set medication reminders for emergencies and daily care.
Google’s latest Health 5.03 rollout added 13 metric tiles, nap tracking and bug fixes, part of its phaseout of older Google Fit software after rebranding the Fitbit app in May.