Google Health 5.0's Quick Access Widget Enables Six-Metric Monitoring

Google has officially rolled out a major update with Google Health 5.0. The update is mandatory for Fitbit ecosystem users, particularly ahead of the upcoming launch of the new wearable device, Fitbit Air, scheduled for next week.

Despite significant visual overhauls, the update has sparked debate over the accuracy of its artificial intelligence (AI) and the removal of popular community features.

One of the most notable changes is the introduction of the Quick Access Widget. Unlike the old Fitbit widget, which only displayed a circular step counter, the new version offers greater flexibility.

However, behind the visual improvements, Google Health 5.0 faces sharp criticism regarding the integration of the Gemini-powered Health Coach. According to Lifehacker’s review, the AI feature has been found to suffer from serious “hallucination” issues.

In one instance, the AI congratulated a user on a 99 sleep score when the actual data showed 85. Additionally, the AI referenced irrelevant Reddit forum posts suspected of being copied from ChatGPT, raising doubts about the reliability of AI-driven health advice.

Several popular Fitbit features have been removed in version 5.0, including Sleep Animals, Community Feed, Groups, direct user messaging, and stress check graphs.

Google has also tightened monetisation in this update, with features previously available for free during public preview now locked behind the Google Health Premium paywall.

*(Conversion from $9.99/month and $99.99/year based on current exchange rates.)

The rollout of Google Health 5.0, starting from 19 May and aiming for full availability by 26 May 2026, is part of Google’s preparation for the Fitbit Air. The new device is positioned as a direct competitor to Whoop, focusing on screenless tracking.

For users, the update presents a dilemma: a more modern interface and new device integration, but at the cost of community features and potential inaccuracies in AI health advice.