{
  "id": 16412910,
  "title": "How to switch fitness trackers without losing your old health and workout data",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/10/25/how-to-switch-fitness-trackers-without-losing-your-old-health-and",
  "topic": "tech",
  "section": "Tech",
  "published": "2026-10-25T02:00:00.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "TechRadar",
    "slug": "techradar",
    "url": "https://www.techradar.com/health-fitness/fitness-trackers/switching-to-apple-garmin-or-google-fitbit-heres-how-to-switch-fitness-trackers-without-losing-your-old-health-and-workout-data"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "When an aging fitness tracker is replaced, there is a temptation to switch brands, such as moving from a slim Fitbit to a larger running watch. However, this often means losing years of data on workouts, sleep, heart rate, and overall activity. Historical health data is useful beyond just flexing on social media; it can provide insights into resting heart rate and sleep patterns, contributing to a fuller health picture. In 2026, many top fitness tracker brands, including Apple Watch, Google's Fitbit lineup, and Garmin models, have made data transfer relatively simple. To help users upgrade or switch brands, we break down the data transfer processes for major fitness tracker manufacturers.\n\nBefore switching, it's crucial to ensure that the fitness tracker has synced with its companion app on the smartphone, including recent workouts and health measurements. Most major platforms offer ways to export data, either as an account archive or individual activity files. These files typically come in formats like FIT, TCX, or GPX, preserving various workout information. Keep the account active until the migration is successful, and avoid resetting the old tracker until the transfer is complete.\n\nTransferring data from Apple Health is straightforward. On iOS, go to Settings → your name → iCloud → See All → Health, and ensure Sync this iPhone is switched on. When pairing a new Apple Watch, you can restore a previous backup to carry over settings. Switching to another manufacturer requires more work. In the Health app, tap Summary → your profile picture → Export All Health Data and choose a location to save the resulting XML archive. While this archive may not work directly with another manufacturer's app, services like COROS support transferring historical Apple workouts using third-party apps.\n\nGoogle's fitness ecosystem has evolved, replacing the old Fitbit app with Google Health. Upgrading to a newer device, such as the Pixel Watch 5, allows existing fitness history to remain accessible through the same Google Account. To download a backup, visit Google Takeout, select Google Health, and follow instructions to export records, including workouts, sleep, and heart rate data. Google Health simplifies moving between compatible Android apps, letting users choose which apps can access health data. However, not all historical measurements may appear in the new app, as different integrations support different records.",
  "summary": "Getting a new fitness tracker this year? Here's how to swap your workout data.",
  "key_points": [
    "Data transfer from major fitness trackers is relatively simple in 2026.",
    "Export health data from Apple Health via iCloud or Health app.",
    "Google Health simplifies moving between compatible Android apps."
  ],
  "editors_take": "The growing interoperability between major manufacturers allows users to upgrade hardware without sacrificing the long-term health insights and historical activity patterns necessary for a complete medical overview.",
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}