Does Fitbit have SOS or emergency features? (2024)

Does Fitbit have SOS or emergency features? (1)

Jimmy Westenberg / Android Authority

SOS and emergency features are becoming commonplace on modern smartwatches, allowing users to contact loved ones or authorities in a pinch. But can Fitbit smartwatches and trackers do the same? Well, not entirely. We detail the SOS and emergency features found on Fitbit devices below.

QUICK ANSWER

No Fitbit smartwatch or fitness tracker includes SOS or emergency features, unlike Apple, Samsung, or Garmin wearables.

JUMP TO KEY SECTIONS

  • Which Fitbits have SOS and emergency features?
  • Fitbit alternatives with SOS and emergency features
  • How to get help in an emergency with your Fitbit

Which Fitbits have SOS and emergency features?

Unfortunately, no Fitbit smartwatch or fitness tracker includes SOS or emergency features. This means the flagship Sense, older models like the Versa 2, fitness trackers like the Charge 5, and kids’ smartwatches like the Ace 3, lack this critical feature. It’s arguably the most significant omission in the Fitbit ecosystem. There’s no official way to use your Fitbit to contact others in emergencies.

Fitbit alternatives with SOS and emergency features

Realistically, if you absolutely have to have SOS and emergency features baked into your wearable, it’s best to give Fitbit’s products a miss. We recommend the following alternatives instead:

  • Apple Watch Series 7 (Amazon): The GPS model requires your iPhone, while the LTE model can be used to contact others through a cellular connection.
  • Samsung Galaxy Watch 4 (Amazon): Samsung included an SOS feature that pings an emergency contact when the home key is pressed three times.
  • Garmin Venu 2 Plus (Amazon): Garmin’s flagship smartwatch includes a LiveTrack feature that allows trusted contacts to view your location while training in real-time. It’s great for trail runners and hikers.

See also: The best Fitbit alternatives you can buy

How to get help in an emergency with your Fitbit

Does Fitbit have SOS or emergency features? (2)

Andy Walker / Android Authority

We recommend that users keep their phones with them when heading out. This isn’t easy to do when running, but it’ll allow you to contact loved ones or authorities.

Notably, a few apps are well worth installing on your Fitbit for emergencies.

  • MED ID: A free app that lets you carry medical information on your watch. Users can input key health information, from medical conditions to allergies and more. This allows emergency personnel quick access to this information. Grab MED ID 5.0 for the Versa 3 and Sense.
  • My 3 Words: An app that plugs into the what3words network to provide your current location in a pinch. It uses Wi-Fi or GPS. It’s excellent for helping emergency personnel pinpoint your position within three meters. It’s available on the Sense and all Versa models.

See also: The best apps for your Fitbit smartwatch

FAQs

There’s no official stance on this, but we can hope that future Fitbit devices will include emergency integration. Its purchase by Google also gives us hope that future devices could include smarter integration with Android.

If you own an iPhone, you should purchase an Apple Watch. If you own an Android phone, consider getting a device from Samsung or Garmin’s stable.

No. Currently, no Fitbit device features eSIM or LTE support baked in.

Does Fitbit have SOS or emergency features? (2024)

FAQs

Does Fitbit have SOS or emergency features? ›

FAQs. Do Fitbit wearables feature other SOS or emergency features? No. Currently, no Fitbit features any official SOS or emergency contact options.

Does Fitbit have a SOS feature? ›

No Fitbit smartwatch or fitness tracker includes SOS or emergency features, unlike Apple, Samsung, or Garmin wearables.

Does Fitbit have a safety feature? ›

Safety Signal requires location enabled and, in cases of emergency, provides Fitbit Premium subscribers without a 4G LTE watch line with access to a 4G LTE network for use of safety features only. When your watch is not connected to your phone, Safety Signal does not support Wi-Fi calling.

Does Fitbit have a panic button? ›

Fitbit currently does not offer this.

What health functions does Fitbit have? ›

The Health Metrics tile in the Fitbit app includes:
  • Breathing rate.
  • Heart-rate variability (HRV)
  • Skin temperature variation.
  • Oxygen saturation (SpO2)
  • Resting heart rate (RHR)

Do smart watches have an SOS feature? ›

With the SOS feature on your watch, quickly pressing your watch's Home key (Power key) will send alerts and calls to your assigned emergency contacts. On your connected phone, open the Galaxy Wearable app. Tap Watch settings, tap Advanced or Advanced features, and then tap SOS.

Can Fitbit answer calls and texts? ›

Use the built-in speaker and microphone in Fitbit Sense, Fitbit Sense 2, Fitbit Versa 3, and Fitbit Versa 4 to take calls from your wrist. For information on receiving phone call notifications on your watch, see How do I get notifications from my phone on my Fitbit device?

Is it safe to wear a Fitbit watch all the time? ›

Prolonged contact may contribute to skin irritation or allergies in some users. To reduce irritation, follow four simple wear and care tips: (1) keep it clean; (2) keep it dry; (3) don't wear it too tight, and (4) give your wrist a rest by removing the band for an hour after extended wear.

Is Fitbit being discontinued? ›

Recently, Google has discontinued Fitbit products in many countries, and despite promising to make fitness “more accessible to more people,” Google has only released one new Fitbit-branded product in 2023.

Does Fitbit have an alarm to wake you up? ›

If Smart Wake can't find the best time to wake you, your alarm alerts you at the set time. Alarms that use the Smart Wake setting have a different icon than the other alarms on your device.

Can Fitbit pick up anxiety? ›

Your stress management score in the Fitbit app can help you see how your body responds to stress based on your heart rate, sleep, and activity level data. You can also reflect on how stressed you are to see connections between how you feel and your score.

Can Fitbit detect stress? ›

EDA sensors, plus heart rate, heart rate variability and skin temperature tracking, help your Fitbit track physical indications of stress.

What is calm on Fitbit? ›

Enjoy content from Calm to help you manage stress and rest better, available on Fitbit Premium. Sessions from The #1 App for Sleep, Meditation & Relaxation™ are at your fingertips when you're a Fitbit Premium member. You can enjoy popular breathing tracks, Sleep Stories and soothing sounds for your mindfulness journey.

What are the disadvantages of a Fitbit? ›

Cons of fitness trackers
  • Questionable accuracy. While fitness trackers have come a long way in terms of accuracy, there can still be discrepancies in measurements like step counts or calorie burn estimates. ...
  • Over-reliance on numbers. ...
  • Privacy concerns. ...
  • Inaccurate metrics for certain activities.
Oct 3, 2023

Do doctors care about Fitbit data? ›

A doctor might be interested in knowing whether or not a patient wears a Fitbit or a Jawbone wearable to count steps, and even encourage the habit, but they do not want to receive a constant flow of biometrics data from patients.

Is Apple or Fitbit better for health? ›

Specs and Features

Fitbit boasts an array of sensors including heart rate monitoring, sleep tracking, and activity tracking tools. Fitbit's app store is more limited in comparison to Apple's. Apple Watch also offers these features, plus additional health-focused ones like ECG readings and fall detection.

Does Fitbit have an alarm function? ›

How do I set an alarm on my Fitbit device? For Fitbit Charge 3, Fitbit Charge 4, Fitbit Charge 5, Fitbit Charge 6, Fitbit Inspire 3, Fitbit Luxe, Fitbit Sense series, and Fitbit Versa series, set alarms on your device. For all other Fitbit devices, set alarms in the Fitbit app. On your device, open the Alarms app.

Do Fitbits have vibrating alarms? ›

Your Fitbit device vibrates to alert you at various times, including if you set an alarm, when you hit your step goal, or if you haven't met your hourly activity goal.

Does Fitbit have sensors? ›

Our advanced sensors and intuitive experiences are designed to help you live a healthier, more active life. Learn how an on-wrist EDA sensor and a touch of the palm on Fitbit Sense can help you understand your stress.

Does Fitbit save text messages? ›

versa does not store text or email messages.

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