Google clears the air on Fitbit Air's missing sleep breathing quality feature

Fitbit Air owners who were disappointed to discover that Google’s new sleep breathing quality feature wasn’t supported on their trackers finally have something to look forward to. After weeks of confusion over the missing health insight, Google has confirmed to Android Authority that the feature is indeed coming to the Fitbit Air. Better still, the wait might not be much longer.

The confirmation comes after we reached out to Google seeking clarification on whether the missing feature would eventually make its way to the Fitbit Air or remain exclusive to Pixel Watches. Fortunately, it seems the tracker was never meant to be left out of the party. A Google spokesperson told Android Authority:

Sleep Breathing Quality launched first on Pixel Watches and will come to Fitbit Air soon.

Google’s confirmation finally clears up a question hanging over last month’s Health Guardian rollout. While Pixel Watch 3, 4, and 5 owners received all three new insights, including blood pressure trends, insulin resistance trends, and sleep breathing quality, Fitbit Air and Edge owners weren’t quite as lucky. They got access to the first two through Google Health Premium, but sleep breathing quality was conspicuously absent, raising questions about whether it would ever reach the trackers.

That omission left some Fitbit owners scratching their heads, especially after the Google Health app began showing a message that breathing quality wasn’t supported on their devices. Google’s own online store comparison page appeared to confirm the limitation, listing sleep breathing quality for the Pixel Watch 3, 4, and 5 but not the Fitbit Air or Edge. However, Google now says the missing feature is on its way.

That’s welcome news for Fitbit Air owners, although Google hasn’t shared a specific rollout date. The company also hasn’t clarified whether the feature will require Google Health Premium, as the other two Health Guardian insights do on Fitbit trackers.

As for the Fitbit Edge, its fate remains uncertain. We’ve followed up with Google to confirm whether the newer tracker will also receive sleep breathing quality and we’ll update this article when we hear back.