Google Fit has leveled up as part of the March Pixel Feature Drop with some really useful health monitoring tools, including the ability to measure your heart and breathing rate directly from within the app.
Being able to measure the heart rate on your smartphone is nothing new. It is a feature that has been possible with third party applications for a long time or even with a smart band / smartwatch connected via Bluetooth. Respiratory rate is another notable addition, as Google Fit is able to provide a fairly solid estimate of your respiratory rate without the need for any extra accessories or hardware.
Obviously, any heart rate or respiratory data obtained when using Google Fit cannot be declared 100% accurate, but it is a cool way to keep an eye on your vital statistics on a daily basis. Not having to buy any extras is a big bonus.
So, what is really new?
If you’ve been living under a rock for a few weeks or just don’t care enough to do a pre-search, the latest Google Fit update announced along with the fall of the Pixel feature in March adds some new things that mean that extra hardware it is not necessarily a requirement.
You don’t need to have something like a Fitbit or smart band to get your heart rate or respiratory data. You can use the sensors on your Google Pixel to get a quick and approximate reading of your current health statistics.
Respiratory rate is, in basic terms, your respiratory rate or how many breaths per minute you take. It is a difficult metric to measure in most cases, which makes inclusion in Google Fit something that can be popular. The heart rate is self-explanatory and corresponds only to your current heart rate per minute.
How it works?
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When you have been able to update the Google Fit app on your Pixel to version 2.51.19-130, you should get the option in your main feed to “Check your heart rate” or “Track your respiratory rate”. There are some warnings about how certain pre-existing conditions, such as dehydration and physical activity, will affect readings.
Checking your heart rate is as simple as placing your finger on the rear camera and waiting a few moments. Then, when you have a reading, it can be saved to your Google Fit account so you can check the history of measurements and heart rate readings. The process is very simple, with on-screen guides correcting you if you put your index finger in the wrong place. I found this easier on the Pixel 4a, which has only one lens to actively cover, but you may see a message “Couldn’t get a steady reading” if you try in a poorly lit environment.
It will take about 20-30 seconds to detect light changes at the fingertip itself, and sometimes it may be necessary to use the LED flash if Fit finds a problem. Alternatively, you can simply activate the flash immediately, but we are not sure how it affects the overall accuracy of the results.
Calculating your respiratory rate needs a little work, as you have to find a position to support your device, aiming the front camera at the top of your torso so that the camera can monitor your chest movements. This movement is related to how many breaths you are taking, so it is a simple way to get a good idea of your breathing rate.
I found that leaning on a vertical wireless charger was the best way to get my Pixel in the right position to get a breath rate reading. But you can support it against a wall or edge without much trouble.
The best thing about Google Fit’s new heart rate and breathing rate features is that a data connection isn’t necessary, with all the data captured directly on the device. Nothing is sent to the cloud, nor is a network connection required. This means that you can record the results even while walking or running, for example.
How accurate are the readings?
Without true professional-grade tools to properly monitor your heart or respiratory rate, it’s important to note that all the data collected is simply “consultative” and cannot be called “definitive”. To be honest, heart rate readings were often a little bit higher than my comparable readings on a Fitbit Sense – it’s not exactly the most accurate smartwatch on the market itself.
Another notable thing is that these types of readings can be directly affected by the simple act of taking them. Basically, paying attention to your breathing and heart rate, the end result will simply not be as accurate as if it were taken or monitored throughout the day by a wearable when you are not monitoring the result live.
We feel the need to mention this small peculiarity, as some people may see spikes and be concerned, but in many cases, it is just your body reacting to a visual stimulus. It is just a good approximate value to help you better understand your health and can even be useful for managing your fitness goals, as you can record each reading for long-term graphs.
Were you able to get these new features on your device? Let us know in the comments section what you think of the new Google Fit options there as well.
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