New owners of Withings smart scales and other health devices must pay for a $9.99 Withings+ monthly subscription to sync their data with Apple Health. Previously, the data sync cost nothing — and many Withings fans are outraged over the change.
The subscription requirement covers automatic syncing to all third-party apps, not just Apple Health. While existing users’ data will continue to sync for free, anyone who created a Withings account after October 13 will need to pay or export their data manually.
Withings Apple Health sync requires Withings+ for new accounts
Nothing says “your health is our priority” like charging extra for easy access your own health data. Withings, maker of premium smart scales, blood pressure monitors and health trackers, sparked a backlash from fans this week who question why a feature that used to cost nothing now requires a recurring fee — especially when cheaper alternatives still sync with Apple Health for free.
The changes came to light when a customer identified as Matteo A posted an outraged message on Withings’ support forum on October 13. He called the move “unacceptable” and an “obvious cash grab” and argued that writing to Apple Health happens locally on the iPhone. That means it shouldn’t need a server to work (and shouldn’t cost Withings anything extra).
Matteo A went on to say that Withings cited privacy measures and an AI connector to justify the new charges. The support thread has passed 200 comments, with many saying they will avoid future Withings purchases. Withings confirmed the change on Thursday in a reply to Matteo A’s post.
The company said nothing changes for existing customers and that new customers will get a free trial. And since the new rule follows the account, not the hardware, existing customers who buy a new Withings device will still enjoy the free sync. New members can try the service for free. If the membership lapses, syncing will pause until it’s active again, with no data lost.
“Our mission hasn’t changed,” wrote a Withings rep known as Markus. “We exist to help people take care of their health at home, so they can spot changes early and act before small issues become big ones. Withings+ helps us do that over the long term: it funds the services around your data, while your data itself stays yours.”
In the United States, Withings+ costs $9.95 a month or $99.50 a year, according to the company’s website. Manual data exports remain free for all, with Withings saying every user can export their full history as a CSV or PDF. They can also share data with a doctor using HealthLink and PDF reports.
On the Withings website, the company lays out the other benefits of its optional Withings+ subscription service.
Withings+ “turns your health data into clear guidance with features such as Cardio Check-Up (your ECG reviewed by a board-certified cardiologist within 24 hours), an AI Health Assistant that builds a health plan that adapts every day, a daily Readiness score, and syncing with third-party apps like Apple Health and Health Connect,” the company said. “Your basic data and trends stay available in the Withings app, with or without a subscription.”
Customers are pushing back on the paywall
The hundreds of comments on the Withings support forum about the new charge for Apple Health sync aren’t the only backlash the company is facing. On Reddit, user teobiondo91 posted a call to action to “pressure Withings to reverse the Apple Health paywall.”
Calling the decision a “terrible, anti-consumer move,” teobiondo91 also questioned Withings’ reasoning for the steep monthly subscription.
“Writing to Apple Health via HealthKit is a local process on the phone,” teobiondo91 said. “It requires zero cloud computing or server costs from Withings. This is nothing but a blatant cash grab, and it ruins the experience for families, partners, or anyone buying a new device.”
What it means if you’re shopping for a Withings scale or other device
If you want automatic Apple Health sync for a new Withings device, and don’t already have a Withings account, budget for the subscription. Withings’ premium scales already cost hundreds of dollars, and the plan adds another $9.99 a month on top of it.
Cheaper scales from other brands still sync with Apple Health for free. That’s what makes the Withings+ subscription a real factor when you compare options. If you already have a Withings account, make sure you don’t delete it to start fresh, as a brand-new account would fall under the new rule. So far, Withings seems to be defending the change rather than reversing it.
Anurag Chawake is a tech-focused writer specializing in smartphones, apps and consumer technology. His interest in computers began during the Windows 98 era, eventually leading him to explore everything from operating systems to mobile devices and PC hardware. Anurag previously contributed to The Indian Express, covering Apple, Android, gaming and the broader technology landscape.
One response to “Withings fans revolt over new $10 monthly fee to sync data to Apple Health”
The beginning of the end of Withings.