Withings is charging smart scale users $100 for a basic health data feature

Date:
Fri, 16 Oct 2026 22:00:00 +0000

Description:
Withings has locked Apple Health data syncing behind a $100 paywall, and
users are upset.

FULL STORY ======================================================================Copy link Facebook X Whatsapp Reddit Pinterest Flipboard Threads Email Share this article 0 Join the conversation Follow us Add us as a preferred source on Google Newsletter Subscribe to our newsletter Withings users must now pay a hefty premium to sync data to Apple Health The change requires a $100 annual subscription to Withings+ Customers are incredibly unhappy with the move The whole point of using a health and fitness tracker , one would think, is to be able to analyze your data in order to understand your own well-being. New users of Withings smart scales , however, have just been stung with an extortionate annual subscription if they want to enjoy that privilege.

As noted on the Withings forum , the company has decided to lock the ability to sync your wellness metrics to the Apple Health app behind a paywall. And this isnt just some token fee either youll be charged a whopping $99.99 a year. All to do what has always been free (and what many rivals still offer
at no cost). Withings apparently justified the move to the forum poster by citing unspecified privacy measures and an AI connector. Yet syncing data to Apple Health using the HealthKit framework doesnt require any server-side processing or hefty AI lifting that might justify such an expensive fee. Instead, the paywall simply gives the impression of being an opportunistic revenue booster. Latest Videos From TechRadar Watch full video here:

The post on the Withings forum described the move as a silent and incredibly anti-consumer change and pointed out that anyone who signed up on or after October 13, 2026, would be subject to it. Existing users wont be forced to pay, but thatll come as little consolation to everyone else. A controversial move (Image credit: Getty Images) Its safe to say that the optics dont look good for Withings, and users have been understandably upset at the move. The original poster on the Withings forum labeled the change an obvious cash grab that ruins the hardware experience and destroys the trust in the brand,
adding that We shouldn't have to pay a subscription to access our own health data. You may like Garmin backtracks on Cirqa band paywall and makes an extra feature free The last Fitbit app holdouts are being forced to switch to
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On Reddit , users echoed that dissatisfaction, saying $99 a year is a real joke and, about Withings decision-makers, They are digging their own grave. Another Redditor asked, Why would I ever buy another Withings product, let alone recommend the products to other people, if you have to pay a subscription to access your own data?

A Withings representative tried to explain that the $99.99 Withings+ subscription includes other features including An improved Health Assistant and Better-priced access to medical services but no user seems to care about any of that. The main concern is the decision to lock a fundamental feature behind a paywall when said feature appears to require no additional costs on Withings part. Get daily insight, inspiration and deals in your inbox Sign up for breaking news, reviews, opinion, top tech deals, and more. Contact me
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Given the strength of the customer reaction already, it wouldnt be surprising to see Withings backtrack and unlock Apple Health syncing in the near future. With many users already saying theyll either ditch their Withings devices or abstain from buying one in the first place, the ball is firmly in Withings court. Follow TechRadar on Google News and add us as a preferred source to
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Link to news story: https://www.techradar.com/home/smart-scales/an-obvious-cash-grab-withings-is-c harging-its-smart-scale-users-usd100-for-a-basic-health-data-feature-and-users -are-angry


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