Switching Fitness Trackers in 2026 Can Preserve Old Health Data, but Cross-Brand Moves Need Manual Exports

TechRadar said the task should be treated as three separate processes: backing up data, syncing new activities between apps and importing historical records. Upgrading within Apple or Garmin generally takes moments because the devices use the same account. Moving from a Garmin Forerunner to a COROS Pace 4, by contrast, can require exporting data manually and importing it into a new platform.

Before switching, users should ensure the old tracker has synced with its companion app, including recent workouts and measurements. Most major platforms let users export an account archive or individual activity files. TechRadar said Garmin users can open Garmin Connect in a web browser and go to Data Management then Export Your Data, while Apple Health users can tap their profile and choose Export All Health Data. Activity files commonly use FIT, TCX and GPX formats, which preserve different types of workout information. Users should keep the old account active and avoid resetting the old tracker until migration is confirmed.

Apple stores Health and Fitness data in iCloud when syncing is enabled. On an iPhone, users can go to Settings, tap their name, open iCloud, choose See All and Health, and confirm Sync this iPhone is on. When pairing a new Apple Watch, they can restore a previous backup to carry over settings. Moving from Apple to another manufacturer takes more work: the Health app's Export All Health Data option creates an XML archive, but TechRadar said that archive will not necessarily work directly with another maker's app. Services such as COROS support transferring historical Apple workouts through third-party apps.

Google's fitness ecosystem has changed in 2026, with the old Fitbit app replaced by the Google Health platform, according to TechRadar. Users upgrading to a newer device such as the Pixel Watch 5 should still be able to access existing fitness history through the same Google Account. To download a backup, they can use Google Takeout, select Google Health and follow instructions to export records including workouts, sleep and heart rate data. Health Connect can help users move between compatible Android apps. On Android 14 or later, users can open Settings, then Security and Privacy, Privacy Controls, Health Connect and App Permissions to choose which apps can access different types of health data; some integrations must first be enabled in the destination app.

TechRadar cautioned that common activity data is transferable, but proprietary metrics such as sleep scores are unlikely to make the jump because brands calculate metrics such as Strain, Readiness or Sleep scores differently. It advised users who are unsure to check which file formats and historical records the new device's companion app supports. It also said not every type of health data will make the journey and that users should back up data somewhere safe, such as a computer or private cloud storage, before changing devices.