Gadgetbridge (FOSS Smartwatch Client)

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Short description

Gadgetbridge allows smartwatch users to pair and manage their smartwatch devices without using the vendor’s proprietary application. In addition to device management, Gadgetbridge mimics the health and wellness functionality of these tools without data collection.

Why I think this tool should be added

Despite marketing itself as a FOSS bluetooth companion app, Gadgetbridge can also become an privacy-respecting alternative to Apple’s “Health” app on Android devices. It has features such as sleep tracking, heartbeat monitoring, step-counter, and other fitness activities.

Naturally, we would also need to recommend a suitable smartwatch brand. I am considering the PineTime, but that would be a separate suggestion for another time.

Section on Privacy Guides

“Health and Wellness” and/or Smartwatches

6 Likes

It doesn’t do just smartwatch though which is amazing, I would put it in multiple lists imo:
check:

Unfortunate for me the Galaxy Buds FE isnt there but yeah

2 Likes

Realme and Xiaomi are unusually popular on the compatibility list for some reason.

I’m also curious to see if the new pebble watches will gain support one day. That’ll take a few years to see though

yeah honestly outside of the gadgets themselves being likely invasive so is their app.
Realme is only just the buds but xiaomi yeah there’s even scales.
I’m guessing connecting something like the Xiaomi Smart Scale 2 to gadgetbridge instead makes it more privacy friendly and so maybe that’s why, It is community contributed so.

1 Like

I am pretty happy with Gadgetbridge. I use it with my PineTime to track steps and check the weather at a glance, as well as general phone notifications

1 Like

Vouching GadgetBridge here. It’s really awesome

The PR above, which adds Gadgetbridge as a new recommendation, has been merged and this change will appear on the site’s next release.