Trusted Reviews is supported by its audience. If you purchase through links on our site, we may earn a commission. Learn more.

Nike FuelBand app no longer needs a FuelBand to work

Nike has issued an update for its Fuelband companion app which means users to longer need to wear the device in order to collect movement data.

The update issued on Friday makes the app completely self-sufficient as it can now harness information gathered by the dedicated M7/M8 motion co-processors, which sit within newer iPhone models.

Previously, the app had relied on a Bluetooth connection with the FuelBand itself.

The update gives FuelBand users the opportunity to take the wristband off for a while without missing out on that precious NikeFuel. In fact, they can take it take it off forever and manage perfectly well as long as they have their iPhone on them.

However, it’s fair to say the data collection isn’t the only reason to wear the FuelBand. The LED lights show users how far they’re progressing towards goals, while it also displays the number of steps in real time.

Wearers also get motivation prompts to get up and move and ‘win the hour’ by staying active for more than five minutes.

Read more:
Best fitness trackers 2015

Today’s update is another indication from Nike of its intention to pull out of the fitness tracker market in order to focus on software.

The new app supported Apple’s HealthKit and now shares data with the Nike+ Running app too.

Why trust our journalism?

Founded in 2003, Trusted Reviews exists to give our readers thorough, unbiased and independent advice on what to buy.

Today, we have millions of users a month from around the world, and assess more than 1,000 products a year.

author icon

Editorial independence

Editorial independence means being able to give an unbiased verdict about a product or company, with the avoidance of conflicts of interest. To ensure this is possible, every member of the editorial staff follows a clear code of conduct.

author icon

Professional conduct

We also expect our journalists to follow clear ethical standards in their work. Our staff members must strive for honesty and accuracy in everything they do. We follow the IPSO Editors’ code of practice to underpin these standards.

Trusted Reviews Logo

Sign up to our newsletter

Get the best of Trusted Reviews delivered right to your inbox.

This is a test error message with some extra words