Google’s new Health app launched on 19 May 2026, replacing the Fitbit app with a redesigned four-tab layout and a Gemini-powered AI coach. But if you’re in the UK — especially if you’ve pre-ordered a Fitbit Air — you may have already noticed that the headline Ask Coach feature is nowhere to be found.
You’re not imagining it, and your device isn’t broken. Here’s what’s actually going on.
What Is Ask Coach?
Ask Coach is Google’s conversational AI health feature, powered by Gemini. With a Google Health Premium subscription (£7.99/month or £79.99/year in the UK), users can ask natural language questions like “How did I sleep this week?” or “What should I adjust after yesterday’s workout?” and get personalised, data-driven answers. [web:112][web:125]
It’s the flagship feature of the new platform — and it’s the main reason many UK users upgraded or pre-ordered the new Fitbit Air, which ships on 26 May 2026 at £84.99 and comes with three months of Premium included. [web:116][web:125]
The UK Snag: Regulatory Compliance
While Google announced that Google Health Coach is rolling out across 37 countries, the UK launch is hitting a snag. Because Ask Coach ingests personal health data and offers personalised advice, it falls under stricter health app regulations in the UK — and the conversational feature is undergoing a staggered regional activation pending regulatory compliance. [web:111][web:115]
Many UK users are reporting that they can see the new four-tab Google Health layout but the Gemini-powered Ask Coach functionality is either hidden or inactive. A check with Gemini directly confirms it is “still waiting on regulatory compliance” — something that wasn’t clearly communicated to UK customers at the point of purchase or upgrade. [web:111]
This is frustrating for anyone who bought into the platform specifically for the AI coaching features.
It’s Also Device-Dependent
There’s a second layer to the issue that some UK users have discovered only after uninstalling and reinstalling the app. Even once the regional activation passes, Ask Coach requires a connected Fitbit or Pixel device — it is not as device-agnostic as Google’s marketing implied. [web:111]
If you don’t yet have a compatible device linked, the app now shows a notification explaining that Ask Coach isn’t available yet. For Fitbit Air pre-orderers waiting for their device to arrive from 26 May, this means the full coaching experience won’t unlock until the hardware is in hand — and regional compliance is resolved. [web:111][web:116]
Who Is It Working For?
Not all UK users are affected. Some users running the Fitbit preview version of the app report that Ask Coach is functioning normally, and others with existing Fitbit or Pixel devices linked to their accounts are seeing the feature without issue. [web:111]
The problems appear most concentrated among:
- Users who upgraded fresh to the Google Health app without a connected device
- Users who pre-ordered the Fitbit Air and don’t yet have it set up
- Users on the standard (non-preview) app rollout in the UK [web:111][web:112]
What Should UK Users Do?
For now, the practical steps are:
- Check your device connection — Ask Coach requires a Fitbit or Pixel device actively linked to your Google Health account. [web:111]
- Ensure you have Google Health Premium — Ask Coach is a paid feature at £7.99/month, not available on the free tier. [web:112][web:125]
- Be patient on the regulatory front — Google hasn’t published a specific date for full UK activation, but the staggered rollout suggests it is a matter of weeks rather than months. [web:111][web:115]
- Try uninstalling and reinstalling — Some users have triggered a clearer notification explaining exactly why Ask Coach is unavailable, which at least confirms the status. [web:111]
The Bigger Picture
This is a recurring issue with AI-powered health features launching in the UK. The NHS not being a supported medical records provider is another limitation UK users have flagged — meaning the “comprehensive health picture” Google promises is more limited here than in the US. [web:111][web:114]
For Fitbit Air buyers in particular, it’s worth going in with realistic expectations: the device itself ships 26 May, but the full Ask Coach experience may not be immediately available even once it’s set up, depending on how quickly Google resolves the regional compliance process. [web:116][web:125]
We’ll update this post as the situation develops. If you’re a UK user and Ask Coach has activated for you, let us know in the comments.