What you need to know
- An unofficial open source app, Whoop allows users to view fitness data without paying a monthly subscription fee.
- The app works completely offline, syncing data locally via Bluetooth without relying on cloud processing.
- Users can track stress, sleep, recovery, HRV and heart rate just like in the official Whoop app.
The developer has created an open source software that allows you to use the Whoop band without paying a subscription fee.
Since the beginning Fitbit WeatherWhoop has faced criticism for its subscription model. The Fitbit Air costs $100, and while Google offers a $10-a-month Google Health subscription, it’s completely optional. Whoop, on the other hand, locks down access to most of the information and ideas behind the subscription. If you stop paying, the group effectively becomes a dead paperweight.
Now there is an independent developer created an unofficial open source program This allows users to access data from their Whoop band without an active subscription. The app works on Android and macOS and allows users to view metrics collected by the group directly on their devices.
According to the developer, the program was developed based on a local first approach and works completely offline. Data is transmitted directly from the Wop band to the connected device via Bluetooth without relying on cloud processing.
Like the official Whoop app, it calculates data such as daily stress, sleep stages, recovery scores, heart rate variability and live heart rate data after a few days of use. The app can also import existing health data from here apple Health and even previously collected Whoop data.
Of course, this is an unofficial solution. Currently, installing it requires sideloading the APK on Android, which is not something that every user can comfortably do. Still, it’s an interesting project, especially at a time when many Whoop users are questioning whether the subscription fee offers enough value compared to newer competitors like the Fitbit Air.
It should also be noted that Whoop does not officially support this approach. In fact, the company says it uses third-party software like this violates its terms. That said, if you’re still interested, you can download it Software files from GitHub and try it on your device.
Android Central’s Take
I’m not sure how long this will last before Whoop’s legal team starts paying attention, but it’s still an interesting project. I still have the old Whoop 4.0 which doesn’t do anything, so I’m tempted to try it out in the next few days and see how well it works.
