Developer creates free tool to bypass Withings subscription fees
The open-source project reroutes scale data to user-controlled servers, eliminating the need for a paid plan to access health metrics in third-party apps.
By Naomi Tesfaye ·
Withings now requires a paid subscription for new users to transfer health data from its devices to external applications. This change forces consumers to pay a recurring fee to access their own weight and body composition metrics in platforms like Apple Health. In response to this paywall, a developer has released a free alternative that allows users to maintain full control over their data.
Tom Anthony, who described the official Withings mobile application as a bloated mess, created the open-source project YourOwnWeigh. The tool reroutes data traffic away from Withings servers and directs it to a destination chosen by the user. This method eliminates the need for the Withings Plus subscription while preserving the ability to sync information with other digital health tools.
The project functions primarily as a web app that runs on a server of the user’s preference. Anthony noted that the system moves very little data, meaning it can operate effectively on a free CloudFlare account. Users do not need to purchase dedicated hardware or pay for cloud storage to maintain the service. The setup guides are available on the project’s GitHub page for those seeking to implement the solution.
YourOwnWeigh manages the technical process of updating Withings scales. It uses Bluetooth to install alternate firmware that instructs the scale to upload data to a non-Withings server. The web app downloads and patches the official firmware as needed rather than hosting a permanent copy. It also imports existing user profiles and current scale settings to ensure a seamless transition from the official ecosystem.
Currently, the project supports only two older models of Withings scales. Anthony has connected the data to Apple Health using a scheduled automation in Apple Shortcuts. This automation pulls the necessary information from the alternate server and imports it into the Apple Health app. The developer is encouraging the community to develop similar integrations for other platforms, including Google Health.
Expanding compatibility to newer scale models depends on whether their firmware can be patched in a similar manner. If that technical hurdle is overcome, the project could support a wider range of hardware. The project remains open-source, allowing users to inspect the code and contribute to its development. The immediate focus remains on providing a free and transparent alternative to the paid subscription model.
