MyFitnessPal barcode scanning to be paywalled - Garmin needs an internal solution

Recent news is showing that MFP's barcode scanner for calorie counting is going to be moved to a subscription-only feature: https://www.theverge.com/2022/8/25/23321408/myfitnesspal-weight-loss-app-barcode-scanning-premium-paywall

It's always struck me as a little odd that Garmin would just send people to a completely unrelated third-party app for calorie / macro counting. I get that MFP had the existing database of nutrition information, but then you get stuck with situations like this, where tons of Garmin's customers are affected by something they have no control over.

It's probably past time that Garmin handles this internally, the integration is a bit clumsy when my ride info tells me how many calories were burned during an activity but I can't just click a button to add what I consumed directly there.

But it's made more important by the huge loss of functionality coming to MFP, in my opinion. Hopefully Garmin has some plan for this moving forward.

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0 Skyewalkr over 2 years ago

Hmm idk. It would be better if they just allowed 2 way data sync for other competitors besides mfp. Cronometer or lose it come to mind. No idea why they choose to sync only with mfp

0 3681079 over 2 years ago

I completely agree with this. MFP was an ad-ridden mess to begin with, now the paywall broadening will probably be its downfall imo. Fitbit has a pretty good integrated calorie and lookup solution, so it can definitely be done. It would be awesome if Garmin just made their own (or bought MFP).

0 C.sco over 2 years ago

I just wish Garmin didn't require MFP for caloric intake information.

I don't want to use MFP, I don't like it. I've tried it, and it's too cumbersome to bother staying on top of it every day. It would be nice if I could just tell Garmin, "I consumed 1850 calories today", and have that reflected in my stats. As it stands currently, since I refuse to use MFP, Garmin perpetually thinks I have a daily calorie deficit equal to the number of calories I burned every day.

0 KrapfenKringel over 2 years ago

Garmin could open up for other calorie trackers and not ask for thousands of dollars for API access.

0 Skyewalkr over 2 years ago in reply to KrapfenKringel

Yeah this guy gets my point

0 jhoff80 over 2 years ago in reply to Skyewalkr

I'd be fine with that too, but I feel like in the long-run Garmin having something internal leads to a more consistent experience.

But even if using an API to connect / sync with another app, if it's a key part of the experience it should be integrated better than they've done with MFP to this point.

Either way this immediate paywall issue with MFP is the more pressing part.

0 RobCuadro over 2 years ago in reply to KrapfenKringel

This is the way

0 PaulDN81 over 2 years ago

I agree that opening up 2 way sync to other apps would work well. I've switched to another app (MyNetDiary) due to this as well as the recent changes to the MFP user interface and the much more intrusive full screen ads that have been added in recent months. It has one way sync and can get things like my steps, weigh ins, and workouts from Garmin so it's not a bad experience but I'd like it if it could pass the calories consumed information back to Garmin like MFP can.

I would suggest that anyone who wants Garmin to allow other calorie apps to 2 way sync, develop their own solution, or whatever other option that's not MFP submit it as a feature request: https://www.garmin.com/en-US/forms/ideas/. If enough of us do so maybe they'll make a change.

0 1963365 over 2 years ago

For those who are seeking for a good alternative as well: YAZIO still offers the barcode scanner for free an it’s just as good as the one of MyFitnessPal. Already moved to YAZIO and super satisfied with this app!

0 1963365 over 2 years ago