Manage Health data on your iPhone, iPod touch, or Apple Watch

You can set up apps and accessories to send data to the Health app, enter data yourself, and change how Health prioritizes data from those sources.

How to add data to the Health app

The Health app automatically counts your steps, walking, and running distances. And, if you have an Apple Watch, it automatically tracks all of your Activity data. If you're already using another app to track your health, you can try adding data from the app to Health, so all your information is in one place.

Enter information about your health

  1. Open the Health app and tap the Browse tab.
  2. Tap a category, like Activity.
  3. Tap a subcategory, like Steps.
  4. Tap Add Data in the upper-right corner.
  5. Enter the date, time, and data for that activity.
  6. When you're finished, tap Add.

Add information from other apps

  1. Open the Health app.
  2. Tap your profile picture in the upper-right corner .
  3. Under Privacy, tap Apps. You can see apps that you already own that are compatible with Health. If you don't see an app, it might not be compatible.
  4. Tap an app and turn on the health categories that you want that app to track.

You might also need to open the app and adjust its settings to allow it to share data with Health.

Find apps that are compatible with Health

  1. Open the Health app and tap the Browse tab.
  2. Tap a category, like Sleep.
  3. Tap a subcategory, like Sleep Analysis.
  4. Scroll down to the apps recommended for that category, then tap an app to learn about and download it.
  5. Go back to your privacy settings in the Health app to allow that app to read or write data in the Health app.

You decide what information goes into the Health app and which apps can get your information from Health. Apps that access HealthKit must have a privacy policy. Review an app's privacy policy before allowing access to your health and fitness information.

Add information from your Apple Watch

  • To view your goals and your move, exercise, and stand data, open the Health app, tap the Browse tab, then tap Activity.
  • To see your heart rate data, open the Health app, tap the Browse tab, then tap Heart. Learn more about accuracy and limitations of the heart rate sensor.
  • To see data from the Breathe app, open the Health app, tap the Browse tab, then tap Mindfulness. Learn about the Breathe app.
  • Other Apple Watch apps can also read and write Health data. You can manage them directly on your Apple Watch: Go to Settings > Health > Apps.

If Health doesn't track steps or other information, try these steps:

  1. Open the Health app.
  2. Tap your profile, then tap Devices.
  3. Tap your Apple Watch.
  4. Tap Privacy Settings and make sure that Fitness Tracking is turned on.

How Health handles data from multiple sources

The Health app takes similar data from different sources, like steps recorded from your iPhone and activity from your Apple Watch, and organizes it based on where it comes from. By default, Health prioritizes data in this order:

  1. Health data that you enter manually.
  2. Data from your iPhone, iPod touch, and Apple Watch.
  3. Data from apps and Bluetooth devices.

When you add a new data source, it appears above all other apps and devices that contribute data in Health. You can change the order of sources at any time.

View your data sources

Here's how to see which devices and apps update specific health categories:

  1. Open the Health app and tap the Browse tab.
  2. Tap a category, like Activity. If you don't see the category, swipe down to reveal the search bar, then enter a category.
  3. Tap a subcategory, like Steps.
  4. Scroll down, then tap Data Sources & Access. Only the sources that contribute to that data type will appear.

Here's how to see all of your sources for the Health app:

  1. Open the Health app.
  2. Tap your profile picture in the upper-right corner .
  3. Scroll down to Privacy, then tap Apps or Devices.

Prioritize data sources

Here's how to choose the sources that Health uses first:

  1. Open the Health app, then tap the Browse tab.
  2. Tap a category, then tap a subcategory.
  3. Scroll down, then tap Data Sources & Access.
  4. Tap Edit.
  5. Touch and hold the Change Order button next to a data source, then drag it up or down in the list.
  6. To turn off a data source so that it doesn't contribute any more data for that category, tap the checkmark next to the source.
  7. Tap Done.

If multiple sources contribute the same data type, then the data source at the top will take priority over other sources. Any new apps or devices that you add go to the top of the list automatically, above your iPhone or iPod touch.

Back up your Health data

Health information is stored in iCloud and gets encrypted as it goes between iCloud and your device, and while it's stored in iCloud. End-to-end encryption requires iOS 12 and two-factor authentication. To stop storing your Health data in iCloud, go to Settings > [your name] > iCloud and turn off Health.

If you aren't using iCloud, you can back up your information in Health by encrypting your iTunes backup.

The information that you create or gather about yourself is under your control, and it's encrypted with your passcode when you lock your iPhone.

Information about products not manufactured by Apple, or independent websites not controlled or tested by Apple, is provided without recommendation or endorsement. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance, or use of third-party websites or products. Apple makes no representations regarding third-party website accuracy or reliability. Contact the vendor for additional information.

Published Date: