What Is Health Connect on Android and How Does It Work?

If you use more than one health or fitness app, you have probably seen the name Health Connect. Here is what it is and why it matters.

The short version

Health Connect is Android’s way of letting health and fitness apps share data with each other. It is built into recent versions of Android and is available as an app on older ones. Instead of every app talking to every other app, they all talk to one shared place on your phone.

Why it exists

Before, getting steps from one app into another could be awkward or impossible. With a shared layer, a workout tracker can read data your wearable recorded, and a wellness app can read the workouts your tracker saved.

You choose what is shared

• Each app asks for permission by data type, such as steps, exercise sessions or heart rate.
• You can allow some types and refuse others.
• You can review and remove an app’s access later in your phone’s settings.

A privacy tip

Only connect apps you use and trust, and grant the minimum each one needs. Remove access for apps you no longer use. For a wider view, see our private fitness tracker checklist.

HALEBIT and Health Connect

In HALEBIT, Settings → Devices & health data lists Health Connect and heart-rate bands. In the Body tab, HALEBIT shows data your watch shares through Health Connect. If none has arrived yet, it says so and gives you an Open Health Connect button and a How to connect guide. Sleep can also be estimated from phone usage when no watch data is available. Integrations are optional and separate from the core experience.

Quick questions