Q: Is Health Connect only available on the Android platform?
A: Yes. Both the Health Connect API and the Health Connect app are available on the Android platform only.
Note that it is not available on Wear OS since it uses the Health Services API.
Q: Does Health Connect support Android phones without Google Play services installed?
A: No. Health Connect has certain compatibility requirements including that mobile devices have Android 9 (API 28) or higher with Google Play services installed.
Q: How does Health Connect compare with Google Fit?
A: The following table illustrates key architectural differences between the two APIs:
| Health Connect | Google Fit |
|---|---|
|
Device-centric
Health Connect is device-centric. Data is stored on the user's device instead of being associated with a specific Google account. |
Google Account-centric
Google Fit is account-centric. Data is stored on a server-side infrastructure. Its data model is entirely tied to specific Google accounts as opposed to the user's devices. This makes the server the source of truth in Google Fit. |
|
Fine-grained permissions
Users have granular control over which applications have read or
write access to each data type through Health Connect. |
OAuth-based permissions
Permissions in Google Fit require additional work as these are based on OAuth authentication. OAuth scopes may also cover a larger number of data types. |
|
Minor data processing
Health Connect involves very little data processing and derivation, with some minor exceptions for data types like Basal Calories and Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR). Therefore, developers will have access to more raw data with Health Connect. |
Service-specific data processing
Google Fit processes more data, turning some data types into others or merging them. Google Fit processes data for a specific service, rather than providing access to raw data as Health Connect does. |
Q: Is the Health Connect storage on-device or cloud based?
A: Health Connect provides on-device storage. Our goal is to create a system that puts users fully in control of their data, as well as which apps and services they share it with.
Q: Which mobile devices are able to use the Health Connect app?
A: Only mobile devices with Android 9 (API 28) or higher can use the Health Connect app. These devices must also have Google Play services installed.
Q: Does a Java SDK exist on Jetpack? Will this be added eventually?
A: The Health Connect SDK is only available in Kotlin. We don't have immediate plans to add a Java SDK to the Jetpack library. However, we may eventually support both programming languages depending on developer feedback.
Q: What is the range of historical data Health Connect can read or write?
A: Health Connect allows your app to read records with a time or
startTime for up to 30 days before your app's
first successful permission request.
If your app is uninstalled and then re-installed, the date is reset which marks
as your new starting date as if you use it for the first time.
There are no restrictions on the data you share with Health Connect, however
you should avoid writing large amounts of historical data at this time.
Similarly, you shouldn't write data associated with future events such as a
predicted MenstruationPeriodRecord.
Q: Who should I contact if I need help integrating with Health Connect?
A: If you have any technical questions, issues, or concerns about integrating with Health Connect, please contact health-connect-support@google.com.
Our support specialists work hard to respond to developer questions as quickly and comprehensively as possible. In the meantime, please remember to consult the Health Connect documentation for any guidance you may need.
Q: How do I request access to read or write data types?
A: For your app to have read or write access to Health Connect data types, please make a request through completing the Developer Declaration Form.
Keep in mind of the following when completing the form:
- Only request access for the necessary data types.
- Provide a valid use case for each requested access.
- Take note of some data types that share similar permission sets.
- Provide as much detail as possible when documenting the reason for your access request.