Automations

Automations allow you to automatically export and sync your Apple Health data to various destinations without manual intervention. This guide provides an overview of the automations feature and links to detailed guides for each automation type.

Overview

Automations are configured workflows that automatically export your health data to external services, cloud storage, or other destinations. Once configured, automations can run automatically in the background.

Benefits:

• Automatic data backup and synchronization
• No manual intervention required
• Configurable sync frequency
• Multiple automation types for different use cases
• Background operation (app doesnt need to be open)

Use Cases:

• Automatic cloud backups
• Integration with home automation systems
• API integrations for custom applications
• Data analysis and visualization platforms
• Sharing health data with healthcare providers

Limitations:

• Health Data Access: Apps are not allowed to access health data while iPhone is locked. Automations will only run during periods when your device is unlocked.

• Background Processing: iOS limits background processing to preserve battery life. Automations rely on Background App Refresh and may not run immediately if:

  • Background App Refresh is disabled for the app
  • The device is in Low Power Mode
  • The device has been inactive for extended periods
  • System resources are constrained
  • Multiple apps are competing for background execution time

• Scheduling: Related to background processing, iOS also does not allow apps to run in the background at a specified time. This means even when you set a particular sync cadence, automations are not guaranteed to run precisely at the specified time. Your device must be unlocked and iOS will determine when the automation runs in the background. Automations can also be triggered manually via the following methods:

  • Automations widget: tap the widget icon to trigger the automation
  • Shortcuts: Use Health Auto Exports Run Automation Shortcut action
  • Trigger manually in-app: Go to the automation in Health Auto Export, then perform a Manual Export

Available Automation Types

Health Auto Export supports several automation types, each designed for specific use cases:

REST API

Send health data to any web service that accepts HTTP POST requests. Ideal for custom backends, webhooks, and third-party APIs.

Guide: REST API Automation Guide

Home Assistant

Sync health metrics to Home Assistant as sensor states. Perfect for integrating health data into your smart home automations.

Guide: Home Assistant Automation Guide

MQTT

Publish health data to an MQTT broker. Great for IoT platforms and MQTT-based systems.

Guide: MQTT Automation Guide

Dropbox

Automatically backup health data to Dropbox. Files are organized in folders and can be accessed from any device.

Guide: Dropbox Automation Guide

Google Drive

Automatically backup health data to Google Drive. CSV files can be converted to Google Sheets for easy viewing.

Guide: Google Drive Automation Guide

iCloud Drive

Save health data directly to iCloud Drive. Simple setup with no authentication required.

Guide: iCloud Drive Automation Guide

Calendar

Create calendar events based on your health data. Visualize workouts, health milestones, and other events in your calendar.

Guide: Calendar Automation Guide

Creating Your First Automation

1. Navigate to the Automated Exports screen from the main navigation
2. Tap "New Automation"
3. Select an Automation Type
4. Configure the automation-specific settings (see individual guides)
5. Configure common settings (data type, sync cadence, etc.)
6. Tap "Update" to save
7. Enable the automation

Best Practices

1. Sync Frequency:

   • Balance between data freshness and resource usage
   • Daily syncs work well for most use cases
   • More frequent syncs for real-time needs
   • Less frequent syncs for summary data

2. Data Selection:

   • Select only the metrics you need
   • Reduces processing time and data size
   • Consider separate automations for different metric groups

3. Testing:

   • Run a manual export
   • Verify data appears at destination
   • Check Activity Logs for errors
   • Monitor initial syncs closely

4. Monitoring:

   • Review Activity Logs regularly
   • Check automation status indicators
   • Set up notifications for important automations
   • Monitor destination for received data

5. Security:

   • Use secure authentication methods
   • Keep credentials updated
   • Use HTTPS/TLS when available
   • Review privacy settings

6. Performance:

   • Use appropriate time grouping
   • Consider date range settings for cloud storage
   • Monitor battery and data usage

7. Backup Strategy:

   • Use multiple automation types for redundancy
   • Combine cloud storage with API integrations
   • Keep local backups when possible
   • Test restore procedures

8. Troubleshooting:

   • Check Activity Logs first
   • Verify network connectivity
   • Check authentication credentials
   • Review individual automation guides for specific issues

Automation Widget

Add the "Automations" Widget to your Home Screen to:

• Monitor automation status at a glance
• Manually trigger automations
• Optimize background uploads

Getting Help

If you need help with a specific automation type:

1. Refer to the individual automation guide
2. Check Activity Logs for error messages
3. Review troubleshooting sections
4. Contact support if issues persist