Sync Apple Health Data to Dropbox

Dropbox automations allow you to automatically backup your health data to Dropbox. Files are organized in folders and can be exported in JSON or CSV format, making it easy to access your health data from any device or share it with others.

Overview

Dropbox automations automatically upload your health data to a specified folder in your Dropbox account. Files are organized by date range (day, week, month, or year) and can be accessed from any device with Dropbox access.

Use Cases:

• Automatic cloud backup of health data
• Accessing health data from multiple devices
• Sharing health data with healthcare providers
• Long-term data archival
• Integration with other services that can access Dropbox

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. This can affect data freshness. See instructions for manual syncing to keep data up to date.

• 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

Prerequisites

• Dropbox account
• Internet connectivity

Configuration

Navigate to the Automated Exports screen from the main navigation, then tap New Automation" and select "Dropbox" as the Automation Type.

Automation Name

Enter a descriptive name for your automation (e.g., "Daily Health Backup", "Weekly Health Export"). This name will be used to identify your automation.

Enabled Status & Notifications

Configure the automation status and notification preferences:

• Status Enabled - Toggle to enable or disable the automation
• Notify on Cache Update - Receive a notification when cached data is updated
• Notify When Run - Receive a notification each time the automation uploads data

Automation Type

Select "Dropbox" as the Automation Type. This determines where your health data will be exported.

Dropbox Connection

Before configuring other settings, you must connect your Dropbox account.

Connecting Dropbox

1. Tap "Connect Dropbox" button
2. You'll be redirected to Dropbox's authorization page
3. Sign in to your Dropbox account if prompted
4. Review the permissions requested by the app and authorize
5. Copy the code provided then return to Health Auto Export and paste it to continue

Note: The app requests access to create and manage files in its own folder in your Dropbox. It only accesses folders it creates and does not access your entire Dropbox.

Folder Name

After connecting, enter the name of the folder in Dropbox where your health data will be saved.

Folder Name Examples:

• Health Data
• Daily Backup
• Health Exports
• My Health Metrics

Note: The folder will be created automatically in your Dropbox "Apps" directory if it doesn't exist. Avoid using special characters that might cause issues with file systems.

Managing Connection

After connecting, you can manage your Dropbox connection:

1. Tap "Manage Connection" in the Dropbox configuration section
2. View your connection status
3. Reconnect if needed
4. Disconnect if you want to use a different account

Data Type Settings

Data Type

Select which type of health data to export:

• Health Metrics - Steps, heart rate, sleep, and other health measurements
• Workouts - Exercise and fitness activities
• Symptoms - Health symptoms and conditions
• ECG - Electrocardiogram readings
• Heart Rate Notifications - High/low/irregular heart rate events
• State of Mind - Mood and mental state entries (iOS 18.0+)
• Cycle Tracking - Menstrual cycle and reproductive health data
• Medications - Medication logs and adherence (iOS 26.0+)

Health Metrics Configuration

When Health Metrics is selected:

Select Health Metrics - Choose which specific metrics to include. You can select all available metrics or choose specific ones.

Tip: Selecting only the metrics you need can reduce file size and improve upload speed.

Preferred Sources - Configure which data sources take priority when multiple sources provide the same metric.

Workout Configuration

When Workouts is selected:

Include Route Data - Toggle ON to include GPX route files for workouts that have location data.

Include Workout Metrics - Toggle ON to include health metrics collected during workouts (heart rate, calories, etc.).

Note: Including workout metrics requires additional data lookups and can increase file size and processing time.

Time Grouping (Workout Metrics) - When using Export Version 2 and Include Workout Metrics is enabled:

• Minutes - Groups workout metrics by minute
• Seconds - Groups workout metrics by second

Export Settings

Export Format

Select the format for your exported data:

• JSON format - Provides detailed data structures with nested objects. Best for applications, databases, and detailed analysis. JSON format includes more detailed information for complex data types like sleep phases and AFib readings.

• CSV format - Provides tabular data that can be easily imported into spreadsheet applications like Excel, Numbers, or Google Sheets. Best for simple data analysis and viewing.

Tip: Use JSON for comprehensive data storage and CSV for easy viewing in spreadsheet applications.

Export Version

Select an Export Version. Versioning allows transitioning between updated versions of the export at your own pace and minimizes breaking changes to workflows.

• Version 1 - Legacy format, use if you have existing workflows that depend on this format
• Version 2 - Current format with localization support for health metrics and enhanced workout data and more detailed metadata options

Date Range

Select how data should be organized into files:

• Day - Creates separate files for each day
• Week - Creates separate files for each week
• Month - Creates separate files for each month
• Year - Creates separate files for each year

File Organization:

• Files are named based on the date range they contain
• Each file contains all data for that time period
• Files are saved in the folder specified in Folder Name

Time Grouping

Select how data should be aggregated within each file. Available options depend on the selected Date Range:

Note: More granular aggregation (minutes/hours) creates larger files but provides more detailed data. Less granular aggregation (days/weeks/months) creates smaller files with summarized data.

Summarize Data

When using JSON format with Health Metrics data type, toggle Summarize Data ON or OFF.

• ON - Provides aggregated data summaries (default)
• OFF - Provides disaggregated data where possible, showing individual data points

Note: This setting only applies to JSON format with Health Metrics. Data is always aggregated when using CSV format or when multiple metrics are selected.

Sync Cadence

Configure how often the automation should upload data to Dropbox:

Select a number and interval.

Testing & Verification

Manual Testing

1. Tap "Manual Export" in the automation configuration screen
2. Select a date range
3. Tap "Export" to upload a file
4. Check your Dropbox folder to verify the file was uploaded

Viewing Activity Logs

1. Tap "View Activity Logs" in the automation configuration screen
2. Review recent automation runs
3. Check for upload errors or connection issues
4. Verify upload timestamps

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

"Validation error: No Dropbox token found. Connect Dropbox to get a token."

• Tap "Connect Dropbox" to authorize the app
• Ensure you completed the authorization process

Connection/Token Errors

• Tap "Manage Connection" to reconnect
• Verify your internet connection
• Check that your Dropbox account is active
• Re-authorize the app if tokens have expired

Files Not Appearing in Dropbox

• Wait a few moments for the upload to complete
• Check your internet connection
• Check Activity Logs for upload errors
• Ensure the automation is enabled

Upload Failures

• Check your internet connection
• Verify you have available Dropbox storage space
• Check Activity Logs for specific error messages
• Try a manual export to test connectivity

Token Expiry

• Tokens are automatically refreshed when they expire
• If refresh fails, you may need to reconnect
• Tap "Manage Connection" to reconnect if needed

Error Messages

The app will display error messages if:

• Dropbox connection fails
• Upload fails due to network issues
• Dropbox storage quota is exceeded
• Invalid folder name or path
• Token refresh fails

Check the Activity Logs for detailed error information including HTTP status codes and Dropbox API error messages.

Tips and Best Practices

1. File Format:

   • Use JSON for comprehensive data storage
   • Use CSV for easy viewing in spreadsheet applications
   • Consider your use case when choosing format

2. Sync Frequency:

   • More frequent syncing provides better data freshness

3. Data Selection:

   • Select only the metrics you need to reduce file size
   • Consider your Dropbox storage limits

4. Access:

   • Files can be accessed from any device with Dropbox
   • Share folders with healthcare providers if needed
   • Use Dropbox's sharing features to collaborate