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Sync Apple Health Data to iCloud Drive

Sync your health data to iCloud Drive for easy access.

Last updated: February 5, 2026

iCloud Drive automations allow you to automatically save your health data to iCloud Drive. Files are saved directly to iCloud Drive and can be accessed from any device signed into the same iCloud account.

Overview

iCloud Drive automations automatically save your health data to iCloud Drive in a folder structure organized by automation name. Files are organized by date range (day, week, month, or year) and can be exported in JSON or CSV format.

Use Cases:

  • Automatic backup to iCloud Drive
  • Accessing health data from multiple Apple devices
  • Simple, no-authentication-required backup solution
  • Long-term data archival

Key Features:

  • Supports both JSON and CSV formats

  • No authentication required

  • Direct file system access

  • Works seamlessly across Apple devices
    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

  • An Apple ID/iCloud account
  • iCloud Drive enabled on your device
  • Sufficient iCloud storage space
  • The app must have iCloud Drive access

Configuration

Navigate to the Automated Exports screen from the main navigation, then tap New Automation" and select "iCloud Drive" 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 as the folder name in iCloud Drive.

Note: The folder will be created at Documents/{automation_name}/ in the app's iCloud Drive container.

Notifications

Configure when you want to receive notifications:

  • Notify on Cache Update - Receive a notification when cached data is updated
  • Notify When Run - Receive a notification each time the automation saves data

iCloud Drive Setup

iCloud Drive automations require no special authentication setup. The app uses your device's iCloud account automatically.

Requirements:

  • You must be signed into iCloud on your device
  • iCloud Drive must be enabled
  • The app must have permission to access iCloud Drive

Verifying iCloud Drive Access:

  • Go to Settings > [Your Name] > iCloud
  • Ensure iCloud Drive is enabled
  • The app will automatically use your iCloud account

Note: If you're not signed into iCloud or iCloud Drive is disabled, the automation will not work.

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 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 processing time.

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 routes for workouts that have location data.

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

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 imported into other tools.

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 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 saved to Auto Export/{automation_name}/ in iCloud Drive
  • Files are named based on the date range they contain
  • Each file contains all data for that time period

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.

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.

Sync Cadence

Configure how often the automation should save data to iCloud Drive:

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 save a file
  4. Check your iCloud Drive folder to verify the file was saved

Verifying Files in iCloud Drive

  1. Open the Files app (iOS) or Finder (macOS)
  2. Navigate to iCloud Drive > Health Auto Export > [your automation name]
  3. Verify files are present with expected names and dates
  4. Check files to ensure data was saved correctly

Viewing Activity Logs

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

Accessing Files

Opening iCloud Drive Folder

  1. Tap "Open iCloud Drive" in the automation configuration screen (under Help & Troubleshooting)
  2. This opens the Files app to the automation's folder
  3. Browse and manage files directly

File Location

Files are saved to:

iCloud Drive > Health Auto Export > {automation_name}/

Accessing from iOS:

  • Use the Files app
  • Navigate to iCloud Drive
  • Find "Health Auto Export" folder
  • Open your automation's folder

Accessing from macOS:

  • Open Finder
  • Navigate to iCloud Drive
  • Find "Health Auto Export" folder
  • Open your automation's folder

Accessing from iCloud.com:

  • Sign in to iCloud.com
  • Open iCloud Drive
  • Find "Health Auto Export" folder
  • Download files as needed

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Files Not Appearing in iCloud Drive

  • Ensure you're signed into iCloud
  • Verify iCloud Drive is enabled in Settings
  • Check that the automation has run at least once
  • Try opening the folder using "Open iCloud Drive" button
  • Check Activity Logs for save errors

iCloud Drive Sync Issues

  • Ensure you have internet connectivity
  • Check iCloud Drive sync status in Settings
  • Verify you have sufficient iCloud storage space
  • Wait for iCloud Drive to sync (can take a few minutes)
  • Try signing out and back into iCloud (last resort)

"Folder does not appear to exist" Error

  • Ensure the automation has run at least once
  • Run a manual export to create the folder
  • Check that iCloud Drive is enabled and syncing
  • Verify you're signed into the same iCloud account

Save Failures

  • Check your internet connection
  • Verify you have available iCloud storage space
  • Check Activity Logs for specific error messages
  • Try a manual export to test iCloud Drive access
  • Ensure iCloud Drive is enabled for the app

Files Not Syncing Across Devices

  • Ensure all devices are signed into the same iCloud account
  • Check iCloud Drive sync status on each device
  • Wait for iCloud Drive to sync (can take time)
  • Verify iCloud Drive is enabled on all devices
  • Check available iCloud storage space

Error Messages

The app will display error messages if:

  • iCloud Drive is not enabled
  • Not signed into iCloud
  • Insufficient iCloud storage space
  • iCloud Drive sync failures
  • File save errors

Check the Activity Logs for detailed error information.

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. Data Selection:

    • Select only the metrics you need to reduce file size
    • Consider creating separate automations for different metric groups
    • This helps organize data and reduces individual file sizes

  3. Storage Management:

    • Monitor your iCloud storage usage
    • iCloud provides 5GB free storage (upgradeable)
    • Consider upgrading iCloud storage if needed
    • Archive old files if needed to free up space

  4. Cross-Device Access:

    • Files sync automatically across all Apple devices
    • Access files from iPhone, iPad, Mac, and iCloud.com
    • Use the Files app on iOS or Finder on macOS
    • Files are available offline after initial sync

  5. Security:

    • Uses your iCloud account's security
    • Consider iCloud's privacy settings
    • Files are private to your iCloud account

  6. macOS Integration:

    • Access files directly from Finder
    • Use macOS apps that can read JSON/CSV files
    • Set up folder actions or automations on macOS
    • Use Terminal to process files if needed

  7. File Management:

    • Use the Files app to organize files
    • Create subfolders if needed (manually)
    • Delete old files to free up space
    • Use tags in Files app for organization