Sync to Mac

Sync health metrics and workouts from your iPhone to Health Auto Export on Mac using iCloud. On Mac, you can browse, export, or access the synced data through the MCP server.

Sync to Mac supplies data to the Mac app. To save CSV, JSON, or Markdown files directly to iCloud Drive, use an iCloud Drive automation.

Limitations

• Health Data Access: Apps are not allowed to access health data while iPhone is locked. Sync to Mac will only run during periods when your device is unlocked. This is a limitation imposed by Apple which cannot be circumvented. More information

• 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

• Syncing Existing Data: Health Auto Export will incrementally sync your existing data (before you started using the app). Due to the constraints mentioned above, this will take a long time if left solely to automatic syncing. Please see the instructions and recommendations for manual syncing below in order to make your historical data visible on Mac.

Prerequisites

• An Apple ID/iCloud account
• Signed into iCloud on your iPhone and Mac
• iCloud Drive enabled
• Health Auto Export Mac app installed (for viewing data on Mac)
• Premium subscription (Sync to Mac requires premium access)

Enable Sync to Mac

Sync to Mac is off by default. The following data types are currently supported for Sync to Mac:

• Health Metrics syncs the health measurements you select.
• Workouts syncs your workout history.

You can enable either option, both options, or leave both off. Tap Continue to save your choice and finish setup. To change it later, open Sync to Mac → Sync Settings and turn each option on or off. To stop all automatic syncing, turn both options off.

Quick Sync

Quick Sync syncs the last seven days of data to your Mac. Use it to get started or fill recent gaps.

On a standard iPhone, open the Export tab and select Sync to Mac. On iPhone Duo or iPad when using the sidebar, select Sync to Mac under Export. Then tap Quick Sync. Keep your iPhone unlocked while it syncs; this may take several minutes depending on the amount of data and your device's performance.

You can navigate to other screens in the app without stopping the sync. Return to Export or Sync to Mac to check progress or tap Stop.

Add the Sync to Mac Widget

The Sync to Mac widget lets you monitor sync status on your Home Screen and can help background syncing run when the system triggers it.

Step 1: Enter Edit Mode

1. Long press on your Home Screen
2. Tap the "+" button in the top left corner

Step 2: Add the widget

1. In the widget gallery, search for "Auto Export" or scroll to find it
2. Select the "Sync to Mac" widget
3. Tap "Add Widget" then drag the widget to your desired location
4. Place the widget. It is recommended you place it on the first page of your Home Screen.

Manual Sync

Use Manual Sync to refresh a specific date range, fill gaps, or make historical data available on Mac. You can move to other screens in the app without stopping it. Return to Export or Sync to Mac to check progress or tap Stop. Keep your iPhone unlocked while it syncs.

Sync Health Metrics

1. Open Sync to Mac → Sync Health Metrics.
2. Open Filter Health Metrics and select the metrics you want to sync.
3. Choose the start and end dates.
4. Tap Sync Manually.

Sync Workouts

1. Open Sync to Mac → Sync Workouts.
2. Choose the start and end dates.
3. Tap Sync Manually.

If some workouts fail to sync, successfully synced workouts are kept. You can retry the same date range safely.

Note: Manual syncs can take several minutes depending on the amount of data and date range selected.

Sync Behavior

Automatic Background Sync

Automatic sync refreshes recent data and gradually adds older history. Use Manual Sync to refresh a specific date range.

Keeping Health Auto Export open allows syncing to continue while your device is unlocked. Background syncing, including runs triggered by the Sync to Mac widget, depends on opportunities granted by iOS.

Sync Frequency

Sync to Mac has no configurable sync frequency. iOS controls background execution, so automatic syncing does not follow a guaranteed schedule.

Accessing Synced Data on Mac

Keep the AutoSync Folder Downloaded on Mac

When the Mac app asks you to keep the AutoSync folder downloaded:

1. Select Open Auto Export Folder.
2. Follow Verify Synced Data to select Keep Downloaded in Finder.
3. Return to Health Auto Export and confirm that you completed the step.

Health Auto Export cannot verify Finder’s Keep Downloaded setting, so confirm only after selecting it yourself.

Select Local Data at the bottom of the Mac sidebar to view active downloads, pending files, and files waiting to retry. Downloading available files… indicates downloads are in progress. All available files are saved on this Mac. confirms local availability; it does not mean the files contain the latest data on your iPhone.

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

Data Not Appearing on Mac

• Ensure Sync to Mac is enabled on your iPhone
• Verify you're signed into the same iCloud account on both devices
• Check that iCloud Drive is enabled
• Connect to the internet if you see an offline message in the Mac app
• Run a manual sync on your iPhone for the missing date range
• Ensure the AutoSync folder is set to Keep Downloaded and that the data is actually downloaded to disk

Verify Synced Data

Data is stored in iCloud Drive in an app-managed folder. Refer to the screenshot below:

1. Navigate to iCloud Drive > Auto Export > AutoSync as shown.
2. Right-click on the AutoSync folder and select Keep Downloaded.
   • This keeps synced data on disk at all times and can reduce wait time when opening large date ranges.
   • Health Auto Export for Mac can also download evicted files automatically when you view metrics, workouts, or exports.
3. Data is saved in the following folders:

   • Health Metrics

   • Workouts

   • Routes

   • In the Health Metrics folder

     • Select a health metric
     • Health metric data files are saved by date using names formatted as yyyyMMdd.hae
     • This means data for Jan 31, 2026 would be saved in the file 20260131.hae

   • In the Workouts folder files are saved using a combination of workout name, formatted date and workout ID.

     • E.g. traditional_strength_training_ABCD-EFGH-IJKL.hae

   • In the Routes folder route data is saved for workouts with associated workout routes. The file name corresponds to the ID of its associated workout.

Sync Not Working

• Verify you have a premium subscription
• Check that iCloud is enabled and working
• Ensure you have internet connectivity
• Verify iCloud Drive is enabled in Settings
• Check that the app has necessary health data access

Tips and Best Practices

• For large historical ranges, sync smaller date ranges and select fewer health metrics.
• Manual sync refreshes the selected metrics and date range regardless of how recently automatic sync ran.
• Charging your device can help syncing. You can also use iPhone Mirroring to allow health data access while using your Mac.
• Synced data counts toward your iCloud storage. Old data is retained unless you delete it.