Google is building Health Connect into something much bigger than a fitness tracker. As per a new report from Mishaal Rehman (via Android Authority), the company is adding medical records and symptom tracking in upcoming Android versions, trying to catch up to Apple Health’s ten-year head start.

Health Connect launched in 2022 to fix Android’s messy health data problem. Before this, fitness apps kept their own data, and users had to manage permissions separately for each one. Health Connect creates a single place where apps can read and write health data after users grant permission. It started with about 40 data types for fitness and wellness.

Google’s November Android Canary release show where Google is headed. Upcoming Android 16 versions will added support for medical records like allergies, vaccinations, and lab results. It also added yoga and meditation sessions. Android 16 QPR2 brought native step tracking. This is the first time Google collected health data directly instead of pulling it from other apps.

Google won’t share user numbers, but Health Connect now comes preinstalled on most phones running Android 14 or newer. Hundreds of apps have added support, including Fitbit, Samsung Health, Google Fit, Nike Run Club, MyFitnessPal, Oura, and Peloton. Developers like it because it cuts down their work and meets Android’s privacy rules.

The interface is getting simpler. As per findings by Rahman, Android Canary builds show a redesigned settings page that lists connected apps first instead of recent data access. Users can now grant or block entire categories of data instead of toggling each type individually. Google removed icons and separate browsing pages, putting everything on one screen.

Google is preparing to add alcohol tracking and a long list of symptoms: different pain types, digestive problems, breathing issues, sleep troubles, and heart symptoms. With medical record support already live, Health Connect is becoming a full health data system, not just a fitness tool.

Apple Health still leads by a wide margin. It’s been on every iPhone for over a decade and works closely with Apple Watch, hospitals, and insurance companies. Samsung Health and Fitbit are still popular, but both now use Health Connect to share data with other apps.

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(Source: Android Authority)

The post Health Connect on Android Is Testing Alcohol Intake Tracking and Medical Records Support appeared first on Gizmochina.

Google Health Connect app has been launched for Android. It is currently in Beta version and can be downloaded from the Google Play Store. In simpler terms, Google Health Connect integrates more than ten health, fitness, and wellness apps including Fitbit, Samsung Health, MyFitnessPal, Peloton, Oura, Flo, Lifesum etc. Health Connect has been co-developed by Google and Samsung to simplify app integration and centralised privacy control. 

The Google Health Connect app weighs only 3MB in beta version. Smartwatch and fitness tracker users have to rely on various apps for monitoring various health-related metrics. This is where the Health Connect app comes in place. It aims to reduce users’ dependency on different apps to manage their health data. It allows users to share health and fitness data across Android devices with user consent. The app shows the permissions that are granted to each health and fitness app on the device. Any single permission, including those for heart rate, sleep, steps, calories burned, etc., can be granted or revoked through it. The health data stored via Health Connect can be deleted at any time.

The Google Health Connect app supports more than 40 data types spanning six categories. It aims to give users more in-depth health insights and keep track of things like workout, sleep patterns, and other vital signs. 

Google hasn’t revealed when it plans to roll out a stable version of the Health Connect app. The search giant is currently working on adding more partners and new features to the app. 

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