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Backing Up Health & Activity Data

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profets

macrumors 603
Original poster
Mar 18, 2009
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Using the watch since launch, I have a lot of health and activity/workout data built up. Whenever doing updates or upgrades I backup & restore from that backup.

I don't mind once in a while doing a clean restore (wouldn't mind trying to iOS 10 in the fall), but is there any way to backup health and activity data separate from it being part of an iPhone backup? Any idea?
 
profets said:
Using the watch since launch, I have a lot of health and activity/workout data built up. Whenever doing updates or upgrades I backup & restore from that backup.

I don't mind once in a while doing a clean restore (wouldn't mind trying to iOS 10 in the fall), but is there any way to backup health and activity data separate from it being part of an iPhone backup? Any idea?
Click to expand...
No way that I know of. Wish there were but its all integrated into the phone backup.
 
gsmornot said:
No way that I know of. Wish there were but its all integrated into the phone backup.
Click to expand...

Thanks. That's what I figured. Really would like to have it separated it out. I know being health data that Apple is going to be very sensitive around it, but I'd be happy letting it sync to iCloud so that it isn't dependent on the phone.
 
profets said:
Using the watch since launch, I have a lot of health and activity/workout data built up. Whenever doing updates or upgrades I backup & restore from that backup.

I don't mind once in a while doing a clean restore (wouldn't mind trying to iOS 10 in the fall), but is there any way to backup health and activity data separate from it being part of an iPhone backup? Any idea?
Click to expand...
Sync Solver - Health to CSV
 
spitf1r3 said:
As far as I know this app can’t import data back, but I’m sue there is a workflow for this.
Click to expand...

Been searching a bit, found this app called Health Importer. Seems to be able to import from a CSV file.

From details, it looks like these apps can grab all health data, but not sure if it'll grab Activity, Workouts and Achievements from the Activity app. Only one way to find out.
 
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iOS 10 has an option in the Health app to export all health data. I see no option to import it again though. The data is exported as a zip file to whatever location you choose. Inside are two xml files with the data.
 
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roma0803 said:
iOS 10 has an option in the Health app to export all health data. I see no option to import it again though. The data is exported as a zip file to whatever location you choose. Inside are two xml files with the data.
Click to expand...
Maybe the import will be added in a future beta?
 
roma0803 said:
iOS 10 has an option in the Health app to export all health data. I see no option to import it again though. The data is exported as a zip file to whatever location you choose. Inside are two xml files with the data.
Click to expand...

spitf1r3 said:
Maybe the import will be added in a future beta?
Click to expand...

That's good to hear, thanks. Let's hope it'll be a feature by the time iOS 10 is final.
 
Kase1217 said:
If you actually export it to iCloud drive as an example, you can then tap on the zip drive and choose open with and it will give you an option to import back into health app
Click to expand...
Serious? Brilliant find!

Edit:
Tried it and I indeed get the option to look at the files inside the zip and copy the content to Health. Great find Kase!
 
Last edited:
Kase1217 said:
If you actually export it to iCloud drive as an example, you can then tap on the zip drive and choose open with and it will give you an option to import back into health app
Click to expand...
I was able to add it to my iCloud drive. However, when i click on the export.zip file within iCloud drive, it only gives me a preview content option or a share sheet which has an option called "Copy to Health". When i click on it it says none of the import files are valid Health Documents.
[doublepost=1466796406][/doublepost]I wanted to also add that you first need to do an OTA upgrade to preserve your data or do a restore and import your backup. ios9.3 does not have the export to iCloud option.
 
roma0803 said:
iOS 10 has an option in the Health app to export all health data. I see no option to import it again though. The data is exported as a zip file to whatever location you choose. Inside are two xml files with the data.
Click to expand...

This is there in iOS 9 as well.

Kase1217 said:
If you actually export it to iCloud drive as an example, you can then tap on the zip drive and choose open with and it will give you an option to import back into health app
Click to expand...

roma0803 said:
Serious? Brilliant find!

Edit:
Tried it and I indeed get the option to look at the files inside the zip and copy the content to Health. Great find Kase!
Click to expand...

This is only health data though, right? Not achievements, activity and workouts, correct?
 
Mlrollin91 said:
This is there in iOS 9 as well.





This is only health data though, right? Not achievements, activity and workouts, correct?
Click to expand...

That's what I'd like to know as well. I don't think this is exporting workouts, activity and achievements.

Honestly I get the privacy concerns around health data, but it would be so nice if at least for workouts and activity to let them sync with iCloud.
 
I don't think this is directly related to your question but I was tired of losing my daily rings when I had to restore (or whatever) my watch. Found out if you are using encrypted back ups that the activity rings are backed up as well (or so I'm told haven't had to try since the new os).
 
oftheheavens said:
I don't think this is directly related to your question but I was tired of losing my daily rings when I had to restore (or whatever) my watch. Found out if you are using encrypted back ups that the activity rings are backed up as well (or so I'm told haven't had to try since the new os).
Click to expand...

That's definitely the case. Encrypted backups will save all health and activity data. I've done it multiple times, including with iOS 10 beta. Just hoping more of it can move to the cloud so it's one less thing to worry about backup up / tying to a single device.
 
profets said:
That's definitely the case. Encrypted backups will save all health and activity data. I've done it multiple times, including with iOS 10 beta. Just hoping more of it can move to the cloud so it's one less thing to worry about backup up / tying to a single device.
Click to expand...
Still not sure how the import from iCloud works, tried but didn't see any options in beta 1.
 
guychicago said:
Still not sure how the import from iCloud works, tried but didn't see any options in beta 1.
Click to expand...
If you export the file to iCloud Drive. Then launch iCloud Drive on your iPhone and click the file you had previously exported, does it give an option to import to health?
 
Mlrollin91 said:
If you export the file to iCloud Drive. Then launch iCloud Drive on your iPhone and click the file you had previously exported, does it give an option to import to health?
Click to expand...

I have Beta 1 installed. Will give it a try in a bit. I was going to try this yesterday, but it was taking a lot time to export, looked as if it hung or got stuck.
 
Mlrollin91 said:
If you export the file to iCloud Drive. Then launch iCloud Drive on your iPhone and click the file you had previously exported, does it give an option to import to health?
Click to expand...
Nope! I see an option called "Copy to Health". See my post above of what the error message is when i click that.
 
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