Guides
Android - Google Play Store Guidelines
Follow these guidelines when submitting your app to the Google Play Store
There are 2 key permissions that may require a review from Google:
- Foreground Service Health
- Health Connect
Key Permission 1) Foreground Service Health
The SDK uses the FOREGROUND_SERVICE_HEALTH
permission.
The foreground service is the persistent notification that gathers the health data.
By default the notification displays Gathering health insights.
A video link must be provided showing how the foreground service works within the app.
Here’s an example video showing how the notification works.
Please record a short and clear video to include in your app submission.
Key Permission 2) Health Connect
The permissions that are declared in the project’s AndroidManifest.xml
file must be reviewed.
With every sensor enabled and declared, this might be what is seen in your Play Console:
Health Connect App Integration Requirements
To work with Health Connect, apps need to focus on making users' health and fitness better. They have to follow strong rules about privacy and safety from Google Play. This means they should only use health data for allowed reasons, get the right permissions, make sure users agree before sharing their data, and keep the data safe. Apps should also explain in a privacy policy how they handle user data, show users how to control their data, and might need to check their security practices.
To learn more about all the rules and what you need to do to use Health Connect, please refer to the official Health Connect policy requirements .
Health Connect by Android Permissions Overview
Health Connect lets apps access health and fitness information, which is very personal. When using Health Connect, apps must follow strict rules to keep this information safe and private. Apps should only ask for access to data if it's really needed to help users track and improve their health and fitness. This includes things like monitoring workouts, sleep, and eating habits, and sharing this data safely with other apps that help with health goals.
To use Health Connect, developers need to make sure they're using the data correctly, such as improving the app's health features and not for things like ads or selling information to others. If an app wants to use Health Connect for research, it must get permission from the people involved. It's also important for apps to be clear about how they use and protect health data, including having a privacy policy that explains everything to users. Developers must also keep this data secure, following best practices to prevent unauthorized access or leaks.
For more detailed rules and how to safely connect an app to Health Connect, please refer to the official guidelines for appropriate access and use of Health Connect .
Guidelines for Handling Personal and Sensitive User Data
When your app handles personal and sensitive data, like health information, contacts, or location, it's important to use this data responsibly and safely. Make sure to only collect and use data needed for your app's functions or what users would reasonably expect, securing it with modern methods like HTTPS. Always ask users clearly for their permission before accessing their data, and never sell their information. Be upfront with users about how you're using their data by providing clear in-app disclosures and obtaining their consent in a straightforward manner. Follow these practices to ensure user data is protected and used ethically.
For specific situations or more detailed guidelines, please refer to the official guidelines for personal and sensitive user data .
Google Health Connect API Request Form
Once the above guidelines have been read carefully, this request form must be filled out and submitted.
Below is a sample of what a filled-out form may look like, please make sure to read each question carefully and follow its instructions:
Health Research Use Case Disclaimer
If this is applicable to your app, please read and fill out the Fit & Health Research Form from the link provided below.
Please read the following description in it's entirety if you have selected 'Health Research' as a use case for your application:
Applications give users the opportunity to donate their data for health research studies. These studies are typically approved by an Institutional Review Board (IRB) or Ethics Committee (EC) and collect user consent for conducting health research.
Apps conducting health-related human subject research using data obtained through Health Connect must obtain consent from participants or, in the case of minors, their parent or guardian. Such consent must include the (a) nature, purpose, and duration of the research; (b) procedures, risks, and benefits to the participant; (c) information about confidentiality and handling of data (including any sharing with third parties); (d) a point of contact for participant questions; and (e) the withdrawal process. Apps conducting health-related human subject research using data obtained through Health Connect must receive approval from an independent board whose aim is 1) to protect the rights, safety, and well-being of participants and 2) with the authority to scrutinize, modify, and approve human subjects research. Proof of such approval must be provided upon request.
If this description does not fit your application use case, please revise your selected use cases in the previous section
If this description does fit your application use case, please take a moment right now to fill out the Fit & Health Research Form to provide us with the required details to expedite your review
READ Access
For the rationale, the appropriate justifications from the table below may be used to clearly articulate the reasoning behind the selected READ data types.
Data Type Justifications
Data Type | Justification |
---|---|
ActiveCaloriesBurnedRecord | We aim to track active calories burned to analyze users' energy expenditure during physical activities. This data is essential for understanding its impact on fitness and overall health. |
BasalBodyTemperatureRecord | Monitoring basal body temperature allows us to track metabolic changes that can affect both fitness and sleep quality. This data helps us identify patterns related to overall health. |
BasalMetabolicRateRecord | Measuring Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) enables us to understand users' caloric needs at rest, which is crucial for tailoring dietary recommendations and improving fitness outcomes. |
BloodGlucoseRecord | Blood glucose levels provide insights into how energy levels and physical performance are affected, helping us understand the metabolic aspects of fitness and its impact on overall health. |
BloodPressureRecord | Regular monitoring of blood pressure is vital for assessing cardiovascular health, allowing us to study the relationship between physical activity and heart health. |
BodyFatRecord | Tracking body fat percentage offers a comprehensive understanding of body composition changes, enabling us to evaluate the effectiveness of fitness programs and interventions. |
BodyTemperatureRecord | Regular monitoring of body temperature helps detect physiological responses to exercise, providing insights into how fitness activities affect overall health. |
BodyWaterMassRecord | Monitoring body water mass is essential for assessing hydration levels, which are crucial for physical performance, recovery, and sleep quality. |
BoneMassRecord | Tracking bone mass allows us to study bone health, particularly in relation to physical fitness activities that impact bone density and overall health. |
ExerciseSessionRecord | Detailed records of exercise sessions are necessary for analyzing physical activity patterns, which are crucial for understanding their impact on fitness and sleep quality. |
FloorsClimbedRecord | Tracking floors climbed provides additional insights into the intensity of physical activity, helping us measure users' fitness levels and cardiovascular health. |
HeartRateRecord | Monitoring heart rate is fundamental for understanding cardiovascular responses during exercise and rest, allowing us to assess the impact of physical activity on heart health. |
HeartRateVariabilityRmssdRecord | Heart rate variability (HRV) data is crucial for studying autonomic nervous system function and recovery, which are important for optimizing fitness programs and improving sleep quality. |
HeightRecord | Recording height is essential for accurately calculating other health metrics, such as BMI and body composition, which are vital for assessing fitness and overall health. |
LeanBodyMassRecord | Tracking lean body mass provides insights into changes in muscle mass, which is important for evaluating fitness progress and overall health. |
OxygenSaturationRecord | Monitoring oxygen saturation (SpO2) is important for assessing respiratory efficiency, which is crucial for understanding the impact of physical activity and sleep quality on overall health. |
RespiratoryRateRecord | Monitoring respiratory rate helps us study breathing patterns, allowing us to assess the effects of fitness and sleep on respiratory health. |
RestingHeartRateRecord | Resting heart rate data is a key indicator of cardiovascular fitness and recovery, providing essential insights into overall fitness and health. |
SleepSessionRecord | Recording sleep sessions is vital for analyzing sleep patterns and quality, helping us understand how sleep affects physical health and recovery. |
StepsRecord | Counting steps provides a simple yet effective measure of daily physical activity, encouraging users to move more and improve cardiovascular health and fitness. |
TotalCaloriesBurnedRecord | Tracking total calories burned helps us understand daily energy expenditure, aiding in balancing caloric intake with physical activity for better fitness and metabolic health. |
Vo2MaxRecord | VO2 max data is critical for measuring aerobic fitness, helping us understand users' fitness levels and optimize their training programs for improved health outcomes. |
WeightRecord | Regular weight monitoring is essential for tracking changes in body weight, which is important for managing weight goals and assessing overall health and fitness. |
WRITE Access
The SDK does not write any data to Health Connect
WRITE
access is not needed so a value of n/a
is sufficient.
Privacy Policy
Review Process Timeline
Please keep in mind this review process may take up to 7 business days.