Android Get Ready to Record Medical Symptoms on Health Connect, Google Expands Health App Functions

Google wants to make Health Connect a comprehensive health aggregator (photo: x @MishaalRahman)

Google is preparing a major update for Health Connect that has the potential to change the way Android manages user health data. In the development of the upcoming version of Android, Health Connect is said to not only record fitness activities, but also be able to track alcohol consumption to various medical symptoms, from stomach pain to sleep disorders.

Health Connect was first launched in 2022 as an integrated health data center on Android, allowing various fitness and health apps to securely share data. Over time, Google has continued to expand its functionality. On Android 16, the service already supports yoga sessions, meditation, as well as medical data such as allergies, vaccinations, and laboratory results. The latest update even adds native step tracking.

In the latest Android Canary release, Google is seen overhauling the Health Connect settings display. The main focus is now on the list of connected health apps, which is displayed directly on the front page. The menu is also simplified so that users can better understand who accesses what data, and when.

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Another important change is in the "App access" menu. Google groups permissions by data category, so users can allow or deny access to one data group at a time, without having to set up one by one. This approach is considered more concise and user-friendly, especially for those who have many health applications installed.

Behind the scenes, Google is also preparing support for new data types. Internal code indicates that Health Connect will recognize various types of alcoholic beverages, ranging from beer, wine, sake, to whiskey. In addition, this service is also projected to be able to record various medical symptoms such as muscle pain, nausea, fever, shortness of breath, digestive disorders, and insomnia.

This move indicates Google's ambition to make Health Connect a comprehensive health aggregator, combining daily sports data, lifestyle habits, medical records, to physical complaints. Strategically, this also strengthens Android's position to compete with Apple Health, which was first popular in the iOS ecosystem.

However, Health Connect does not collect data directly, except for footsteps. This system still relies on third-party apps to send data. The advantage is that Health Connect is a modular component of Android, so Google can distribute new features through the Play System Update without waiting for a full operating system update.

When this medical symptom tracking feature will be released widely is still unclear. But the direction of policy is clear: Android wants the phone not only to know how many steps you take today, but also why you feel unwell. Technology is getting more concerned - it's just that users are ready to be honest with their own health data