Smartphone

Years of steps, sleep and workouts can feel locked inside one app. Before you change brands, take a copy. When you export your health data, you keep a personal record you can open later, move into another service, or simply store for peace of mind. Most major apps offer an export option, even if it is hidden a few menus deep.

Where to Find the Export Option

App Where to Export What You Get
Apple Health Profile picture, Export All Health Data A zip file with your records
Garmin Connect Garmin account data management, export your data An archive of activities and health data
Fitbit Google account data export Files grouped by data type
Samsung Health Settings, download personal data Files saved to your phone
Oura Oura on the web, data export Spreadsheet files by day
Strava Account settings, download or delete your account Activity files and a summary sheet

Menu names change with updates, so search the app’s help pages for “export” if you cannot find it.

Export files can be large if you have years of data. Apple Health archives in particular may take several minutes to build on the phone, so plug it in and keep the screen awake while it works. Large Garmin and Google exports usually arrive as a download link by email once they are ready.

Step-by-step Plan

  1. Sync your watch or ring one last time so the newest data is in the app.
  2. Request the export. Some services prepare it in minutes, others email a link later.
  3. Download the file to a computer and keep a second copy in cloud storage.
  4. Open it once to confirm it is not empty or corrupted.
  5. Only then reset or sell the old device.

Keep Workouts Portable

Individual workouts can often be downloaded as GPX or FIT files, which most fitness apps can import. If you use Strava, it already stores a copy of every synced workout, which makes switching easier. Many people connect their watch to Strava for this reason alone. Our Garmin Connect guide shows where activity files live in that app.

Moving Data Into a New Ecosystem

Exports are not always easy to import. Apple Health does not read most other brands’ files directly, and Android’s Health Connect focuses on sharing new data between apps. Third-party transfer tools can help fill the gap. If you are changing phones as well, our guide on switching from Android to iPhone with a smartwatch explains what moves automatically. For Android users, see our Health Connect guide.

Protect Your Privacy

Health exports contain sensitive personal information. Store them in a secure place, avoid sending them over open email, and delete extra copies you do not need. Before you sell the old device, sign out, unpair it and run a factory reset so the next owner cannot see your data. Our Apple Health explainer covers how health data is stored on iPhone.

Final Thoughts

Before you switch brands, sync once more, request an export, save two copies and confirm the file opens. It takes a few minutes and protects years of personal history. Then you can try a new watch or ring knowing your past data is safe.

FAQs

Will I lose my data if I delete the old app?

Not if it is stored in your account. Most brands keep history in the cloud, but export a copy first to be safe.

Can I move Fitbit data to Apple Health?

Not directly. Export your Fitbit data, then use a third-party tool if you want it inside Apple Health.

What file format do workout exports use?

Usually GPX, FIT or TCX. Most fitness apps can import at least one of these formats.