How to turn your phone into a personal health dashboard
Having a health app on your phone’s home screen has many uses, even if you don’t have a smartwatch or fitness tracker. With a little manual effort, you can use the app to get a better idea of your overall health.
You can keep a food and fitness diary there, for example. Most phones provide a basic step counting feature for free. And you can link other exercise and diet apps you use to streamline your data.
Many medical providers allow you to import records from your doctor, and you can create a “health ID” for your phone’s lock screen in case of an emergency.
Here’s how to get started.
Select your application
Although there are many third-party options, the core health apps from Google, Samsung, and Apple have been available for years and are constantly adding new features:
The deals on health apps can be a little overwhelming, so take your time to explore. Each app offers a place to manually record your daily workouts, food intake, emotional state and sleep time.
You can set medication reminders. And if you use a compatible standalone exercise or diet app, you can often link it to your health app so you don’t have to log updates twice.
Many phones already have the automatic step counting feature turned on. While not as accurate as some dedicated sensors, the number of steps displayed on the main screens Google Health, Samsung Health and Apple Health it can give you a general idea of your daily distance. (If your phone isn’t counting your steps, check your settings and make sure fitness tracking is turned on.)
Synchronize health records
Many healthcare providers use “patient portal” sites such as My chart which allows you to log in and view test results and other electronic medical records. If the provider’s website is compatible with your health app, you can sync these records and have them all in one place. You will need the login information you use for the provider’s online patient portal.
If you have privacy concerns about downloading digital records to another application, please review your health application’s privacy policy before proceeding. Google Health, Samsung Health and Apple Health they all have explanations on their sites. Note that federal privacy laws generally do not apply to mobile devices.
The Google Health Support Pages has page with detailed instructions. To sync your records directly from your healthcare provider, open the Google Health app, tap the Connect icon in the upper-left corner of the screen, and tap Health Records; iOS users must first tap Apps & Services to access the Medical Records option. On the Medical Records screen, select Manage Connections, then the Add More Providers button to search and sync files.
In the Samsung Health app, open the app, tap the Home tab at the bottom of the screen, scroll down and tap Health Records to begin.
At Apple Health applicationon the Summary screen, tap your profile icon in the upper right corner. On the next screen, tap on Health Records and follow the on-screen instructions to do so view your files, test results and other data from your doctor, or share information.
Create a medical ID
Even if you don’t plan to use it as a personal health database, your phone can display important information to health professionals on your phone’s lock screen if you’re incapacitated. These details may include blood type, any current prescriptions or medical conditions you have and the status of your organ donor.
On many Android models, open (or download and open). Personal safety and tap the Your Info tab at the bottom of the screen. Here you can add your medical information and emergency contact person.
On your Samsung Galaxy phone, tap the Settings icon, select Security & emergency, then tap options to add medical and emergency contact information.
On iPhone open the Health app. If you are not prompted to set up your Medical ID, tap your profile photo in the upper right corner and select Medical ID. On the next screen, add or edit the details you want to share and enable information to be displayed when the phone is locked.
Setting up a smartphone medical ID is worth your time: A recent studies led by the University of Rochester showed that the information was useful for patient care in 75 percent of cases.