I believe data is best analyzed when it is synced properly between apps. For long, I wanted my Oura data in Apple’s Health app. Through some tinkering, I have perfected the method to sync Oura’s step and other data directly to Apple Health.
Unlike syncing Oura with Samsung Health, this process doesn’t require an extra bridging app. So, I thought I’d share my experience and help you add your Oura app data to the Health app on your iPhone.
Syncing Oura Data and Apple Health App
Before you start, update the Oura app and the Health app to their latest versions to avoid any issues in operation. Here’s a detailed look at each method:
1. Add Oura Data to the Health App From the Oura App
Apple Health synchronization is ready for members with Gen2 rings or Gen3 members with active membership.
When you first set up your ring, you can choose to sync it with Apple Health. But if you hit the Skip button, here’s how you can manually add it now:
1. Open the Oura App.
2. Tap the Hamburger Menu (three horizontal lines) in the top left corner of the Home tab.
3. Now, select Settings.
4. Scroll down to the “Data Sharing” section and tap on the Apple Health option.
5. Here, you’ll see the following toggles. Enable the ones you want to share:
- Connect to Health
- Save Mindful Minutes to Health
2. Add Oura Data to the Health App from the Health App
1. Open the Health app on your iPhone. Tap on your profile picture in the upper right corner of the screen.
2. Select Apps and Services under the Privacy section. It will display a list of all apps currently integrated with your Health app.
3. Tap on Oura.
4. Here, you’ll see toggles for various data categories. Enable the ones you want to share between Oura and Apple Health.
Now that you’ve completed these steps, your Oura data will automatically sync with your Apple Health app!
Note: Although you can’t input Oura data directly into the Apple Health app, you can decide which data type is shared after linking it through the Oura app.
How To Prioritize Oura for Steps?
For years, I relied on the Apple Health app alone to track my steps. But after adding the Oura Ring and syncing its app with Apple Health, the step count got messed up. Two trackers made it confusing.
Just like everyone else, my ring is with me more than my iPhone or other trackers. So, I made Apple Health prioritize steps from my Oura ring. Now, my step data is accurate and free from duplicates. Here’s how I did it:
1. Open the Health app on your iPhone.
2. Tap the Browse tab at the bottom right corner of the Health app screen.
3. Scroll down until you see the Activity category, select it.
4. Now, tap on the Steps option.
5. Scroll down to the bottom of the screen and tap Data Sources & Access.
6. Tap Edit in the top right.
7. Look for the Oura Ring in this list and tap and hold the hamburger menu icon next to it.
8. Now, drag the Oura Ring icon all the way to the top of the list and release it.
By doing this, your Oura Ring’s step data is prioritized over other sources. If you later decide to prioritize another tracker’s steps, you can revisit these steps and adjust accordingly.
Data Transfer in The Oura App and Apple Health
Now, it’s time to see how these apps exchange information. With this two-way sync, you can get a complete overview of your fitness and health.
| Data Sets Oura App is Allowed to Read from Apple Health | Data Sets Oura App is Allowed to Write in Health |
|---|---|
| Date of Birth | Active Energy: Active calories burned, excluding Basal Metabolic Rate (BMR) |
| Sex | Workouts • Manual, AAD & Recorded Through Workout Heart Rate. • Workout Active Calories, Distance, Duration (Start and End time), and Type |
| Weight | Resting Energy |
| Workout Routes | Heart rate: in one-minute intervals |
| Workouts• Active Calories • Distance • Duration (Start and End time) • Type | Respiratory Rate: average nighttime respiratory rate |
| Height and Weight | |
| Sleep: Duration, Start & End Time, and Stages | |
| Steps | |
| Mindful Minutes |
Please note: Steps in Oura won’t affect the Stand Ring on the Apple Watch, which measures how many hours you stood and moved for at least a minute. This is due to Apple’s limitations and relying only on the watch’s motion data.
Furthermore, Apple Health syncs only high-level data from outside sources, showing activity without detailed calculations or analytics.
Syncing Problems and Solutions
Every so often, I face struggles with my Oura Ring’s app syncing to my iPhone’s Health app. Here’s what causes it and how I’ve dealt with it:
Reasons
- Outdated Phone Software: I found that an outdated phone operating system can cause compatibility problems with connected apps.
- Disabled Data Sharing: Sometimes, I find that the data sharing settings for Oura in Apple Health are turned off. It stops any data exchange between the apps. Well, that is obvious!
- Integration Glitch: Temporary glitches usually disrupt the connection.
- Background App Refresh Restrictions & Low Power Mode: For trekking or trips, I limit the App Refresh feature and enable Low Power Mode to save data and battery on my phone. If I forget to change these settings back, it disrupts the syncing of the apps.
- Conflicting Data Sources: It hasn’t been a problem for me yet, but using several fitness trackers with Apple Health can cause data conflicts, resulting in syncing issues.
- Incomplete Data: I have noticed that the Oura app usually doesn’t read workout data from Apple Health if the workout information is incomplete.
- App Issues: In rare cases, the Oura App might have internal issues that disrupt data syncing functionality.
Solutions
1. Update iPhone’s OS
Check that your phone is using the latest version of its iOS. Old software can sometimes cause issues with app compatibility. Go to your iPhone’s Settings app, check updates, and install them if available.
2. Confirm Data Sharing Settings
- Open the Health app on your iPhone.
- Tap your profile picture.
- Under Privacy, select Apps and Services.
- Select Oura and verify that the data-sharing switches are on for the info you want to be synced.
3. Reset the Oura and Apple Health Integration
- Open the Oura App.
- Tap the menu icon.
- Navigate to Settings.
- Select Apple Health under Data Sharing.
- Turn off all the data-sharing toggles. Wait briefly and then re-enable them.
- Finally, restart your phone to complete the process.
4. Adjust Background App Refresh Settings
- Access the settings app of your iPhone.
- Search for Background App Refresh in the search bar.
- Enabled it for both the Oura App and Apple Health.
5. Disable Low Power Mode
- Tap the app with the cog icon to open your iPhone’s settings.
- Select the Battery option.
- Now, turn off Low Power Mode by tapping on it and turning the toggle off. It will enhance data transfer in the background.
- You can re-enable Low Power Mode later to conserve battery life as needed.
6. Set Oura as the Primary Step Tracker
When using multiple fitness trackers, choose Oura as the primary step counter in the Apple Health app. It will prevent counting steps twice. Refer to the “How To Prioritize Oura for Steps” section above for step-by-step instructions.
7. Verify Workout Data Completeness
Check that the workout data you want to sync from Apple Health is complete. Data that is in progress or hasn’t a complete date attached may not import correctly and cause syncing issues.
8. Reinstall the Oura App
When other fixes don’t work, I choose to reinstall the apps. It’s my trick not just for fixing Oura and Apple Health syncing issues, but general. However, I always try to back up app data to prevent any loss.
Occasionally, though, apps can be stubborn, and sometimes, I lose a whole day’s data or more. So, I want you to proceed with care. Here is what you have to do:
- Open the Oura App.
- Tap the menu icon.
- Tap Settings.
- Scroll down to Account.
- Tap Back up all data.
- After the backup is complete, uninstall and reinstall the Oura App.
After completing the backup, uninstall the Oura App and reinstall it. Log back into your account to resume your health tracking.
As you’re reinstalling the Oura app, it might be worth reinstalling Apple Health too for a fresh start and better performance.
9. Contact Oura Support
If none of the tips work, I contact Oura Support. There are several options — Help Topics, FAQs, Finn the AI Chatbot, or Submit a Request. Additionally, I sometimes message Oura Support directly on platforms like Facebook, Instagram, Reddit, and X (formerly Twitter). Oura Customer Service analyzes the issue and offers tailored suggestions.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wrap Up
I’ve found syncing Oura data with Apple Health to be incredibly helpful. It’s an easy process to bring my different health data types together.
However, I hope Oura can expand its ability to import more data types from Apple Health to match its robust export capabilities. That unified approach of having more data types in a single platform would help me and many others seeking a comprehensive health overview.
