Health App Data Export: What to Look For

Your health data is yours. But can you actually get it out of your health app when you need it?

Data export capabilities matter more than most people realize when choosing a health app. Here's why, and what to look for.

Why Data Export Matters

Avoiding Lock-In

If you can't export your data, you're locked into the app. Want to switch to a better alternative? You'd be starting from scratch, losing years of health history.

Long-Term Durability

Apps and companies come and go. What happens to your health data if the company shuts down? With robust export, you have backups that survive the app.

Sharing With Providers

Sometimes you need to share your health data with healthcare providers in formats they can use. Export capabilities make this possible.

Personal Backups

Even if you trust the app, having your own backup of years of health data provides security.

Regulatory Rights

Under GDPR, you have a right to data portability — receiving your data in a machine-readable format. But how well apps implement this varies significantly.

What to Look For

Completeness

Can you export everything, or just some data? Look for:

All your health records and lab values. Original uploaded documents. Notes and annotations you've added. Complete history, not just recent data.

Partial exports defeat the purpose.

Format

What format is the exported data in?

Good formats:

• PDF (for human-readable records)
• JSON or CSV (for structured data you can import elsewhere)
• Original files (if you uploaded documents)

Concerning formats:

• Proprietary formats only usable by that app
• Formats that lose data or structure
• Only summary exports, not raw data

Ease of Access

How easy is it to export?

Good: One-click full export from settings. Concerning: Requires customer support request. Bad: Not available, or only on request and takes weeks.

Frequency

Can you export anytime, or are there limits?

You should be able to export your data whenever you want, as many times as you want.

Red Flags

Watch for these warning signs:

No export option. If you can't find how to export, that's a major concern.

Export requires contacting support. This adds friction and may mean exports are reluctantly provided.

Long delays. If exports take days or weeks, the feature isn't seriously implemented.

Partial data only. Exporting just recent data or summaries isn't true portability.

Unusual format requirements. Being forced to use proprietary formats limits your options.

Export fees. Charging for your own data is a red flag about the company's priorities.

Questions to Ask Before Signing Up

Before committing to a health app:

1. Can I export all my data? (Not just summaries, but everything)
2. What format is the export? (PDF? JSON? Original documents?)
3. How do I initiate an export? (Self-service or requires contact?)
4. How quickly can I get my data? (Instant or delayed?)
5. Are there any limits on how often I can export?
6. What happens to my data if the company shuts down?

These questions reveal how seriously a company takes data portability.

Import Matters Too

Related to export is import — can you bring data in from other sources?

When evaluating apps, consider:

• Can you import from other health apps?
• Can you upload documents from any source?
• Are there integrations with hospitals or labs?

Good import capabilities mean you can consolidate your existing data. Good export capabilities mean you can leave if you need to. Together, they mean you're never trapped.

The Healthbase Approach

Healthbase is built around data portability:

Full export. Download your complete data anytime — all health values, all documents, all notes.

Multiple formats. Export as structured data (JSON, CSV) or as PDFs for human reading.

Self-service. Initiate exports yourself, no support contact required.

Instant availability. No waiting periods or delays.

Original documents. Download the actual files you uploaded, not just extracted data.

No restrictions. Export as often as you want at no extra cost.

Your health data should be portable. Truly portable, not just technically compliant. An app that makes it easy to leave is an app confident enough in its value to keep you by choice, not captivity.