Setup Guide

Connecting Your Android Device to October Health

October Health integrates with your Android device to provide personalized wellness insights based on your health data. This guide will walk you through connecting your device using Health Connect, Google Fit, or Samsung Health.

In This Guide

Overview

October Health uses your health data to provide personalized insights, track your wellness progress, and help you achieve your health goals. On Android, you have three main options for syncing your data:

  • Health Connect (Recommended) - Android's unified health data platform that works with multiple apps
  • Google Fit - Google's health and fitness tracking platform
  • Samsung Health - Samsung's proprietary health platform for Galaxy devices

Read-only: You'll need a tracker app

October Health does not write or record health data. We only read data you choose to share. To collect data (steps, heart rate, sleep, workouts), install and use a tracking appsuch as Google Fit or Samsung Health, and connect it to Health Connect.

Quick start

  1. Install a tracker: Google Fit or Samsung Health.
  2. Ensure Health Connect is installed and enabled.
  3. Open your tracker app and allow it to share data with Health Connect.
  4. Open October Health → Settings → Connect Health Data → grant read permissions.

Using Health Connect (Recommended)

Step 1: Install Health Connect

Health Connect is pre-installed on devices running Android 14 and above. For older Android versions (9-13), you'll need to install it from the Google Play Store.

Android 14 and newer

On Android 14 or newer, Health Connect is installed by default. You can find it by going to Settings → Apps, or by searching for “Health Connect” on your device. If you can’t find it, make sure your device and Google Play system updates are current.

On Android 9–13, install “Health Connect by Android” from the Google Play Store.

  1. Open the Google Play Store on your device
  2. Search for "Health Connect by Android"
  3. Tap Install and wait for the download to complete
  4. Once installed, open Health Connect to complete the setup

Step 2: Connect Your Fitness Apps

Before October Health can access your data, you need to connect your fitness tracking apps (Google Fit, Samsung Health, Fitbit, etc.) to Health Connect.

  1. Open Health Connect
  2. Tap on App permissions or Connected apps
  3. Select your fitness app (e.g., Google Fit, Samsung Health)
  4. Grant permissions for the data types you want to track (steps, heart rate, sleep, etc.)

Tip: Multiple Data Sources

You can connect multiple apps to Health Connect! For example, use Google Fit for activity tracking and a dedicated sleep app for sleep monitoring. Health Connect intelligently manages duplicate data.

Step 3: Connect October Health to Health Connect

  1. Open the October Health app
  2. Navigate to Profile or Settings
  3. Tap on Connect Health Data or Health Connect
  4. When prompted, tap Allow to grant October Health access
  5. Select the data types you want to share:
    • Steps and activity
    • Heart rate
    • Sleep data
    • Exercise sessions
    • Nutrition (optional)
    • Weight and body measurements (optional)
  6. Tap Done or Confirm

Privacy First

You have complete control over what data you share. You can modify permissions at any time through Health Connect settings. October Health only accesses the data types you explicitly approve and never writes or modifies any data in Health Connect.

Using Google Fit

Step 1: Install and Set Up Google Fit

  1. Download Google Fit from the Google Play Store
  2. Open Google Fit and sign in with your Google account
  3. Follow the on-screen prompts to set up your profile (height, weight, activity goals)
  4. Grant necessary permissions (physical activity, location if using GPS)

Step 2: Connect Wearables or Other Apps (Optional)

If you use a fitness tracker or smartwatch:

  1. In Google Fit, tap your Profile icon → Settings
  2. Tap Manage connected apps
  3. Connect your device's companion app (e.g., Wear OS, Mi Fit)
  4. Authorize data sharing

Step 3: Link October Health with Google Fit

  1. Open the October Health app
  2. Go to Settings → Health Data
  3. Select Connect with Google Fit
  4. Choose your Google account
  5. Review and tap Allow for the requested permissions
  6. Wait for the initial data sync to complete

Note: Google Fit and Health Connect

If you're on Android 14+, Google Fit automatically syncs data through Health Connect. You can connect October Health to either Google Fit or Health Connect—both will access the same data pool.

Using Samsung Health

Samsung Health is pre-installed on most Samsung Galaxy devices and offers comprehensive health tracking capabilities.

Step 1: Set Up Samsung Health

  1. Open Samsung Health (pre-installed on Galaxy devices)
  2. Sign in with your Samsung account
  3. Complete your health profile (age, gender, height, weight)
  4. Set your fitness goals and preferences
  5. Grant necessary permissions when prompted

Step 2: Enable Health Connect Integration

Samsung Health now supports Health Connect, making integration easier:

  1. Open Samsung Health
  2. Tap Menu (three horizontal lines) → Settings
  3. Scroll down and tap Health Connect
  4. Tap Connect and follow the prompts
  5. Select which data types to share with Health Connect

Step 3: Connect October Health

Once Samsung Health is connected to Health Connect, follow the Health Connect steps above to link October Health. Alternatively, if using direct Samsung Health integration:

  1. Open October Health
  2. Navigate to Settings → Connect Health Data
  3. Select Samsung Health
  4. Authorize the connection when prompted
  5. Select data types to share
  6. Complete the authorization

Samsung Galaxy Watch Users

If you have a Galaxy Watch, it automatically syncs with Samsung Health. All your watch data (heart rate, sleep, workouts) will be available in October Health once connected.

Managing Permissions

You have full control over what health data you share with October Health. Here's how to manage your permissions:

Through Health Connect

  1. Open Health Connect
  2. Tap App permissions
  3. Find and tap October Health
  4. Toggle permissions on/off for specific data types
  5. You can also tap Delete all data to remove all data October Health has accessed

Through Android Settings

  1. Open Settings on your Android device
  2. Tap Apps → October Health
  3. Tap Permissions
  4. Review and modify permissions as needed

Recommended Data Types to Share

Essential Data
  • • Steps and activity
  • • Sleep duration and quality
  • • Exercise sessions
Enhanced Insights
  • • Heart rate
  • • Stress levels
  • • Nutrition data
  • • Mindfulness minutes

Troubleshooting

Data Not Syncing

If your health data isn't appearing in October Health:

  1. Ensure your fitness app (Google Fit, Samsung Health) is actively tracking data
  2. Check that Health Connect has permission to access data from your fitness app
  3. Verify October Health has permission to read data from Health Connect
  4. Try manually syncing by pulling down in the October Health app
  5. Restart both apps and your device

"Health Connect Not Found" Error

If you see this error:

  • Check if your Android version is 9 or higher (required for Health Connect)
  • Download Health Connect from the Google Play Store if you're on Android 9-13
  • Update your device to Android 14+ for the best experience (Health Connect is built-in)

Missing Data Types

If certain metrics aren't showing up:

  • Verify your fitness app supports the data type (e.g., not all apps track stress)
  • Check permissions for that specific data type in Health Connect
  • Some data types require additional hardware (heart rate needs a compatible device)

Battery Drain Issues

If you notice increased battery usage:

  • Disable background data refresh for less critical data types
  • Reduce sync frequency in your fitness app settings
  • Turn off continuous heart rate monitoring if not needed
  • Ensure all apps are updated to their latest versions

Still Having Issues?

If you're still experiencing problems after trying these solutions:

Frequently Asked Questions

Is my health data secure?

Yes. October Health uses end-to-end encryption for all health data. Your data is stored securely and never shared with third parties without your explicit consent. We comply with GDPR, HIPAA, and other international privacy standards.

Can I disconnect my health data at any time?

Absolutely. You can revoke October Health's access to your health data at any time through Health Connect or your device settings. You can also request deletion of all your health data from our servers through the app settings.

Does October Health work without health data?

Yes! While health data integration enhances your experience with personalized insights, you can still use October Health's core features including AI-powered mental health support, wellness content, and coaching without connecting your health data.

Which fitness devices are compatible?

October Health works with any device that syncs to Google Fit, Samsung Health, or Health Connect. This includes:

  • Google Pixel Watch, Wear OS devices
  • Samsung Galaxy Watch, Galaxy Fit
  • Fitbit (via Google Fit)
  • Garmin, Polar, Suunto (via compatible apps)
  • Most Android smartphones with built-in sensors

How often does data sync?

Data typically syncs every 1-4 hours automatically. You can also manually trigger a sync by pulling down to refresh in the October Health app. Real-time data (like during a workout) may take a few minutes to appear after your fitness app records it.

What data types does October Health use?

October Health can utilize:

  • Activity: Steps, distance, active minutes, calories burned
  • Exercise: Workout types, duration, intensity
  • Sleep: Duration, sleep stages, sleep quality
  • Heart: Resting heart rate, heart rate zones
  • Wellness: Stress levels, mindfulness minutes
  • Body: Weight, BMI, body composition (optional)

Do I need a smartwatch or fitness tracker?

No! Your Android phone can track steps, activity, and sleep using its built-in sensors. A smartwatch or fitness tracker provides more detailed data (like continuous heart rate monitoring), but it's not required to benefit from October Health's features.

Need Additional Help?

Our support team is here to help you get connected and make the most of your October Health experience.

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