Where your health data lives on your iPhone
Your iPhone stores health information in the Health app — a built-in process that collects data from your device sensors, other apps you install, and information you enter manually. This includes steps, heart rate, workouts, menstrual cycle tracking, medications, medical conditions, emergency contacts, and any other health details you or connected apps have added.
The data sits in two places: the Health app itself, which you control directly, and in iCloud if you have Health data syncing turned on. Deleting from one place does not automatically delete from the other, so you may need to remove it in both locations depending on what you want to accomplish.
Understanding what data you have and where it lives is the first step before you delete anything, because some deletions are permanent and cannot be undone.
Key Takeaways
- You can delete individual health records, entire data categories, or all health data at once — each method takes a different number of steps.
- Deleting from the Health app on your phone does not automatically delete from iCloud, so turn off Health syncing in Settings if you want it gone from both places.
- Some health data is tied to specific apps (like a fitness tracker app) and will not appear in the Health app — you may need to delete it in that app instead.
- Deleted health data cannot be recovered, so take a moment to confirm what you are removing before you complete the action.
Delete individual health records one at a time
Open the Health app on your iPhone and tap the Health Data tab at the bottom. Find the category you want to delete from — for example, Steps, Heart Rate, or Medications. Tap the category name, then tap Edit in the upper right corner.
You will see a list of individual entries. Tap the red minus sign next to any entry you want to remove, then tap Delete. Repeat for each entry you want to remove. When you are finished, tap Done in the upper right corner.
This method works well if you want to keep most of your health data but remove a few specific entries — for instance, deleting a workout you logged by mistake or removing a medication you no longer take.
Delete an entire health data category
Open the Health app and tap Health Data at the bottom. Find the category you want to delete entirely — such as Sleep, Workouts, or Blood Pressure. Tap the category name, then tap Edit in the upper right corner.
At the top of the list, you will see a red minus sign with the category name next to it. Tap that red minus sign, then tap Delete Category. The app will ask you to confirm. Tap Delete again, and all data in that category will be removed from your phone.
This removes the category from your iPhone but does not remove it from iCloud if syncing is on. If you want it gone from both places, you will need to turn off syncing for that category or turn off Health syncing entirely in your Settings.
Turn off Health data syncing to iCloud
If you have iCloud syncing enabled, your health data backs up to Apple's servers. Deleting from your phone does not delete it from iCloud, so the data can be restored if you sign back into the same Apple ID on another device.
To stop syncing and remove health data from iCloud, open Settings on your iPhone and tap your name at the top. Tap iCloud, then scroll down and tap Health. Toggle off the switch next to Health. A popup will appear asking whether you want to keep or delete health data on iCloud. Tap Delete to remove it from iCloud, or tap Keep if you want to preserve it there.
After you turn off syncing, any health data you delete from your phone will stay deleted and will not sync to iCloud. If you turn syncing back on later, only data created after you re-enable it will sync.
Delete health data from connected apps
Some health information comes from apps you have installed — a fitness tracker, a meditation app, or a period-tracking app, for example. This data may appear in the Health app, but deleting it from Health does not delete it from the original app.
To remove data from a connected app, open that app directly and look for settings or a data management section. The steps vary by app, but most have a way to delete your history or clear your data. Check the app's settings menu or help section for instructions.
If you want to stop an app from sending data to Health entirely, open the Health app, tap the Health Data tab, find the app name in the list, tap it, and toggle off the switch next to "Allow Health to Write Data" or similar language. This prevents the app from adding new data to Health but does not delete what is already there.
Delete all health data at once
If you want to remove everything, you can reset the Health app entirely. Open Settings, scroll down and tap Health, then tap Reset Health Data at the bottom. Tap Reset to confirm.
This removes all health data from your iPhone's Health app in one action. However, it does not remove data from iCloud if syncing is on. To delete from both places, turn off Health syncing in iCloud Settings first (as described above), then reset the Health app.
Be aware that this action cannot be undone. Once you reset, the data is gone from your phone. If you have iCloud syncing on and did not delete from iCloud first, the data will still exist on Apple's servers.
What happens to health data when you sell or give away your iPhone
If you are deleting health data because you are getting rid of your phone, erasing the Health app alone is not enough. You need to erase the entire phone to make sure no personal data remains.
Go to Settings, tap General, then tap Transfer or Reset. Tap Erase All Content and Settings. Your phone will ask for your Apple ID password to confirm. After you enter it, the phone will erase completely and restart as if it were brand new.
This removes all data — health information, messages, photos, passwords, everything — from the device. It also removes the phone from your Apple ID account, so the next owner can set it up with their own account. If you have important health data you want to keep, back it up before you erase the phone.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I recover health data after I delete it?
No. Deleted health data cannot be recovered from your iPhone. If you have iCloud syncing on, the data may still exist on iCloud's servers, but you cannot restore it to your phone through the Health app. If you think you might need the data later, take a screenshot or export it before you delete.
Does deleting health data from my iPhone delete it from my Apple Watch?
No. Your Apple Watch stores its own copy of health data. Deleting from your iPhone does not affect the Watch. To delete from your Watch, open the Watch app on your iPhone, go to Health, and manage data there. You can also delete directly on the Watch by opening Health, swiping left on a data type, and tapping Delete.
What if I turn off Health syncing but want to turn it back on later?
You can turn Health syncing back on anytime in Settings under iCloud. When you do, only health data created after you re-enable syncing will sync to iCloud. Data you deleted while syncing was off will not reappear. If you kept data on iCloud before turning off syncing, that data will still be there.
Will deleting health data from the Health app delete it from my doctor's office?
No. If you have shared health records with your doctor through the Health app's medical records feature, deleting from your phone does not delete the records from your doctor's system. You would need to contact your doctor's office directly to request deletion of your records from their end.
Can I delete health data without deleting the Health app itself?
Yes. You can delete all the data inside the Health app while keeping the app installed on your phone. Use the methods described above to delete individual entries, categories, or all data. The app will remain on your home screen and ready to use. You cannot delete the Health app itself because it is built into iOS.