How to Automate Apple Health Exports with Siri Shortcuts
Same export, every time you need it? Set it up once, then run it with a single tap or ask Siri.
By Marina
Co-founder, vitalina · April 21, 2026
One tap to export
No setup each time - just tap the notification
Ask Siri
"Export health data with vitalina"
Chain with other actions
Save to Files, send via email, upload to a server
Any format
Export as PDF, CSV, or JSON
Before you start
- •Download vitalina from the App Store and open it once to grant Apple Health access
- •Upgrade to vitalina Pro - Shortcuts automation is a Pro feature (one-time purchase, no subscription)
- •iPhone with iOS 18 or later
Step-by-step setup
Follow these 9 steps to create a recurring health data export automation. The screenshots show iOS 27; on earlier versions some screens look different and a few options have other names.
Open the Shortcuts app
Search for "Shortcuts" using Spotlight or find it on your Home Screen.
Go to Automation
In the Library, tap "Automation" (tap the back arrow at the top left to get to the Library), then tap "+" to start a new automation.
Open the editor
If a "Describe a shortcut" screen opens, tap "Edit" at the top right. The editor opens with a list of actions at the bottom.
Pick a trigger
In the list, tap "Automation", then choose when your export should run - for example "Time of Day".
Set the schedule
Tap the time to set it, then tap the arrow next to it: set "Repeat" and turn on "Notify" and "Confirm Before Run" - Apple Health data can only be accessed when your iPhone is unlocked.
Find vitalina
Type "vitalina" in the search field and tap "Export Health Data".
Configure your export
Pick your data types, format, time range, and unit system. For a PDF, tap the arrow to see its options: each one starts on "As in the app", or pick a setting for this shortcut.
Chain more actions
Use the search field at the bottom to find and add more actions - for example, "Send Message" to share the export.
Check "Confirm Before Run"
Tap the back arrow to save the automation. Touch and hold it in the list: "Confirm Before Run" should have a check mark. On earlier iOS versions this option is called "Run After Confirmation".
Good to know
- •Your iPhone must be unlocked for health data access. That is why "Confirm Before Run" ("Run After Confirmation" on earlier iOS versions) is important - you will get a notification and tap to confirm.
- •Time ranges are Today, Yesterday, Last 1, 3, 5, 7 or 14 days, or a Custom range. Each one is counted from when the automation runs, so "Yesterday" every morning exports the whole previous day, midnight to midnight. A Custom range has a "Start Date", an "End Date" and "All Day", which is on by default: whole days, both dates included, so the same date in both fields exports that one day. Fill both dates with an Adjust Date action (Current Date minus 1 day, for example) to export a day relative to the run. Ranges longer than 14 days need vitalina Pro.
- •PDF options appear when the format is PDF: Text Size, Paper Size, Charts Only, Daily Totals, Hourly Charts, Table of Contents and Black & White. Each starts on "As in the app", the setting in vitalina's PDF options when the shortcut runs, so changing it in the app changes the shortcut too. Pick a value to keep it for this shortcut. With Hourly Charts on, heart rate, blood pressure and the other line charts show each day of the export hour by hour, one chart per day.
- •The exported file can be passed to Save, Share, or Mail actions - chain as many Shortcuts actions as you like.
Ideas for automations
Weekly report for your doctor
Every Sunday at 8 PM, export the last 7 days of blood pressure and heart rate as PDF. Save to your "Medical" folder in iCloud Drive so it is ready for your Monday appointment.
Hour by hour, several days
Export the last 3 days of heart rate and blood pressure as PDF with Hourly Charts on. Each day gets its own chart from midnight to midnight, all on one scale, so your doctor can see how your readings moved through each day.
Daily sleep log
Every morning at 9 AM, export last night's sleep data as CSV and email it to yourself. Build up a personal sleep archive in your inbox.
Monthly fitness summary
On the 1st of each month, export the previous month of workouts and activity as JSON: a Custom range from Current Date minus 1 month to Current Date minus 1 day, with All Day on (Pro). Pass it to a ChatGPT prompt for a training review.
FAQ
Can I automate Apple Health exports?
Yes. vitalina integrates with Siri Shortcuts so you can set up recurring exports that run on a schedule. Export heart rate, sleep, workouts, and 100+ other metrics as PDF, CSV, or JSON automatically.
Does the automation work in the background?
Apple Health data requires your iPhone to be unlocked. Turn on "Confirm Before Run" for your automation ("Run After Confirmation" on earlier iOS versions) and you will get a notification at the scheduled time. Tap it to run the export.
Can I chain vitalina exports with other Shortcuts actions?
Yes. After the vitalina export action, you can add any Shortcuts action - save the file to iCloud Drive, send it via email or Messages, upload to a server, or pass it to another app.
Is Shortcuts automation a Pro feature?
Yes. Siri Shortcuts integration is part of vitalina Pro, a one-time purchase with no subscription.
Can a shortcut use different PDF options than the app?
Yes. With PDF as the format, the Export Health Data action has Text Size, Paper Size, Charts Only, Daily Totals, Hourly Charts, Table of Contents and Black & White. Each starts on "As in the app", the setting in vitalina's PDF options when the shortcut runs. Pick a value and this shortcut keeps it, whatever the app is set to, so one shortcut can export daily totals while another lists every reading.
Can I use Siri to trigger an export?
Yes. Once you have set up a shortcut, you can say "Export health data with vitalina" to Siri and it will run your configured export.
Ready to automate your health exports?
Download vitalina and set up your first Shortcuts automation in minutes.