Guide

Polar and Health Connect: how to sync your data to Android in 2026

Polar Flow added Health Connect support in 2023. Here is how to set it up, what syncs, and how to access your Polar data outside the Polar app.

CategoryGuide

DateJune 20, 2026

Reading time6 min read

TL;DR

Polar Flow added Health Connect support in late 2023. Update to the latest version if you do not see the option.
Steps, sleep, heart rate, workouts, and VO2 Max estimates all sync to Health Connect.
Polar-specific metrics like Training Load Pro and Recovery Status stay inside Polar Flow.
Once set up, sync is automatic and happens in the background when you open Polar Flow.
Any Health Connect-compatible app can then read your Polar data without needing Polar Flow open.

Polar makes some of the most accurate training watches for runners and cyclists, but for years the data was trapped inside Polar Flow. You could export to Strava or Training Peaks, but reading your sleep and HRV data in a third-party Android health app required a workaround. With Health Connect support now stable, that has changed. This guide shows you how to set it up correctly.

Requirements

Polar Flow app: version 5.9 or later (the Health Connect option was added here). Update via Google Play if needed.
Health Connect: installed and initialized on your Android device.
Polar account: required for Polar Flow. Standard free accounts work fine for this setup.

Enabling Health Connect in Polar Flow

Open Polar Flow and tap the profile icon in the top right.
Go to 'Settings' and scroll to 'Connected applications'.
Tap 'Health Connect' and then 'Connect to Health Connect'.
A permissions dialog appears. Enable write permissions for: steps, sleep, heart rate, workouts (exercise sessions), body measurements, and VO2 Max if available.
Tap 'Allow' to confirm. Polar Flow will then push existing data to Health Connect.

What Polar writes to Health Connect

Steps and daily activity: 24/7 step count and active calories burned.
Sleep: start time, end time, and sleep stages if your device supports them. Polar Vantage series, Ignite 3, and Pacer Pro support sleep stage detection.
Heart rate: continuous measurements during the day and resting heart rate averages.
Workouts: exercise sessions including type (running, cycling, swimming), duration, distance, and calories.
VO2 Max estimate: running VO2 Max from Polar Running Performance Test results, written to Health Connect.
HRV (night HRV): nightly RMSSD if your device measures it.

How sync timing works

Polar Flow syncs data to Health Connect when you open the app or when your watch syncs. It is not always real-time. If you finish a run and close Polar Flow immediately, the workout may not appear in Health Connect for a few minutes. Opening Polar Flow and letting it sync fully is the most reliable way to ensure data is fresh.

Troubleshooting

No Health Connect option in Polar Flow: you are on an old version. Open Google Play, search for Polar Flow, and update.
Data not appearing in other apps: open Health Connect, go to 'App permissions', find Polar Flow, and check that it has write access for all the data types you expect.
Sleep data missing: not all Polar watches support sleep stage detection. Basic models only record sleep duration. Check your device's spec sheet on polar.com.
Workouts show but steps are missing: steps and workouts require separate permissions. Re-enable the Health Connect integration and grant both types explicitly.

Frequently asked questions

Does Polar Flow sync automatically to Health Connect in the background?+

It syncs when you open Polar Flow or when your watch syncs to the phone. True background sync without opening the app is not guaranteed due to Android battery optimization. For consistent sync, open Polar Flow at least once a day.

Which Polar watches support sleep stage tracking?+

Polar Vantage V3, Vantage M2, Ignite 3, Pacer Pro, and the Grit X Pro support sleep stage detection. Older entry-level models like the Ignite 2 only record sleep duration without stages.

Can I see Polar VO2 Max estimates in other apps?+

Yes. Polar writes VO2 Max estimates to Health Connect's Vo2Max data type. Any compatible app can read this, including FitMesh. Note that the absolute value may differ slightly from what Polar Flow shows, depending on how the app displays Health Connect data.

I switched from Garmin to Polar. Can I see my old Garmin data and new Polar data together?+

Yes, if both were connected to Health Connect. Your Garmin history stays in Health Connect even after you stop using the device, as long as it was not deleted. You can see both in Health Connect-compatible apps like FitMesh.

Does Polar Flow share my data with Google?+

Health Connect stores data locally on your device. Polar Flow writes to this local database. Google can read Health Connect data only if you grant Google apps permission to do so. Health Connect is not automatically shared with Google's cloud services.

Disclaimer

FitMesh Sync is an independent product. Polar is a trademark of their respective owners. This article implies no affiliation or sponsorship.

Medical disclaimer

The information in this article is for informational purposes only and does not replace advice from your physician, pharmacist or healthcare professional. FitMesh Sync is a fitness/wellness app, not a medical device, and does not diagnose or treat any conditions. For symptoms, clinical questions or treatment decisions always consult your primary care physician.

Written by

Matteo Pizzi

Founder & Solo Dev, FitMesh Sync · Fosforonero

Italian software developer. I built FitMesh Sync to fill the gap between my smartwatch and a real personal dashboard. Privacy-first, indie, EU servers.

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