How I fixed Health: Health app not working; Health dashboard stuck; Health database corrupt.

Warning: this is a lengthy post. The resolution I reached to fix the Health app was possible via following a recommendation of a fellow community member, Hook69 [Re: Health app hanging - Possible to wipe/reset?]

ℹ For any user having a Health app issue in the of Fall 2015 or later (and updated to iOS 9.0 or 9.1.x), there is resolution. Skip to RESOLUTION if you do not want to understand the Health app issues I had and failed attempts to correct the issues.

Background: I started using Health on my iPhone 6 and in September I upgraded to the iPhone 6s Plus. I didn't realize the process you had to go through to transfer an encrypted backup to transfer the data. So, when I upgraded, I just used iCloud and continued to use the Health app. After some issues with the phone (longer story), I returned the iPhone 6s Plus and went back to my iPhone 6 and afterwards the Health app database was corrupted; I cannot recall how long after reverting back to the iPhone 6 that I realized the Health app was corrupted. Unfortunately, the last backup when Health was not corrupted was overwritten.

Summary of Health App Issues: (1) Health app would not show any previous data; (2) Health app would not log any steps or save any manual input activity; (3) Health app dashboard would only show three activity cards - Flights Climbed, Steps, and Walking + Running Distance; (5) Health app would not allow me to delete data under the activity card but the data itself still resided on the iPhone [I know this because I used a third-party app to extract the data]

Unsuccessful Solutions that were tried over 3 month period: (1) "Soft" resets - alone; (2) Restoring from iCloud or restoring from iTunes - alone; (3) removing the Health activity cards from the Dashboard and closing and reopening the application; (4) Reset All settings; (5) Remove all applications that feed into Health app

ℹ RESOLUTION: Using Hook69's method + some additional steps to resolve your Health App Problems

1. [PRE-STEP] - Use a third party app to extract the information from the Health App database; I was successful using QS Access.

   If data extracts, this lets you know that there is probably a database issue because the information is on the phone but fails to appear in the Health app.

2. [PRE-STEP] - Update all apps from the App Store but do not run an iOS update yet (if needed)
3. [PRE-STEP] - Do an iCloud back up now.

   This becomes your safety net backup if the following steps don't work and you want to go back to Step #2.

4. [PRE-STEP] - Delete each application that feeds into Health or reads Health data; select the option to delete the data that feeds into Health.
5. [PRE-STEP] - Go into iPhone settings and then Privacy to turn off every action that impacts the Health App [ (a) Health and (b) Motion & Fitness ]
6. [PRE-STEP] - Go back into the Health App and turn off each activity card that is shown on the dashboard.

   If the option is available to delete the data associated with them, do so. However, I did not have the option despite the data being on the phone.

7. [PRE-STEP] - Quit the Health App
8. [PRE-STEP] - IF AVAILABLE, update to iOS 9.2 (or the latest version)
9. Now follow Hook69's steps #1, #2, and #3 [Re: Health app hanging - Possible to wipe/reset?]
10. If Health App is not working, repeat PRE-STEPs #4 and #5 to ensure all apps that feed into Health are removed from the iPhone and all settings to "activate" Health are turned off.
11. [REPEAT THIS STEP 3X] - Hold the Home and Sleep/Awake button for 30 seconds until the iPhone powers off and on. Do not input your passcode until you've done the 3 resets
12. Now follow Hook69's step #3 [Re: Health app hanging - Possible to wipe/reset?];
    • the Health app should open with a blank dashboard - THIS IS WHAT YOU WANT TO SEE
    • If the Health app does not open with a blank dashboard, STOP HERE. This method failed for you.
13. Close Health and reopen to ensure no activity cards reappear in the dashboard.

    If the Health app does not open with a blank dashboard, STOP HERE. This method failed for you.

14. If you exported data, manually input the data points into Health

    Yes, this step could be long or annoying but at least your app is working. Pay a kid (yours, niece/nephew, siblings...) to do this step.

15. Select which Health activity cards you want to reappear on dashboard
16. Reinstall your third-party fitness and health applications and log-in.
17. Perform an encrypted iTunes backup, and optionally an iCloud backup, if you want to save this as your new Day Zero

FYI

⚠ I'm electing not to reactive automatic feeds into Health. So, I cannot comment if Health becomes corrupted again by linking third-party applications.

⚠ I'm electing not to utilize Motion and Fitness tracking. So I cannot comment if Health becomes corrupted again by using that feature.

➕ I also use Lumen Trails to save the critical data

➕ I will do Health application exports routinely (maybe every 30-45 days)

➕ I will perform encrypted iTunes backups every 1-2 weeks

I hope this method was successful for you. I cannot comment on long-term effectiveness but will report back here if I experience this issue again and cannot correct it using the method above.