Preview: Health Content and Services

If your app offers health-related features or information as part of its functionality, or accesses health data to support non-health features, it must comply with the existing Google Play Developer Policies, including Privacy, Deception and Device Abuse, in addition to the below requirements:

• Console Declaration:
  • All developers must complete the Health apps declaration form on the App content page (Policy > App content) in Play Console. Learn more about providing information for the Health apps declaration form.
• Privacy Policy and Prominent Disclosure Requirements:
  • Your app must post a privacy policy link in the designated field within Play Console, and a privacy policy link or text within the app itself. Please make sure your privacy policy is available on an active, publicly accessible and non-geofenced URL (no PDFs) and is non-editable (as per the Data safety section).
  • Your app’s privacy policy must, together with any in-app disclosures, comprehensively disclose the access, collection, use, and sharing of personal or sensitive user data, not limited by the data disclosed in the Data safety section above. For any functionality or data regulated by dangerous or runtime permissions, the app must fulfill all applicable prominent disclosure and consent requirements.
  • Permissions that are not required for a health app to perform its core functionality should not be requested and unused permissions must be removed. For the list of permissions that are considered in scope of health related sensitive data, see What permissions are in scope of the health apps policy?
  • If your app is not primarily a health app, but has health-related features and accesses health data, it is still in scope of the Health App policy. It should be clear to the user the connection between the app’s core functionality and the collection of health related data (for example, insurance providers, games apps that collect a user’s activity data as a way to advance game play etc.). The app’s privacy policy must reflect this limited use.
• Health and Medical Functionalities:
  • We don’t allow apps with health and medical related functionalities that are misleading or potentially harmful. 
  • Apps that connect to external hardware or devices (e.g., blood glucose monitors) to perform their medical function, must clearly disclose these external hardware requirements in the app description. The app must not imply that it can function independently of the required external hardware.
  • Apps that use device sensors (e.g., camera) for health functions must clearly state device compatibility information in the app description. For example, apps with oximetry functionality using only device sensors must properly disclose which device models can support the functionality.
  • Apps that have received regulatory clearance or approval as a medical device must provide proof of such approval upon request. Apps that are not regulated and approved by a relevant health authority must include a clear disclaimer indicating that the app is not a medical device and does not diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any medical condition.
  • Apps must also remind users to consult a healthcare professional for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
• Additional requirements:
  If your health app qualifies for one of the following designations, you must comply with relevant requirements:
  • Government-Affiliated health apps: If you have permission from the government or a recognized healthcare organization to develop and distribute an app in affiliation with them, you must submit proof of eligibility via the Advance Notice Form.
  • Contact Tracing/Health Status apps: If your app is a contact tracing and/or health status app, please select “Disease Prevention and Public Health” in Play Console, and provide the required information via the advance notice form above.
  • Human Subjects Research Apps: Apps conducting health-related human subjects research must follow all rules and regulations; including but not limited to, obtaining informed consent from participants or, in the case of minors, their parent or guardian. Health Research apps should also secure approval from an Institutional Review Board (IRB) and/or equivalent independent ethics committee unless otherwise exempt. Proof of such approval must be provided upon request.

For more information about health and medical apps, see this help center article.

Data accessed through Health Connect Permissions is regarded as personal and sensitive user data subject to the User Data policy, and is subjected to additional requirements.

Google Play doesn't allow apps that promote or sell unapproved substances, irrespective of any claims of legality. 

• All items on this non-exhaustive list of prohibited pharmaceuticals and supplements.

• Products that contain ephedra.

• Products containing human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in relation to weight loss or weight control, or when promoted in conjunction with anabolic steroids.

• Herbal and dietary supplements with active pharmaceutical or dangerous ingredients.

• False or misleading health claims, including claims implying that a product is as effective as prescription drugs or controlled substances.

• Non-government approved products that are marketed in a way that implies that they're safe or effective for use in preventing, curing, or treating a particular disease or ailment.

• Products that have been subject to any government or regulatory action or warning.

• Products with names that are confusingly similar to an unapproved pharmaceutical or supplement or controlled substance.

We don’t allow apps containing misleading health claims that contradict existing medical consensus, or can cause harm to users.

• Misleading claims about vaccines, such as that vaccines can alter one’s DNA.
• Advocacy of harmful, unapproved treatments.
• Advocacy of other harmful health practices, such as conversion therapy.

(1) This app features medical or health-related claims (cures cancer) that are misleading.

Transactions involving regulated clinical services should not use Google Play’s billing system. For more information, see Understanding Google Play’s Payments policy.