5 ways to back up health records without the cloud

Your medication plans, period records, doctor's notes and test results… Keeping them takes effort, and nobody wants to lose it all the day their phone breaks. At the same time, you may not want to put your health information into a cloud account. In this article we cover 5 ways to back up your records without the cloud, plus simple habits to keep your backups safe.

Why you need a backup, and why the cloud isn't a must

A backup is a copy of your important information kept somewhere separate. The UK's National Cyber Security Centre (NCSC) points out that a backup protects you if your device is lost, stolen or damaged, if you delete something by accident, against malware, and when you change devices. If the only copy is on your phone, it goes when your phone goes.

Cloud backup is handy because it runs automatically, but it isn't the only option. Some people don't want their health information to leave their own devices; others don't have enough cloud storage or have a weak connection. If you're not sure where your own records are kept, checking where your health data is stored is a good place to start.

Backing up without the cloud puts a bit more of the work in your hands. But with a few simple steps, you can turn it into a regular, safe habit.

5 ways to back up without the cloud

You don't have to use all of these at once. Picking one or two that fit your routine is enough.

1. Make an encrypted iPhone backup on your computer. Apple lets you connect your iPhone to a Mac or PC with a cable and make a local backup. According to Apple, you need to encrypt the backup for your Health and Activity data to be included; if you forget that password, the backup can't be recovered. Some apps, though, keep their records out of device backups, so check your apps' own backup options too.
2. Use the app's own backup file. Many health apps let you export your records as a file. You can save this file to a location of your choice in the Files app on your iPhone. If there's an option to protect the file with a password, be sure to use it.
3. Use an external drive or USB stick. Copying your backup files to an external drive keeps them separate from your phone and computer. The NCSC recommends not leaving these drives connected when you're not using them and protecting them with a password if possible, so their contents stay protected even if they're lost.
4. Keep a readable copy. A backup file is often only for restoring into the app. Keeping separate PDF copies or a printed file of doctor's reports, test results or period summaries helps you get to the information quickly when you need it.
5. Keep a second copy somewhere else. If all your backups are in the same drawer, a fire, flood or burglary could affect them all at once. You could keep a password-protected USB stick somewhere you trust, for example in a locked cabinet at work or with someone close to you.

When deciding which way to go, you can ask yourself three questions: In which situation am I most likely to lose my records? How much time can I set aside for backing up? Where will I get to the backup when I need it? For example, if you have a computer at home, making an encrypted backup once a month may be easy. If you don't have a computer, copying the app's own backup file to a password-protected USB stick may be more practical. What matters is that the way you choose fits your life and is something you can really do regularly.

Habits to keep your backups safe

A backup is only useful if it ends up in the right hands. Health records are sensitive information, so give your backups the same care you give your phone.

• Use a strong, separate password. Choose a backup password that's different from the ones you use for other accounts, and keep it in a password manager or somewhere safe.
• Name your files clearly. Adding the date to the file name lets you see at a glance which backup is the newest.
• Don't spread unencrypted copies around. Emailing the backup file to yourself or leaving it on a shared computer can defeat the purpose of keeping it out of the cloud.
• Clear out old backups. Delete copies you no longer need; the fewer copies there are, the easier they are to keep track of.

It also helps to know in advance what to do in the first hours if your phone ever goes missing. We cover it step by step in what happens to your health records if you lose your phone.

How often should you back up?

There's no single answer that fits everyone; it depends on how often you log records. If you log every day, backing up once a month limits what you could lose to a few weeks of records. Also make it a habit to back up before travelling, changing phones or deleting an app.

Testing a backup matters as much as making it. The NCSC recommends checking your backups now and then to make sure the restored information is really there. Seeing that a backup file opens, that the password works and that your latest records are inside saves you from surprises when you need it. The easiest time to do this is right after making a new backup.

How do you back up your records in Oveluni?

Oveluni keeps your records on this iPhone; there's no automatic cloud backup or analytics tracking. That's why you make your own backup. Open Settings from the gear in the top right of any tab, and in the Your data section tap Back up / restore. On the Save a backup page, you set a backup password of at least 12 characters and save the file to the location you choose with Save to Files. Oveluni can't recover this password, so keep it somewhere safe.

All tracking areas, including hidden ones, and your notes go into the backup; the date of your last backup also appears on the same page. The backup is for restoring your records into the app; if you want a readable document, you can create a PDF report in the Reports & export section. If you're changing phones, our guide to moving to a new iPhone walks you through the steps in order. Oveluni is coming soon to the App Store.

Sources

1. NCSC: Always back up your most important data
2. Apple Support: Back up your iPhone using your Mac