Major Google Play Policy Update for Health Apps: What You Must Know Before August, 2025
May 7, 2025
Izabela Pawlik
Google Play is rolling out a significant update to its Health Content and Services policy, effective August 28, 2025. These changes aim to protect users, increase medical transparency, and ensure responsible handling of health data across all types of apps — from wellness and fitness to clinical and diagnostic tools.
If your app includes any health-related feature — even if it isn’t a medical app per se — you’ll likely be affected. Here’s a clear breakdown of what’s changing and what developers need to do to stay compliant.
Health Content & Services Policy Changes: Summary of All Changes
Policy Area | Current Policy | Updated Policy (Effective August 28, 2025) |
Scope | Focuses on apps with misleading or potentially harmful medical functionalities. | Expands to cover all apps with health features, including those not primarily categorized as medical apps. |
Developer Declarations | No formal health declaration required. | Developers must complete a Health Apps Declaration in the Play Console. |
Privacy Policy Requirements | Requires a visible privacy policy in the app and on Play Console. | Privacy policy must be publicly accessible, non-editable, not geofenced, and hosted on a live webpage (not PDF). |
Permissions | No explicit rules on unnecessary permissions. | Apps must not request unused permissions, and only those essential to core health functionality. |
Hardware and Sensor Use | No requirements about external devices or sensors. | Must disclose use of external hardware/sensors and ensure compatibility is listed in the app description. |
Regulatory Approval / Disclaimers | No formal mention. | Apps must provide regulatory approval upon request OR include a disclaimer that it's not a medical device. |
Consult a Doctor Reminder | Not required. | Apps must include a statement encouraging users to consult a healthcare professional for medical advice. |
Special App Categories (Gov, Research) | Not addressed. | Requires documentation or approvals for apps in special categories like contact tracing, clinical research, or government programs. |
Health Connect Data Usage | Not mentioned. | Any data accessed via Health Connect API is classified as personal and sensitive, subject to additional privacy rules. |
Prescription Drugs / Unapproved Substances | Prohibited, but less defined. | Clarifies that apps cannot facilitate sale or promotion of prescription drugs without prescription or unapproved substances. |
Health Misinformation | Bans misleading claims contrary to medical consensus. | Maintains this ban and provides clear examples of violations. |
Clinical Payments | Should not use Play’s billing system for regulated clinical services. | Continues this restriction with direct reference to the Payments policy. |
What This Means for Developers
This is a broad and serious tightening of standards. Google wants any app touching on user health — whether it’s fitness tracking, medication reminders, or mental well-being — to meet professional-grade clarity, safety, and data handling standards.
You’ll likely need to:
Submit a Health Declaration via Play Console
Update your privacy policy to meet new technical and accessibility requirements
Remove unused permissions
Add disclaimers if your app is not medically certified
Clearly communicate limitations and encourage consultation with professionals
Deadline: August 28, 2025
All new and existing apps must comply with the updated policy by August 28, 2025. After that date, non-compliant apps may be removed or suspended from Google Play.
Final Thoughts
This policy update signals Google’s commitment to raising the bar for digital health standards. Even if your app only dips a toe into health-related territory, the new rules mean it now requires the same diligence as more traditional medical tools.
Take this update seriously — and start preparing today to avoid penalties later. Check out the full details from Google’s official page.
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